Once a thriving lumber mill town, and now the home to the world's largest aircraft manufacturer as well as a Navy homeport, Everett is a city of hidden gems. With a population of just under 100,000, the city is undergoing an amazing transformation from sleepy mill town, to a dynamic community with unique historic districts, revived shopping areas, and a strong community spirit.
One thing Everett is not, is a "true" suburb of Seattle. More and more people who work in Seattle and the Eastside are choosing to live in Everett for its affordable housing and great quality of life, but it's more than a bedroom community. It's truly a city in its own right, with good schools, a city government committed to improving the quality of life for residents and visitors alike, and cultural and entertainment opportunities that are surprisingly diverse. Yet with all it has to offer, Everett retains a charming, small-town feel. And, with its location on Port Gardner, surrounded by the mountains, the Snohomish River and Puget Sound, Everett's natural beauty can be breathtaking.
Many people pass by this city by the bay on their way north or south, without ever stopping to explore the attractions that Everett has to offer. Because of this, Everett is one of the last areas areas in the Puget Sound that is truly undervalued, given its proximity to the Northwest's largest employer (Boeing, of course), it's public transit options into Seattle, and its many attractions. Why is it undervalued? Simply because people don't know about it!
Let me introduce those who may not be familiar to one of my favorite little cities.
Sandy's Top Ten Places in Everett
1. Everett Events Center and Comcast Community Ice Rink: Your first stop in a trip to Everett should be the Events Center--the cornerstone of the "New Everett." Visiting this building, which is home to the Comcast Community Ice Rink, the Everett Silvertips and the Everett Chamber of Commerce, is your first opportunity to marvel at the transformation that Everett has undergone in the last five years, due in large part to the city's decision to build the events center. The Event Center is an attraction in its own right, but is also many people's first introduction to the new Everett. While you're here, visit the Everett City Concierge to learn about events being hosted by local restaurants and shops, or visit the ice rink and strap on some skates.
2. Hewitt Corridor: Traveling east-west along the Hewitt Corridor allows you to imagine what Everett must have been like at the turn of the last century when it was known as the "Pittsburg of the West." Once blighted by empty storefronts and pawnshops, Hewitt Avenue is now home to numerous high quality restaurants and a few nightspots as well. If you're looking for a great meal, try Buck's American Cafe or the Majestic Cafe, located at opposite ends of Hewitt. If you would like to go out for a drink, you might try the Dirty Martini. Looking for live music? Try the Alligator Soul (cajun and zydeco music--also great cajun food) or Jimmy Z's, which is host to Everett's monthly "Rockabilly Rumble" as well as numerous rock and blues bands. If you're more into relaxing with friends and watching a game or playing some pool, the Hewitt Corridor has that covered too--check out Tailgater Joe's.
3. Colby Avenue: Colby and Hewitt are the two "main streets" in Everett, and their intersection is the heart of downtown. Running north-south, Colby is home to many wonderful shops and restaurants including the Pave Bakery, The Flying Pig pub, J. Matheson Gifts, the historic Everett Theater and the Everett Symphony (in its newly remodeled, 1936 art deco building). The street is also home to the beautiful 1910 Everett High School and a fabulous tree-lined boulevard of older homes. The downtown area of the street was recently upgraded by the city with wider sidewalks to encourage outdoor dining and shopping opportunities, better parking, benches and street sculptures.
4. North Marina Project: The Port of Everett's North Marina Project is currently underway with dredging and construction of an additional 200 slips, which will bring Everett's total moorage capacity to over 2,200 spaces. It is the 2nd largest marina on the west coast--only Oakland in the Bay Area is larger. The North Marina project will include Port Gardner Wharf, a combined condominium and commercial space project, restaurants and shops, an ampitheater and an esplanade, which will complement jogging and bike trails along the Snohomish River waterfront.
5. 10th Street Marina Park: This two acre park is colocated with the Port of Everett's 10th Street Boat Launch, and is the launching point for many a great day on the water, whether that includes a motor boat, sailboat, kayak or kiteboard. The Jetty Island ferry leaves from here during the summer months. It also has barbecue and picnic areas.
