Snohomish, Washington

Snohomish is a charming small town in Washington State, considered one of the most beautiful in the Northwest and often referred to as the "Antique Capital of the Northwest." The heart of the town, Snohomish Historic District, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Many houses have a plaques with the year they were built and the name of the original residents. Some are left intact and some are beautifully renovated and are now homes to B&Bs, cozy eateries, antique shops and trendy bars.

There is also a fun bikers’ bar, a coffee roaster, wine tasting bars, a distillery and much more. There are festivals year around, a vintage cars parade, a hot air balloon festival, riverside candlelight walk, a wine tasting walk, a sidewalk sale and much more. The tours of the historic district are fascinating trip into the history of the town and the region. One of the historic houses, the Blackman House, is now a museum. Map

Snohomish Centennial Trail is a 30-mile long paved multi-use trail that starts on First Street near downtown Snohomish and goes north to Skagit County. The trail passes through historic downtown of Snohomish and Arlington, showcasing the history of the once thriving river and railroad settlements.

Many stores and homes are beautifully restored. Illustrated displays all along the trail are telling the story of the area’s heritage. Leaving downtown Snohomish, the trail follows the route of the historic Seattle, Lake Shore & Eastern Railway. From Snohomish, the trail runs 30.5 miles to the Skagit County border. The Snohomish County Centennial Trail mostly runs past pastures and farms and through shady lush forests. It crosses creeks and rivers coming from the Cascade Mountains, visible in the east.

Snohomish Centennial Trail, Snohomish, WA

Located along the beautiful Snohomish River in Snohomish, not far from Seattle, Swans Trail Farms is a popular destination for outdoor family fun. The star of the show is the Washington State Corn Maze — a 12-acre map cut out in a huge corn field, complete with over 200 actual roads and 300 towns and landmarks.

In May, students coming on school tours take part in pumpkin planting and have fun petting baby animals. There are also live duck races, Farmer Ben's Famous Four Little Pigs Show, wagon rides, a golf course, a picnic area, wagon rides and, of course, apple-picking. Visitors can pick their own delicious Honeycrisp and Jonagold apples. The farm is a popular destination for weddings, birthday parties and other celebrations.

The Farm at Swans Trail, 7301 Rivershore Rd, Snohomish, WA 98290, Phone: 425-334-4124

If you are traveling with kids:

Lord Hill Regional Park is a 1,463-acre park located near Snohomish, Washington, along the 800-fot tall ridge that runs by the Snohomish River. The park has six miles of wilderness trails for hikers, horseback riders and mountain bikers. The park includes a lush wilderness forest, small ponds and thriving wetlands. Lord Hill Regional Park, 12921 150th St SE, Snohomish, WA 98290, Phone: 360-568-2274

Folks in the Snohomish, Washington area go to Bob's Corn and Pumpkin Farm when they want to stock up on some delicious, locally grown corn, but Bob’s farm also grows lots of other vegetables and fruit, including pumpkins and squash. He also collects honey from his bees. Customers are encouraged to bring their own jar and bottle their own honey. There is more at Bob’s farm than fresh veggies.

There is the 10-Acre Corn Maze cut out of eight-foot tall corn field. There is also an apple cannon guests can fire. They can book a private bonfire, hop on a hay ride, pick pumpkins and enjoy spending time in the crisp fall air. The farm is a popular destination for school tours, birthday parties, family picnics and parties around the huge bonfire.

Bob's Corn and Pumpkin Farm, 10917 Elliott Rd, Snohomish, WA 98296, Phone: 360-668-2506

Mountainview Blueberry Farm is a blueberry farm in the scenic Snohomish Valley. The farm is snuggled high against a hillside, overlooking surrounding farms, with the magnificent background of the Cascade Mountain Range. The farm has nine acres of delicious blueberries in several varieties the visitors are allowed to pick themselves.

Different blueberries are picked at different times and at different weather conditions, so check their website to find out when is the best time to go Many of the blueberry varieties grown on the farm are old heritage varieties and are not easily found anymore. Different varieties have different flavors and vary in size.

Mountainview Blueberry Farm, 7617 E Lowell Larimer Rd, Snohomish, WA 98296, Phone: 360-668-3391

Stocker Farms has been farmed by Stocker family in Snohomish for four generations. They grow and sell local produce, berries and Eastern Washington tree fruits. Their Country Market opens in June when local strawberries are ripe.

The Market also sells local honey and a great selection of preserves and canned goodies. In October, they open across the road the Family Adventure Farm at the Red Barn. At Christmas time they invite their customers to come and cut a Christmas tree. Stocker Farms Haunted Attractions offers scary and not so scary themed night time activities deep into their cornfield. Their large Red Barn is a popular destination for weddings, birthday parties and other celebrations.

Stocker Farms, 8705 Marsh Road, Snohomish, 98296 WA, Phone: 360-568-7391

Alpacas from Mars is an alpaca ranch established in 2000 in Snohomish, Washington. The farm is raising huacaya alpacas for their fine, luxurious fleece. All alpacas are sheared once a year. The fleece is processed into batts, rovings, yarn and felt products. Visitors are invited to meet the alpacas, learn about the farm’s eco-friendly practices and watch how the fleece is processed.

There is a range of hands-on activities offered to the visitors. The farm raises its own breeding stock of alpacas with consistently fine fleece. They come in all natural colors and are all registered with the Alpaca Owners Association via DNA testing. Finished products and raw fleece are sold at the farm store. The store also sells natural garden products.

Alpacas from Mars, 424 153rd Dr SE, Snohomish, WA 98290, Phone: 425-870-9403

Where to Eat

The Maltby Cafe is the place where Snohomish folks go for all-day spectacular breakfast, or when they crave traditional home-made cooking. Cozy, rustic and spacious eatery is located in the Maltby neighborhood of Snohomish and occupies an old gymnasium that was built in 1937 for the adjacent 1907 school.

The portions are huge, the menu is enormous and everything is made fresh, from the best possible ingredients. If their vast breakfast menu is not enough for you, try their ½ pound chopped Angus beef burger with pickles, tomato, onion and lettuce, served on their special Maltby bun, with French fries cut daily. Leave some space for their famous cinnamon roll with walnuts.

Maltby Cafe, 8809 Maltby Rd, Snohomish, WA 98296, Phone: 425-483-3123

Trails End Taphouse & Restaurant started its life in March 2011 as Snohomish Beer & Wine, a small shop supplying the wedding industry with beer and wine and providing craft beer to the Snohomish locals. Now featuring 28 taps and more than 100 kinds of bottled beer from all over the world, it is a lively, popular watering hole and tavern with a full menu focusing on freshly made comfort food made in house using fresh ingredients.

The space is large and rustic, with a lot of recycled wood, unpretentious and comfortable. There is a lovely porch outside. The place is almost always packed, so sit at the bar while waiting for the table and sample the beers or make your own wine flight – choose any wine from the wine list. The menu has something for everyone, but start the meal with their famous Loaded Chips - homemade Yukon Gold potato chips smothered in cheddar cheese, chives and bacon, with ranch dressing on the side

Trails End Taphouse, 511 Maple Ave, Snohomish, WA 98290, Phone: 360-568-7233