The Seattle Suburb Making Families Take a Second Look

You’ve no doubt heard of Seattle. But its next-door neighbor, Edmonds? If not, it’s time you discovered this seaside suburb poised to be Washington’s next big deal. The city is just a short drive north of Seattle and home to great food and fun for the whole family.

© Mandy Clementine

The city lies on the shores of Puget Sound, with stunning views of the Olympic Mountains in the distance. The setting makes for a landscape in a laid-back town where you can go whale watching (Puget Sound Express departs directly from Edmonds Marina), go beachcombing at Meadowdale Beach Park or simply enjoy a day shopping in the boutiques.

A visit to Edmonds isn’t just about a laid-back vacation just minutes from Seattle. It’s a chance to introduce the family to some incredible culinary experiences, like eating pizza made from sourdough starter that dates back to the Alaska Gold Rush. Chef Niles Peacock, owner, Niles Peacock Kitchen & Bar, is one of the keepers of this legendary 128-year-old sourdough starter listed in the Puratos Sourdough Library, a facility in Belgium dedicated to preserving the history of sourdough starters from all over the world, and Peacock uses it to make epic pizzas that have earned him the title of World Pizza Champion.

© Mandy Clementine

There are some pretty unique things to do in Edmonds, like experience a Finnish sauna at Sauna N Soak — but instead of a traditional sauna, this one is on wheels and can come to you. You can enjoy a little heat therapy on the side of the road or on the waterfront, anywhere you want to enjoy the view while you indulge in some self-care.

If your family scuba dives, Edmonds has the perfect activity for you — Edmonds Underwater Park offers an incredible experience under the Salish Sea. The 27-acre collection of man-made reef structures and sunken ships are all connected by a network of guide ropes that make up Bruce Higgins Underwater Trails.

Of course, you’ll want to spend some time seeing the sites in nearby Seattle (after all, it’s only about 15 minutes away), but Edmonds is the perfect place for your family’s home base during your trip to the Pacific Northwest.