6. Jetty Island and the Jetty Island Ferry: Jetty Island is a two-mile long, man-made island with rare sandy beaches and shallow warm water. In the summer it is a haven for kayakers, windsurfers and kitesurfers, and those looking for a quiet getaway from the city. The City of Everett runs a ferry out to the Jetty during the warm months of the year--check the City website for more information.
6. Everett Station: There is just something romantic about train stations, even ones that are only a few years old. Reminiscent with it's rounded roofline of a European train station, the Everett Station was designed both as a transportation hub and also a gathering place. The Amtrak Cascade and Empire Builder lines stop here, as well as Sound Transit's daily Seattle commuter train and multiple bus lines. It's also home to the University Consortium, classroom space that is shared by Everett Community College, the University of Washington, Western Washington University and Washington State University. Don't miss the art gallery space inside.
8. Grand Avenue Park: Possibly the most beautiful spot in Everett, and definitely
Everett's best spot to watch the sun go down over the Olympic mountains and Puget Sound, Grand Avenue Park looks due west over Port Gardner towards Hat and Whidbey Islands. On the east side of the street are some of Everett's most beautiful and best preserved historic homes, including the home of Washington's beloved, late Senator Henry M. "Scoop" Jackson.
9. Forest Park: Everett's oldest and largest park, Forest Park is host to many a summertime barbecue and various community events. In the summer, the Swim Center and the Animal Farm are open to the public, and the Music in the Park series is available for the music buffs. Classes and events are hosted year-round in Floral Hall.
10. Historic North Everett and Rucker Hill: Thanks to an active historical commission and city-led efforts to encourage historic preservation, Everett's two main historic districts feature a large collection of late 19th and early 20th century homes of historic significance. Rucker Hill, to the southwest of Providence Hospital, features a fine collection of historic homes including "Scoop" Jackson's boyhood home and the Rucker Mansion. Historic North Everett includes the area north and west of downtown, with the grandest and best-preserved homes found north of 19th Street west of Broadway. Other historic neighborhoods includ Riverside and Lowell, east of Broadway. The non-profit Everett Historical Society puts on a number of interesting programs regarding the history of Everett, historic building preservation and was part of a consortium that recently acquired and will restore the Howard S. Wright house on the 2100 block of Rucker Avenue.
11. And, And, And: What, you thought there would only be ten? Here are a few more favorites, in no particular order:
For waterfront fine dining, try Lombardi's Restaurant or Anthony's Homeport at the Everett Marina, or for a quieter dining experience try the new "Under the Red Umbrella" restaurant recently opened by Celebrate Catering located at the corner of Rucker Avenue and 15th.
Want to entertain the kids? The Imagine Children's Museum located at 1502 Wall Street downtown has plenty of acivities that kids and grownups can enjoy.
Directly across Wall Street from the Children's Museum, Smashed Tomatoes in the historic Monte Cristo Hotel is a popular Italian restaurant with tasty food served in a cheerful, mediterranean-inspired atmosphere.
The Monte Cristo Hotel is also home to the Arts Council of Snohomish County and a permanent collection of glass from Dale Chihuly's Pilchuck School in the hotel's grand lobby.
Il Bistro Vino at 1801 Hewitt just northwest of the events center is also a popular and inexpensive dining choice for a meal or a drink before or after a hockey game or concert.
The Sister's Cafe next to the Everett Food Coop on the 2500 block of Grand Avenue is a popular spot for breakfast and lunch, with fresh healthy options and a fun, cafeteria style atmosphere.
Daruma Japanese restaurant located at the 12th Street Marina offers fantastic sushi and japanese specialties.
For more information on the downtown Everett revitalization, check out the following:
Energizing Everett, Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce, Aug. 9, 2001
Everett-This Working Town Just Wants to Have Fun, Seattle PI, May 25, 2006
Northsound Dining
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