Around Our Home
Sightseeing
A few miles away - learn about the history of the native Snohomish, Snoqualmie, Skykomish, and other tribes that now make up the Tulalip Tribes
9 locals recommend
Hibulb Cultural Center & Natural History Preserve
6410 23rd Ave NEA few miles away - learn about the history of the native Snohomish, Snoqualmie, Skykomish, and other tribes that now make up the Tulalip Tribes
Just down the road from our house might not be a whole day trip, but it’s a great waterfront park with a large pier, a huge play structure, and is the closest public beach access to our place. During the height of summer it can get crowded and there’s a small use fee, but it’s just down the road, and usually worth the trip.
18 locals recommend
Kayak Point
15711 Marine DrJust down the road from our house might not be a whole day trip, but it’s a great waterfront park with a large pier, a huge play structure, and is the closest public beach access to our place. During the height of summer it can get crowded and there’s a small use fee, but it’s just down the road, and usually worth the trip.
Just past Stanwood on Camano Island is an off-the-beaten track option for beach access. The parking lot is small, so it doesn’t take many people to make it crowded, but it’s a nice little location – that typically has several Bald Eagles nesting and hanging out right by the parking lot! Make sure to check the tides – the beach is shallow, and when the tides are low the water is waaaaaay off shore and conditions can be muddy.
13 locals recommend
English Boom Trail County Park
English Boom TrailJust past Stanwood on Camano Island is an off-the-beaten track option for beach access. The parking lot is small, so it doesn’t take many people to make it crowded, but it’s a nice little location – that typically has several Bald Eagles nesting and hanging out right by the parking lot! Make sure to check the tides – the beach is shallow, and when the tides are low the water is waaaaaay off shore and conditions can be muddy.
A smaller and slightly harder to find park on Camano island with a bunch of trails, including a bluff/view trail, and a trail that leads down to a cool rocky beach
8 locals recommend
Barnum Pont Preserve
278 S Sunrise BlvdA smaller and slightly harder to find park on Camano island with a bunch of trails, including a bluff/view trail, and a trail that leads down to a cool rocky beach
Big planes, big buildings - if you're into aviation, this is the place to go!
137 locals recommend
Boeing Future of Flight Museum
8415 Paine Field BlvdBig planes, big buildings - if you're into aviation, this is the place to go!
Park in the parking lot at the park entrance - walk down toward the amphitheater - then go under the bridge and up the hillside trail for great views - OR - go down the stairs and check out the sculpture garden, and the "salmon poop slide"
9 locals recommend
Pioneer Park
1200 S 4th StPark in the parking lot at the park entrance - walk down toward the amphitheater - then go under the bridge and up the hillside trail for great views - OR - go down the stairs and check out the sculpture garden, and the "salmon poop slide"
Rainbow Bridge
Rainbow BridgeSee Pioneer Park for tips!
tulipfestival.org – Each spring the blooming tulip fields of the Skagit Valley (in a sort of triangle located between La Conner, Stanwood, and Mount Vernon) brings loads of folks to check out the scenery and the various events that go along with it. Things can get crowded at some of the more major locations, so plan ahead!
80 locals recommend
Skagit Valley Tulip Festival
311 West Kincaid Streettulipfestival.org – Each spring the blooming tulip fields of the Skagit Valley (in a sort of triangle located between La Conner, Stanwood, and Mount Vernon) brings loads of folks to check out the scenery and the various events that go along with it. Things can get crowded at some of the more major locations, so plan ahead!
Located about an hour north (via land – not ferry) of our house, Deception Pass State Park– and the Deception Pass Bridge is a great day trip (and can be combined with a trip to La Conner if you’re interested in a longer day). Pro-tip – the view from the bridge is cool – but you’re much better off going across the bridge (South onto Whidbey Island), and to follow the road all the way down to the parking lots near Cranberry Lake. There are lots of hikes on both the north and south side of the pass, depending on your skill level and time. If your schedule and belly allow, check out the Shrimp Shack (http://www.shrimpshack.us/), which is something of an attraction unto itself.
278 locals recommend
Deception Pass State Park
41229 State Route 20Located about an hour north (via land – not ferry) of our house, Deception Pass State Park– and the Deception Pass Bridge is a great day trip (and can be combined with a trip to La Conner if you’re interested in a longer day). Pro-tip – the view from the bridge is cool – but you’re much better off going across the bridge (South onto Whidbey Island), and to follow the road all the way down to the parking lots near Cranberry Lake. There are lots of hikes on both the north and south side of the pass, depending on your skill level and time. If your schedule and belly allow, check out the Shrimp Shack (http://www.shrimpshack.us/), which is something of an attraction unto itself.
