Edmonds

A walkable waterfront town on the shores of Puget Sound, Edmonds is celebrated as an arts community offering galleries, sandy beaches and stunning views, boutiques, bird watching, cafes, historic downtown, colorful flowers, fabulous festivals and events, spring and summer market, underwater dive park, performing arts center, international film festival, and award-winning marina.

Today considered a pleasant suburb of Seattle known for its small town charms and gorgeous waterfront setting framed by the nearby mountains, Edmonds was founded in 1876 by Canadian George Brackett. Originally home to the Suquamish American Indians who fished the waters of eastern Puget Sound, the area remained largely unsettled by European-Americans well into the mid-19th century.

With rail, steamship, and road connections, Edmonds blossomed into an important milling town, with a dozen factories between the shore and the railroad line churning out boards for construction and shingles and shakes for roofing and siding. Visitors often encountered trucks with huge tree trunks coming into town, and the mills’ smokestacks became a defining feature of the landscape.

Edmonds was caught up in Seattle’s explosive growth, and is now considered a lovely and sought-after community in the greater metropolitan area. Downtown, which primarily consists of 2 and 3 story buildings, is noted for its boutiques, shops, and restaurants.

Since 1957, the town’s juried arts festival—held over Father’s Day weekend—has attracted attendees from across the Pacific Northwest. Exhibitors range from nationally known fine and performing artists to local students. During the warmer months, Edmonds hosts a Farmers’ Market sponsored by the Edmonds-South Snohomish County Historical Society. Thousands of shoppers arrive early on Saturdays to pick through the fresh produce, breads, and cut flowers, as well as to explore craft displays.