I have been fortunate enough to see the station at least three times. Two of those were from the ground, one was from the cockpit of an airplane. Take a decent pair of binoculars with you if you can, you may be able to make out some details.
When it passes by, it looks much like an airplane only there are no blinking lights, you are actually only seeing the sun reflected off of it. Count how long it is in sight, then remember that it is moving in excess of 17,000 MPH!!! I'm sure glad they don't run in my class, there would be no chance of a record for me...