Things To Do
Seattle
If you haven't hit the standard tourist spots in Seattle before, definitely plan to do so. Pike Place Market, the Space Needle, Chihuly Garden and Glass, the Aquarium and the Great Wheel are all great places to start. Places we love to eat when we're in Seattle - Portage Bay Cafe, Damn the Weather, Post Alley Pizza, Joe's Burgers & Taylor Shellfish Pioneer Square.
Everett
Between Seattle and Stanwood there are great places and towns to stop along the way. Everett would be the closest large city to us. We love to pop down there for a Silverbacks game and dinner. In the heart of the city Cafe UU and Choux Choux bakery are both obsession worthy. The Funco Headquarters is within walking distance. Go for a walk at Jetty Island or explore the Imagine Children's Museum or the Flying Heritage and Combat Armor Museum.
Marysville
Marysville has a few fun stops for food and drink. 1933 Bar & Kitchen opened late November 2024 and is a cute little spot. Spoon & Straw has the tastiest Acai bowls, smoothies and coffee. 5 Rights Brewing has some tasty brews. Hidden Vine Bistro is unassuming and has a nice lunch menu and wine selection.
Arlington
Downtown Arlington has some fun shops, quaint diners and a lovely walking path called Centennial Trail. Skookum Brewery and Elemental Cider are both good stops for libations. Suda Thai Cuisine is a good spot to grab something to eat.
Stanwood
Stanwood is SMALL town! Our main drag with cute shops is all of 1 block long but it packs a punch! We love Mustard Seed Bakery - in fact, the owner, Natallie is the reason Jenn took her bread baking to the commercial level! Picnic pantry is an adorable shop, Mammoth Burger has terrific burgers and a generous wall of taps, Still Water Lounge opened recently and looks fantastic. Karen's Place is the stop for the decadent sweets. A little further into town, heading toward Camano Island, you'll find SAAL Brewing tucked away in an old firehouse. We've been told Thai Thai Kitchen is the best around - from someone who lived in Thailand - you be the judge. We do love Shima Japanese Restaurant for a sushi fix.
Camano Island
Just across the bay from us, Camano Island is a picturesque little island. Cama Beach State Park and Camano Island State Park are both worth wandering. Grab lunch at Blue Heron Kitchen & Bar or stop at Ale Spike Camano Island Brewing as you head back off the island or Saal Brewing in Stanwood.
Mount Vernon
Mount Vernon has a pretty river walk with easy access to their downtown area with pretty little shops and fun places to dine. The Porterhouse Pub, La Catrina Tacos & Tequila, Ristretto Coffee Lounge & Wine Bar, District Brewing all on the downtown strip. Definitely stop by Revival Lounge for a cocktail! COA is our favorite Mexican food place - you won't find a combination plate, refried beans or red sauce on their menu - BEST margaritas! Martini Brunch is another ALL-TIME FAVORITE - tiny little place with an ever-changing seasonal menu that is as quirky as their cocktails. Only open 8a-3p and super popular. Snowgoose Produce is a classic tourist stop & a real treat with their immodestly large ice cream cones. Our Sunday afternoon float down Skagit river will land us not too far from here. Stop by Christianson's Nursery and Greenhouse on your way to Anacortes simply to enjoy a stroll around their property. Sunday's from 10a-2p they have the Skagit Valley Farmer's Market.
La Conner
Wonderful little waterfront town of artists and creative types. Find parking on the north end of First and walk down and back, exploring the shops as you go. Grab a scone from The Scone Lady. Have lunch in any of the terrific restaurants. Our favorite spots are Oyster & Thistle, Nell Thorn, Calico Cupboard & La Conner Brewing Company. Make sure to check out the Rainbow Bridge.
Anacortes
This is where we started out after making the move to WA. Jenn's mom, Terri, still lives there in one of the cutest houses that's just a few blocks away from the main street - Commercial. Once you get into town, continue driving down Commercial till it passes Safeway on your right and narrows to two lanes. Find a place to park and start your stroll. This is a lovely walk with shops and lots of great places to grab a bite and a drink. Dad's Diner, Union Tavern, Calico Cupboard (Same as the one in La Conner), Village Pizza has the best pizza, Gere-a-Deli and Rockfish Grill are all great spots! Catch a quick 15-minute ferry ride across the channel and take a drive around Guemes. Staying a little longer - Plan a trip out to Friday Harbor, rent an E-Bike and explore San Juan Island. You can make the entire loop in a day, stop in Roche Harbor for lunch and rest before heading back to catch your return ferry.
Deception Pass & Whidbey Island
If you've not been, you should plan to visit. The bridge and view are incredible. You can hike around under the bridge. There are loads of trails in the area for hiking. If time allows, keep driving onto Whidbey Island to Coupeville - They filmed Practical Magic here and it is still just as cute. This is also home to Penn Cove Mussels. You can make a day of the drive and continue south on the island. Stop in Langley for lunch - Saltwater Fish House and Oyster Bar is excellent. Head back out to Hwy 525 and continue south till you reach the Clinton Ferry Terminal - there you can catch the ferry over to Mukilteo and head north on interstate 5 back up to our area or somewhere new!
Bow-Edison
Edison and Bow are both just tiny dots on the map, so locals just call them Bow-Edison. This is an easy stop on the scenic drive up to Chuckanut Drive which takes you to Taylor's Shellfish Farm and farther on up to Fairhaven. Small as they are, they boast some great sights - perfect for bird watching - and hidden gems for food and drinks. Terramar Brewing & Distilling is tucked back and out of the way just as you hit the bend in the road. Pop into Slough Food to find the perfect picnic supplies, you can grab a baguette from next door at the Breadfarm (or ask Jenn what she has for bread before you head out). Take a bit to explore the few quaint shops before continuing north toward Bellingham and Taylor's Shellfish Farm. Taylor's is one of our favorites for fresh oysters and clams. This is a working farm with a great view of the bay. Plan to stop, have some freshly shucked oysters, maybe some steamers and a glass of wine or a local beer. They offer cooked seafood as well.
Fairhaven
Fairhaven is such a picturesque seaside town. Shops, restaurants, ice cream. The Filling Station in Fairhaven is a fun car themed burger joint & bar. Stone's Throw Brewery is a nice spot to cool off with a cold brew. There's even a little walking path at the north end of Tenth St. Go farther north into Bellingham to the Old Town area and explore their Saturday Farmer's Market and university town vibe with funky little places to shop and dine.