Everett is the largest city in Snohomish and has the second-largest marina on the West Coast. A gorgeous “park city” with over 40 parks throughout, Everett is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream. There are plenty of things to do in Everett. Whether you are looking for adventure in nature, or culture and fun indoors, there really is something for every member of the family. If you are not sure how to spend your day or weekend, check out this list of things to do in Everett.
Play in the Water at the Port of Everett
1205 Craftsman Way #200, Everett
800-729-7678
The Port of Everett is more than just a hub for business and industry – in fact more than 50 percent of the Port is dedicated to public access, recreation and the environment. When it comes to water recreation, the Port of Everett offers boating, kiteboarding and fishing. You can of course moor at the Port, but they also have a boat launch for day users. There are 13 lanes, half for launching and half for retrieval. Launching from here, you have the best of the Puget Sound ahead of your boat, including the San Juan Islands.
Fishermen will be in heaven at the Port of Everett, home to the West Coast’s largest salmon derby, the annual Everett Coho Derby. You can launch your boat or fish off Jetty Landing on the Snohomish River. Crabbing is also popular at this location. You can also catch the free ferry over to Jetty Island.
Jetty Island is home to the longest sandy beach on the Puget Sound, making it great place for beach goers, and it’s known for its warm shallow waters that are perfect for swimming. It’s also a popular spot for kiteboarding.
When you are exhausted from recreation, you can sit back and watch the wildlife on Jetty Island (home to more than 45 species of birds), seals and even gray whales during spring migration. The Union Slough at the Snohomish Estuary and the Waterfront parks in the Port also are great for watching wildlife.
Dare Yourself at High Trek Adventures & Ziplines
If you like testing your physical prowess and getting your adrenaline pumping, check out High Trek Adventures & Ziplines in Everett. This incredible aerial playground has something for the entire family. With two high ropes courses (one for kids as young as 4-years-old and one for those 7-years-old and up), three ziplines circumventing the park totaling 560 feet of line, mini golf, laser tag, bouncy houses and inflatables, everyone will have a good time at High Trek Adventures. The zipline courses have over 60 obstacles, some as high as 20 feet in the air. The course is self-guided, so you get to choose your own adventure. There are instructors standing by to help you should you need.
Have a fear of heights? Take the High Trek Adventures Get Bold, Get Brave Class. Over four sessions, the highly trained staff will work with you to overcome your fear and get you out and enjoying all the courses and ziplines have to offer!
For those looking for a date night, try their Night Zip and Climb, offered seasonally. Come and play on the course at night, lit up by lights – some say it’s less scary at night as the height is not as noticeable. Or soar on the zipline that is dark between platforms, giving you an opportunity to gaze at the stars.
Walks-in allowed, but online reservations are advisable as they do fill up. For more information or to reserve a time, visit the High Trek Adventures & Ziplines website.
Cheer on the Everett Silvertips Hockey Team
2000 Hewitt Ave, Everett, WA
There is nothing like taking in a live hockey game! The Everett Silvertips Hockey team plays home games at the Angel of the Winds Arena. These family-friendly games are full of fun for the fans, including contests and promotions. Your seat could be your ticket to winning prizes of all kinds including tacos, subs, cowbells and even ski lift tickets, throughout the season! Tickets can be purchased on the Everett Silvertips Hockey website. During the off season, look for fun events like the annual Street Hockey Tournament.
Relax at the Nishiyama Japanese Garden
If you need to relax, head to the Nishiyama Japanese Garden in Everett. Located at Everett Community College, the Nishiyama Japanese Garden is a work of love with elements from Everett’s Sister City, Iwakuni, Japan. The garden is supposed to represent a compressed world, with 11 primary elements – entry gate, entry area, waterfall, stream, tea garden, rock garden, Tsubo garden, side gate, stone bridge, earthen bridge, Iwakuni wooden bridge, and a stucco masonry wall with tiled roof enclosing the entire garden site. The space is peaceful.
The Iwakuni wooden bridge is noteworthy, being made of wood from a famous landmark, Kintai Bridge, in Iwakuni, Japan. During a restoration of the Kintai Bridge, the City of Iwakuni took lumber from the project and created this smaller bridge as a gift to the City of Everett. Four Iwakuni carpenters came with it to assemble it at the garden.
The garden is open anytime the college is, as well as for special events. You can also schedule group tours and a Japanese tea ceremony by calling the Nippon Business Institute (NBI) Japanese Culture Center at 425-388-9195 or email nbi@everettcc.edu. For more information, visit the Everett Community College website.
Visit a Park
With over 40 parks, the City of Everett is definitely a “park city.” What’s more, these parks offer families, singles, couples and friends a variety of things to do in Everett on any day of the year. If you are looking for sports recreation, try Walter E. Hall Park, the largest park in the city at 137 acres. It boosts a baseball field, golf course, skate park, soccer field, softball field and playgrounds, plus plenty of walking trails.
Want to relax on a sandy beach? Try Howarth Park on the Puget Sound. This 28-acre park as a tennis court, trails and a playground. Howarth Park also has an off-leash dog park area for your four-legged family members. The American Legion Memorial Park is home to the Evergreen Arboretum & Gardens, a three-and-a-half acre garden that is free to the public.
To learn more about the parks in Everett, visit the Everett Parks & Community Services website.
Explore the Future of Flight Aviation Center & Boeing Tour
8415 Paine Field Boulevard, Mukilteo
800-464-1476
Whether you live in Everett or are just visiting, you need to visit the Future of Flight Aviation Center & Boeing Tour. It’s the only publicly available commercial jet assembly plant tour, making it very unique. The Future of Flight Aviation Center has an exhibit that guests can explore before or after their tour. The 5,000-square-foot exhibit hall contains interactive demonstrations of advances in aviation and aerospace. This includes hands-on activities, such as a simulated space elevator, flying simulations and testing a supersonic jet. Children must be at least four-feet tall to go on the Boeing Tour itself. The factory is a working facility that operates Monday through Friday, so there is less activity to watch if you go on a weekend tour. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit the Future of Flight Aviation Center & Boeing Tour website.
