The ULTIMATE weekend getaway near Seattle

If you’re looking for the perfect weekend getaway near Seattle, then this 2-day itinerary in Everett, Washington is for you! Everett, located about 30 minutes north of Seattle, is a region that encompasses urban adventures, coastal activities, and mountain getaways. It’s often overlooked, but that has lots of hidden gems that make it the perfect weekend getaway from the big city.

Below is our 2-day itinerary for the perfect weekend getaway in Everett, Washington! This itinerary is equally good for families, couples, and a getaway with friends.

Day one: beach day on Jetty Island

On day one you’ll enjoy a short ferry ride and a relaxed picnic on the beach. You’ll also enjoy urban adventures and a delicious dinner in downtown Everett, Washington.

Grab picnic supplies at the Sno-Isle Food Co-op

Who doesn’t love a day at the beach that includes a delicious picnic lunch?! Start your morning by grabbing picnic supplies at the Sno-Isle Food Co-op. Started in 1996, this charming local institution has everything you need for a delicious picnic lunch. We got local mushroom jerky, crackers, cheese, chocolate, kombucha, and local berries, which made for the perfect to-go meal. They also have prepared food and sandwiches.

The take ferry to Jetty Island and enjoy a day at the beach

Next, catch the ferry over to Jetty Island for a day at the beach!

The Jetty Island Ferry is a tiny 60 passenger boat that carries guests across the water to Jetty Island. This island is just a 3 minute ride away!

The Jetty Island Ferry runs July through September and costs $3-$5 per person for a round trip. Jetty Island is actually a 2 mile long human-constructed “breakwater” island that protects the marina in Everett. It’s also home to lots of hiking trails, bird watching, and places to play, explore, and relax on the beach! On nice days you can even go swimming. We spent several hours exploring Jetty Island and could have easily spent an entire day there. 

Check in to Hotel Indigo and explore downtown Everett

Now it’s time to check in to your hotel and get cleaned up for dinner! Hotel Indigo is a charming, centrally located hotel near the waterfront, and the rooms are comfortable and well-appointed. The hotel is also dog and pet friendly, which is great for those traveling with furry companions. 

Once you’ve gotten checked in and cleaned up, walk or drive into downtown Everett to do some exploring. Charming old buildings, a vibrant shopping scene, and a beautiful waterfront make Everett the perfect place to go for a stroll while you work up an appetite!

Enjoy a date night dinner at Capers & Olives

Capers and Olives is an Italian gem located in the heart of Everett. The chef does a great job of showcasing local and seasonal ingredients throughout the menu! Their roasted shishito peppers and chioggia beet with mascarpone were true highlights of our meal.

Day 2: Blueberry picking and a mountain getaway in Index, Washington

On day two, you’ll take a short drive to Index, an adorable mountain town just east of Everett. You’ll start your morning with breakfast and hikes followed by blueberry and flower picking in Snohomish, Washington.

Breakfast at North Fork Kitchen

Located at the Bush House Inn, North Fork Kitchen is a charming restaurant in the mountain town of Index, Washington. They offer fresh and cozy fare, including a delicious, thick brioche French toast that has a custardy center. 

Hike to the Heybrook Fire Lookout

The Heybrook Fire Lookout is a 2 mile hike with 850 feet of elevation gain. It’s also just a short drive from breakfast! The hike ascends through the forest, and ends at the fire lookout.

Visitors can climb to a large viewing platform near the top. The lookout is an active rental, please be respectful of renters. Normally you get magnificent views of the surrounding mountains. Because we visited on a rainy day we got some beautiful, dramatic PNW fog instead!

Hiking essentials checklist

Below are our 6 major hiking essentials, which we almost always have with us on the trail!

1. America the Beautiful Pass. An annual America the Beautiful pass covers your entrance fees at all national parks. It also covers fees at other federally managed public lands, such as forest service and BLM sites. This pass is a great investment for people who love national parks and outdoor recreation!
2. Good hiking boots. Waterproof boots with good traction are essential, and a quality pair can last for years. We highly recommend Lowa’s Renegade hiking boots.
3. Water and a water filter. We love the Katadyn BeFree 1.0 Liter Filter Bottle for water filtration, and usually use a Nalgene water bottle or a HydraPak Water Reservoir for water storage.
4. Sun protection. We recommend the Sahara Sun Hoodie (for women and men), which is a sun shirt that offers UPF 50+ sun protection. For sunscreen we like Dermatone’s sport sunscreen and Skin Protector Balm (for winter).
5. A headlamp. The Black Diamond Storm 400 Rechargeable Headlamp is lightweight, compact, waterproof, and USB rechargeable.
6. A comfortable day pack. We recommend the REI Trail 25 (unisex), the Gregory Juno daypack ​for women, or the Gregory Inertia daypack for men.

Lunch at ​​Grilla Bites and exploring downtown Snohomish

After your hike head to Snohomish, where you’ll get lunch at Grilla Bites. Known for its natural and organic foods, this spot has fantastic juices, burgers, and sandwiches. I’m still dreaming of my BBQ tofu sandwich and ‘ginger zinger’  (featuring organic orange, carrot, beet, celery, and ginger). Highly recommended! 

Blueberry and flower picking at Mountainview Blueberry Farm

End your weekend with blueberry picking and flower picking at Mountainview Blueberry Farm. I grew up blueberry picking in New Jersey, so this was a highlight of our trip for me! Blueberries and flowers are typically available mid-July through early September.

Have extra time? We recommend checking out High Trek adventures in Everett! High Trek is an outdoor adventure park with a zip line, ropes course, and more. It’s a great activity for families or groups, and we had a blast navigating the ropes course. No experience is needed.

I hope you enjoyed this 2-day itinerary for a weekend getaway in Everett, Washington! You can find more Pacific Northwest itineraries and trips on our Instagram, @gwynandami. You can also find more PNW travel guides on our blog here.