Discover Downtown Edmonds: A Charming Puget Sound Day Trip to Sip & Stroll

When my brother and I were little and staying the weekend with my Grammie Stewart, she would sometimes drive us “downtown” for the afternoon. That’s downtown Edmonds, not downtown Seattle, God forbid. We’d eat lunch at one of the diners lining Main Street, her with her coffee and us with our grilled cheese. We’d walk around the roundabout at 5th and Main after lunch, named for Rosalynn Sumners, the hometown ice skater who silver medaled at the 1984 Olympics, and window shopped until we got tired and cranky.

Over the past decade-plus, I’ve watched as sleepy downtown Edmonds has reinvented itself for a new generation. This affordable northern suburb with magnificent views of Puget Sound has leaned into its inherent small-town appeal and turned up the charm, attracting new families and curious visitors, and a plethora of chic restaurants and shops to cater to them.

On a recent Saturday night, Main Street was alive with giggling kids skipping along, tubs of sprinkle-covered froyo clutched in their small hands, while casually hip parents meandered behind. Couples and groups of friends enjoyed open-air restaurants, leaning into each other and sharing bites and stories. The air was warm, the atmosphere convivial, and the easy joy of a warm summer night palpable.  

Read the rest of the article at Sip Magazine.