Beautiful Game, Beautiful Cites: A Guide to Reaching Seattle from Snohomish County

A soccer-ready travelogue for exploring some of the best hidden gems, major tourist destinations, and modes of transportation between Snohomish County and Seattle.

⚽This content is part of our #SnoCoGameday Series, which captures all the excitement of the beautiful game in the Pacific Northwest. As our region prepares to host the world’s biggest sporting event in summer 2026, make it your goal to plan a pitch-perfect escape to Snohomish County. For more information, resources, and content, visit discoversnoco.com. ⚽

A sweeping view of the Emerald City, which will host 6 matches in this summer's world soccer tournament.

The Pacific Northwest will be in the global spotlight this summer when the largest sporting event in the history of the world (yes, you read that correctly) kicks off in one of our region’s most iconic cities: Seattle, Washington.

With six international soccer matches hitting the pitch over the course of 22 days, the Emerald City is primed to become a destination for endless fanfare and excitement. Visitors looking to explore Seattle and beyond will find that all roads – and rails and waterways – run through Snohomish County.

Westlake Center to Seattle Center Monorail time lapse.

Located less than 15 miles (24 kilometers) north of Seattle is where you’ll find Snohomish County. It’s 2,000 square miles of serene land where the pace slows down, the crowds thin, and nature always wins the gold.

Join us on a journey through Snohomish County as we head south to check out the many amazing cities, towns, and neighborhoods that lie between Seattle and Snohomish County. With a convenient location along the north-south arterials Interstate 5 and Highway 99, we chose Everett, WA as the starting point for travel.

Discover the many reasons Snohomish County is the perfect basecamp for your PNW soccer adventure.

The Journey South: Everett to Seattle

Seattle is home to the Space Needle, Pike Place Market, and it’s the birthplace of grunge music. The Emerald City will host six matches at Seattle Stadium, including four group-stage matches, one round of 32 match, and one round of 16 match. The group stage features powerhouse nations such as Belgium, Egypt, Qatar, and Iran, with USA-Australia billed as the top match. You can reach the matches at Seattle Stadium from Snohomish County by light rail, train, bus, bike, or car.

Pictured: The light rail from Lynnwood City Center reaches downtown Seattle in less than 30 minutes

Places to Visit Between Everett & Seattle

Key Stops in Snohomish County

Everett

A former mill town that offers upscale experiences while staying rooted in its gritty seaside fish-and-lumber history.

Our picks:

  • Things to do: Everett Marina, Everett AquaSox (baseball), Jetty Island
  • Summer events: Sorticulture Garden Arts Festival, SeattleFWC26 Fan Zone
  • Where to eat & drink: Capers + Olive, El Mariachi
  • Where to stay: Hotel Indigo, Delta Hotel

    Bonus: Fly roundtrip with direct flights to west coast regional soccer tournament matches in San Francisco and Los Angeles from Paine Field Airport.
Pictured: The scenic Everett Marina will serve as the official SeattleFWC26 Fan Zone in Everett.

Mukilteo

A coastal city centered around its iconic lighthouse and driftwood-covered shoreline.

Our picks:

  • Things to do: Island adventure via the Mukilteo Ferry Terminal, Boeing Future of Flight and Everett Factory Tour (featuring the world’s largest building by volume), Lighthouse Park
  • Where to eat & drink: Ivar’s, Diamond Knot Brewing
  • Where to stay: Silver Cloud Inn
Pictured: Summer lavender in blossom at Lighthouse Park in Mukilteo.

Lynnwood

As the first metropolis north of Seattle, Lynnwood is a great spot to access Pacific Northwest culture without the prices and parking of the big city.

Our picks:

  • Things to do: Alderwood Mall, Interurban Trail, Light rail to Seattle
  • Where to eat & drink: Musashi’s, Temple Distilling, Chops Lynnwood
  • Where to stay: Hampton Inn & Suites, Best Western Alderwood
Pictured: Jump for joy with a visit to Lynnwood

Edmonds

A charming coastal city with a walkable waterfront, inviting sandy beaches, and stunning views of the Salish Sea.

