Here's Fun Geared For Every Budget -- Don't Break The Budget, Snohomish County Offers A Range Of Interesting Things To Do
Belt-tightening, particularly while wearing a bathing suit or hiking shorts, is no fun.
Who wants to worry about finances when sunshine and the great outdoors are beckoning? Do low funds necessarily mean no fun?
In Snohomish County, the answer is a resounding NO!
Whether you've got a pocket full of green or are down to your last penny, Snohomish County offers plenty of summer activities to keep you and your family entertained from June to September - and beyond. In fact, the area has something summery for every kind of budget.
And just to prove it, here's a list of ideas for your summertime fun geared for every kind of budget. Activities are broken down into three categories: Free, moderate-priced ($10 to $40) and expensive ($40 and more).
---- FREE ----
Don't let a nonexistent entertainment budget keep you indoors this summer. Between all the parks, hiking spots, wineries and shops around Snohomish County, you should have no problem finding activities that are both fun and free.
If you have not yet visited the Boeing Tour Center, start your summer entertainment here. Located in Everett, the Boeing Tour Center is interesting and informative, attracting thousands of visitors each year.
The tour is offered twice a day, at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Monday through Friday. Arrive early and be prepared to stand in line. The 90-minute tour is limited to 90 guests and is on a first-come, first-served basis. It fills quickly.
The tour starts in a small theater located next to the Boeing Tour Center gift shop. Visitors are shown a 20-minute film which documents Boeing's 77 years and quickly goes through the steps of building a 747. From there, a tour bus takes the group to the airplane assembly area, where visitors can get a first-hand close-up look at what goes into producing an airplane.
Even those who aren't airplane buffs will find the tour interesting. Where else do you get to walk through "the world's largest building" (in terms of volume), which is said to be able to hold 60 football fields or four and a half Kingdomes? There are plenty of fascinating Boeing tidbits to be learned from the tour.
After seeing the planes in the assembly process, the bus winds visitors through the airfield to see the finished product. No cameras are allowed on the tour, and children under 10 will have to be left at home.
If you are in a more leisurely frame of mind, tour one of the area's wineries.
Spend an hour or two learning how wines are made, starting with which kinds of grapes are used and then the crushing, fermentation, aging and bottling processes. Afterward, follow winemakers into the tasting room for free samples.
The Quilceda Creek Vintners, located in Snohomish, is a tiny family-owned operation with tours offered only on weekends by appointment. Hours are more flexible at the wineries along Woodinville's winery loop. Though in most cases tours are still reserved for the weekends, tastings are usually offered all week and don't require appointments.
Those looking for something to do outdoors might consider the Edmonds' waterfront for a relaxing stroll along Puget Sound. Watch the boats and see the ferries come and go at the Edmonds ferry dock. Or take a seat at one of the benches along the way and read a book.
If you're in the mood to browse, head to Old Mill Town, located on Fifth Avenue South between Dayton and Maple Streets in Edmonds. Wandering through the collection of antique shops and art galleries makes for a perfect way to spend an afternoon.
----- TOURS -----
Boeing Tour Center, Everett - Year-round 90-minute tour, Monday through Friday. 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. First come, first served. Minimum age 10, no photographs allowed. 342-4801. Take exit 189, follow Highway 526, take Boeing Tour Exit. Tours fill quickly, so get tickets early.
Millstone Coffee Roasting Plant - 729 100th St. S.E., Everett. 347-3848 or 1-800-466-0361. Tours Monday through Thursday by appointment.
------- DAIRIES -------
Bartelheimer Bros., Inc. - 12224 92nd St. S.E., Snohomish, 568-9637. Tours for groups by reservation.
Diamond M Farm - 15930 Highway 2., Snohomish. 743-5912. Tours by reservation Monday through Friday.
--------------- FISH HATCHERIES ---------------
Arlington Trout Hatchery - 17619 McGovern Road, Arlington. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free. Call 435-3206 for tour information.
Tulalip Fish Hatchery - 10610 Waterworks Road, Marysville. Tours Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call 653-7477 for appointment.
-------- WINERIES --------
Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery - 14111 N.E. 145th Ave., Woodinville. 488-1133. Monday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tours run hourly and including wine tastings.
Columbia Winery - 14030 N.E. 145th Pl., Woodinville. 488-2776. Tours Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tastings, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Sunday.
Facelli Winery - 16120 Woodinville-Redmond Road, Suite 1, Woodinville. 488-1020. Open for tours and tastings Saturday and Sunday, noon to 4 p.m.