The Washington State Ferry system is iconic northwest. Even if you don't have anywhere in particular to go, you should ride a ferry just to say you did! Board at Mukilteo for Whidbey Island, drive up Rt 525, and return through La Conner and Stanwood to our home for a (long) day trip!
15 locals recommend
Mukilteo Terminal station
910 Front StThe Washington State Ferry system is iconic northwest. Even if you don't have anywhere in particular to go, you should ride a ferry just to say you did! Board at Mukilteo for Whidbey Island, drive up Rt 525, and return through La Conner and Stanwood to our home for a (long) day trip!
Cama Beach | Historical State Park
1880 W Camano DrA larger state park - worth the trip!
For something more "inland", Granite Falls is an interesting kind of end-of-the-road town. The falls and fish ladders are worth a fairly short hike!
7 locals recommend
Granite Falls Fish Ladder
10630 Mountain Loop HwyFor something more "inland", Granite Falls is an interesting kind of end-of-the-road town. The falls and fish ladders are worth a fairly short hike!
Chuckanut Drive - it's fun to say - and it's nice to drive!
To quote Whatcom County's tourist board: Hugging the shoreline just south of Bellingham, Chuckanut Drive is Washington State's original scenic byway. Shown on maps as WA State Highway 11, the route begins at I-5 exit 231 in Burlington and continues 20 miles north to Bellingham.
This is a favorite and historic entry into Whatcom County. Completed in 1896, Chuckanut Drive was the first land access to the Bellingham Bay community of Fairhaven.
At milepost 14, Chuckanut Drive passes Larrabee State Park, the first designated State Park in Washington. With access to the beach, tidepools, and trails. Encompassing 2,000+ acres, Larrabee is a favorite among locals and tourists. Chuckanut Drive ends in the Historic Fairhaven District, known for its Victorian-era red-brick architecture, quaint shops and delcious restaurants.
26 locals recommend
Chuckanut Drive
Chuckanut DriveChuckanut Drive - it's fun to say - and it's nice to drive!
To quote Whatcom County's tourist board: Hugging the shoreline just south of Bellingham, Chuckanut Drive is Washington State's original scenic byway. Shown on maps as WA State Highway 11, the route begins at I-5 exit 231 in Burlington and continues 20 miles north to Bellingham.
This is a favorite and historic entry into Whatcom County. Completed in 1896, Chuckanut Drive was the first land access to the Bellingham Bay community of Fairhaven.
At milepost 14, Chuckanut Drive passes Larrabee State Park, the first designated State Park in Washington. With access to the beach, tidepools, and trails. Encompassing 2,000+ acres, Larrabee is a favorite among locals and tourists. Chuckanut Drive ends in the Historic Fairhaven District, known for its Victorian-era red-brick architecture, quaint shops and delcious restaurants.
Stuff you might need
QFC
27008 92nd Ave NWOur closest full-service grocery store
It's Walmart.... It's close and it sells pretty much everything you might need for your trip.
12 locals recommend
Walmart Supercenter
8713 64th St NEIt's Walmart.... It's close and it sells pretty much everything you might need for your trip.
Costco Wholesale
16616 Twin Lakes AveIt's a Costco - and the closest one to our home.
Target
16818 Twin Lakes AveIt's a Target - and its pretty much next to Costco so....
If you need outdoor gear - or don't need it, but want to look at it anyway - Cabelas!
8 locals recommend
Cabela's
9810 Quil Ceda BlvdIf you need outdoor gear - or don't need it, but want to look at it anyway - Cabelas!
Stanwood Station is an Amtrak Train Stop on the Cascades line. In theory one could travel to/from Seattle to Stanwood and vise versa. A car will still be needed to get to/from our home, but if you're interested in the planning, it might be an option for getting around.
Stanwood Station
27111 84th Avenue NorthwestStanwood Station is an Amtrak Train Stop on the Cascades line. In theory one could travel to/from Seattle to Stanwood and vise versa. A car will still be needed to get to/from our home, but if you're interested in the planning, it might be an option for getting around.
Food scene
Mammoth Burger Company
8715 271st St NWBig burgers, great sides (breaded mushrooms, onion rings), local beers on tap
Just off I-5, cheap, good tacos. There’s usually a crowd waiting around mealtimes! The wet burritos are yum.
Tacos El Rey LLC
2624 Marine Drive NortheastJust off I-5, cheap, good tacos. There’s usually a crowd waiting around mealtimes! The wet burritos are yum.