Our picks:

  • Things to do: Edmonds Creative District and public art, Island adventure via the Edmonds Ferry Terminal, Downtown shopping and dining, whale watching
  • Where to eat & drink: Salt & Iron, MARKET Edmonds, SanKai
  • Summer events: Edmonds Arts Festival, Edmonds Summer Market
  • Where to stay: Best Western Plus Edmonds Harbor Inn
Pictured: Enjoy a ferry ride from Edmonds to Kingston. Photo by Gully Studios

Mountlake Terrace

A commuter-friendly city with a relaxed residential feel, shaped by its quiet streets, evergreen parks, and easy access to major corridors.

Our picks:
  • Things to do: Terrace Creek Park, Lake Ballinger
  • Where to eat & drink: Diamond Knot Brewpub, SKOG Haus Coffee, Hemlock State Brewing
Pictured: Downtown Mountlake Terrace in all its glory. Photo by City of Mountlake Terrace

Bothell

A central location with a thriving historic downtown that puts the best of the Pacific Northwest all within easy reach.

Our picks:

  • Things to do: Downtown shopping and dining, Sammamish River Trail
  • Where to eat & drink: McMenamins Anderson School, Wildwood Spirits Co., Beardslee Public House and Brewery
  • Where to stay: Hilton Garden Inn Seattle/Bothell
Pictured: Ride your way to adventure in Bothell.

Woodinville

With more than 130 wineries and tasting rooms spanning four winemaking districts throughout this picturesque city in the Sammamish River Valley, Woodinville has earned its rightful reputation as the region’s premier wine destination.

Our picks:

  • Things to do: Wine tasting, Schoolhouse District, Sammamish River Trail, Wine Alley
  • Where to eat & drink: Métier Brewing Company, Barking Frog, The Pizza Coop & Ale House
Pictured: The amazing Woodinville Schoolhouse District. Photo by Visit Woodinville

Noteworthy Attractions in Seattle

Obligatory Space Needle selfie.

If you want to do a little between-match sightseeing in Seattle, here are some of our favorite spots to explore in the Emerald City.

Our picks:

  • Pike Place Market – A historic neighborhood and public market with renowned destinations such as the first Starbucks, the Gum Wall, and the fish throwers of the Pike Place Fish Market.
  • Seattle Center Monorail – A single-track, elevated rail service that sends riders from the heart of the city to the base of the Space Needle in less than three minutes.
  • Space Needle – An iconic observation tower with space-age design and panoramic views of the Puget Sound.
  • Kerry Park – A hilltop park with sweeping views of downtown Seattle and Elliot Bay.
  • Ballard Locks – An innovative fish ladder that promotes salmon migration and maritime transportation.
Famous Fish Toss at Pike Place Fish Market

Plan Your Route: Everett to Seattle

If driving, check traffic reports for the most accurate time estimates. If using public transportation, refer to your transit operator resources for details on price and times of operation.

  • By bus (Average trip time: 45-60 minutes)
    • Via I-5 (Everett Station):
      • Sound Transit lines 510/512
      • Intercity buses (Greyhound/FlixBus/Trailways)
    • Via Hwy 99 (Everett Station):
      • Community Transit lines – Swift Blue line
  • By train (Average trip time: 55-64 minutes)
    • Everett Station to King Street Station
    • Sound Transit Sounder N Line
    • Amtrak Cascades (Vancouver, BC to Eugene, OR)
  • By bike (Average trip time: 2.5-4.5 hours)
    • Interurban Trail North (A 24-31-mile trail segment between Everett and Seattle)
  • By car (Average trip time: 32-74 mins)
    • Via I-5
    • Via Hwy 99 Note: You may encounter tolls at the SR-99 tunnel in Seattle

Bonus: Transfer from the Sound Transit bus lines 510/512 at Lynnwood City Center to ride the light rail to downtown Seattle or stadium district.

Sound Transit Sounder Train departing King Street Station

⚽Explore Beyond the Pitch: From the opening kick to the triumphant hoisting of the trophy — and beyond — Snohomish County, WA is your top destination for a pitch-perfect escape. In Snohomish County, you’ll discover that the best pre- and post-match plays aren’t made on turf, they’re made on trails, kayaks, and brewery patios. When the beautiful game kicks off in the Pacific Northwest, plan your escape in one of the many beautiful cities in Snohomish County. ⚽

Nick Shekeryk

Nick Shekeryk

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