Extend your stay in Washington!

There is so much to do around here, and summer is when we have the best weather.

This page has suggestions and links. Plan your own adventure, or take some advice from us locals about what to see and do while you're here!

Everett

Everett is a small city, but there is plenty to do, especially in the summer!

Like big cities, Everett is full of art, culture, restaurants, sports, and historic buildings. If you're feeling like participating in America's Pastime, check out the Everett Aquasox at Funko Stadium. For rotating music, comedy, and sporting events, check out Angel of the Winds Arena.

Feeling more artistic? The Schack Art Center is a pillar of the local art community. Check out their current exhibitions and events or sign up for a class. Ashley and her parents have taken a few classes here, and really loved it! More interested in performance art? The Village Theatre is a leader of musical theatre in the Pacific Northwest, drawing actors and professionals from around the country. Take a look at what they've got on.

For outdoor activities, there are a few options in the city and many a short trip away. Jetty Island is a great place to go for a relaxing day on the water. Book your ferry reservations here. Want a little more adventure, but not quite ready to leave the city? High Trek is a zipline and rope course venue that also has axe throwing, laser tag, and much more. Take a look at this page from Visit Everett to see what your other options are.

If you feel more excited about history and technology, Boeing's Future of Flight is a museum and factory tour that teaches you about Boeing's history, current operations, and future of aviation. The Flying Heritage Museum features planes and history related to conflicts of the 20th century.

Traveling with kids? Well, Everett has plenty of fun for them too! The Imagine Children's Museum can keep everyone entertained for hours. For indoor, bouncy fun, head over to Flying Squirrel's indoor trampoline park.

Snohomish

Snohomish is a cute town just across the river valley.

Antiquing, bakeries, winery tasting rooms, boutiques, a few breweries, and lots of good food! This is a great place to shop and eat your way through the day. If you want something a little more adventurous, you can go for a hot air balloon ride or jump out of a plane to skydive. If you happen to bring your bike, The Centennial Trail is great for street and gravel bikes, while Lord Hill Park is ideal for mountain biking (and also some short hikes).

All summer long, every weekend, there is also a Renaissance Faire! If you are interested, plan ahead and book early- they usually sell out at least a month out.

I won't suggest too much here, because there are so many websites, blogs, lists, and tour companies that can give you good advice. That said, here are some of our favorite spots and activities:

The Museum of Flight, Pike Place Market, the Seattle Aquarium, Seattle Art Museum, Olympic Sculpture Park, Washington Park Arboretum, Chihuly Garden and Glass, the Space Needle, Discovery Park, a Mariners game, a Sounders match, the Pacific Science Center, MoPop, ZooTunes, the Seattle Great Wheel, and Outdoor Movies at Marymoor.

If you want to hit multiple spots during your trip, I recommend the CityPass. You will save money and get to see the Space Needle, the Seattle Aquarium, plus 3 more places from a list of options, some of which are from my list above.

An absolute MUST if you are staying around a bit longer. We have an extensive ferry system connecting the San Juan Islands in our Puget Sound. Riding a ferry is an iconic Washington experience.

If you are staying in Seattle, I recommend going to Bainbridge. You can drive or walk on, but if you want to see more of the island I would recommend driving on the ferry or renting a bike when you get there.

If you are staying closer to the Everett area, you have access to the Edmonds-Kingston ferry or the Mukilteo-Clinton ferry. These will give you access to the Kitsap Peninsula and Olympic Peninsula (Edmonds ferry), as well as Whidbey Island (Mukilteo ferry).

All the ferry routes above would be great day trips! If you want something longer, head up to Anacortes for ferries that connect you with Lopez Island, Shaw Island, Orcas Island, and San Juan Island (Friday Harbor).

Ferries to Canada no longer run from Anacortes. You will find these in Seattle and Port Angeles.

Perfect for outdoorsy people, the Peninsula has Olympic National Park, tidepools and stunning rock beaches, excellent camping, Forks (for the Twilight fans), Ozette Lake, Cape Flattery, Lake Crescent and the Devil's Punch Bowl, hot springs, the Hoh Rainforest, the Kalaloch Tree of Life, surfing in Westport, and many access points for deep sea fishing.

The Cascades are our expansive central mountain range. In the summer, they can provide respite from the heat and a more relaxed atmosphere from the hustle & bustle of our coastal cities.

The North offers Mt. Baker, North Cascades National Park, Ross Lake, Diablo Lake, Stehekin, and Winthrop as the main draws.

In the Central region, you've got some of our state's most popular hikes, Highway 2, Leavenworth, the Enchantments, Lake Wenatchee State Park, Roslyn, and Lake Chelan.

In the South Cascades, many people visit Mount Rainier National Park, Mount St. Helens, Mount Adams, Hood River, Packwood, and the Goat Rocks Wilderness.

Any of these areas are perfect for some natural scenery, relaxing camping, rewarding hikes, and cozy stays.

Want to travel a bit farther out? Here are the top weekend trips I recommend:

1. Portland

Easy drive, flight, or train ride from Seattle/Everett.

2. Victoria (Canada)

You can take the Victoria Clipper from Seattle, fly via seaplane from Kenmore Air, or do a drive + ferry combo from the Olympic Peninsula or British Columbia in Canada.

3. Walla Walla

Best to just drive here.

4. Spokane/Coeur D'Alene

Drive or fly, with less convenient options of the Greyhound or a night train.

5. Vancouver (Canada)

Easy drive, flight, or train ride from Seattle/Everett.