A classic diner, somewhat unpredictable hours. A huge hit for breakfasts – huge “Mickey Mouse” pancakes for kids.
Waynes Corner Cafe
8614 271st St NWA classic diner, somewhat unpredictable hours. A huge hit for breakfasts – huge “Mickey Mouse” pancakes for kids.
A medium-sized local chain, individual-sized pizzas with fresh ingredients, Marysville location also!
MOD Pizza
2425 172nd St NEA medium-sized local chain, individual-sized pizzas with fresh ingredients, Marysville location also!
Stanwood Cafe
10025 270th St NWWhen Wayne’s is closed – and sometimes when it’s open, we head here for diner food.
The Baked Cafe/Tapped Camano/The Sub Joint/Brooklyn Brothers Pizza – are in a quirky little mini-mall triangle just on Camano Island past Stanwood. The baked goods at the Baked Café are awesome, and the coffee is great. These places are pretty much co-located, so lots of choices!
15 locals recommend
The Baked Cafe
848 N Sunrise BlvdThe Baked Cafe/Tapped Camano/The Sub Joint/Brooklyn Brothers Pizza – are in a quirky little mini-mall triangle just on Camano Island past Stanwood. The baked goods at the Baked Café are awesome, and the coffee is great. These places are pretty much co-located, so lots of choices!
This little place used to be our go-to for burgers before Mammoth opened. Burgers, fries, shakes.
Country Burger
3110 Lakewood RdThis little place used to be our go-to for burgers before Mammoth opened. Burgers, fries, shakes.
A very popular roadside farm stand - Their ice cream cones are legendary – freshly made waffle cones with absurd scoops!
27 locals recommend
Snow Goose Produce
15170 Fir Island RdA very popular roadside farm stand - Their ice cream cones are legendary – freshly made waffle cones with absurd scoops!
Mustard Seed Baking Co
8620 271st St NWYummy Pastries - good coffee
To be completely honest - we've never had a good reason to buy Stanwood Cupcake's super-fancy cupcakes. They look great, and if you've got something to celebrate, give um a try!
Stanwood Cupcakes
8719 271st St NWTo be completely honest - we've never had a good reason to buy Stanwood Cupcake's super-fancy cupcakes. They look great, and if you've got something to celebrate, give um a try!
SAAL Brewing Company
10209 270th Street NorthwestA relatively new-to-us brewery and pub. Comes highly recommended
The closest non-chain Italian food/pizza. Likely to be crowded with locals weekend evenings. Kitchen can get backed up - expect your food to be available 45 mins - 1 hr after order - but its worth the wait. Lasagna is GREAT.
18 locals recommend
Jimmy's Pizza & Pasta
9819 WA-532The closest non-chain Italian food/pizza. Likely to be crowded with locals weekend evenings. Kitchen can get backed up - expect your food to be available 45 mins - 1 hr after order - but its worth the wait. Lasagna is GREAT.
Things to Do
If casinos are your thing, this is the newest one in the northwest and just miles from our home.
9 locals recommend
Quil Ceda Creek Casino
6221 31st Ave NEIf casinos are your thing, this is the newest one in the northwest and just miles from our home.
The Tulalip Resort/Casino is one of the northwest's largest. Just miles from our home!
58 locals recommend
Tulalip Resort Casino
10200 Quil Ceda BlvdThe Tulalip Resort/Casino is one of the northwest's largest. Just miles from our home!
A large outlet store complex with all of your favorite premium brands - 20 minutes from our home!
142 locals recommend
Seattle Premium Outlets
10600 Quil Ceda BlvdA large outlet store complex with all of your favorite premium brands - 20 minutes from our home!
To be 100% clear - our policy forbids fireworks on our property. We're serious! With that said, boom city and the swap meets more generally are kind of a local thing - so go check it out - just don't bring fireworks back to our place.
Boom City Fireworks
10274 27th Ave NETo be 100% clear - our policy forbids fireworks on our property. We're serious! With that said, boom city and the swap meets more generally are kind of a local thing - so go check it out - just don't bring fireworks back to our place.
If freshwater fishing/swimming is your thing, Wenberg is about the closest place to do it. It's actually a nice little park - but there are some great little parks around so...
Wenberg County Park
15430 E Lake Goodwin RdIf freshwater fishing/swimming is your thing, Wenberg is about the closest place to do it. It's actually a nice little park - but there are some great little parks around so...
With COVID, a trip to Imagine Children's Museum is going to require some pre-planning - but for younger (ages 3 - 8?) kids, it's one of the best small kids museums we've been too. Lots of different areas and exhibits, and everything in good shape and clean. Our kids have outgrown it, but have lots of fond memories!
