Everett can be explored through a wide range of themes: parks and water, local history, art and aviation. Everett’s park system includes nearly 1,000 acres of parkland. When planning a stay, you can first decide whether you’d rather spend your time outdoors, visiting exhibitions or getting a look at aircraft production.
Parks, water and trails
At Grand Ave Park, a pedestrian bridge leads to the waterfront. It can be reached on foot or by bicycle and is accessible according to ADA standards. At Silver Lake, Hauge Homestead Park has two docks where small, non-motorized watercraft can be launched from shore. The parks offer both a connection to the waterfront and opportunities to use non-motorized watercraft.
The trails at Silver Lake are easy to pinpoint: the trail in Hauge Homestead Park connects to the Silver Lake Loop Trail and continues to Green Lantern Park. The Green Lantern Park Trail runs along the east side of the lake; information signs point out wildlife that is often seen there. South Everett Forest Preserve offers a different kind of natural setting: it is a 15-acre wooded wilderness area in densely populated southern Everett.
Jetty Island offers a unique connection to the water. The two-mile-long, man-made island acts as a breakwater for the Port of Everett Marina. The water at the shallow beach is relatively warm because it is so shallow. Everett’s natural attractions therefore bring together a variety of settings: trails at Silver Lake, a wooded area in the south of the city and a beach on a man-made island.
History, art and aviation
The Historic Everett Waterfront explores local industrial history through an interpretive program. It honors the legacy of the lumber and shingle industry, commercial fishing and boatbuilding along the waterfront between 18th Street to the south and 10th Street along West Marine View Drive. One building with ties to this history is the Weyerhaeuser Office Building on the Everett waterfront: the ornate Gothic Revival building was constructed in 1923 at the company’s first Everett mill.
The Van Valey House explores the history of the home and the Van Valey and Morrow families who lived there. Senator Henry M. Jackson Park focuses on different themes: its interpretive exhibits cover outdoor recreation, the environment and the legacy of Henry M. Jackson. At Schack Art Center, visitors can try hands-on art activities inspired by the gallery exhibitions. The Gallery Store also offers a curated selection of handmade work by more than 200 regional artists, including ceramics, glass, jewelry and prints.
The Boeing Everett Factory Tour offers a behind-the-scenes look at the factory and the 777 and 777X assembly lines. The guided experience lasts 80 minutes; from the factory gallery, participants get a look at current aircraft production. Visitors must be at least 4 feet tall—that is, 48 inches or 122 cm—to take the tour. For aviation enthusiasts, it’s a clearly defined activity with a specific duration and entry requirement.
The Imagine Children’s Museum offers spaces across three floors and a rooftop for active play, role-play, makerspaces, water play, building activities, early learning and seasonal experiences. Rooftop access is weather-dependent and may not be available during your visit. Angel of the Winds Arena adds another option: it is the home venue of the Everett Silvertips Hockey Club. When the Silvertips aren’t playing there, the arena often hosts other sporting events such as motocross, gymnastics and curling, as well as concerts and performances.
The city offers plenty of specific ways to explore, without requiring any one theme to define your stay.
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