Snohomish County, Washington, Minutes North of Seattle, Arts, Culture and Heritage Tour
By Snohomish County Tourism Bureau
06/17/2008
History and Art Abound. Snohomish County offers a rich and vibrant creative and cultural community that includes numerous performing, visual and public art opportunities, historic collections, internationally acclaimed glass artists and northwest heritage as the birthplace of Boeing and avaiation collections.
Contact Information:
t: view phone (425)348-5802 Ext. 11
e: view email amy@snohomish.org
w: view URL http://snohomish.org
- Boeing Tour at the Future of Flight
- Paul G. Allen's Flying Heritage Collection
- Stroll the shops in Edmonds - a quaint waterfront artists community
- Antiques and history - Snohomish is your paradise found!
- Internationally acclaimed glass artists studio tour
Tour Dates:
Number of Days: 3
Day One
(One hour) Begin your trip into the history and culture of Snohomish County with a visit to Heritage Park in Lynnwood. Heritage Park is a collection of historic buildings from the early pioneer days of Alderwood Manor, now known as Lynnwood. Take a guided tour of a fully restored 1909 single-ended wooden electric rail car, visit the historic Wickers building and transportation museum and learn how logged-off land was sold to gentleman farmers for egg production. The historic water tower and superintendent's cottage are still on the land, and the Humbel House, the park site's original residence, has been preserved and houses the genealogy research library.
(Two hours) No visit to the Pacific Northwest is complete without a trip to the Future of Flight – Aviation Center and Boeing Tour. The Future of Flight is a unique interpretive facility designed to let visitors experience the marvel of commercial jet aviation and production. The packaged ticket includes a factory tour in the largest building in the world to the assembly of the 777 and the new 787 Dreamliner.
(Two hours) Explore and shop in Edmonds for a leisurely afternoon in this waterfront town. Stroll through the quaint boutiques, galleries, garden stores, specialty shops and cozy coffee shops to please your palette and your hunger for scenic beauty. Include lunch at one of the many bistros, waterfront restaurants and bakeries.
(One hour) Edmonds Historical Museum exhibiting artifacts, photographs and other memorabilia preserving the heritage of South Snohomish County and the city of Edmonds.
(Three hours) If the artist within needs an outlet, the Urban Forms Design Center is just what you are looking for. Located in Bothell Country Village, Urban Forms Design Center is an open-air glass blowing studio offering hands-on opportunities to experience and learn about glass art offering demonstrations, classes and programs. Viewing platforms available for groups to watch the artists do their work. While some are in glass programs, others can wander the delightful village; 45 specialty shops and restaurants housed in cozy farm-style buildings in a decidedly un-mall atmosphere. Instead of shopping in a modern center with sleek wide corridors, you'll wander winding brick paths and flower-lined boardwalks. Antiques, a full service day spa, glass blowing studio, wine tasting, restaurants and train rides make every visit to Country Village fun for all ages. www.wildfireglassblowing.com; www.countryvillagebothell.com.
Return to your Lynnwood hotel or other Snohomish County luxury accommodations.
Day Two
(Three hours) The "I never knew shopping could be so much fun" Itinerary. At Alderwood in Lynnwood, start a relaxing and fun day with a world famous Starbucks latte at The Terraces fireplace. Reacquaint yourself with a favorite store like Macy's, Nordstrom or Coldwater Creek, then check out The Village's one-of-a-kind shops and upscale retailers, or treat yourself to a rejuvenating spa treatment at Gene Juarez. If outlets are more to your liking, visit Seattle Premium Outlets in Tulalip (north of Everett) for haute couture fashions at unbelievable discounts.
(Three hours) On the national historic register for both their business and residential districts, the town of Snohomish is the “Antique Capitol of the Pacific Northwest”. Stop by a riverfront café a delectable lunch, a cup of coffee and piece of pie, then stroll along historic streets and shop at one of the country and Victorian shops where over 450 antique dealers sell their treasures. www.cityofsnohomish.org.
(Three hours) If your schedule brings you to us in December, the holiday magic of the Lights of Christmas awaits you. Dazzling light displays, the holiday sounds of Victorian Carolers, live music, stunning nativity scenes, gifts and crafts, storytelling and so much more makes the Lights of Christmas the perfect holiday idea for you and your groups. Enjoy a dinner theater or dessert matinee. www.warmbeach.com.
Day Three
(Two hours) Glass art abounds in the home of international renowned glass artist Dale Chihuly’s Pilchuck Glass School. Open for public tours just twice a year, this not-to-be missed international glass school brings artists from all over the world to learn and practice their craft.
(Two hours) Tour Paul G. Allen's rare collection of vintage military aircraft at Paine Field in Everett at the Flying Heritage Collection. Tours are conducted by military aviation experts and recall the craftsmanship and innovation of the times, but more importantly, pay tribute to humanity's struggle and spirit during the ordeal of wartime. The aircraft are restored to a degree of authenticity never before attempted and are nearly as intact today as when they left the factory decades ago.
(One hour) The newly opened Western Heritage Museum is not to be missed. Committed to preserving the stories of the Snohomish River Valleys and sharing the local history, the interactive displays and guided tours feature the history of logging, mining and construction, transportation, and agriculture in Snohomish County.
(One hour) James Mongrain glass studio tour. Internationally recognized glass artist James Montrose makes his home in Snohomish County and offers a tour of his private artist studio in the waterfront town of Mukilteo. At the onset of his career, Mongrain worked in hot shops around the country, including New York, Cincinnati, and New Orleans, where he focused his attention on becoming technically proficient in the Venetian tradition of goblet making. Working as a "gaffer" for internationally renowned glass artist and mentor Dale Chihuly on the "Chihuly over Venice", "In the Light of Jerusalem 2000", "Fiore Di Como" in the Belliago hotel, Las Vegas, and the "Bridge of Glass". Recognized as one of Americas' finest goblet makers, James' work is beautiful and functional art.
(Two hours) Dinner nearby in Mukilteo at Ivar’s Mukilteo Landing. Feast on their famous seafood and delectable northwest cuisine while watching the Mukilteo-Whidbey Island Ferry come and go from the adjacent dock.