30 locals recommend
Imagine Children's Museum
1502 Wall StWith COVID, a trip to Imagine Children's Museum is going to require some pre-planning - but for younger (ages 3 - 8?) kids, it's one of the best small kids museums we've been too. Lots of different areas and exhibits, and everything in good shape and clean. Our kids have outgrown it, but have lots of fond memories!
This place is great! We're not disc golfers per se, but its a fun place to go with our kids or some friends. In 2019, the conventional golf course on the property closed, and a Disc Golf company took over the facility. It includes a FREE TO PLAY 18-hole “Pitch & Putt” course, as well as several more advanced courses that require Tee-times. Cart rentals are available
Kayak Point Disc Golf Resort
15711 Marine DrThis place is great! We're not disc golfers per se, but its a fun place to go with our kids or some friends. In 2019, the conventional golf course on the property closed, and a Disc Golf company took over the facility. It includes a FREE TO PLAY 18-hole “Pitch & Putt” course, as well as several more advanced courses that require Tee-times. Cart rentals are available
Neighborhoods
Little town with an interesting arts scene and good food - the first major town on Whidbey Island coming north from the Mukilteo/Whidbey Ferry
117 locals recommend
Langley
Little town with an interesting arts scene and good food - the first major town on Whidbey Island coming north from the Mukilteo/Whidbey Ferry
About 40 mins north of our place, La Conner is a funky little town with an arts scene, good food, and a nice boardwalk along the Swinomish Channel. Home to a few museums (Pacific Northwest Quilt and Fiber Arts Museum, Museum of Northwest Art), you can easily make a day – or at least a nice afternoon and evening out of a visit. Make sure to check out Pioneer Park and the “Rainbow Bridge”, as well as the “Salmon poop slide” (our kids name for it – you kind of have to see it to understand) just under the bridge. For a treat, check out Snow Goose Produce or one of the other farmers markets on the way to or from La Conner. Their ice cream cones are legendary – freshly made waffle cones with absurd scoops!
91 locals recommend
La Conner
About 40 mins north of our place, La Conner is a funky little town with an arts scene, good food, and a nice boardwalk along the Swinomish Channel. Home to a few museums (Pacific Northwest Quilt and Fiber Arts Museum, Museum of Northwest Art), you can easily make a day – or at least a nice afternoon and evening out of a visit. Make sure to check out Pioneer Park and the “Rainbow Bridge”, as well as the “Salmon poop slide” (our kids name for it – you kind of have to see it to understand) just under the bridge. For a treat, check out Snow Goose Produce or one of the other farmers markets on the way to or from La Conner. Their ice cream cones are legendary – freshly made waffle cones with absurd scoops!
Stanwood is the nearest small town to our home. A cute downtown, some larger stores and chains, a few interesting little stores - and seasonally, a surprisingly great farmers market.
12 locals recommend
Stanwood
Stanwood is the nearest small town to our home. A cute downtown, some larger stores and chains, a few interesting little stores - and seasonally, a surprisingly great farmers market.
The main ferry port to the San Juan Islands, just north of Deception Pass, great views and some interesting waterfront food and shops.
71 locals recommend
Anacortes
The main ferry port to the San Juan Islands, just north of Deception Pass, great views and some interesting waterfront food and shops.
A nice mid-way-ish stopping point if you decide to do a South-to-North Whidbey Island run. Some food and a waterfront pier that's interesting to check out.
82 locals recommend
Coupeville
A nice mid-way-ish stopping point if you decide to do a South-to-North Whidbey Island run. Some food and a waterfront pier that's interesting to check out.
Fairhaven is one of the southern-most neighborhoods of the city of Bellingham - and about an hour from our home. For a city of its size, Bellingham has kept a low profile, but its got a lot of cool stores, great food and drink, and a nice downtown area. Fairhaven is a great area to park and explore, with most of the rest of the city reasonably accessible via walking or public transportation.
122 locals recommend
Fairhaven
Fairhaven is one of the southern-most neighborhoods of the city of Bellingham - and about an hour from our home. For a city of its size, Bellingham has kept a low profile, but its got a lot of cool stores, great food and drink, and a nice downtown area. Fairhaven is a great area to park and explore, with most of the rest of the city reasonably accessible via walking or public transportation.
City advice
Travelling with kids
Check out https://www.seattleschild.com/
The calendar page has a fairly comprehensive list of kid-friendly events in the region - and you can filter by type of event, age, and sub-region to find all kinds of events that most travelers will never here about.