Looking for Puget Sound views, aviation history, and Pacific Northwest charm? Head to Everett, Washington! Located just north of Seattle, Everett is known for its waterfront attractions, artsy downtown, and ties to aerospace innovation. With mountain views and access to both culture and nature, Everett makes a laid-back yet vibrant getaway.
Everett, WA Highlights:
- For Aviation Fans: Visit the Boeing Future of Flight Museum – Tour the Boeing facility and learn about aircraft design at this world-renowned center.
- For Families: Explore the Imagine Children’s Museum – Interactive exhibits, rooftop play areas, and hands-on learning for young kids.
- For Nature Lovers: Walk the trails at Jetty Island – A sandy island with calm waters, birdwatching, and beachcombing in the summer.
- For Boaters: Spend time at the Port of Everett Marina – Enjoy waterfront dining, kayak rentals, and scenic marina walks.
- For Art & Events: Stroll through Downtown Everett – Galleries, indie theaters, breweries, and murals dot this compact and creative core.
Best Time to Visit Everett, WA
The best time to visit Everett is from late spring through early fall (May–September). These months offer warmer weather for enjoying outdoor events, boating, and Jetty Island. Winters are mild but rainy, ideal for museum visits and cozy coffee shops.
How to Get to Everett, WA
- By Car: Everett is located along I-5, about 30–40 minutes north of Seattle.
- By Train: Amtrak’s Cascades and Sounder commuter rail stop at Everett Station.
- By Air: Fly into Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) or nearby Paine Field (PAE), a convenient regional airport just 10 minutes away.
Where to Stay in Everett, WA
- Recommended for Business Travelers: Hotel Indigo Everett – Stylish boutique hotel near the marina with waterfront views and on-site dining.
- For Families: Hampton Inn Seattle/Everett Downtown – Comfortable, central location with breakfast and walkable access to museums and restaurants.
- For Budget Travelers: Motel 6 Everett North – Affordable lodging with basic amenities near the highway and downtown access.
Best Things to Do in Everett, WA
1. Stroll through Evergreen Arboretum & Gardens
Rating: ★★★★★
Stroll through Evergreen Arboretum & Gardens, a natural highlight of Washington that shows off the ecological beauty of the Northwest region in its numerous plants and flowers. The arboretum was founded in 1963 and today includes 3.5 acres of territory spanning ten distinct garden areas.
Some examples of these themed gardens are the Northwest Native Plant Trail, the Rock Garden, the Viewing Mound, and the Japanese Maple Grove. Winding among them are sculpture-lined paths accessible to all, even children and people with limited mobility. Because of its commitment to teaching visitors about its flora, Evergreen regularly schedules tours and educational programs.
Address: 145 Alverson Blvd., Everett, WA 98201, Phone: 425-257-8597
2. Visit Schack Art Center
Schack Art Center adds some visual culture to downtown Everett in a facility packed with a diverse set of exhibits. Like other galleries, it displays works from local, regional, and international artists, specifically highlighting young craftsmen. Collections featuring a number of different mediums and styles rotate regularly, meaning there is always something new on at the Schack.
The center also stands out thanks to its state-of-the-art open glassblowing studio, in which patrons can see artists at work on new projects. And, in addition to its function as a museum and gallery, Schack Art Center also serves as an educational venue; art classes are regularly offered for both children and adults.
Address: 2921 Hoyt Ave., Everett, WA 98201, Phone: 425-259-5050
What to do if you are traveling with kids:
3. Take the kids to the Imagine Children's Museum
The Imagine Children's Museum is a highly rated children's museum that focuses on supporting child development through both guided and free play. The museum was founded in 1991 as part of a local effort to create a space where children and families could play and learn with one another.
The exhibits are varied in nature and include a water play area, an art studio, a model farm, an imagined restaurant, and a zone exclusively for children aged 3 and under. The roof of the museum is also set up for fun, with paleontology and music sections to be enjoyed when the weather permits.
Address: 1502 Wall St, Everett, WA 98201, Phone: 425-258-1006
4. Go fishing with All Star Fishing Charters
Although many associate fishing trips with warmer climes, salmon charters are a popular way to enjoy the outdoors around Everett, Washington. Go fishing with All Star Fishing Charters which specializes in salmon fishing trips, taking guests out on the calm, beautiful waters of the Puget Sound.
The company offers trips all year round, canceling only when the weather makes the water unsafe for boats. Outside of salmon season, All Star fishes for the best species in a given year and charters to river destinations are also available. In addition to catching dinner, All Star Fishing Charters patrons also have the chance to spot whales, porpoise, seals, sea lions, and a number of bird species that live out near the water. Phone: 425-252-4188
5. Visit a corn maze at Carleton Farms
Carleton Farms, conveniently located a mere 5 miles outside Everett, is a family farm with plenty of fun for children and adults alike. Carleton Farms originally specialized in dairy production, but today the farm uses sustainable techniques to produce a range of crops, many of which are available at its on-site farmers market.
In the fall, the farm comes alive with festivities such as hay rides, pumpkin picking, and corn mazes as well as more adventurous pursuits like zombie paintball, a pumpkin cannon, and zip-lining. A kitchen here serves home-style refreshments and the farm also provides venues for children's birthday parties and weddings.
Address: 630 Sunnyside Blvd SE, Lake Stevens, WA 98258, Phone: 425-334-2297
Activities and Attractions for Couples and Singles:
6. See historical aircraft at the Flying Heritage Collection
The Flying Heritage Collection is a unique assemblage of historical aircraft and related items from the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, Russia, and Germany. Although the collection is privately owned by business mogul and Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, it has been open to the public since 2004.
To accommodate its more sizeable pieces, the Flying Heritage Collection has been placed in two airplane hangars. The first of these focuses on the role of the United States and other major players in World War II and the aviation technologies they employed in the fight, while the second delves more deeply into how aircraft faced different environmental and battle conditions during the war.
Address: 3407 109th Street SW, Everett, WA 98204, Phone: 877-FHC-3404
7. Head to the Future of Flight Aviation Center and Boeing Tour
The Future of Flight Aviation Center and Boeing Tour in Mukilteo is the first stop on an exciting tour of the Boeing factory, where some of the world's most famous aircraft are produced. The museum opened at the end of 2005 and since then has housed interesting exhibits on modern aviation, including working airplane engines, video presentations, an observation deck, and an area where visitors can design their own planes.
From here, the tour continues to the Boeing production site itself, where the 747, 767, 777, and 787 Dreamliner lines are manufactured. At the factory, the tour covers the entire construction and testing process for these commercial planes.
Address: 8415 Paine Field Blvd., Mukilteo, WA 98275, Phone: 425-438-8100
8. Learn about history at Hibulb Cultural Center, Everett
Learn about history at Hibulb Cultural Center and Natural History Preserve, a one-of-a-kind museum facility that aims to educate the public about the history, traditions, and beliefs of the Tulalip tribes. These people, who are the successors to a group of tribes that signed the Treaty of Point Elliott, make their home on a 22,000-acre reservation north of Everett.
The cultural center itself covers 50 acres of territory and its exhibits highlight the lands historically settled by the Tulalip people, their reverence for the cedar tree, and the bases of many of their spiritual values. The museum's Canoe Hall includes archaeological artifacts and canoes from throughout the history of the tribes.
Address: 6410 23rd Avenue NE, Tulalip, WA 98271, Phone: 360-716-2600
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