8 Towns in Washington with Vibrant Downtown Areas
Everyone should consider how lively, bustling, and vibrant the downtown areas are before choosing a specific travel destination. If the downtown area doesn’t have a lot going on, there’s a chance your trip will end up being a tad more boring than you might've hoped. Some of the most important things to keep an eye out for when deciding if a downtown area is worthwhile are the historical landmarks, the natural beauty, the retail options, the restaurant lineup, the styles of entertainment, and the various attractions.
Once you settle on a town that checks everything off this list, you know you’re on your way toward a vacation or relocation plan that you can wholeheartedly get excited about. There’s much to look forward to when narrowing down incredible towns in Washington that have the most enticing downtown areas ever. Here are nine Washington towns with surprisingly cool downtown areas that shouldn't be ignored.
Bremerton
One lovely Washington town to consider visiting would be Bremerton. With a population of 45,450 people, it’s certainly not a Washington town that's overly crowded. The downtown area of Bremerton is full of exciting things to do including frolicking through the city parks, playing on the golf course, and checking out the many performing arts centers. The city parks include Bachmann Park, Bataan Park, and Blueberry Park.
The golf course where players book tee times is called Gold Mountain Golf Club. It’s open daily from Dawn until Dusk. As far as performing arts centers go, visitors and locals are welcome to enjoy entertainment at the Admiral Theatre, the Bremerton Community Theatre, and the Kitsap Opera. Several special events happen in downtown Bremerton every year as well including the BYC Lighted Boat Oarade and the Annual Daddy Daughter Dance.
Lynnwood
With a population of 43,867 in Lynnwood, not many people have discovered the magic and bliss of this particular Washington town. Filling an itinerary in Lynnwood is simple enough with exciting things to do in the downtown area. That's thanks to the hiking trails, restaurant options, and impressive list of retail locations. When it comes to the hiking trails, visitors and locals in Lynnwood wouldn’t want to miss out on the chance to explore the Interurban Trail, the beautiful pathway along Scriber Lake Park, or the breathtaking views at Lunds Gulch-Meadowdale Beach Park.
Dining in downtown Lynnwood is always a treat with delicious eateries like BittyFish Sushi, Kizuki Ramen & Izakaya, and Monsoon India Grill to choose from. Folks who crave a divine shopping experience will enjoy retail therapy at places like Alderwood Shopping Center, Snohomish Harvested Holiday Market, and the Everett Farmer’s Market.
Edmonds
The breakwater and pier in Edmonds, Washington.
Edmonds is a town in Washington that deserves to be on your radar, even though it has a smaller population of 42,701. Edmonds is the perfect place to go for locals and visitors who consider themselves to be coffee lovers. It's also fabulous for people who enjoy total relaxation and anyone who's stoked about the prospect of supporting woman-owned businesses. As far as coffee goes, some of Edmonds' top options include Cafe Louvre, Rusty Pelican Cafe, and Walnut Street Coffee.
If finding yourself in a super relaxed state of mind sounds ideal, Edmonds has a multitude of salons and spas, including Innate Radiance Acupuncture, Mollie Boyce Edmonds Massage Therapy, and the Refinery Salon. Some of the woman-owned businesses to check out in Edmonds include a gift shop called The Wishing Stone, a stationary shop called The Paper Feather, and a women’s clothing boutique called Rogue.
Puyallup
Puyallup is a town in Washington with around 42,179 residents as it stands today. There’s plenty to do in their blissful downtown area, which means this is one of those lesser-known towns that's certainly worth exploring. The enticing attractions in Puyallup include a handful of gorgeous murals, bars where adults can order their favorite alcoholic beverages, and restaurants with delectable menus. Regarding the murals, people in Puyallup can lay eyes on the Greetings From Puyallup Mural painted by Richard Moreno, the Smile You Are in Puyallup Mural painted by Bryce MacDonald, and the Wings of Welcome mural by Curtis Ashby.
The bars in downtown Puyallup available for adults of legal age include Perry’s Cocktail Bar, Scotty’s Grub & Pub, and The Forum. There’s delicious food for just about anyone’s pallet with options like Fiesta Taqueria & Tequila Bar, Giorgio‘s Greek Cafe, and Crocket’s Public House. The downtown area is bustling with locals and visitors alike.
