Things to Do in Monroe

You can feel it in the historic downtown. It’s the feeling of old buildings, evening light, the air filled with the flitting town’s famous Vaux’s swifts. This is a place with a story, a riverside idyll. Be sure to pull of of State Route 2 and onto Main Street to find your next favorite restaurant, used bookstore, antique boutique, or craft bourbon-pouring speakeasy. Find yourself in Downtown Monroe.

Fuel up at Paesano’s Coffee, just off State Route 2, where gourmet, locally roasted coffee meets drive-through convenience. After a day of adventure, refuel with authentic phad thai or swimming rama at Benjarong Thai Restaurant—don’t skip the dessert menu! Craving bold flavors on the go? Monroe’s taco trucks on Main Streetserve up mouthwatering street eats. Or sit down for aromatic curries, naan, and basmati rice at Kadhi Indian Cuisine in the heart of downtown Monroe. So many options.

Some places are just meant to be green, you know? The flipside of all of that iconic Pacific Northwest rain is a landscape that is crazy lush with greenery at every turn. The hills and river valley of Monroe are capital V Verdant, making a foray into the park system of Monroe a true delight during spring, summer, and fall. Don’t know where to start? Try Al Borlin Park, Skykomish River Park, Lord Hill, Flowing Lake, or Lake Tye. Collect them all!