French Creek Cellars - 17721 132nd Ave. N.E., Woodinville. 486-1900. Tours Monday through Friday, noon to 5 p.m. Tastings Monday through Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.
Quilceda Creek Vintners - 5226 S. Old Machias Road, Snohomish. 568-2389. Tours and tastings weekends by appointment only.
Silver Lake Winery - 23712 Bothell-Everett Hwy., Bothell. 485-2437. Tasting Monday through Friday, noon to 6 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tours by appointment.
-------- MODERATE --------
If you're searching for an inexpensive, but memorable activity to enjoy with a date or the family, you might want to try horseback riding. There are several outfits in Snohomish County that offer rides for as little as $12 an hour.
Horse Country in Granite Falls, Mone Farms in Monroe and Sweeting Stables in Snohomish all offer guided horse rides. If you're taking out the youngsters, you might want to consider the Lake Serene Tack and Pony Farm in Lynnwood, which specializes in trail rides for children ages 2 to 15.
The more adventurous might want to try out Skyland Ranch in Gold Bar. This horse ranch, open all year, seven days a week, offers both guided and unguided rides, moonlight rides, overnight pack trips and picnics.
Or maybe you'd like to take a swim at one of the many area swimming pools - where prices range between $1.25 and $2 a person. Area recreation centers provide facilities ranging from indoor tracks to racquetball courts and cost anywhere between $1.50 and $5 for admission.
If you like fishing, Snohomish County offers plenty of prime public fishing holes. But those who want to be guaranteed a catch might want to stop by the Gold Creek Trout Farm in Woodinville. Freshwater ponds offer public fishing for rainbow trout.
If you're looking for a way to capture the county's beautiful surroundings in a single morning, take a glider ride at Arlington Airport, offered through the Evergreen Soaring Club. Gliders are towed to 3,000 feet above ground level. Experience a breathtaking, silent view of Snohomish County while gliding gently to the ground.
-------------- BICYCLE RENTAL --------------
The Bicycle Center - 4718 Evergreen Way, Everett. Hours: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. $20/day. 252-1441.
Centennial Cycle Inc. - 511 Maple Ave., Snohomish. 568-1345. Rent bicycles and Rollerblades. Hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Bicycle $20/day. Rollerblades $12/day.
Evergreen Sports Cycle - 9414 State Ave., Suite G, Marysville. Hours: Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. $20/day. 659-9093.
Spoke and Ski, - 13300 N.E. 175th St., Woodinville. Hours: Monday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Tuesday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. $25/day. 483-6626.
------------------------- BOAT CHARTERS AND CRUISES -------------------------
Snohomish River Queen - Cruise Port Gardner Bay aboard the Snohomish River Queen. Offers dinner, lunch and Sunday-brunch cruises, historic river or scenic river tours. Also moonlight parties Friday and Saturday evenings. Boarding at Everett Marina South Visitor's Dock, 1712 W. Marine View Drive. Prices $10.95-$33.99/person. 259-2743.
Spirit of Edmonds - P.O. Box 612, Edmonds. 775-2323. Sightseeing trips on weekends, $20-$35. Also offers four-day cruises to the San Juans leaving Monday and returning Thursday. The price, $400, includes breakfast and lunch. Private charters available.
------------ BOAT RENTALS ------------
McConnell's Boat House - 718 Front St., Mukilteo. 355-3411. 15-foot wooden or aluminum open fishing boats. $22/day. Bring your own motor or rent a 6 hp or 15 hp motor, $6-$7.50/hour.
Meadowdale Marine - 16111 76th Place W., Edmonds. 743-2211. 14-foot aluminum craft. $15/day. Bring your own motor. Offers boat storage, tackle shop. Pier fishing, $1.50 day.
Thornton A. Sullivan Park - 11400 Silver Lake Drive, Everett. Canoe and paddleboat rentals on the lake. $4-$6/hour. Everett Parks and Recreation, 259-0300..
------------ HORSE RENTAL ------------
Horse Country - Guided family trail rides, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. 8507 Hwy. 92, Granite Falls. $10 half-hour, $15/hour. Year around. Call 691-7509 for reservations.
Lake Serene Tack and Pony Farm - 3915 Serene Way, Lynnwood offers trail rides for children ages 2-15, $5/ride. Hours: Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call 743-2112 for reservations.
