Edmonds Adventure by Land and by Sea
Some might describe Edmonds as a “sleepy seaside town” but we know that there is plenty for adventurous spirits to sink their teeth into here! We’ve compiled a list of uniquely Edmonds adventures for you to enjoy our city in exciting new ways.
Adventure by Sea: A Whale of a Time
Family-owned and run Puget Sound Express has been operating whale watching tours in the Sound for over 30 years. They offer half-day guaranteed whale watching tours departing from the Edmonds marina. On your journey, you will encounter a variety of sea life like orcas, humpback whales, sea lions, and even dolphins.
They’ve just added a new vessel, the MV Saratoga, a beautiful 149-seat catamaran that will join their other vessel, the Chilkat Express for tours this season.
A boxed sandwich lunch from The Cheesemonger’s Table comes with your ticket and you get to choose from ham, turkey, or caprese. Also, check out the binder of all the local Edmonds restaurants they have on hand to guide where you might grab a bite afterward!
Tours depart daily at 9:30am from now until the end of October, with an additional daily 2:30pm departure from June through early September.
If you prefer a longer adventure, there is also the 3-day Taste of Northwest Culinary Cruise happening October 19-21. You can “explore the Salish Sea through the eyes of a chef” with gourmet meals along with whale watching and multiple points of interest.
Adventure by Sea: Underwater Park
Built in 1970 at Brackett’s Landing, the Edmonds Underwater Park attracts around 25,000 scuba divers each year.
The park features man-made reef structures and sunken vessels that create a habitat that flourishes with a variety of marine life. The structures and vessels are connected by anchored guide ropes that create trails for divers to follow.
Divers must be certified (or in training) and must dive with a buddy. For more information about the park and planning a safe dive, visit the city website.
If you prefer to watch the divers rather than take the plunge yourself, grab a table on the deck of Demetri’s Woodstone Taverna which looks directly toward Brackett’s Landing. They feature a variety of sharable plates and specialty cocktails, perfect to enjoy along with your view of the beachfront scene.
Adventure by Land: Explore Edmonds on Two Wheels
Segway Tours of Edmonds takes the concept of “cruising” to a new level of fun. They offer a variety of sightseeing tours, all taking place on two-wheel personal transportation vehicles.
The company was started in 2011 by then 12-year old Gregg Jantz, Jr. with the support of his father, Dr. Gregory Jantz.
Over the years residents have gotten used to seeing people zipping down the sidewalks of Edmonds. Note – riders must wear helmets and follow regular pedestrian laws while cruising around town.
Segway Tours of Edmonds offers historical tours, VIP personal tours, and sunset tours. No matter which type of tour you choose, the beauty and charm of Edmonds is yours to enjoy.
Guided tours take place daily (rain or shine), you can book your spot right online. Segways are also available to rent if you prefer to create your own self-guided tour.
After your two-wheel cruise, we think a treat from Waterfront Coffee Co is a great way to end your Edmonds adventure. Located right near the ferry dock, they serve ice cream, coffee and a selection of pastries. Yum!
Adventure by Land: Brew Your Own Beverage
If your idea of adventure involves having both feet firmly planted on terra firma, there is an Edmonds adventure that suits your needs.
At Gallaghers’ Where-U-Brew you can take on the adventure of creating your own signature craft beverage. Choose from DIY beer, wine or cider and let your imagination and taste buds be your guide.
The staff at Gallaghers’ provides everything you need to create your concoction. They also have a tasting room with eight taps for you to sample some expert brews.
To create a beer, you will spend about two hours of brew time. Then you will select a bottling date approximately two weeks later (depending on your specific beer).
If DIY isn’t your thing, they will create custom beverages for you! Perfect for weddings or other celebrations. Just ask let them know what you’d like and they will take care of creating it for you.
Gallaghers’ is open Tuesday through Sunday (closed Mondays) and you will want call ahead to reserve your brew kettle so you can create your own beverage adventure. And plan to spend some time in the tasting room where they have trivia, board games, movies, and food delivery options.
No matter how you define adventure – by land or by sea – something exhilarating awaits you in downtown Edmonds!
By Kelsey Foster, photography by Matt Hulbert
