21 Best Things to Do in Everett, Washington

© Evergreen Arboretum & Gardens

Evergreen Arboretum & Gardens is 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.

145 Alverson Blvd., Everett, WA 98201, Phone: 425-257-8597

© 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.

2921 Hoyt Ave., Everett, WA 98201, Phone: 425-259-5050

© Everett Farmers Market

Founded in 1994 in a vacant parking lot, today the Everett Farmers Market is a thriving community market situated at the Port of Everett. Equipped with electricity and other modern amenities, the market has vendors of all stripes, including farmers, home growers, artists, packaged food vendors, and restaurateurs.

The list of purveyors numbers in the hundreds and each participant offers unique local specialty foods or crafts. The Everett Farmers Market has convenient features like its own wooden tokens that allow market-goers to pay by credit card and dedicated kid-oriented vendor booths. Additionally, the venue has a special nutrition program and live music on the weekends.

1402 SE Everett Mall Way, Everett, WA 98208, Phone: 425-422-5656

© 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.

1502 Wall St, Everett, WA 98201, Phone: 425-258-1006

© 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. All Star Fishing Charters 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.

720 Waverly Ave, Everett, WA 98201, Phone: 425-252-4188

© Moon Tree

Moon Tree is a hip, new Asian restaurant that sits right along the waterfront at the Everett Marina. Opened in 2015, Moon Tree has an extensive menu of Japanese, Korean, and Chinese cuisine made using methods in the European tradition and with only the freshest seafood and other ingredients. The restaurant specializes in tapas, offering small plates with perfectly executed Asian classics like vegetable tempura and gyoza dumplings.

Also available with advance bookings are a tasting menu and the chef's special omakase multicourse dining experience. In addition, Moon Tree has an extensive sake menu that includes cocktails made from different varieties of the liquor.

1728 W Marine View Dr., #112, Everett, WA 98201, Phone: 425-252-5300

© 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.

630 Sunnyside Blvd SE, Lake Stevens, WA 98258, Phone: 425-334-2297

© Flying Heritage Collection

The Flying Heritage and Combat Armor Museum 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.

3407 109th Street SW, Everett, WA 98204, Phone: 877-FHC-3404

© Future of Flight Aviation Center and Boeing Tour

The Future of Flight Aviation Center in Mukilteo, Washington, 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.

8415 Paine Field Blvd., Mukilteo, WA 98275, Phone: 425-438-8100

© Hibulb Cultural Center

Hibulb Cultural Center and Natural History Preserve is 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.

6410 23rd Avenue NE, Tulalip, WA 98271, Phone: 360-716-2600

© Howarth Park

Howarth Park is a lovely beach and park area on the Washington coast bordered by Possession Sound. Although often overshadowed by the more popular Edmonds Marina, this beach has a calmer, more outdoorsy feel and gives guests space to stretch their legs and hang out.

The beach, which can be reached via a short walk through the woods, has access to the sound and stunning views of the nearby Olympia and Cascade mountains. The park has a number of convenient facilities, such as picnic tables, hiking trails, an observation point, and a playground, and the area includes a dog park where voice-trained pups are allowed to enjoy themselves off-leash.

1127 Olympic Blvd, Everett, WA 98203, Phone: 425-257-8300

© Everett Silvertips

In the Pacific Northwest, hockey is king. Fortunately, the Everett area has its own junior hockey team, the Everett Silvertips, which play in the Xfinity Arena, a large complex with more than 8,000 seats for spectators. The team has launched the careers of such famous NHL players as Ryan Murray, Zach Hamill, and Radko Gudas.

The Silvertips are named after the silvertip bear and the green-and-silver boys of the team are represented by Lincoln, their ferocious yet friendly mascot. Matches are often accompanied by promotions, such as giveaways of goodies like blankets, hats, and magnets, plus contests and raffles for larger ticket prizes.

2000 Hewitt Ave, Everett, WA 98201, Phone: 425-252-5100

© Courtesy of Scott Patterson - Fotolia.com

Jetty Island is a summer hotspot located just off Everett's coast in Possession Sound. The island covers a stretch of 2 miles of manmade beach territory perfect for relaxing in the warmer months of the year. During its open season, a free ferry transports beachgoers from the mainland to the island and back.

Jetty Island is also a lauded destination for kiteboarding, thanks to its shallow waters and predictable winds. Despite being a human creation, it provides a habitat for a number of bird species, including the Caspian tern, glaucous-winged gull, and short-billed dowitcher. Although known as a beach destination, the inland area of the island also has a short hiking trail.

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Legion Memorial Park, an 18.5-acre green space located on a bluff overlooking Port Gardner Bay, gives the city of Everett both stunning views and a functional recreation area. In terms of sports facilities, the park contains a basketball court, baseball and softball fields, and a tennis court.

