Aviation Meets Lighthouses, Lumber & Coffee
Urban Borough Itinerary: Day 3
The central coast of Snohomish County is where waves and sound barriers break.
As pillars of the Paine Field Aviation District, Everett and Mukilteo fly high when it comes to showcasing its innovative flight museum, the world’s largest building by volume, and a world-class international airport with the shortest security lines ever.
Beyond the propellers, these shores offer sandy beaches, fresh seafood, and a gritty seaside charm you’d expect to find in towns shaped by fishing and logging industries.
Follow the lighthouse to a place where the air is salty — and always soul cleansing.
Mukilteo
If your trip to the Pacific Northwest doesn’t include a ferry ride, did it even happen? Washington State Ferries boasts the second largest ferry system in world—and Mukilteo is home to one of the region’s most modern and stunning ferry terminals. The terminal is filled with indigenous artwork from the Tulalip Tribes and it’s the perfect launching pad for exploration on the Salish Sea.
Congrats on completing your maiden voyage on one of our ferries. Celebrate with some classic seafood and a view of Salish Sea, the Olympic Mountains, and probably a whale or two. Ivar’s serves up iconic Pacific Northwest seafood, and it’s the spot to sea it all. Polish off your meal with a local award-winning brew from Diamond Knot Brewing, which is just across the street from Ivar’s.
Take a stroll through Mukilteo Lighthouse Park, which features an iconic, fully operational lighthouse and connects a small but mighty beach. It’s a great spot for collecting shells and sea glass, skipping rocks, and taking in the incredible views.
Let’s jet set up the hill to Boeing’s Future of Flight Museum. Here you can geek out on the past and future of aviation and space travel, then hop a bus and tour the largest building in the world (by volume) as part of the Boeing Factory Tour. Let your imagination take flight in Mukilteo!
Everett
If you’re in need of caffeination, you’ve come to the right place. According to our rough math, Everett has one coffee shop per 1,800 residents, so you know the city beans business. A couple of our faves are Makario Coffee Roasters and Narrative Coffee.
Everett takes its arts seriously. From murals and performing arts to a popular music festival and the world’s largest graffiti art collection, Everett is a place where personal expression is highly valued. While there are several ways to get cultured here, our top picks include the Schack Art Center, Village Theatre, Fisherman’s Village Music Festival (the fest rocks Everett each spring), and the graffiti art at APEX Center.
When was the last time you actually looked at ticket prices for a pro sporting event? Hard pass. That is, unless you want to catch some hockey or baseball in Everett for a WAY less. The Everett Silvertips of the Western Hockey League bring high-flying, glass-checking action to Everett’s Angel of Winds Arena during the fall and winter while the Everett AquaSox, a single-A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners, swing for the fences at Fuko Field in spring and summer. That’s year-round sports entertainment for a fraction of the cost. Go team!
After the crowds dissipate, make like a harbor seal and migrate toward the Everett Marina. The second largest public marina on the west coast just keeps getting busier. Check out the Muse, a coffeehouse by day and speakeasy by night. It’s located in the historically rich Weyerhaeuser Building and it’s a truly unique experience you must see for yourself.
Head to Fisherman Jack’s for some tasty dim sum and a view of the sea and the mountains. Next door is South Fork Baking, which offers fresh-baked treats and coffee. The line tends to be out the door on weekends, so get there early.
If you happen to be in Everett during the summer, do yourself a favor and check out Jetty Island. This gorgeous sandy beach is a literal one-minute ferry ride from the mainland. You can also kayak there if you’re up for it.
Cap your evening with a moonlit waterfront walk and a visit to Bluewater Organic Distilling for craft spirit or cocktail.
There’s so much to do at the Everett Marina that you might as well just sleep here. Check into the ever-popular Hotel Indigo for sweeping views of the Salish Sea, lush islands, and the rugged Olympics. When your day starts with this view, you know everything is coming up roses.