27 Things to Do in Edmonds, Washington (From a Local’s Perspective!)

Edmonds is a charming town that is a gateway to the Olympic Peninsula. I’ve visited dozens of times, and in this post I’m sharing my favorite things to do in Edmonds. I’m sharing lots of ideas for outdoor activities, indoor activities, and best restaurants! 

In a hurry? In the table below I have a summary of my personal favorite things to do in Edmonds:

Outdoor Activities	Indoor Activities	Dining & Drinks
Brackett’s Landing	Rick Steves’ Travel Center	Scratch Distillery
Olympic Beach Park	Cascadia Art Museum	Las Brisas
Edmonds Fishing Pier	Gallery North	Arnies Restaurant
Marina Beach Park	Phoenix Theater	Demetri’s Woodstone Taverna
Off-Leash Dog Park	Edmonds Historical Museum	Epulo Bistro
Meadowdale Beach Park	Whirly Ball	Canarino Gelato Caffe
Edmonds City Park	Edmonds Bookshop	Edmonds Bakery
Picnic Point Park	Frances Anderson Center	Revelations Yogurt
Edmonds Farmers Market	Edmonds Library	Leftcraft Restaurant & Taproom

Read on below for a full description and photos of why I think these are the best places in Edmonds!

 

27 Things to Do in Edmonds, Washington

This is our list of things to do in Edmonds, ranked in no particular order. There are so many fun things to do in Edmonds. We hope this list helps you plan your day!

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I may earn commissions from qualifying purchases.  

(I’m wearing the KÜHL FROST Parka in the photo above. It’s my favorite winter jacket!)

1. Brackett’s Landing

Right next to the Edmonds ferry dock is a small beach park called Brackett’s Landing. The portion south of the dock is called Brackett’s Landing South, and the portion above the ferry dock is called Brackett’s Landing North. 

This park has a marine sanctuary, a small pathway along the waterfront, a picnic area, some public art, a restroom, and if you scuba dive it’s also the home of Edmonds Underwater Park. Scuba divers will find a variety of sunken vessels in addition to the rich marine life of the Puget Sound. 

2. Olympic Beach Park

The Olympic Beach Park is located in the heart of Edmonds and is our favorite place to go when we visit! There’s a paved pathway for a short stroll along the water, or you can take the stairs down to the water. It’s the perfect place to throw down a blanket and watch the ferry come and go. (Young kids love watching the ferry load and unload!) 

During low tide, you can search through the sand and seaweed and find all sorts of marine life. Our toddler spent the morning running through the little water rivulets and picking up seashells. (We recommend wearing water shoes to protect your feet from barnacles and rocks.) You can check out a tide chart when planning your visit.

We have often seen local residents providing free activities for kids during the summer and on weekends. On several occasions we have seen a man make giant bubbles to the delight of dozens of little kids. We have also seen a group of women hand out beaded bracelets to children. It definitely makes this feel like a special spot to visit.

This park is also close to some amazing places to eat. Arnies and Anthony’s HomePort are two restaurants located adjacent to the park with water views. (For lunch it’s more casual, so feel free to stop in even if you’re not dressed up!) They both specialize in seafood, and I always get a bowl of clam chowder. Right next to this beach there’s also a virtual kitchen called Chk-a-Boom. They make delicious handheld sandwiches to-go that are perfect for a picnic at the beach!

 

 

3. Edmonds Fishing Pier

Right next to Olympic Beach on the south side of the park is the Edmonds Fishing Pier. The pier is 944 feet long and is shaped like an “L”. The pier is open 24/7, so you can go fishing early in the morning or late at night if you prefer. If you plan to go fishing or crabbing, make sure you have the appropriate license (and potentially catch card). Even if you don’t plan on fishing, it’s fun to walk along the dock. Since it’s right next to Olympic Beach, it’s fun to do both activities together.

4. Marina Beach Park

On the south side of the fishing pier, also within walking distance, is the Marina Beach Park. This park has a playground, waterfront pathway, beach access, volleyball court, and restrooms. 

See our post on things to do in the nearby town of Mountlake Terrace!

5. Off-Leash Dog Park

And directly next to the Marina Beach Park is the city’s off-leash dog park. This park is really run because dogs can run along the beach and into the water if they like to swim! The beach is partially fenced, and you just need to make sure that your dog stays in the fenced portion. There’s a rinsing area which makes it easy to clean up your dog before heading home. We also saw some ramps and tunnels for dog-training.

6. Meadowdale Beach Park

One of our favorite local hikes to do is to take the trail to Meadowdale Beach Park. The trail is 2.3 miles long (out and back) with 400 feet of elevation gain. The forested trail takes you directly to the beach, which is a nice reward after a bit of exercise. The parking lot at the trailhead can fill up quick, so it’s best to visit during off-peak times (like early in the morning or on week days). 

7. Edmonds City Park

Edmonds City Park contains a very large playground with the Hazel Miller Spray Park, perfect for families with young children! The park also contains a baseball field, soccer field, horseshoe pit, picnic area, restrooms, and some trails. 

8. Picnic Point Park

With views of the Puget Sound and Whidbey Island, you’ll want to spend a full day at Picnic Point Park. On a clear day, you’ll see the Olympic Mountain Range across the water. The park contains a large pedestrian bridge to safely cross the train tracks, and there’s plenty of charcoal grills and tables for a picnic. (It is called Picnic Point, after all.)

9. Rick Steves’ Travel Center

Did you know that Rick Steves lives in Edmonds, Washington? The famous travel writer and TV host has a Travel Center in downtown Edmonds. The Travel Center contains a large store with Rick Steves’ books and accessories, free travel classes, information about their guided tours, and a library filled with hundreds of travel books. The staff there are all well-traveled and can answer many questions to help you plan a trip. We went to one of their free classes about Europe prior to our trip in 2017 and learned so much! The Travel Center is open on Saturdays.