For a more laidback visit, guests can make use of the playground and picnic shelter or walk along one of the park's trails. The park is actually located on the campus of Western Washington University and its grounds include Legion Hall and Evergreen Arboretum and Gardens, both of which can be rented out for events.

145 Alverson Blvd., Everett, WA 98201, Phone: 425-257-8300

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Mukilteo Lighthouse lights up the coast along Possession Sound, providing navigational signals for passing ships and a sight of beauty for those who visit the area. The lighthouse sits on the territory of a park, which includes 1,500 feet of public sandy beaches. Built in the 1950s, the quaint red and white structure is maintained by the Mukilteo Historical Society.

Inside, exhibits discuss the history of the light station and present artifacts from its celebrated past. The park outside the station boasts high accessibility, a picturesque walkway, and convenient amenities such as a volleyball net, picnic tables, and fire pits.

609 Front St, Mukilteo, WA 98275, Phone: 425-263-8180

© Museum of Flight Restoration Center

While the main facility of the Museum of Flight sits in the city of Tukwila, its restoration center is located on Everett's Paine Field. The building here has over 23,000 square feet of area lined with different aviation restoration projects taken on by the museum's committed volunteers.

At any given time, about 39 individual projects are underway in the space and during a tour of the restoration center, guests can see the magic as it happens. On the tour, volunteers discuss the work that goes into making the antique planes ready for exhibition and visitors are permitted to walk around the hangar and take an up-close peek at the aircraft themselves.

2909 100th St. SW, Everett, WA 98204, Phone: 206-764-5700

© Everett Aquasox

The Everett Aquasox are a minor league baseball team affiliated with Seattle's MLB club, the Mariners. Giants of the sport like Ken Griffey Jr. got their starts with this club before moving on to storied careers in the major leagues. Everett's small stadium, which seats about 3,700 fans, provides an intimate atmosphere to enjoy games and fun entertainment in between innings.

Like many minor league teams, the team not only plays baseball at a high level, but also offers a jovial, kid-oriented atmosphere, a fact confirmed by its whimsical tropical frog team logo and mascot. The stadium even has its own fun zone, with games like fast pitch, a bouncy house, and a basketball hoop.

3802 Broadway, Everett, WA 98201, Phone: 425-258-3673

© Courtesy of paulfell - Fotolia.com

Spencer Island Park is certainly one of the best spots near Everett to escape civilization and commune with nature. The island is situated in the Snohomish River Estuary, which is where the freshwater habitat of the Snohomish River meets the salt water from Port Gardner Bay.

Wildlife abounds on the island; shorebirds and waterfowl are most commonly seen, but river otters, coyotes, deer, and other small creatures also call the park home. Although Spencer Island's largest loop trail has been lost, a small walking path remains on the southern part of the island and the dike-top trail system provides both paths and excellent observation sites.

5033 4th St. SE, Everett, WA 98201, Phone: 425-388-6600

© The Historic Everett Theatre

The Historic Everett Theatre has been wowing patrons since 1901 with the interesting and varied performances that grace its stage. The theater, which was rebuilt after a 1923 fire into the classically beautiful building it continues to occupy to this day, is a favorite intimate venue for music concerts and other events like movie showings.

The vintage Everett creates a cozy atmosphere with red velvet seats and a large stage that is visible from throughout the venue, even from its second-floor balcony. Although small at a seating capacity of 809, the Historic Everett Theatre still draws in big-name performers and is equipped with all the expected amenities, including a concession stand.

2911 Colby Ave, Everett, WA 98201, Phone: 425-258-6766

© Village Theatre

The Village Theatre, which is based in the city of Issaquah but also operates in Everett, prides itself as a leader in developing and producing musicals for the stage. The theater's locations have a constantly updated schedule of traditional and contemporary musical theater productions, including fan favorites that lovers of musicals are sure to know.

The Village also creates and produces its own original musicals, a fact few local theaters can brag about; in total, 150 new pieces have been launched at this venue. Additionally, the facility holds a wide range of educational programs, including everything from their signature KIDSTAGE classes and acting camps to internships and specialized institutes.

2710 Wetmore Avenue, Everett, WA 98201, Phone: 425-257-6393

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With its prime location that includes three lakes and two rivers, Wallace Falls State Park makes for a stunning and enjoyable place to spend either a few hours or a few days. The park spans a whopping 4,375 acres on the western side of the Cascade Mountains and the landscape here does not disappoint.

Some particularly noteworthy features of the park are the falls that give it its name, coniferous forests, streams, and rocky cliffs. Wallace Falls State Park has many useful amenities, such as kitchen and picnic shelters and a campground area. Visitors can enjoy hiking, boating, bird watching, snowshoeing, and fishing here, depending on the season.

14503 Wallace Lake Road, Gold Bar, WA 98251, Phone: 360-793-0420