If you're visiting, check out these spots:

• Southcenter Mall: At the intersection of Interstates 5 and 405, this was the largest covered mall west of the Mississippi River when it opened in 1968, and it has remained popular with shoppers ever since. Hours: 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday.

• Christensen Greenbelt Park: Nestled among commercial developments and light industry, this park is a narrow strip of open space along the Green River. The recreational trail lies on the west side of the river and runs for 2.6 miles from just south of I-405 to just south of South 180th Street. It features a fitness course with 20 exercise stations and play areas for kids. A good place to park and start is Bicentennial Park off Strander Boulevard between Interurban Avenue South and Andover Park East.

• Tukwila Pond Park: It can be a little hard to find, but this park is worth the effort. City officials are just now developing a park around a 14-acre pond that lies immediately south of the Target store. You can get to the it off of Strander Boulevard; go into the driveway on the west side of Target and you'll see it. There's a viewing platform for bird-watchers. The pond is a stop-over point for migrating waterfowl.

• Restaurants abound: Southcenter Boulevard, which runs south from the mall, is loaded with places to eat: Tony Roma's, Sizzler, Houlihan's, the Outback Steakhouse, Winner's, Azteca, Cucina Cucina, the Red Robin and dozens more. And if you can't force yourself to take that long a break from shopping, Southcenter Mall has a popular food court.