Looking for things to do in Everett, WA? This is the master guide a lot of locals wish they’d had when they moved here. Everett is the largest city in Snohomish County, sitting on Port Gardner Bay about 25 miles north of Seattle, and it packs a saltwater waterfront, a genuine arts district, family museums, and high-level junior hockey into a compact city with a walkable downtown core. Whether you have a free afternoon, a rainy Saturday, or out-of-town guests to impress, there’s more here than the I-5 view lets on.
Quick answer: The top things to do in Everett, WA include riding the seasonal foot ferry to Jetty Island, walking the Port of Everett waterfront and marina, catching an Everett Silvertips hockey game at Angel of the Winds Arena, exploring the Schack Art Center and Imagine Children’s Museum downtown, and hiking or picnicking at parks like Forest Park and Howarth Park. Many of the best options are free or low-cost, and most sit within a short drive of one another.
Things to Do in Everett, WA on the Waterfront
Everett’s defining feature is its working waterfront on Port Gardner Bay. The Port of Everett operates one of the largest public marinas on the West Coast, and the surrounding district, often called Waterfront Place, blends boat slips with restaurants, public plazas, and walking paths. It’s the kind of place where you can watch sailboats come and go, grab a meal with a water view, and let kids burn off energy near the water, all in one stop.
Jetty Island
Jetty Island is Everett’s signature summer experience. It’s a roughly two-mile-long, human-made island with a sandy beach and shallow, sun-warmed tidal flats that get surprisingly swimmable for Puget Sound. A passenger ferry runs across the channel during the summer season (generally mid-summer through early fall). Because the island has no concessions and limited facilities, locals treat it like a true beach day: pack water, sunscreen, snacks, and shade. Ferry sailings fill up on hot weekends, so check the City of Everett Parks website for the current season dates, fees, and reservation details before you go.
Marina walks and boat watching
Even outside ferry season, the marina is worth a visit. You can stroll the docks, watch the fishing and pleasure fleet, and take in views across the bay toward the Olympics on a clear day. The waterfront is also a launch point for whale-watching and fishing charters that depart Everett seasonally; the operators handle their own scheduling, so book directly with the charter company.
Parks and Outdoor Things to Do
Everett’s park system is one of its quiet strengths, ranging from forested trails to bluff-top beach access. These are durable, year-round options and most are free.
- Forest Park — A large, central park with forested trails, picnic shelters, sports facilities, and a seasonal animal farm and spray park that are family favorites. A reliable pick when you want to be outside but close to town.
- Howarth Park — Known for its pedestrian bridge over the railroad tracks down to a Puget Sound beach, plus a hillside playground. One of the better spots in the city for a real saltwater beach walk.
- Legion Memorial Park and Langus Riverfront Park — Northside parks with golf nearby, water views, and flat trails. Langus connects to a riverside loop that’s popular with runners, cyclists, and rowers along the Snohomish River.
- Grand Avenue Park — A bluff-top park with a pedestrian bridge over to the waterfront and some of the best sunset views in the city.
For trail conditions, seasonal hours, and the Forest Park animal farm schedule, the City of Everett Parks and Recreation website is the source to check.
Arts, Culture, and Family Museums
Downtown Everett has a compact, genuinely good arts and culture cluster, which makes it a strong rainy-day destination.
Schack Art Center
The Schack Art Center is a downtown gallery and studio space best known for its hot-glass studio, where you can watch artists blow glass and, in some seasons, sign up for hands-on classes. It rotates exhibitions throughout the year and anchors Everett’s visual-arts scene. Check the Schack’s website for current exhibits and class registration.
Imagine Children’s Museum
The Imagine Children’s Museum is the go-to indoor destination for families with young kids, with hands-on, play-based exhibits across multiple floors and a popular rooftop play area. It’s purpose-built for the under-10 crowd and one of the most reliable Saturday options when the weather turns. Verify hours and any timed-ticket requirements on the museum’s site before visiting.
Live performance and historic theaters
Downtown Everett also hosts live theater and music. The Historic Everett Theatre stages performances and screenings, and the broader downtown core fills with events, markets, and gallery walks throughout the year. For what’s on while you’re in town, check the venues’ own calendars alongside our Everett events coverage.
Angel of the Winds Arena and Everett Silvertips Hockey
Angel of the Winds Arena is downtown Everett’s largest event venue and the home of the Everett Silvertips, the city’s major-junior ice hockey team in the Western Hockey League (WHL). Silvertips games are one of the best-value live-sports nights in the region: fast-paced hockey, an energetic crowd, and a downtown location with restaurants in easy walking distance.
The arena also books concerts, family shows, and other events throughout the year. The hockey season generally runs from fall into spring, with playoffs extending later for teams that advance. For the current Silvertips schedule, ticket prices, and the arena’s full event calendar, go straight to the Angel of the Winds Arena and Everett Silvertips official websites.
Free and Cheap Things to Do in Everett, WA
You don’t need to spend much to have a good day here. Budget-friendly and free options include:
- Walk the waterfront and marina — Free, scenic, and open year-round.
- Beach time at Howarth or Jetty Island — The beaches themselves cost nothing; the Jetty ferry charges only a modest fare in season (confirm current rates with City of Everett Parks).
- Explore the parks — Forest Park, Grand Avenue Park, and Langus Riverfront Park are all free to enter.
- Browse downtown galleries — The Schack Art Center’s gallery and glass-studio viewing are low-pressure, and downtown art walks are free to wander.
- Catch a community event or farmers market — Seasonal markets and festivals run through the warmer months; check our Everett events coverage for current dates.
Weekend and Rainy-Day Itinerary Ideas
Everett rewards a little planning. Here are two simple frameworks locals lean on.
- Sunny summer Saturday: Start with a morning Jetty Island ferry and beach session, head back to the marina for lunch with a water view, then close the day with sunset from Grand Avenue Park or Howarth Park.
- Rainy-day plan: Open at the Imagine Children’s Museum or the Schack Art Center, grab lunch downtown, then catch an evening Silvertips game or a show at Angel of the Winds Arena. Everything stays within the walkable downtown core.
For where to eat between stops, lean on our Everett restaurant coverage rather than guessing, hours and menus change, and locals have strong opinions worth borrowing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Everett, WA known for?
Everett is known as the largest city in Snohomish County, for its working waterfront and large public marina on Port Gardner Bay, for Boeing’s major aerospace manufacturing presence in the area, and as home to the Everett Silvertips junior hockey team at Angel of the Winds Arena.
Is Jetty Island free?
The beach on Jetty Island is free, and the passenger ferry run through the City of Everett is typically free or charges only a modest fare during its summer operating season. Sailings can fill on hot weekends and may require a reservation, so check the City of Everett Parks website for the current schedule and any fees before you go.
What is there to do in Everett when it rains?
Good rainy-day options include the Imagine Children’s Museum, the Schack Art Center and its glass studio, a performance at the Historic Everett Theatre, and an Everett Silvertips game or other event at Angel of the Winds Arena, all in the walkable downtown core.
How far is Everett from Seattle?
Everett sits roughly 25 to 30 miles north of downtown Seattle along Interstate 5. Driving time varies widely with traffic; regional transit options also connect the two cities. Check current transit schedules with the relevant agency before relying on them.
Is Everett, WA worth visiting?
Yes. Everett offers a saltwater waterfront, a unique summer beach experience at Jetty Island, a real downtown arts cluster, family museums, and affordable major-junior hockey, often at lower cost and with smaller crowds than comparable Seattle attractions, making it an easy and rewarding day trip or weekend stop.
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