Different districts have different vibes. 

When I think Silver Lake I think of recreation and restaurants.

Silver Lake is where I go to get a change of scenery.

Let's take a look at some good spots to visit.

1. Recreation

McCollum Park- probably one of my favorite places to visit. I don’t often go to the pool, but I like the North Creek path that  takes you through the woods and drops you off at the Mill Creek Town Center. While you’re on the path you might as well be on the forest planet Endor (minus Ewoks, plus joggers in Lycra).

Address: 600 128th St SE, Everett, WA 98208

Skate Deck- Do you love roller skates, oldies music, and arcades? This is the venue for you. This roller rink is an Everett classic that goes way back. Check it out some time.

Address: 9700 19th Ave SE, Everett, WA 98208

Phone: (425) 337-0202

Thornton A. Sullivan Park- lots of ducks, a great play area for kids (actually, one of the better playgrounds in the city now that I think about it), tall trees. The big draw in the summer is swimming. Silver Lake is easy to wade into. 

Address: 11405 Silver Lake Rd, Everett, WA 98208]

2. Restaurants

Lotus Lounge- Upscale Asian fusion bistro, across the street from the lake. 

Address: 11223 19th Ave SE, Everett, WA 98208

Phone: (425) 225-6642

Emory’s- Pizza, fish, salad, breadsticks and wine on the water. Classy dinner date place, a little old school but charming for that reason.

Address: 11830 19th Ave SE, Everett, WA 98208

Phone: (425) 337-7772

L’Artisan Bakery- Authentic French bakery with all the custard and Caffe Vita coffee you can handle. Chocolate croissants here are flaky and spot on.

Address: 11419 19th Ave SE # B103, Everett, WA 98208

Phone: (425) 379-8401

Piroshki & Crepes- I have heard very good things about this place. Does anybody know about this spot?

Address: 1327 112th St SE, Everett, WA 98208

Phone: (425) 225-6694

3. This other thing?

For about two years I got my hair cut at Rustic Cuts in Silver Lake. They only did walk-ins and they were always insanely busy. It was a word of mouth type of thing, I guess.

The place was like a little Western-style cabin with a veranda. Inside they played Reba McEntire music and had Blue Planet going on the TV.

The owner looked a lot like Kenny Rodgers. We talked about Bernie Sanders a lot (we were both fans). I liked the guy.

Anyways, I ended up not going anymore just because the wait was always long. But I think about the "local color" of this place when I think of Silver Lake. I recommend checking it out some time if only for the experience.

Yes, Silver Lake is a very nice place. What do you like to do here?

Richard Porter writes for Live in Everett.