Mone Farms - 21326 Woods Creek Road, Monroe. Guided trail riding. Year around. Saturday, dawn to dusk. $15/hour. Call 794-1681 for reservations.
Skyland Ranch - 43100 Reiter Road, Gold Bar. Guided and unguided rides. Moonlight rides, overnight pack trips and picnics. Year around. Monday through Sunday, dawn to dusk. $12/hour during week. $15/hour weekends. Call 793-2611 for reservations.
Sweeting Stables - 15326 73rd Ave. S.E., Snohomish. Guided trail riding Monday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. $15/hour. Year around. Call 485-4752 for reservations.
---------- OPEN SWIMS ----------
Call for schedules. Most of these places also have swimming lessons. Prices reflect open swims only.
Everett Family YMCA - 2720 Rockefeller Ave., Everett. 258-9211. Two indoor pools. Membership or $10 per day.
Everett Community College - 801 Wetmore Ave. 388-9323. Indoor pool. $1.25 adults, $1 16 and under.
Hal Moe Pool - 405 Third Street, Snohomish. Indoor pool. 568-6881. $2 adults, $1.50 kids.
Lynnwood Recreation Center - 18900 44th Ave. W. Indoor pool. 771-4030. Pool schedule: 670-6288. $1.75 adults, $1.25 seniors and children.
Marysville-Pilchuck High School - 5611 108th St. N.E., Marysville. 653-0609. $1.25.
McCollum Park Pool - 600 128th St. S.E., Everett. Outdoor pool. For pool schedule: 337-5724.
Mountlake Terrace Recreation Pavilion - 5303 228th St. S.W. Indoor pool. 776-9173. $1.50-$2.50.
Northshore YMCA - 11811 N.E. 195th St., Bothell. 485-9797. Indoor pool. $1-$10/day.
Northshore Pool - 9815 N.E. 188th St., Bothell. 296-4333. Indoor pool. $1.25.
Shoreline Pool - 19030 First St. N.E., Seattle. 296-4345. Indoor pool. $1.25.
Southeast Family YMCA - 13723 Puget Park Drive, Everett. 337-0123. Outside pool. $2.50 youth, $5 adult.
St. Edward Pool - 14445 Juanita Drive N.E., Bothell. 296-2970. Indoor pool. $2 adults.
Yost pool - 96th Ave. W. and Bowdoin Way, Edmonds. Pool schedule: 775-2645
------------- MISCELLANEOUS -------------
Evergreen Soaring Club - Glider rides out of the Arlington Airport. $35/person. Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. on availability basis. Year around. Call 772-3002 for information or 774-0164.
Forest Park Animal Farm - May 1-Sept. 5. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Chickens, ducks, llamas, rabbits, sheep, goats, pigs, cows, donkeys and ponies. $1 adults, .50 children. Forest Park, 802 Mukilteo Blvd., Everett. 259-0300.
Gold Creek Trout Farm - 15844 148th Ave. N.E., Woodinville. 483-1415. Fresh-water ponds, picnic areas. Public fishing for rainbow trout. Open seven days a week, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Pay for fish you catch. Open year-round.
--------- EXPENSIVE ---------
OK . . . so you've got the dough and are looking for something really out of this world - or at least a ways out.
How about a hot-air balloon ride? The Airial Hot Air Balloon Co. in Snohomish operates from May to October, offering patrons two daily flights. The morning flight, which costs $145 per person, includes a guaranteed hour of flying time and a special champagne brunch upon return. The evening flight costs $115/person and includes a guaranteed half-hour of flying time and hors d'oeuvres.
The company also offers a "Romance Aloft" package for couples for $450. The package includes up to two hours of flying time and a picnic/champagne lunch in the field. A'Drift Ballooning Inc., in Arlington and Climb on a Rainbow Balloon Flights in Woodinville also offer balloon rides.
There are several white-water rafting companies in Snohomish County which offer exciting river rafting trips for between $50 to $80 a person. Wet suits and meals are usually included in the package. Nationally certified rafting guides are at the helm to ensure your safety.
Area rafting companies include Chinook Expeditions in Index, Downstream River Runners in Bothell, North Cascades River Expeditions in Arlington, Northern Wilderness River Riders in Woodinville and Red Line River Adventures in Darrington.
If you'd prefer to see what's under the water, you might consider scuba-diving lessons. Scuba-diving instruction is offered at several facilities in the county, and classes are about $180 and don't include gear rental, which costs from $40 to $60 a day. Children are required to be at least 12 years old.