Lake Stevens
It’s been estimated that Lake Stevens has a population of 40,521 residents in the state of Washington. Its vibrant downtown area is a big reason why locals and visitors have such a pleasant time there. The mouthwatering restaurants, the adventurous outdoor activities, and the annual community events are just a few examples.
For starters, restaurants like Creekside Alehouse, The Pines, and Kiyama Sushi & Bar are suitable for people who have varied taste buds and cravings. Outdoor activities like splashing around at North Lakeshore Swim Beach, picnicking at Lundeen Park, and taking an evening stroll through North Cove Park are also special. Brilliant community events you might stumble upon in downtown Lake Stevens include the Annual Polar Plunge, Lake Stevens Health & Wellness Festival, and the Annual WinterFest.
Issaquah
A small town in Washington with 38,977 residents might not be on your radar, but that could possibly change once you uncover these details about Issaquah. The topic of art is a very big deal in Issaquah, which means this town is filled to the brim with exciting stops the artists of the world can make. Whether you’re the type of artist who likes to paint or create music, there are places where you can spread your wings as a true creative in Issaquah. We’re referring to places like the Chopin Academy of Music, Ming’s ZEN Gallery, and Museo Art Academy.
On top of that, the outdoorsy and recreational options in this Washington town are also quite impressive. Simply consider Duthie Hill Mountain Bike Park, Issaquah Alps Trail Club, and Issaquah Jules Boehm Pool. Additionally, the cuisine in this lovely town is welcoming to people with different taste buds interested in fulfilling their cravings. Locals and visitors can dine in at Fins Bistro, Forest Fairy Bakery, or H&H Saloon.
Longview
Downtown Longview is the perfect Washington city to visit if you’re comfortable with its population of 37,925 residents. Loads of people might not call Longview home, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t a stunning place to visit or relocate based on the entertainment options, the top-tier retail, and the consistent events that keep both locals and visitors excited about filling up their calendars.
Some of the best entertainment options in Longview include taking in shows at Columbia Theatre, admiring the art at Broadway Gallery, and enjoying games at Cowlitz Black Bears Baseball field. Retail therapy is always readily available in Longview with places like Broadway Antiques, Mary Jane's House of Glass, and Paper Craft Addiction to peruse. Consistent activities in downtown Longview include Antidote Tap House Trivia Nights, the Crafted Beer & Food Festival, and the Longview Squirrel Fest.
Mount Vernon
Another town in Washington that could be worth spending time in happens to be Mount Vernon. With its population population of 35,259, there are plenty of activities to dabble in whether you want to be super social or stay a little more isolated. The top attractions in Mount Vernon are undeniable if you consider yourself to be a true history buff. The mansion where George Washington once resided with his wife, Martha, is readily available for touring there.
George Washington’s tomb is also located there. Stepping through these places will give you a chance to lay eyes on specific zones that were once heavily meaningful in Washington’s life before his death. The Mount Vernon Inn Restaurant is the best place to go for dinner while spending time there. That’s because the menu is full of savory items like vegetable risotto, roasted turkey pot pie, and jambalaya. The hiking trails in Mount Vernon are also delightful for the adventurers of the world. We’re referring to gorgeous pathways like Little Mountain Park Loop, South Little Mountain Lollipop, and Craft Island Trail from Rawlins Road.
The downtown areas in different Washington towns are just as impressive as they seem. As a reminder, Bremerton offers top-of-the-line city parks, an awesome golf course, and performing arts centers for creative individuals to get excited about. Lake Stevens is chock-full of outdoor activities, restaurants with delicious food options, and community events that would make sense on just about anyone’s calendar.
Longview's baseball field, Broadway Gallery, and trendy retail spots are beyond appealing as well. The artsiness of Issaquah maintains its own special appeal for individuals who appreciate creativity. These small towns in Washington might not have the biggest population when it comes to the residents permanently living in each place, but it's now been revealed that they each still have so much to offer.
