Each month I delve into old posts on the Live in Everett website to find good ones for Throwback Thursday. I found a great one written by my predecessor Anna Tatistcheff called 6 Dates that Aren’t Dinner and a Movie. Sadly many of the businesses mentioned are now closed, so here is my update of her article, keeping close to the spirit of her great suggestions. 

1. Do an Act of Random Kindness, Price: $

Stop at Stadium Flowers or the Everett Farmers Market and purchase some flowers that you can hand out individually. Flowers like daffodils, tulips or Gerber daisies would work. Next, walk around downtown and hand out the beautiful flowers to random strangers. 

You might get some strange looks, but that's okay because you’ll have your date there for support and someone to laugh with about it. Afterward, take a look at the Live in Everett’s Craft Beverage page and pick a new beverage spot for a drink.

2. Outdoor Art Tour, Price: Free (or the price of a coffee)

The City of Everett has a great map of downtown outdoor sculptures. Grab a coffee from your favorite spot (maybe Narrative or Nadines), pull the map up on your phone and hit the streets. Have a contest to see who can find each sculpture first. Some are easy to find, but some are delightfully hidden in the sidewalk. 

3. Mystery Gift Hunt/Exchange, Price: varies

Pick a local Everett shop that offers things you both enjoy, and set a budget on how much you can spend on one another. Maybe it’s Bobakhan or the soon to open Burkett’s Home + Gift. Ace Hardware is always a store both me and my husband can agree on. If you need more ideas, check our Shop Local page. 

Split up and spend 30 minutes picking out the perfect gift for one another. Make your purchases in secret, and then head to a nearby sweet treat shop and exchange gifts. Depending on where you are in the city, Karl's Bakery and Cafe & Katya's Bakery are favorite options. 

4. Take a walk and see the sights at the Port, Price: Free

Park near Grand Avenue Park and head toward the Grand Avenue Park Bridge, taking in the naval station and jetty island views on your way. Cross the bridge and it will drop you on the cool boardwalk between the south and central docks. Check out this Waterfront Trail Map from Port of Everett for several routes you can take from here. You may see some silly seals slapping their flippers or kites flying. If you need refreshments, there are plenty of options, including Bluewater Organic Distilling. 

5. Get Creative at Stuffington’s Ceramics & More, Price: $-$$

Pick out something you need, like a coffee mug or something you don’t need, like a bird figurine and paint your heart out. The piece you pick out determines the price, and paint and firing are included. You will need to leave your creation to be fired and pick it up at a later time, a perfect excuse to get together again. 

6. Spa Day at Banya Spa, Price: $$$

You may not know that you don’t even need to leave town for a relaxing getaway. Banya Spa is located right on Colby and offers a full day of Russian sauna, wet sauna, hot tub and the Cold Plunge for $50 a person. They’ve also got wonderful services, including massages, facials and foot and hand treatments. You can stay all day because they have a cafe serving traditional Slavic style food, dessert, and drinks. 

Still need more ideas? Check out our Events Calendar. 

Linda War Bonnet represents south Everett on the Live in Everett Team. When she isn’t working, she is running the Westmont-Holly Neighborhood Association. You might spot her walking her dog in the Holly neighborhood.