The city of Snohomish is the perfect place to be if you are looking for a bit of that old time America feel. Named one of the top 10 coolest small towns in America by Budget Travel Magazine, the historic downtown Snohomish is known as the antique capital of the Northwest. But it boasts much more than just antiques. Snohomish is bustling with great restaurants, wine and beer tasting, and lots of history. Here’s a great list of places and things to do while exploring downtown Snohomish.
Antiquing in Snohomish
The best thing about shopping for antiques is that the selection constantly changes – each time you visit a store it’s a like a brand new place. Snohomish has over a dozen antique and thrift shops and malls (which contain hundreds of sellers’ goods), meaning there are thousands of antiques in just a few blocks.
The antique shops in Snohomish are mostly located on the avenues off of 1st Street, making it easy to park your car and walk from shop to shop. Be sure to head down Union Avenue (also off 1st Street) to find more antique stores, including the Star Center Antique Mall located on the corner of 2nd Street and Union, which is a five-floor complex featuring over 200 dealers. You can find pretty much anything at Star Center.
Not to be missed is Once Upon A Time Antiques and Oddities, which is just a bit farther down 1st Street, after Maple Avenue. This antique store is worth a visit just to see the building, which was built in 1892 and used to be the Alcazar Theatre. The current owner has had it since the 1960s, and has gone to great lengths to preserve the building. Looking for a tenant as quirky as the old building was, he was thrilled when someone suggested an antique store like no other. At Once Upon A Time, you will find authentic vintage items, including the whacky and the macabre.
Wine and Beer Tasting
When you need a break from antiquing, you may want to head to one of the many wine and beer tasting rooms downtown Snohomish has to offer. With so many local vineyards and craft brewers, stopping by one of these places is a great way to give you a real taste of the area.
The Double Barrel Wine Bar & Lounge is a great choice because it’s located on Avenue A, right in the heart of all the antique shops. It also has a full restaurant. This wine bar has several types of tastings, including a standard, premium, and special with reds, whites and sparklings. It also has a selection of beers and ciders, and non-alcoholic options for the kids.
Spada Farmhouse Brewery tasting room is located just down from the main drag on Union Avenue. This family-friendly tasting room is perfect for those looking for small batch craft beer. They specialize in barrel aged sour beers and farmhouse-style ales. They do not have food, but you can bring your own or order a pizza from Piccola Pizza next door.
Downtown Snohomish also has distilleries, for those looking to sample hard liquor. Skip Rock Distilleries is a good choice for those exploring downtown Snohomish, as it’s located on Avenue C at the corner of 1st Street. They have potato vodkas, several whiskies, fruit liqueurs and three award-winning rums.
The Blackman House Museum
When you have bought all the antiques you can carry (or fit in your car), continue exploring downtown Snohomish by visiting the Blackman House Museum. The Blackman House Museum is definitely a don’t miss. It’s the only remaining home of three that were built by the Blackman brothers from Maine in 1878. You can tour the home on Sundays throughout the year. Located on Avenue B, it’s right in the heart of downtown, so easy to find while exploring Snohomish. Tours are half an hour and are free, though donations are gladly accepted. A $5 donation includes tea and goodies. To arrange a private or group tour, email inquiries@blackmanhouse.org.
Restaurants
All that walking will make you hungry and that’s good, because downtown Snohomish has plenty of great options when it comes to eating. Many of the best and most popular restaurants are conveniently located near the antique shops, so you may not even have to move your car!
Maybe you need a sugary afternoon pick-me-up or some caffeine to start your day of antiquing. Either way, you will want to head to Snohomish Bakery at First and Union. As the name implies, it’s just a short walk from the main strip on the corner of 1st Street and Union Avenue. They are known for their bread that is baked fresh daily and large selection of pastries.
Andy’s Fish House is a favorite for its locally caught fish and large menu, that includes gluten-free battered fish. Located right on the water off Avenue D and 1st Street, it’s easy to find and perfect for the seafood lover.
If you are looking for just a small bite, maybe lunch or an afternoon snack, check out Grilla Bites. Owned by a certified nutritionist, you can be sure your delicious meal is healthy, with all organic ingredients whenever possible. Find a large selection of sandwiches, soups, salads and burgers, along with smoothies and organic fair-trade coffee. Grilla Bites caters to those with special diets, including vegetarian, vegan and gluten free. Located on 1st Street, between Avenues A and B, it’s an easy place to duck into while exploring Snohomish.
For an after meal treat, head to Snohomish Creamery & Espresso Café, located on 1st Street. Here, you and your kids will love the gourmet, all-natural ice cream. Be sure to try their homemade fudge and other sweet confections as well. They also serve espresso should you need a bit more energy to continue exploring downtown Snohomish.
