This page provides useful information about lodging, transportation, parking, and dining in Tacoma, the host city for the 2008 Conference.

Lodging in Tacoma
The elegant and centrally located Hotel Murano is the host venue of the 2008 NWroots Conference. We have reserved a block of rooms with them at a special rate for conference participants. All major credit cards are accepted. We advise participants to stay overnight at least Saturday night for a more enjoyable and relaxing event. To make a reservation, call 1-888-862-3255 and ask for the Northwest Progressive Institute group rate.

Transportation
Tacoma is easily accessible by train, bus, or car. Sound Transit provides service to the City of Destiny via Sounder or ST Express, as does Amtrak, via its Cascades run. Getting to the Hotel Murano from Tacoma's transit hub (Freighthouse Square) is easy: just walk aboard the Tacoma Link streetcar.

To obtain driving directions to the Hotel Murano, follow this link to Google Maps.

Internet access and hotel amenities
Hotel Murano is equipped with wireless high speed Internet. You can easily stay connected from your room. Other amenities include the twenty four hour fitness room and business center, LCD flat panel televisions, iPod stations, and always-on call room service. Pets are welcome.

Parking
Parking is available for Hotel Murano guests at $8 per night and $12 per day for visitors. We recommend taking mass transit to get to the conference.

Dining
Tacoma is home to a wide variety of restaurants serving food of every imaginable cuisine, and it would be a shame not to patronize the excellent and walkable eateries nearby. Consequently, catered meals will not be served at the conference facilities. Instead, we'll all be walking out to eat together at the following establishments:

• Pacific Grill: Our award winning menu takes a fresh look at classic recipes from a juicy porterhouse to a fun and decadent take on the banana split. Featuring daily seafood specials, fine wines, & classic cocktails.
• El Toro Authentic Mexican Restaurant: Authentic Mexican cuisine made from only the finest, freshest ingredients.
• The Old Spaghetti Factory: Good food and fun in the midst of old world antiques.

For breakfast on your own (if you'd rather not eat at the hotel's restaurant), consider these recommendations from the Tacoma News Tribune:

• Grassi’s Garden Cafe, 1702 Pacific Ave., 253-572-1744. Weekdays and weekends. Grassi’s décor might send you running out the door in a Laura Ashley panic, but its breakfasts are huge and tasty. Every meal comes with a pretty flower.
• Puget Sound Pizza, 317 S. Seventh St., 253-383-4777. Weekends only. Great home fries and solid breakfast basics.
• Perk’s Coffee House, 921 Pacific Ave., 253-572-7821. Perk’s serves a limited weekday menu, but its egg-and-bacon sandwich is a whopper, and a chocolate-covered espresso bean placed in the drinking well of a coffee cup lid is a nice touch.