Things to Do in Mukilteo – Top 5

There is a wide variety of fun things to do in Mukilteo, Washington. Situated on the Puget Sound, Mukilteo lies just between Everett and Edmonds, about 25 miles north of the Emerald City, Seattle.

Whether you’re looking to live in Mukilteo, pass through on a visit, or choosing to live in Snohomish County, I’d like to share with you the top 5 things that you can go do in Mukilteo.

A brief history of Mukilteo

As a real estate agent in Snohomish County, it pays to have some local knowledge to share with my clients. So before we get into the details of what Mukilteo has to offer, here’s a short history lesson on Mukilteo.

Originally, Mukilteo was inhabited by the Snohomish native tribe, prior to the arrival of American pioneers during the 19th century. With the signing of The Treaty of Point Elliot in 1855, Mukilteo officially became open for settlers to live in.

Mukilteo was primarily used as a fueling facility during WWII, due to its advantageous proximity to the (then) new Snohomish County Airport, which would later become Paine Field. The city was officially incorporated in 1947 and accelerated in growth as the nearby Boeing Everett factory grew during the ’60s.

In our modern-day, Mukilteo is a major hub of transportation, with connections to Whidbey Island via WSDOT ferry, trains to Seattle, and of course Paine Field, which now offers commercial flights around the coast.

Mukilteo is noted for having a high quality of life and amazing views.

Top 5 Things to Do in Mukilteo

Now that you’re better informed on how Mukilteo came to be what it is today, let’s break down some of the best things to do in the city.

1. Mukilteo Lighthouse Park

Any natives of the area knew that this one would be on the list, so we may as well address it first. Mukilteo’s iconic lighthouse was constructed in 1906 by the federal lighthouse service, to account for the increase in maritime traffic.

Nowadays, the Mukilteo Lighthouse Park has become a steady source of tourism, a lush park to enjoy, and an iconic building for the Mukilteo coast.

Visitors are able to tour the interior of the Mukilteo Lighthouse, enjoy the courtyard, or even purchase gifts and memorabilia inside.

It’s a great place to stop after a meal nearby on Mukilteo Landing, and a must-see for anybody new to the area.

2. Boeing Future of Flight Museum

Mukilteo will always have a close relationship with Boeing, and the Boeing Future of Flight Museum is the next step in that relationship together.

New within the last decade, the Boeing Future of Flight Museum has become a powerful look into the future of aviation, advanced robotics, and even drone technology.

Boeing puts visitors at the center of their near-100 acre factory. For those that don’t know, the Boeing Everett Factory is the largest building by volume in the world at 13,385,378 m cubed.

Check out the website to learn more about what you can see. The museum is open, even amidst the pandemic-related restrictions.

3. Japanese Gulch Park 

For anybody who is itching to get outside and into some expansive nature, Japanese Gulch Park may hold exactly what you’re looking for.

At nearly 100 acres of nature, Japanese Gulch is full of trails to satisfy experienced and beginner hikers alike. You can spend hours reflecting in the park or enjoy a short jaunt to catch a view of Puget Sound.

The park has also become a popular spot for pet owners, to take their canine friends on a tour through the woods.

If you haven’t yet visited Japanese Gulch Park, make sure you add it to your Mukilteo to-do list.

4. Ivar’s at Mukilteo Landing

If you’ve just come from a long hike at Japanese Gulch Park and worked up an appetite, you may want to roll down the hill to Ivar’s at Mukilteo Landing.

Ivar’s is a restaurant that has a unique and long history at Mukilteo Landing. Originally created in 1938, Ivar’s is a pacific northwest mainstay not only for fish n’ chips but for all the best seafood that the PNW has to offer.

If you’re looking for a casual bite, you can stop by the takeout fish bar right next to the ferry dock. But if you’re looking for a more formal, sit-down experience, the renovated Ivar’s restaurant will be the best choice for you.

Fun fact that newer folks in the area may not know – Ivar’s at Mukilteo Landing was once decimated by a crashing wave during a storm in October of 2003. The restaurant was temporarily closed and was later rebuilt to its current state.

In the lobby, you can see historic news articles as well as a large mural depicting the crashing wave.

5. Voyage to Whidbey Island

Mukilteo is iconic not just for its Lighthouse Park, but also for being the main hub to access Whidbey Island.

Although a trip to Whidbey Island technically removes you from Mukilteo itself, the ferry ride itself is an experience to enjoy for people of all ages. 

Not to mention the massive amounts of possibilities that Whidbey holds for adventuring. Perhaps Whidbey Island merits its own round-up of must-do things.

The Mukilteo Ferry can either be driven onto or walked onto, depending on what kind of adventure you’re looking for. If you’ve yet to visit, be sure to enjoy the ride during a beautiful autumn day (or any day for that matter).

Plan a Visit to Mukilteo

This is, by no means, an exhaustive list of all that Mukilteo has to offer. If you’re looking for some more specialized advice about the area or buying a home nearby, I’m happy to help you get your questions answered.

For anybody who is planning a visit to Mukilteo, make sure that you take some time to check out these stops on the list!

If I can help you out with any real estate question at all, please don’t hesitate to reach out.