Five North Puget Sound Day Trips
Want to get away this summer, but only have a day? North Puget Sound has many wonderful places that can be enjoyed in a day. Whether you’re a retired couple or a family with young kids, there is a day trip for you.
La Conner – The oldest town in Skagit County, La Conner lies along the banks of the Swinomish Channel near the mouth of the Skagit River. Browse the shops and galleries or visit the Skagit County Historical Museum, La Conner Quilt & Textile Museum, or the Museum of Northwest Art.
Have lunch on a deck overlooking the channel at one of La Conner’s eateries. Do some bird watching and gaze at the famous Rainbow Bridge. Grab an ice cream, and make sure to stop in at Nasty Jack’s Antiques.
La Conner is approximately twenty minutes west of Interstate 5.
Snohomish – Historic downtown Snohomish is an antique lovers paradise. Founded in roughly 1858, Snohomish is one of Snohomish County’s oldest communities. Many of its historic homes and buildings still stand.
While you’re not likely to find bargain antiques here, there are an excellent variety of shops from which to choose. In addition to antique shops, you’ll find art galleries and a variety of restaurants, some overlooking the Snohomish River. You may even glimpse skydivers landing at Harvey Field, or a hot air balloon ascending above the morning mist.
If your trip is on a Thursday, catch the farmers market from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Snohomish is an approximately fifteen minute-drive east of Everett.
Edmonds – “It’s an Edmonds kind of day,” is this town’s motto, and one can hardly refrain from reciting it when spending time here. From watching the ferry come and go from the beautiful beach, to browsing the plethora of eclectic shops, Edmonds has something for everyone.
Some of the events and festivals offered this summer are concerts in the park, third Thursday art walks, the Taste of Edmonds, and an enormous farmers market on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
You might also want to catch a movie at the Edmonds Theater, visit the Edmonds Historical Museum, or enjoy a ballet or concert at the Edmonds Center for the Arts.
Edmonds is just a short drive west from I-5 near the Snohomish/King County line.
Langley – One of the best parts of this trip is getting here. The short ferry ride from Mukilteo provides beautiful, scenic Puget Sound views and is always a treat for the little ones.
Once you disembark the ferry at Clinton, Langley is just a short drive up the southern end of Whidbey Island.
Langley, “The Village by the Sea,” is a charming historic town that is easily walkable. Shops, galleries and restaurants can all be taken in during a visit of a few hours.
If you’re able to stay longer, catch a movie at the Clyde Theater or experience live Shakespeare in the open air at the Island Shakespeare Festival. If you have kids, visit July 31 to August 3 to catch the Whidbey Island Fair, celebrating its 90th year.
Mount Pilchuck – If physical activity is to your liking, take a hike on Mount Pilchuck. From the restored fire lookout, you will enjoy breathtaking panoramic views in every direction.
The hike is approximately 6 miles, round trip. It is considered a moderate hike and may have some snowy or muddy spots. The trail is very popular in summer and you should expect to have plenty of company.
The trailhead, located just past Verlot on the Mountain Loop Highway, is an approximately 45-minute drive from Everett.
This article was originally published on Yahoo! Voices.
