The ASCE 2025 Convention in Seattle is on its way.
Slated for October, the event offers the chance not only to meet with fellow civil engineers, but also to connect with the city itself. Seattle is home to numerous engineering marvels and a rich engineering history, and the convention will give you the opportunity to tour a variety of attractions throughout the city.
Below are seven ways you can explore Seattle during the convention.
1. Visit the Climate Pledge Arena
Seattle’s Climate Pledge Arena has a mission to “be the most progressive, responsible, and sustainable arena in the world.” In line with the goals laid out by The Climate Pledge – which was jointly founded by Amazon and Global Optimism in 2019 – the arena hopes to achieve net zero carbon by 2040.
How is the arena working toward this goal? Its major focus areas are waste reduction, renewable energy, public transportation, and water conservation. It was built over the historic Key Arena and received LEED certification, a testament to the sustainability of its construction strategies and materials.
Today, the arena hosts a wide range of events, including sporting events, concerts, and more.
You can find out more about the facility during the convention’s technical tour at 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, Oct. 8.
2. Discover local cuisine
Capitol Hill is Seattle’s premier food spot, offering a variety of restaurants influenced by the neighborhood’s diversity and deep history. During the convention’s Capitol Hill Food Tour, you can experience the unique character of the neighborhood through carefully chosen restaurants, cafes, and specialty food shops. You will also get a glimpse into the architecture in which the community thrives.
Learn more about the tour.
3. Walk the Colman Dock
This walking tour will take attendees on a journey from the Seattle Convention Center to the Colman Dock, Seattle’s primary ferry terminal.
The facility is currently undergoing a replacement project that not only addresses aging materials and seismic vulnerability, but also the ways in which it can transform to become more dynamic, accessible, and sustainable for its visitors. During the tour, you will learn about the project as well as its place in the wider evolution of the Seattle Waterfront.
Learn more about the Colman Dock technical tour at 10 a.m., Wednesday, Oct. 8.
4. Sample local coffee
Coffee is an enduring part of Seattle’s culture, and the Seattle Convention Center has several great cafes within walking distance. The convention’s Seattle Coffee Experience walking tour will take you by local coffee shops in the area so you can try what they have to offer.
Learn more about the tour.
5. Ride the monorail
The Seattle Monorail has served its community since 1962, when it was opened to transport people to the World’s Fair. It has remained a cornerstone of the city’s transit system, now connecting Westlake Center and Seattle Center, where visitors can visit six major attractions. The monorail is run by Seattle Monorail Services, which hopes to keep the service running through its hundredth anniversary and beyond.
Attendees of the Climate Pledge Arena tour will begin the event with a ride on the historic monorail, which stops nearby.
6. Tour the Boeing Everette Factory
The Boeing Everette Factory was originally constructed in 1967 to manufacture the 747 airplane and has since expanded to support the production of the 767, 777, and 787 airplanes as well. As the facility’s capabilities grew, so did the space itself, and the structure now stands as the largest manufacturing building in the world.
The convention will offer a technical tour of the facility, which will include a 30-minute presentation and an 80-minute guided experience in which participants will learn about airplane production, the facility’s history, and its place in future commercial aviation.
Learn more about the tour, which begins at 2 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 11.
7. Learn about biking infrastructure
In December 2024, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials released the fifth edition of its Bike Guide, which addresses the design of separated bike lanes for the first time. This outdoor walking session will take a deep dive into this topic as well as other aspects of the guide, including bicycle boulevards, buffered bike lanes, intersection design treatments, and signal strategies that benefit cyclists.
The session is 9:30 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 11. Learn more.
Learn more about the ASCE 2025 Convention and register now.