For the really adventurous, there is skydiving at the Snohomish Parachute Center. Tandem free-falls, which include a 30-minute class, costs $185/person. Participants jump from 8,000 feet and free-fall 4,000 feet before opening their parachutes. They are harnessed to an instructor who pulls the parachute should the participant fail to do so.
If you prefer to go it alone, static-line parachuting is available. This requires a five-hour class which is held on the same day of the jump - weather permitting. Static-line classes are held Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. Cost is $155/person.
---------------------------- AIRCRAFT CHARTER AND LEASING ----------------------------
Arlington Aeronautical Inc. - 18218 59th Ave. N.E., Arlington. Scenic and charter flights. All year. Call 659-7491 for information and reservations.
Kenmore Air Harbor, Inc. - 6321 N.E. 175th St., Seattle. Seaplane excursions to Seattle, San Juans and British Columbia. Regular scheduled flights to the San Juans. Salmon-fishing packages. Charters. Call 486-1257 for reservations and information.
Monroe Aviation - 13812 179th Ave. S.E., Unit B, Monroe. Scenic flights and charters. Call 794-9134 for reservations and information.
Regal Air - Snohomish County Airport, 10217 31st Ave. W., Bldg. C51-C, Everett. 98204. Scenic, photo and charter flights. Call 743-9123 or 353-9123 for information and reservations.
Snohomish Flying Service, Inc. - 9900 Airport Way, Snohomish. Scenic, charter and photo flights. Offers fly and dine packages also. Call 1-800-438-4359 or 568-1541 for reservations.
------------- BALLOON RIDES -------------
Airial Hot Air Balloon Co. - 10123 Airport Way, Snohomish. 568-3025. May-October. Morning flight, $145/person includes brunch; Evening, $115/person includes hors d'oeuvres.
A'Drift Ballooning Inc. - 6906 Woodlands Way, Arlington. 435-3377. Year-round. $150/person includes lunch.
Climb on a Rainbow Balloon Flights - 14241 N.E. Woodinville-Duvall Road, Suite 134, Woodinville. 364-0995. May-November. $115/person brunch. Morning and evening flights.
------------- BOAT CHARTERS -------------
Mosquito Fleet - 1724F W. Marine View Dr., Everett. 252-6800. Offers charters and cruises for groups of 20-40 people. Dinner, Saratoga Passage and whale-watching cruises. $500-$2,800/day.
----------- PARACHUTING -------------
Snohomish Parachute Center - 9912 Airport Way, Snohomish. 1-800-338-5867. Static line, five-hour class. $155/person. Tandem free fall, 30-minute class. $185/person. Call 568-5960 for reservations.
-------------------- SCUBA DIVING LESSONS --------------------
Blue Dolphin Diving Center, Inc. - 1375 State Ave., Marysville. 653-2834. Equipment rental. Classes, must be 12 or older. $185.
Harry Truitt's Lighthouse Diving Center, Inc. - 5421 196th St. S.W., Lynnwood. 771-2679. Equipment rental. Classes, must be 12 or older. $180.
Northwest Sports Divers, Inc. - 8030 N.E. Bothell Way, Bothell. 487-0624. Equipment rental. Classes, must be 14 or older. $180.
Underwater Sports Inc. - 264 Railroad Ave., Edmonds. 771-6322. Equipment rental. Classes, must be 12 or older. $180.
Underwater Sports, Inc. - 205 E. Casino Road, Everett. 355-3338. Equipment rental. Classes, must be 12 or older. $180.
------------------- WHITE-WATER RAFTING --------------------
Chinook Expeditions - P.O. Box 324, Index, 98256. 1-800-241-3451 or 793-3451. $72/person includes lunch, wet suit and transportation. Also bald-eagle float trips and overnight trips.
Downstream River Runners - 12112 N.E. 195th St., Bothell, 483-0335. Run March-October. $70/person includes lunch, wet suit.
North Cascades River Expeditions - P.O. Box 116, Arlington, 98223. 1-800-634-8433. $50/person includes lunch. Wet suits available.
Northern Wilderness River Riders - P.O. Box 2887, Woodinville, 98072. 485-7238. Run March-September. $55/person includes lunch and wet suit.
Red Line River Adventures - 24820 Clear Creek Road, Darrington. 436-0284. $80/person includes lunch and wet suit. Also overnight and scenic trips available.
-- Lists compiled by news assistant Sandra Huber.