5 Cool Seattle Marathons
Looking for running events in the Seattle area? You have many to choose from in 2017! Shuttle Express has helped with transportation for some of the big running events, like the Rock’ n Roll marathon, but here we’re sharing some smaller Seattle runs you might like.
Cupid’s Undie Run – February 11
Feel like running a mile through Seattle in your underpants? This run’s for you. Cupid’s Undie Run encourages runners to hit the streets in their undies, but it’s not required, so don’t panic. This unique run is a fundraising event for the Children’s Tumor Foundation, dedicated to ending Neurofibromatosis through research.
Hot Chocolate 15k/5k Seattle – March 5
It’s not all about the chocolate with this sweet race – join this crowd and help raise funds for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Western Washington & Alaska while enjoying your chocolate. Run the race, then party with other chocoholics at the post-race party featuring chocolate fondue, dippable treats, and more. Yum.
Seahawks 12k Run & GLOW 5k – April 9
Here’s your chance to run around the Seahawks’ training facility and not get stopped by security. Enjoy a 12k or 5k run and help others, too. The Seahawks 12K Run at The Landing will accept donations to help raise money for A Better Seattle, a charity led by head coach Pete Carroll and the Seattle Seahawks.
Eastside Subaru Mother’s Day Half Marathon & 5K – May 14
Celebrate moms everywhere with this high-energy event. Walk or run the half-marathon or the 5k race which starts at Juanita Beach Park and features magnificent vews along the shores of Lake Washington.
Seattle Solstice Run – June 17
Celebrate the summer solstice with this fun event, which is part of the Magnuson Series of runs. Join the 5k or 10k run/walk, or go the distance with the 15k run.
For a full list of running events in the Seattle area, visit RunGuides for more info.
If you’d rather ride, check out Shuttle Express! As Seattle’s local transportation experts, our professional, friendly drivers have been getting people where they need to go for nearly 30 years, safely and on time. We’re best known for our iconic Sea-Tac Airport van service, but we do so much more—luxury cars, large and small coaches, and private vans. We partner with corporations, hotels, meeting planners, or anyone who needs reliable, comfortable transportation with a friendly attitude. Reach us at sales@shuttleexpress.net. Race on, Seattle!
Seattle Valentine’s Day Ideas
Haven’t made plans yet for Valentine’s Day? We’ve done some legwork for you—here are five sweet ways to celebrate the day of love in Seattle whether it’s with your sweetheart, your family, or your friends. Tip: Around Valentine’s Day, our Shuttle Express black car and limousine service gets especially busy, so book your private transportation early!
- Waterways Cruises and Events is pulling out all the stops with a romantic dinner cruise—2.5 hours of cruising around Lake Union and Lake Washington while enjoying a gourmet dinner and more at your own private table. February 11-12, 14
- If you’re up for something different this Valentine’s Day, check out The Atomic Bombshells “J’ Adore!: A Burlesque Valentine” at The Triple Door in Seattle. February 9-14
- The Edgewater hotel in downtown Seattle is offering a fantastic romantic getaway package. Aptly named the “Snuggle & Smooch,” it includes a one-night stay for two, chocolate dipped strawberries, a romance box filled with treasures, and much more. Check dates with hotel.
- If wine is the way to your sweetie’s heart (or you and your friends just really like wine), head to nearby Woodinville and enjoy several Valentine’s Day-themed events on Saturday, Feb. 11. A few promising options include William Church Wine and Wellington Chocolates; Woodhouse Wines & Valentines; and Obelisco Wine and Live Music. Woodinville is a short 30-minute drive that’s well-worth the trip. (If you’d rather let loose and not worry about driving, we’ll be your designated driver.) Visit Woodinville Wine Country’s event calendar for times and locations.
- Throwing your own Valentine’s Day party or just want some fun ideas for the whole family? Check out these Valentine’s Day craft and party ideas for a DIY holiday everyone can enjoy.
Add chauffeured, luxury transportation to your Valentine’s Day, or any special night. Shuttle Express offers black car/limousine service and private charters for any event; our professional chauffeurs are trained, fully insured, and drug tested for your safety and security. We will take care of the driving, traffic, and parking hassles so you can enjoy your evening. Reach us at sales@shuttleexpress.net.
Tidy Up, Seattle – Office Declutter List
If you’re ready to lose your office clutter but you’re not sure where to start, check out our list. We asked the most organized, neat-freak transportation experts at Seattle’s Shuttle Express transportation headquarters for some ideas, and here’s what they came up with.
- Know and accept your organizational style—if you’re a filer, use a simple filing system and file your stuff every day. Don’t let things pile up. Maybe you’re a piler. See #2.
- If you’re a piler, go ahead and own it, just organize your piles. Get sturdy paper holders or decorative boxes to round up only those important papers you want to keep; maintain everything in neat, easily-movable groups.
- If you’re overwhelmed with clutter, set aside time—a few hours or a whole day, whatever it takes—to clear out everything. Then, bring back in only what you know you’ll use.
- Get in the habit of putting everything in its place after you use it, or at least at the end of each work day.
- Dirt happens. Schedule reminders for yourself to dust your computer monitor and keyboard, and keep disinfectant cleaning wipes on hand to regularly wipe-down other surfaces.
- Store often-used items and files nearest to you and store less important stuff farther away.
- Be ruthless—pitch things you never use.
- Clutter creep happens to the best of us, so do a “clean sweep” regularly to maintain your tidy space.
- Use drawer compartments to keep small items from jumbling together and making a mess.
- Enter or scan business cards into your contact system right away, then toss them in the trash (not in a drawer to handle later).
- Let go of your mountain of “sticky notes” and instead keep track of deadlines, details, and meetings with a virtual assistant app or in your calendar synced to your phone.
- Keep your virtual desktop as clutter-free as the rest of your space. Resist randomly saving files to your desktop, which results in a sea of unorganized files.
- Move photos and videos to the cloud using free options like Dropbox.
- Declutter your smartphone. Dump those apps you thought you couldn’t live without, but you never use.
Need a ride? As Seattle’s local transportation experts, our professional, friendly drivers have been getting people to where they need to go for nearly 30 years, safely and on time. We’re best known for our iconic Sea-Tac Airport van service, but we do so much more—luxury cars, large and small coaches, private vans. We partner with corporations, hotels, meeting planners, or anyone who needs reliable, comfortable transportation with a friendly attitude.
So whether your company needs VIP black car service or group transportation for 40 of your favorite colleagues, our experienced, caring team will make it happen. Reach us at sales@shuttleexpress.net.
6 Easy Ways to Travel on the Cheap
Resolution #1: Travel more in 2017. Resolution #2: Spend less in 2017. Sound impossible to do both? Before ditching your resolve and indulging in some online retail therapy, read on for easy, practical ideas to make both goals happen this year. The travel universe is brimming with shockingly great deals, and our Shuttle Express transportation team in Seattle pulled together just a few of the ways you can travel more while spending less.
- Flight Deals Search for low-cost flights on sites like Momondo.com – a free, independent global travel search site that compares prices for flights worldwide. Matt at Nomadic Matt’s Travel Site says sites like Momondo offer a wider range of choices than more popular discount sites. Take our economical airport share ride service (children 2 and under ride free!), and you’ve got a deal.
- Flying Alternatives Going ground isn’t nearly as popular as it used to be, but if you’re open to a different travel experience, consider planning a train trip, or even a cross-country bus excursion. Tickets are dramatically lower than airfare in many cases, although amenities vary.
- Travel Coupon Sites Check out Groupon Getaways and LivingSocial Destinations for some pretty nice deals. A quick online search will give you scads of other sites, too, but these are two of the most reputable.
- Cruising on the Cheap Deals on cruises abound, but you can start with Vacationstogo.com where you’ll find their self-described “world famous” 90-day ticker featuring a complete listing of last-minute cruises on the world’s best cruise lines. Deals sell out lightning-fast on this popular site, so if you see a winner, book it immediately!
- Meal Deals It’s not new advice, but it works: make your own food. Buy the essentials, make a sandwich or two, and save your funds for special meals out. Then, eat like the locals, which likely will be less expensive but will enhance your travel experience.
- Travel Rewards If saving on travel is your goal, choose your credit cards wisely. Many offer travel rewards, but some are better than others – here’s NerdWallet’s overview on the top travel reward cards for 2017.
Need a ride? Shuttle Express is here for you. As Seattle’s local transportation experts, our professional, friendly team has been at the wheel for nearly 30 years, keeping our guests safe, on time, and stress-free. We’re best known for our iconic, budget-friendly Sea-Tac Airport van service, but we do so much more—luxury cars, large and small coaches, and private vans.
So whether we’re driving you to Sea-Tac and back with our black car service, or transporting your office team of 150 to a group event in well-appointed motor coaches, our experienced, caring team will make it happen. Reach us at sales@shuttleexpress.net.
Seattle Wedding Venue Gems
It’s never too early to start planning your wedding day once you’re engaged, and it’s never too early to snag the coolest venue in Seattle. Our transportation coordinators sifted through dozens of unique wedding venues, including those where we’ve transported our wedding party clients, and we narrowed our list to these four shiny gems:
- Stimson-Green Mansion
If you’ve dreamed of getting married in an English Tudor Revival-style mansion, this place is for you. This 1901 landmark in Seattle’s First Hill neighborhood features a variety of architectural styles, with each room offering something different. Notable highlights of the mansion include gorgeous leaded-glass windows, antiques, vintage fixtures, and rich wood detailing throughout. Best for smaller weddings, this venue is limited to 80 seated guests for an indoor ceremony. - The Great Hall at Union Station
Nestled in the heart of Seattle’s Pioneer Square, this historic space once served as the main concourse of Seattle’s Union Pacific Station and features stunning turn-of-the-century grandeur that will awe your wedding guests. The 1911 landmark boasts a magnificent 55-foot-high barrel-vaulted ceiling, central skylights, polished limestone walls, archways, and a striking black-and-white mosaic tile floor. - Sodo Park by Herban Feast
In a former life, this venue was a hard-working factory built in 1907, but it’s been reborn as an industrial-chic location perfect for the bride searching for an elegant, contemporary vibe. The space’s highlights include a loft design with vaulted ceilings, original windows, and an inner courtyard for more casual gatherings. Check out their award-winning in-house catering company, Herban Feast Catering. - Chihuly Garden and Glass
Getting married among the magnificent suspended glass sculptures of artist David Chihuly would be memorable, to be sure. You and your guests can enjoy the world-renowned art glass installations at this unique venue. The shimmering Glasshouse can accommodate the largest of weddings, and it’s conveniently located at the Seattle Center.
Planning wedding transportation? As Seattle’s local transportation experts, Shuttle Express has taken part in hundreds of weddings, transporting brides, grooms, and guests to venues all over the region for nearly 30 years. We bring transportation knowledge, professionalism, and caring service to your most treasured event to ensure nothing is missed.
Choose from our extensive fleet of black cars, limousines, and luxury coaches to handle each part of your wedding event. Contact us at sales@shuttleexpress.net to arrange a site visit to personally inspect our luxury fleet and to meet your coordinator. We can’t wait to meet you!
Family Fun and Fireworks around Seattle
Summer is officially here, which means firecrackers, food, and festivities are mere days away. This July is no exception! The region is packed with events to choose from, including 4th of July celebrations, beer and wine events, endless kid fun, and yummy food. Check out our short list of summer festivities compiled to help you decide just how much fun you can handle in the next few weeks.
1. Float your boat with the 40th Annual Lake Union Wooden Boat Festival—enjoy free boat rides, live music, kids’ activities, not to mention the many food and beer vendors. Admission is free, so bring the whole family from July 2nd to the 4th! Find out more here: http://cwb.org/events/festival/
2. Gear up for a night of fireworks—camp out all day at a family favorite or check out a new city:
- Bellevue – Downtown Park 10:05 p.m.
- Edmonds – Civic Stadium 10 p.m.
- Everett – Port Gardner Bay 10:20 p.m.
- Federal Way – Celebration Park 10:15 p.m.
- Kent – Lake Meridian Park 10 p.m.
- Kirkland – Marina Park 10:15 p.m.
- Lakewood – Joint Base Lewis-McChord 10 p.m.
- Newcastle – Lake Boren Park 10 p.m.
- Renton – Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park 10 p.m.
- SeaTac – Angle Lake Park 10 p.m.
- Seattle – Gas Works Park 10:20 p.m.
- Tacoma – Ruston Way 10:10 p.m.
3. Pedal to the metal! Join the 15-mile Seattle Night Ride from Peddler Brewing through Myrtle Edwards Park. Enjoy games, beer, and food trucks. Register here: https://www.cascade.org/rides-major-rides/seattle-night-ride
4. Woodland Park Zoo’s annual concert series Zoo Tunes is back, sounding better than ever! Choose from many outstanding artists throughout the summer, including artists Jeff Beck, UB40, Ziggy Marley, and Pink Martini. Buy your tickets now: http://zoo.org/zootunes#.V3VHEqI3kgs
5. Love the thrill of competitive dragon boat racing? Bring the family out to the 13th Annual Seattle Dragon Boat Festival on July 30th where each 40-foot boat is colorfully decorated and ready to rumble on South Lake Union. The festival features racing, live music, kids’ activities, and food. Find out more here: http://seattledragonboatfestival.net/at-the-festival/
–Compiled by Kimberly Kong, Sales and Marketing Coordinator
Dad-friendly Fun Around Puget Sound
Show dad some appreciation this Sunday—whether your dad is a car guy, festival guy, beer guy, or outdoorsy guy, we’ve got you covered with ideas to make this Father’s Day memorable.
- Check out the 2016 Washington Brewers Festival, from June 17th to the 19th: taste more than 450 Washington-brewed craft beers, do the 5k fun run, listen to live music, and enjoy the weather in Marymoor Park. Learn more at washingtonbeer.com.
- Take Pop over to the Bell Harbor Marina to admire more than 50 classic yachts (many were built prior to World War II!). Admission is free.
- Stop by the Ballard Locks on June 18th to enjoy a free outdoor concert—bring the whole family to listen to music and watch the boats, barges, and sailboats sailing along the locks.
- Bring the family to the hip Fremont Solstice Fair—free admission! Enjoy the dog parade, listen to live music, and check out more than 300 vendors. The Fremont Solstice Parade beings on Saturday–attend and be one of the 100,000 guests in this beloved neighborhood fair. Get the details at fremontfair.org.
- Cruise on over to the quaint town of Burien to check out some sweet rides at the Father’s Day Car Show—the Wild Strawberry Festival is right across the street where you can enjoy the carnival rides, games, and delicious festival food for the family.
- Get down with some awesome dance moves with dad at Seattle’s EMP—from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. for only $10.00 per ticket! Take in the museum, get schooled with break-dancing lessons, and enjoy groovy arts and crafts. Visit empmuseum.org/ for more details.
- Renton some wheels and explore the beautiful Tacoma area of Point Ruston—picnic at Point Defiance Park, take a picture of Mt. Rainier, visit the Japanese and rose gardens, and take in the scenic views that Tacoma has to offer. For more information, visit wheelfunrentals.com/Locations/Tacoma-1.
- Can’t get enough of the shiny chrome and leather aroma of classic cars? Visit LeMay-America’s Car Museum for the Father’s Day Hoods Up event. Explore this four-story museum with classic cars, trucks and motorcycles to fulfill your inner teenager with the whole family.
-Kimberly Kong, Sales and Marketing Coordinator
9 Sweet Ways to Celebrate Valentine’s Day near Seattle
Are you searching for the perfect way to celebrate Valentine’s Day with your sweetie or your family? Here’s a roundup of romantic and fun ways to spend Valentine’s Day this year. Remember, if you need transportation such as private town car service in Seattle, let us know – we’ll do the driving!
Family Events:
Fathers, want to create more special memories with your daughter? Put on your dancing shoes and head over to the Old Redmond Schoolhouse Community Center. The Father-Daughter Snow Ball event features a frozen-like atmosphere with music, arts and crafts, dancing, and refreshments.
Enjoy a night out watching the Harlem Globetrotters as they celebrate their 90th tour. Check their website for locations, times, and tickets.
Explore the zoo during Woodland Park Zoo’s Valentine’s Day Enrichment, Sat. Feb 13, from 10 am to 3 pm. Feed the animals with heart-shaped treats and learn fun facts from zoo staff.
Want to stay in with the kids? Brainstorm an exciting scavenger hunt with the kids to create some great memories.
Special Date Night Events:
Before dinner, take your date to a performance of the Pacific Northwest Ballet’s “Romeo and Juliette.”
Charm your loved one with a Valentine’s Day Brunch or Dinner Cruise with Waterways Cruises & Events. Choose a cruise on Lake Union and Lake Washington and enjoy cocktails and delicious food.
Bring your date to Enumclaw, located about an hour south of Seattle, and “celebrate the finer things in life” at the Wine & Chocolate Festival. Indulge in more than 80 unique Washington State wines and a dozen of the region’s top chocolatiers’ treats. You will also learn how to pair your favorite wine with delectable chocolates.
Get artistic with your significant other: sign up for a vast variety of different types of art you can paint on canvas. Use code “retailmenot” to get discounted rates.
Create a fun menu and spend time in the kitchen, have dinner, and watch a movie. Sometimes there’s nothing better than spending time alone at home!
-Allyson Eli, Sales and Marketing
15 Best Travel Tip Tweets
Check out some of our favorite travel tip tweets that will help make your travels stress-free, fun, and memorable. And don’t forget, if you’re flying out of Sea-Tac Airport, the best advice is to leave your car in your garage and book safe, reliable shared van or private black car service with Shuttle Express. We’ll get you to Sea-Tac and back.
- Make a list of the items you’ve packed in case your luggage gets lost, then you’ll know exactly what to report missing. #traveltips
- Bring lots of light clothes you can layer—pile them on or peel them off. Bonus: they’ll wash and dry quickly! #traveltips
- Finding it hard to sleep on your plane ride? Wear your neck pillow under your chin, especially if your head tends to tilt forward. #traveltips #travel
- The “Do Not Disturb Sign” can make your hotel room seem occupied, which is especially handy if you leave expensive items inside. – #traveltips
- Protect your shoes and clothes when traveling: put your shoes in a shower cap to keep your suitcase clean. #traveltips
- Prone to getting lost while traveling? Input your hotel’s phone number in your phone in case you need directional help while being adventurous! #traveltips
- If you’re unsure about the weather when traveling, bring a large scarf–it can keep you cool and warm. #traveltips
- If you’re out and about and your mobile device needs charging but you aren’t near an outlet, make sure you carry a portable charger. They’re compact but powerful. #traveltips
- Your hotel concierge can be your BFF when traveling–it’s a great way to stay local and get all the ins and outs of the city. #traveltips
- When calling your hotel’s front desk for extra blankets or toiletries, call in the morning to beat the bedtime rush. #traveltips
- Give your kids a disposable camera so they can capture the world through their eyes. #traveltips
- Pack an extra outfit in your carry-on, because you never know what to expect when traveling. #traveltips
- Staying for a short time? Make it worth the trip by staying in a centralized area of the city. #traveltips
- New city, new adventures! Save time by creating your itinerary ahead of time so you can map out your route in your GPS. #traveltips
- Save even more when traveling–search for any online coupons while souvenir shopping. #traveltips #travel #TravelTuesday
Follow us on Twitter for more travel-related tidbits and info. Happy travels from Shuttle Express!
-Kimberly Kong, Sales and Marketing
5 Reasons Why Employee Shuttles Are Good For Business
Many companies now offer group transportation and shuttle service options to help ease the commute for their employees. The environmental benefits of the trend are clear―fewer cars burning fuel, crowding urban streets, and taking up valuable parking areas. But employers are also discovering that the benefits of a shorter or more pleasant commute make for healthier, happier employees.
Some of the options our Seattle-area clients use include offering a shuttle that picks up employees from public transit hubs, such as King Street Station and popular Metro stops, and takes them the rest of the way to work. Other clients run a roving shuttle during the morning and evening, taking employees between the office and less crowded off-site parking locations. Check out these five great reasons to consider offering shuttle service for your employees.
- Your employees will probably feel better.
Employees who take advantage of a corporate shuttle can use the down time to prepare for their day, get a jump start on their email, or just rest and relax while someone else drives. They may even get healthier; studies show that stress-related health problems like high blood pressure, anxiety, high cholesterol, and depression are all associated with routinely driving in traffic day in and day out. - You’ll strengthen your reputation as a great place to work with nice perks.
It’s good for business to be known as a desirable employer, one that cares about their employees and supports a reasonable work-life balance. - Your shuttle service may attract and keep more great employees.
A shuttle program may help attract more new hires and reduce turnover because in addition to the health and wellness benefits, employees know they will save money on transportation costs. Social interaction is another benefit for employees. It’s a nearly foolproof way for them to make friends with and get to know their colleagues, which helps them feel more connected to their workplace and have a sense of teamwork. - Commuter shuttles might save you money, too.
A commuter shuttle service might be less expensive over time than paying for employees’ mileage or building a parking garage. You may also get tax credits for offering commuter programs. - Going green helps everybody!
Encouraging your employees to ride share and join the company shuttle greatly reduces your company’s carbon footprint. Fewer vehicles on the road is a good move for your company, your employees, and your community.
Shuttle Express offers all types of solutions for your corporate transportation needs – employee shuttles, private and shared airport service, and hourly luxury car, SUV, and coach options for any sized group. Call us at 425-981-7096 or email sales@shuttleexpress.net for more information or to get a proposal for whatever transportation your team needs.