How to Spend the Day at the Everett Waterfront (with kids!)

Images by Taylor Majek.

Bring your wagons, strollers, bikes and scooters; it’s time to spend the day at the Everett Waterfront!

When I first started frequenting this part of Everett, it wasn’t very child-friendly. But that was fine because I didn’t have children yet. As I started having kids, this was something I missed tremendously. It might not be the first place you think of when looking to get out of the house for the day, but with a little bit of planning, you and your kids can have a great day at the waterfront.

I have three kids under the age of five; here’s my itinerary for a day at the Everett Waterfront.

We all know you don’t just show up somewhere with three small kids in tow, so you’ll want to think about what to bring with you. We usually bring our wagon so that all three of the kids can ride if they want to. We’ve also done this with all kinds of different bike, baby carrier, double stroller, and single stroller combinations. Whatever works for your family! Once you have your mode of transportation figured out, it’s not a bad idea to pack water bottles and some extra snacks, hats, sunglasses, sunscreen, bathing suits, extra clothes, towels…just pretend like you’re going to live down there for a few days and you’ll be all set.

Now, you’ve done all the prep work, the kids are losing it and you’re wondering if you’re making a huge mistake. That’s how you know it’s finally time to go!

We usually park near South Fork Baking Co. This is important for the end of your outing. Your first stop is going to be Jetty Landing Park. If you parked near South Fork, you might be thinking that’s pretty far from the park, and you’re right. It’s about a mile walk to the park. This is where all the wheels you brought with you come in handy. The best family outings are the ones that the adults get to enjoy too! So take a stroll along the marina.

Our kids love looking at the boats and trying to spot marine animals. Harbor Seals are aplenty in the marina. We take the long way and walk along Boxcar Park. If you get there and already need a mid-walk pick-me-up like I usually do, The Muse Whiskey Bar and Coffee Shop is perfectly located, although not the best for the stroller/wagon/bike crew. We usually send in a runner while the kids take a break and play on the grass. With coffee in hand, continue on your way. You’re getting close! If you’re lucky, you might get to see the marine forklift take a boat out of the water. The littles love to watch!

Congrats! You made it to the park! There are bathrooms here and a couple of trees that shade one edge of the playground. Time for the kids to play and have a snack in the shade. When it’s time to go, leaving the park can be troubling, so it helps to give them something to look forward to after the park. Nothing does it quite like the promise of a fountain they can run and splash in. Load the kids up and head back towards Pacific Rim Plaza, which is adjacent to South Fork Baking Co. There are more bathrooms right near there that are great for changing into bathing suits. Let the kids run wild through the water and enjoy the smiles and shrieks of joy! There are lots of benches around the fountain and a few trees that offer some shade. Once the littles are wet and tired, it’s time to get cleaned up and ready for a special snack. Again, it’s tough to leave something as fun as a fountain so it’s handy to save this stop for the end of the trip.

After you’ve battled wet swimsuits and tired toddlers, you’re just a short walk away from South Fork. We usually get an assortment of baked goods so we can share and sample a little bit of everything. I always order a chocolate chip cookie that I strategically keep inside the box so that I can enjoy the whole thing with my iced Bee’s Knees Latte. The kids are so excited about their treats that they don’t even notice me eating it behind them. It’s a win all around.

At this point they’ve walked, played, lounged in the wagon, run through the fountain, had an amazing croissant, scone or danish. They’ve gotten some fresh air, watched the boats and seen some wild life. And you’re just about back to the car. What more can you ask for?

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