Kick off your vacation just 25 miles north of Seattle in Mukilteo, a cozy waterfront community and heart of the Paine Field Aviation District located on the shores of the Salish Sea. Explore the waterfront at Mukilteo Lighthouse Park — a great place to stretch the legs! Then grab a bite to eat at a neighboring restaurant, and check out the ferries coming in and out of the terminal that you’ll likely end your trip with as well.
Next, spend some quality time visiting the destinations comprising the Paine Field Aviation District. History and aviation fans alike will find their bailiwick here! The Paine Field Aviation District is located in both Mukilteo and Everett, so start out at the Mukilteo locations and then travel on to those in Everett. Plan a day to visit all five unique attractions. Explore the only publicly available opportunity to tour a commercial jet assembly plant in North America at the Boeing Future of Flight. Check out Paul G. Allen’s collection of vintage military aircraft and land vehicles at the Flying Heritage & Combat Armor Museum set within an expansive, working hangar. In addition to the flightworthy aircraft, tanks and artillery pieces, the museum features a state-of-the art interactive exhibit, “Why War?” Eight 98-inch, large-scale touchscreens allow visitors to explore and discover the causes, setting, events, and icons of major American conflicts. You can even act as a world leader using the Conflict Simulator Command Station. At the Museum of Flight Restoration Center, watch volunteers busily restoring engines, repainting bodies and fixing up other aviation treasures. The Historic Flight Foundation provides visitors an opportunity to get up close and personal to a collection of the most important aircraft produced between 1927 and 1957, the “Golden Age of Aviation.” Vintage aircraft are fully restored and air-worthy and if you plan to visit on one of their fly days, you can see them take to the skies. Members can even go for a flight. Add a little adrenaline into the mix with a stop at High Trek Adventures, also part of the Paine Field Aviation District. Take in a hair-raising obstacle course or zip line adventure! Paine Field Airport is now home to a new, upscale, boutique passenger terminal that many refer to as “Seattle’s Second Airport.” Alaska and United Airlines deliver travelers to and from multiple locations in California, plus Portland, Oregon; Denver, Colorado; Las Vegas, Nevada; and Phoenix, Arizona. When you’re planning your Cascade Loop vacation, be sure to check if you might be able to fly into the Paine Field Passenger Terminal and land pretty darned close to the byway!
Travel north to visit the Cascade Loop's largest metropolitan area – Everett. Tucked between the Salish Sea and the Cascade mountains, Everett is a hip, waterfront city with an abundance of adventure. Visit downtown to shop and eat, then check out the world-renowned POP! purveyor, Funko. Kids in tow? Bring them to Imagine Children's Museum, one of the best children's museums in the PNW. If you're into art and music, you'll find yourself enamored by Everett's creative scene. Check out the Schack Art Center, catch a show at Village Theatre or catch live music almost every night. Everett's growing waterfront is another must-see with the largest public marina on the West Coast, outstanding dining options, and Everett's infamous sandy island of wonder, Jetty Island.
Continuing your journey, head east toward Highway 2 and the historic town of Snohomish. Snohomish is listed on both the state and national registries of historic places and is known as the “Antique Capital of the Northwest.” This fun little downtown is a bustling shopping treasure trove with hundreds of antique dealers and boutique shops all within a six-block area. And while bygone relics are still discovered in abundance, Snohomish’s new designation belongs to a different kind of vintage, namely wine with six tasting rooms within walking distance. The historic district is also surrounded by stately Victorian and Craftsman-style homes built around the turn of the 20th century.
Travel 10 miles east and come to the city of Monroe, a destination for athletes and outdoor enthusiasts. Take a hike on one of Monroe’s trails, go fishing, kayaking or white water rafting on the Skykomish River. Enjoy NASCAR and demo events at Evergreen Speedway and the Evergreen State Fair Park. Venture off Highway 2 to take a stroll around Lake Tye’s 1.63-mile path, swim in the lake, rent a kayak or paddleboard during summer or visit the street-style skateboard park. Venture off Highway 2 with your pup to Wiggly Field, a 2.5-acre agility course dog park. Grab lunch and head to Al Borlin Park for a riverside picnic. Or, venture off Highway 2 to explore the unique shops in Historic Downtown.
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