Edmonds Fun for Everyone

Activities
Written By James Ritzman

By Whitney Popa

Whether you’re in town for just a little to visit friends, colleagues, or relatives, or thinking about making a long-term commitment to this ever-evolving city on the shores of the Salish Sea, our guide to Edmonds fun for everyone is like a lighthouse, bringing you into a safe landing in a place you probably won’t want to leave. It includes all the things you might want to see and do in Edmonds, whether you’re 5, 105, or somewhere in between. It accounts for every interest—arts, food, shopping, exploring (naturally), and even chilling. 

We’ll keep it updated as the town and its tides ebb and flow, so bookmark it now to come back to again and again. 

Annual Events

When we say there’s always something going on in Edmonds, we’re not pulling your leg. This list of annual events just scratches the surface of happenings you can expect year after year, many of which are decades-long traditions. Use them as a reason to come to town, and then allow your curiosity to take you someplace new. 

Art

As the first Certified Creative District in Washington, Edmonds is a literal haven for art and artists of all stripes. We’ve included a few distinct categories of art below, but know there’s always more going on than we can list here, so keep your eye on our social channels for real-time updates and information (@exploreedmondswa on Instagram and Facebook). 

Galleries & Stuidos

Edmonds brims with art galleries and studios. Be sure to reference the list of studios that are participating in September’s annual Edmonds Art Studio Tour and keep Yelp on refresh for the latest list of all the studios in town. 

Here are some can’t-miss stops:

Murals & Public Art

Edmonds murals are part of a larger network of public art all around the city. You can learn more about all the public art installations here. You can download the mural map here (note: new murals are painted annually, if not more often), and you can read a deeper dive on some of the city’s many murals here. Wandering around Edmonds to marvel at the murals and public art will keep you occupied for at least a day or more, if you want it to.  

Performing

Visual

Drink

Edmonds supports all kinds of approaches to hydration, as you’ll see in the lists below. Note: Many places on this list are downtown, but not all. Some of them aren’t even in Edmonds, but close and cool enough that we had to mention them. 

Bars, Cocktail Lounges, and Tasting Rooms

From cocktail lounges to a biker bar filled with karaoke (and maybe the occasional drag show), the Edmonds bar scene has become a pick-your-poison of fun drinking holes. Many are very close together, so if you choose to do a self-guided progressive tasting, please drink responsibly. 

Coffee & Tea Shops

Eat

For your sanity—and ours—we’ll keep these lists between 5-10 recommendations. That said, we want you to see all Edmonds has to offer, so please don’t be a stranger on Yelp and similar recommendation sites. We also want to note that while many recommendations will inevitably be downtown Edmonds, many are not, and we encourage you to explore beyond downtown, especially for lunch and dinner. 

Breakfast + Brunch

Lunch* 

*The majority of this list offers a lunch special or is generally great and reasonably priced 

Happy Hour

Dinner

Dessert

Play

There are so many ways to play in Edmonds, especially outdoors, so if it were up to us, we’d recommend starting outside unless the weather absolutely prohibits it. 

Group Activities

Beaches

Parks

All Edmonds parks are listed here. What you choose really depends on your desires and agenda. Here are a few of our favorites:

  • Brackett’s Landing North and South for beach combing and ferry watching

  • City Park for the Spray Park and free summer music

  • Civic Park for lots of different ways to play, including petanque

  • Frances Anderson for the fields and proximity to the library

  • Marina Beach Park for dogs and views

  • Seaview for its inclusive playground and courts

  • Yost Park for its pool and family + dog-friendly trails   

Shop

We recognize that, for many, shopping is cardio. We also know that the many locally owned shops and boutiques in Edmonds support local commerce in a big way. The people you see behind the counter are often the owners. Don’t be afraid to introduce yourself and strike up a conversation. 

Books

Clothing

Home

Music

Toys & Treats

Chill

Many of the cafes, bars, and restaurants we mentioned above are great gathering spots. They’re also wonderful places to bring a book and enjoy your own company (Leftcraft, as of this writing, even hosts a monthly silent book club). But, if you’re looking to enjoy some water views with a side of deep breaths, or deep breaths with the knowledge that the beach is nearby, this is your list:

How Much Fun are You Willing to Have in Edmonds?

Your Edmonds fun factor is really up to you and how much time you’re willing to spend in town. Mix and match from this guide, and to your heart’s content. You can always ask us for recommendations, too! We’d be happy to share how we’d spend a day playing in and around Edmonds. Show us where you go! 


Tag @exploreedmondswa on Instagram and Facebook so we can come along on your adventures.

James Ritzman
Next

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