Highway 2 Itinerary: Day 1

The Snohomish and Skykomish River Valleys are forged with communities that celebrate their storied past and vibrant present. Cities like Snohomish and Monroe are where you’ll discover walkable redbrick downtowns full of charm and small businesses operated with love and pride.

Sink your teeth into the culinary treasures that lay about the nooks and crannies of these cities. Then walk (or bike or play) it off with any of the amazing recreation opportunities at your disposal.

Explore all the hidden gems of our river valleys and see why life flows a little easer here.

Snohomish is where vintage charm meets modern boho boutiques in this city’s walkable redbrick downtown. You can spend a full day hopping from cafes to bakeries to art galleries and still have more to explore.

Take a break from shopping at the riverside promenade, stroll the Centennial Trail, or hit the links and tee off at the driving range or play a round of mini golf at Snohomish Valley Gold Center. You can even take aim for some recreational fun at the Doodlebug Sportz outdoor paintball park.

Venture out to Lord Hill Park for an evening jaunt at this 1,300-acre county park with paths that welcomes the likes of horses, mountain bikes, and walkers. Now that your endorphins are firing on all cylinders from naturing so hard, bring the natural vibes to your home or garden with a treasured keepsake from McAuliffe’s Valley Nursery.

End your day at Harvey Airfield for a coffee at Airfield Espresso and a satisfying meal at Buzz Inn Steakhouse Snohomish before checking into the Snohomish Inn for a well-earned night of rest and relaxation.

Monroe is ideally situated at the intersection of State Route 2 and Highway 522. Monroe is easy to access, yet if you were to drive on one of these main routes, you might just miss some of the best places and experiences that help to define this charming PNW town.

Head south a few blocks from Highway 2 to experience the magic of Historic Downtown Monroe: art, books, dining, shopping, and scenic riverside parks. Here you’ll begin a new chapter of excitement and imagination (Main St Books Monroe), discover some amazing local spots to grab a bite (Lewis and Main Restaurant and Bar and Las Tres Marias), happen upon your new favorite outdoor sports store (Main Street Mountain Sports), and uncover many other local treasures.

After experiencing the charm of downtown, head across Highway 2 and get lost (literally) at the EscapeGoats escape room. Celebrate your daring escape a with a tasty treat from Sunflower Mill European Market.

Round out your trip to Monroe with a visit to Evergreen State Fair Park, which hosts hundreds of events annually, including the Evergreen State Fair and tons of adrenaline-pumping NASCAR and auto races at the Evergreen Speedway.