3-Day Trip Itineraries

If you need some inspiration while planning your visit, our itineraries are a great place to start!

LAKE STEVENS 3-DAY ITINERARY

Spend a few days exploring the Past, the Present, and the Future plans of Lake Stevens. The history of Lake Stevens can be explored while in town for a few days, and you’ll be able to sample some of where the city is moving towards as well. Full of scenic parks, friendly people, and our beautiful lake, you’ll enjoy your time here with these few suggestions.

Friday

Try to get into town early in the afternoon and check into either the Mansion Inn, a beautiful bed & breakfast that overlooks North Cove, or one of the many Airbnb properties lakeside. Drop luggage off in your room and head down to Lundeen Park for a quick walk out to the end of the pier. From there you will get a stunning panoramic view of the 1,000-acre lake. Next, stop by the Lake Stevens Visitor Information Center to find out about the latest events going on in town, pick up a few pamphlets about area attractions, or get restaurant recommendations from our staff. They’ll probably recommend one of many local favorites, including The Pines, their sister restaurant LJ’s Bistro, or downtown favorite, Francisco’s (featured in the Spring edition of the Sky & Sno Adventure Guide). Armed with a map from the Greater Lake Stevens Chamber of Commerce, you can hit up one of those suggestions for some dinner before you head back to your lodging for a good night’s sleep.

Saturday

Wake up on Saturday morning and head out to new Lake Stevens favorite The Sweet Life Bakery for some pastries and a strong cup of coffee to get your day started just right. This recently opened shop is located at 7315 10th St. SE, and is easily accessed from northbound Highway 204 after an easy drive around the east side of the lake to 20th St. SE. From there it’s a peaceful drive up to find the Lake Stevens Monster not far away. The city of Lake Stevens is home to the largest glacial erratic in the state of Washington, and some suggest in the whole of the United States, locally known as the Lake Stevens Monster. There is a short path around the giant green rock, which measures 34 feet tall, 78 feet in length, and is 210 feet in diameter. Made of serpentinized green-stone that is formed when basalt lava is subjected to low grade metamorphism (heat, pressure, etc.), it was likely carried there by eruptions from the floor of the Pacific Ocean and carried inland.

It’s lunch time is next and there are quite a few fun places to choose from. Pacific Northwest favorites such as The Ram and Taco Time can be found in the Frontier Village area and make for a filling midday meal. If your weekend in town happens to coincide with the Lake Stevens Makers Fair (the first Saturday of Dec.), this is something not to be missed! Hosted by the Lake Stevens School District and taking place at Cavelero Mid-High, hundreds of craftsmen and artisans bring their wares to this once-a-year market that promises something for everyone on your list! This WILL take your afternoon to get through, but if you are in town on another weekend, there are plenty of shopping opportunities in and around the Frontier Village. And if you’ve brought the family dog along, you can take them to the Cavalero Hill Dog Park off South 20th St. after stopping at Trestle Station for a hot cup of coffee from the Union Coffee Bar drive thru.

In the evening, you should find your way downtown. Bundle up and walk through the festival street to imagine what the future holds for this area: a new, multilevel museum is planned for space next to the Grimm House, an original home built during the era when the Rucker Mill stood in this space and preserved by the City of Lake Stevens for posterity. The new museum, when complete, will have recreations of the old high school (dubbed the Pink Palace for the color of its walls), photos and artifacts from the Rucker Mill, and a recreation of the soda fountain that was in the historic Mitchell’s Drug Store. If you are indeed in town on that first Saturday of December, in addition to the Makers Fair, the Lake Stevens WinterFest and tree lighting will be taking place in North Cove Park and on that same festival street. Vendors, music, the lighting of the city’s Christmas tree, and of course Santa Claus will all be on hand! Grab a quick bite to eat at the diner-style Buzz Inn before calling it a night!

Sunday

Wake up and head back downtown for donuts from Lake Stevens Donuts and some of the best coffee in the region at Biscuit & Bean, which recently opened a location in Los Angeles. If you need some exercise, perhaps a quick walk up the Centennial Trail after bundling up would do the trick before packing up and heading back home. Or maybe just sleep in, as visions of those Lake Stevens Donuts dance through your head!