10. Cascadia Art Museum

The perfect place to go on a rainy day is Cascadia Art Museum. The museum also hosts a monthly art walk, coffee with the curator, and music in the museum. (The music in the museum event would be a perfect idea for a date night!)

11. Gallery North

Gallery North is an artist cooperative gallery. You can support local artists by purchasing their work here. You’ll find paintings, photography, sculptures, pottery, woodwork, glasswork, and jewelry.

12. Phoenix Theater

Head to the Phoenix Theater to enjoy a comedy play while in Edmonds. Currently they sell season tickets to enjoy their scripted comedy performances. 

13. Edmonds Historical Museum

This museum is dedicated to preserving the history of Edmonds, Washington. The Edmonds Historical Museum has over 26,000 items in its collection. The museum itself occupies the building that once was once used as the city’s library. They are dedicated to honoring the Coast Salish people (the indigenous tribes of the area). Current exhibitions include a Victorian Parlor and the Train Room.

14. WhirlyBall

If you’re not from Edmonds, you’ve probably never heard of WhirlyBall. But having grown up here, I can assure you it’s a legitimate sport! Each participant drives a bumper car with one hand while simultaneously wielding a scoop (which looks like the top half of a lacrosse stick). The goal is to pass a whiffle ball between teammates to score a point by hitting a basketball board on each end of the court. It’s definitely a unique experience you won’t forget! We wrote all about our experience playing WhirlyBall if you are interested in learning more!

15. Edmonds Bookshop

Is there anything better than a book shop date? Grab a coffee and check out the Edmonds Bookshop. They have hundreds of books across all genres.

16. Frances Anderson Center

The Frances Anderson Center is located off of Main Street in Edmonds. This community center has a gym, fitness center, and meeting space. The Frances Anderson Center hosts numerous activities, including yoga, soccer, pickle ball, and more. Outside the Frances Anderson Center, there’s a really nice playground for kids. 

17. Edmonds Museum Summer Market

If you’re visiting Edmonds during the spring or summer, we definitely recommend that you check out the Edmonds Summer Market! There are typically over 90 vendors selling produce, freshly-cut flowers, food, crafts, and more. We wrote our full review of the Edmonds Farmers Market.

18. Edmonds Library

The Edmonds Library recently re-opened on 1/13/24 after a burst pipe had closed it for about a year. The Edmonds Library has been upgraded and now has a community meeting space, a study room, a children’s area, and a teen’s area.

19. Scratch Distillery

Scratch Distillery makes a variety of spirits, including gin, vodka, and whiskey. Reserve a spot at their tasting room to sample the spirits and enjoy a craft cocktail. They are open Thursdays and Friday from 4-6pm, and Saturdays and Sundays from 2-6pm. They are dog and child friendly.

20. Las Brisas

Enjoy a margarita and delicious Mexican Food at Las Brisas. (We really enjoyed the mole enchiladas!) They have outdoor and indoor dining, as well as a beautiful bar. It’s a good place to go for date night!

21. Arnies Restaurant

Looking for a nice place with a view of the water? Arnies is your place. They specialize in seafood and northwest classics. Last time I was there I had the Cashew Crusted Cod, which was so yummy! When we have family visiting us, we often take them to Arnies.

22. Demetri’s Woodstone Taverna

Right across from Brackett’s Landing (and next to the ferry dock) is Demetri’s Woodstone Taverna. They have a patio with a view of the water, a diverse menu filled with tapas, and an excellent cocktail menu. The firecracker shrimp is one of our favorite menu items!

23. Epulo Bistro

Every time we have been to Epulo Bistro they have dazzled us with beautiful plates and fun cocktails. Epulo Bistro is one of our best recommendations for a date night in Edmonds.

Their new location has a large outdoor patio. We ate out on their patio this summer and it was a relaxing spot to enjoy a meal. The patio was beautifully decorated and there were lots of umbrellas for shade. During the summer, the patio is surrounded by a fragrant garden. It felt like such an oasis!

I ordered the Short Rib Pappardelle pasta from the specials menu, and it was one of my favorite dishes so far! I also really like their flatbreads!

24. Canarino Gelato Caffe

After dinner or the beach, we often head to Canarino Gelato Caffe. They’re located in the heart of downtown and they make all of their gelatos in the store. 

25. Edmonds Bakery

The Edmonds Bakery recently celebrated 100 years! They definitely know what they’re doing to be in business for over a century! At the Edmonds Bakery, you’ll find doughnuts, pastries, cakes, and decorated cookies. I love stopping by their shop after a trip to downtown Edmonds to pick out a tasty pastry. They always have the best sweets on display in their counter!

26. Revelations Yogurt

Located in the heart of downtown, you’ll find Revelations Yogurt. We love stopping by for some of the best froyo. There’s lots of toppings to choose from too!

27. Leftcraft Restaurant & Taproom

I recently went to Leftcraft for the first time, and I really enjoyed their craft beer and lunch options. The interior is beautiful. I loved the contrast between the cedar planks and cement. Leftcraft is also conveniently located in downtown Edmonds.

Looking for a hotel? There is a Best Western Plus Edmonds Harbor Inn that is located within walking distance to the beach. The hotel has an outdoor pool and a fitness center.

 

Summary

I hope that you enjoyed this article about things to do in Edmonds! It’s one of our favorite places to visit in the greater Seattle area. With tons of restaurants, beaches, and shops, you’ll be sure to have a great day in Edmonds.

Disclaimer: We always strive for content accuracy. Since the time of publishing, travel-related information regarding pricing, schedules, and hours may have changed. Please look up such information directly from each vendor or institution for the most current information.