Edmonds Community Page
Written for Realogics Sotheby’s International Realty
Visit the published article here
Only 18 miles north of Seattle lies the hamlet of Edmonds, a small town of only 39,000 on the west-facing slope of Puget Sound. With tree-lined streets, a walkable downtown, and beautiful views of the ferry, the town has become a hideaway for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life. It’s a place where flowers bloom in every yard come spring and people smile when they walk down Main Street. But don’t let the size of Edmonds and its charm fool you; this is no sleepy town. It offers a full calendar of year around events, enough gourmet restaurants to satisfy even the pickiest foodie, and so many transportation options that you’ll never be stuck in traffic again. Only a short and picturesque train ride away from Seattle, Edmonds is the perfect place for those who want the comfort of small-town life with the world at their fingertips.
Local Flavor: A walk down Main Street showcases much of what makes Edmonds the ideal waterfront community. Centered around a fountain at the intersection of 5th and Main, the town spreads out in an eclectic array of independent shops mixed with art galleries, wine bars and sidewalk cafes. The streets are equally beautiful in any direction you choose, accented by art and colorful hanging baskets. On a summer night, the glow from vintage street lamps mingles with the scent of blossoming geraniums and begonias; it’s a magical scene.
Even during the day, Edmonds has a magical air about it. It’s a place where the old mixes with the new, where you can attend an exhibit on modern art in a building that’s over a hundred years old. In fact, Edmonds is the oldest incorporated city in Snohomish County. Relics of its history still exist, having been lovingly woven into the fabric of the community. Residents of Edmonds are proud of their heritage, and maintain beautiful old buildings such as the former Carnegie Library, a log cabin Visitor’s Center, and a 1920’s Art Deco Movie Theater.
All of these buildings are within walking distance, as is the entire downtown of Edmonds. It’s one of the main reasons people are so fond of the town. It’s entirely possible to leave your car at home and walk everywhere you need to go, from the grocery store to the ferry terminal to the cozy restaurant where you’re meeting your friends for dinner. Edmonds is a walker’s paradise.
For those who do want to venture farther, Edmonds is the perfect jumping off point for quick, scenic trips to towns such as Westgate, Perrinville, Firdale Village, and Five Corners. It’s also the perfect place to jump aboard the Edmonds-Kingston ferry. With all-day service across the Sound, you’re less than an hour away from amazing weekend destinations like the Point No Point Lighthouse and Quilcene, a small town that hosts a Mozart music barn during the Olympic Music Festival.
Arts and Culture: There’s so much going on in Edmonds that, as enticing as the nearby weekend destinations are, you may never want to leave home. The community is centered around two main activities: the arts and the outdoors.
Edmonds has a vibrant arts scene, helped in great part by its own Edmonds Arts Commission. The Commission sees to it that the arts are a vital part of the community’s quality of life, economic vitality, and central identity. Various events that they sponsor include a nationally recognized writers’ conference, concerts in the park, rotating visual arts exhibits, and an outstanding public art collection featuring Northwest artists. It’s also through their support that Seattle Opera previews are offered at the local libraries. Besides participating in the activities mentioned above, Edmonds residents also have a strong presence at their Third Thursday Art Walks.
In addition to art, Edmonds residents are passionate about the outdoors. And there’s no reason not to be when you’re surrounded by gorgeous water and mountain views and so many ways to enjoy them. There’s really something for everyone, from diving to boating to birdwatching.
At the Underwater Park at Brackett’s Landing, divers enjoy 27 acres of tide and bottomlands. But they’re not the only ones who benefit from the park. Even those who don’t dive can still slip off their shoes and enjoy the waves or the views of the ferries going back and forth. Edmonds has an award-winning marina for those who wish to enjoy the water with their own boats. In fact, it’s one of the West Coast’s largest covered moorage facilities.
Edmonds is also known for its birds and birdwatchers. The annual Puget Sound Bird Fest attracts hundreds of birdwatchers from near and far, as the Edmonds marsh is one of the few urban saltwater estuarine marshes remaining in the Puget Sound area. It is home to over 200 species of birds annually.
Perfect Day Edmonds:
With so many fun things to do, it’s hard to know where to start. That’s why we came up with a top-10 list of activities for your perfect Edmonds day.
- Enjoy your morning coffee and a pastry at Walnut Street Coffee, one of the community’s favorite caffeinated beverage spots.
- Drop your fishing line in the water and watch the ferries traverse the Sound from one of the public piers.
- Explore downtown Edmonds by walking the streets and wandering into all of the interesting shops. Make sure you duck into the Edmonds Bookshop for a good local read.
- Assemble a picnic of local cheeses, crackers, pickles, and charcuterie at the Cheesemonger’s Table.
- Dive at the Underwater Park at Brackett’s Landing.
- Walk the trails at Yost Park.
- Hit up the happy hour at Girardi’s Osteria.
- Eat a delicious seafood dinner at Arnie’s Restaurant and Bar overlooking the Sound.
- Watch the sun set over the Olympics from nearly anywhere in town.
- Take in a show at the Edmonds Center for the Arts.
Annual Events: Regardless of the season, there’s always something going on in Edmonds. A sampling of events is below. For more information, see the complete list of events here.
- Saturday Market
- Edmonds Arts Festival
- 4th of July Parade and Fireworks
- A Taste of Edmonds
- Write on the Sound Writers’ Conference
- Downtown Christmas Tree Lighting
Family Life: Besides great events, Edmonds also offers its residents some great schools to choose from. The town is served entirely by the Edmonds School District. Within the city limits, there is one high school and six elementary schools. According to the education rating web site SchoolDigger, the Edmonds School District ranks 69th out of 259 cities. And its class sizes are relatively small, with a great ratio of 19.6 students per teacher.
Outside of school, Edmond’s children find many fun and educational things to do. A local favorite is the open-air swimming pool at Yost Park. City Park and Hickman Park have play toys for the kids and BBQ shelters for family picnics. And Brackett’s Landing is an excellent spot for family adventures. Kids can explore at low tide, watching crabs run in and out of rocks and counting the many brilliant purple and orange sea stars that adorn the piers.