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Hidden Washington: Welcome to Bothell

Small-town charm and quirky fun meet riverside relaxation just outside Seattle

By Natalie Compagno and Greg Freitas September 19, 2024

A collage image featuring pastries, waterfront activities, a "Welcome to Bothell" sign, a brick building, a cafe's interior, and people kayaking in Hidden Washington.
Photo collage by Vivian Lai

Seattleites traveling on State Route 522 would recognize the famous motto on a road sign:  “Welcome to Bothell…for a day or a lifetime.” That is, if the local jokesters haven’t covered up the first three letters of the town name. After decades the signage disappeared, due to accidents and construction. Finally with the backing of local merchants, the markers returned in 2018. 

Though it is mere feet from the bike path, we hadn’t been to Bothell before, nor considered it a destination. But if you want staycation in a box, requiring little planning and zero paralysis by analysis, then welcome to Bothell for a heavenly weekend. With a playful, eccentric anchor hotel, local small-town vibe, a few innovative food and drink options, and walkable access to the tranquil Sammamish River and trails, everything needed for a relaxing visit is ready to go.

 

Stay

No need to decide — make a reservation at McMenamins Anderson School Hotel. One of three hotels in the state from the forever whimsical Portland brothers (along with The Olympic Club in Centralia and the Elks Temple Hotel in Tacoma), the Anderson School might be their crowning achievement. A real life former junior high school, the 1931 campus has been refurbished for maximum fun. You can visit the Principal’s Office (a bar), the Woodshop (sports bar), and The Shed (whiskey bar).

 

A large red brick building with multiple windows and a white sign near the entrance stands tucked away in Bothell. Surrounded by greenery, it is situated along a pathway with a street lamp, making it one of Hidden Washington’s charming finds.
Anderson School
Photo by Kathleen Nyberg, courtesy of McMenamins

The Shed
Photo courtesy of McMenamins Anderson School Hotel

 

There is an Olympic-sized swimming pool, the North Shore Lagoon, which has adult lap swim at 7 p.m. but is mostly kid-friendly. Upstairs you will find Nui Nui, a swimmingly appointed tiki bar. A first run movie theater shows multiple screenings daily of the latest Hollywood releases, with a bar, and food available. As with other McMenamins locations, “History Pub” offers interesting classes and seminars. Playing hooky has never been so well-catered.

 

Indoor pool in Bothell with children and adults swimming and playing with beach balls. The area features high ceilings, skylights, and tropical decorations. Several people are seated around the pool's perimeter, enjoying this hidden Washington gem.
North Shore Lagoon
Photo by Kathleen Nyberg, courtesy of McMenamins

Nui Nui
Photo courtesy of McMenamins Anderson School Hotel

 

You could spend the entire weekend just enjoying the campus, but when it’s time to take recess from the revelry, the hotel location provides easy access on foot or two wheels to the local trail network.

 

Step Outside

The Park at Bothell Landing is the city’s spiritual center on the Sammamish River, with a charming footbridge dating to 1978. The park leads to the Sammamish River Trail, which  connects to the Burke-Gilman Trail to the west. Rent a bike at Seattle Electric Bike and take off on an adventure, as the wine tasting rooms of Woodinville are less than five miles away. If the weather cooperates, rent a kayak, canoe, or paddleboard from Whats Sup and paddle the lazy river.

A brown metal pedestrian bridge spans a calm river in Bothell, with reflections of the bridge and surrounding trees. Houses are visible in the background under a clear blue sky, offering a glimpse of Hidden Washington's serene beauty.
Footbridge over Sammamish River
Photo courtesy of City of Bothell
Paddling at Lazy River
Photo courtesy of WhatsSup Stand Up Paddle & Surf

 

Find solace from the splashers to the north, where the trails get rural quickly and extend into Snohomish County. North Creek Forest is a Coast Salish ancestral site and idyllic 64-acre nature park, with birdwatching and forest bathing available. Look for hawks and great horned owls as you become one with the forest.

North Creek Forest
Photo courtesy of Friends of North Creek Forest

In Town

Bothell’s history follows the usual Pacific Northwest arc: logging, sawmills, railway, etc. But today’s downtown core looks brand new and is perfectly walkable, clean, and convenient. With its proximity to Seattle, white collar industries such as tech, health care, and insurance thrive. The University of Washington Bothell opened in 1990, and now has more than 5,000 undergrads, adding a youthful influx to the former timber town.

Kutay Gokeri attended UW Bothell and decided to open his own business there after school. The son of Seattle’s beloved and buzzing Cafe Turko founders, he opened Daily Grind Bothell a short walk from the hotel. Start the day right with a Turkish coffee and his mother’s spanakopita. Alexa’s Cafe is another great breakfast option that leans more toward long, lingering brunches. 

Alexa’s Cafe
Photo courtesy of Alexa's Cafe

 

Bothell has a tiny pedestrian-only street, but it’s well worth exploring if you’re hungry or thirsty. Sweet tooth? Bothell has one, too. Within a two-block radius you can sample Sugar Rush for old-fashioned and odd-ball style sweets. Ohh…Macarons sells “macarons with personality,” and T55 Patisserie serves “The Flower,” an ambitious design in the pain-au-chocolat milieu — it aims for chocolate in every bite. Visit Hillcrest Bakery for that sweet taste of Dutch nostalgia in a 90-year-old bakery. To watch a game or enjoy a cold beer, The Bine Beer & Food has an excellent regional taplist in a comfy gastropub setting. The happy hour smoked carnitas tacos are yummy, and a great deal.

 

An assortment of pastries, including croissants, donuts, and cupcakes with flower decorations, are arranged on a wooden surface in a cozy café in Bothell.
Assorted pastries at T55 Patisserie
Photo courtesy of T55 Patisserie
Nighttime city street scene in Bothell with restaurant signage for "The Bine Beer & Food," wooden benches outside, streetlights, and pedestrians. Trees line the sidewalk, and cars are parked along the street. Welcome to Bothell, one of Hidden Washington's gems.
The Bine Beer & Food
Photo courtesy of The Bine Beer & Food

 

The appeal of Bothell becomes apparent when chatting with long-time locals. Step into the curio shop Bothell Jewelers & Collectibles to chat with the owner and get lost in the treasures, or Sankara Imports next door for imported finds. Zulu’s Board Game Cafe provides the perfect souvenir for the trip, rely on the employees’ encyclopedic expertise for a recommendation. 

 

After Dark

Every night, more than 10,000 crows make their way to the roost at UW Bothell to spend the night. The city has embraced the intelligent avians as its unofficial mascot, and you can find “I Survived a Murder in Bothell WA” T-shirts everywhere. Krō Bär is the latest establishment to adopt the feisty creature. It’s an appropriately dark and moody drinking den with excellent cocktails and small plates. If you’re unsure what to order, try the Krō-makase and the bartender will pour a bespoke tipple based on your mood and preferences.

 

A wooden board with sliced cured meat, mustard, pickles, and garnish on the left, and three glasses of cocktails with dried citrus garnishes on a red tray on the right presents a taste of Hidden Washington. