I've lived in both cities and just don't like the traffic or dealing with commuter issues to go somewhere. If your in Seattle for work just stay in Seattle. Seattle is more expensive if you decide to bring a car however. Bellevue has little charm other than shopping and new highrise bldgs. Lots of small areas and neighborhoods to explore around Seattle which you won't find in the suburbs.

I think it would be better to stay in (boring) Bellevue the days of the conference. Will you have a rental car? You could still drive in to Seattle in the evenings. Or there are some good bars over in Kirkland (on the eastside near Bellevue).

Then move to a downtown hotel for the other 3 days. Traffic in Seattle is horrible, and to build in "commuting" on a vacation when you don't have to, is not what I'd recommend.

Bellevue is plenty fine for "excitement" - its one of the fastest growing urban cities in America. The traffic "problem" in Seattle is way overblown. its fine. dont worry about it. its certainly not something to "prepare" for.

Stay in Bellevue during the conference so you don't have to deal with a commute. Personally I don't find it that exciting over there but since you have something to keep you busy during the day you'll be fine. You should check out Kirkland one evening - cute downtown area, lots of places to eat/drink. Definitely stay in Seattle for a few days if you can. There are a ton of great bars and places for live music. You'll love it. I love the Owl'n Thistle - good beer and they have their own band.

Well, as a Bellevue resident, I should defend my city:

We have the finest botanical garden in the area.

http://www.bellevuebotanical.org

We have an award-winning park system with miles of trails criss-crossing the city and connecting the two lakes.

www.ci.bellevue.wa.us/parks_homepage.htm

www.trails.com/tcatalog_trail.asp…

At Enatai Beach Park under the I-90 bridge you can rent a kayak and explore Lake Washington or the Mercer Slough.

www.ci.bellevue.wa.us/enatai_beach_park.htm

The Mercer Slough trail is fun too. The land floats on the water: you can jump up and down and feel the land wobble.

Bellevue Square is one of the largest shopping malls in the Seattle area...

http://www.bellevuesquare.com

...and the adjacent Lincoln Square has some nightlife: high-end, expensive bowling, billiards, and movies.

http://www.lincolnsquare.com

I'm with staying in Bellevue, exploring the things mentioned by Bob. Add to his list the Bellevue Art Museum, across from BelSquare.

Also, see Snoqualmie Falls and Kirkland, the city just north of Bellevue, on Lake WA. It has music, views, shoreline/dock walking, galleries and more.

http://www.snoqualmiefalls.com/

http://explorekirkland.com/

<The traffic "problem" in Seattle is way overblown>

Sorry but I have to disagree. I can only assume jimblunt does not actually live in this city.

Back to the original question, the conference is IN Bellevue (if I understand correctly), so stay there for the 3 days and do all the things suggested above.

Then move to Seattle, at which point you could get rid of the rental car if you wanted to, and see things downtown on-foot, by bus, monorail, streetcar, ferry, etc. Taxi or shuttle to the airport at the end of the trip.

actually i live in both place - own a place in seattle and currently live in belleuve. To think about "building in time" for commuting is ridiculous. Bellevue to Seattle at 5pm across I=90 - 20 minutes. Across 520 via 405 or even through beautiful Clyde Hill etc, 20 - 25 minutes. That's pretty per the usual in a city this size to get from one metro area to another. Not that big of a deal. Otherwise, the traffic is pretty normal, hence people overblow the situation. "The traffic is sooo bad" - yeah, theres traffic at rush hour etc but its not HORRENDOUS. You certainly don't have to "plan" for it. Its like any other city.

Of course you plan for it. In any city... Who does not take traffic into account for meetings, theater, sports events? Also, it matters when you don't live on the main corridors. Try 167, Novelty Hill Road, 405, the infamous S curves, etc., sometimes not even during rush hours.

Thanks for everyone who replied.

On balamce I think we will stay in Bellevue and move onto Seattle at the end of the conference.

Steve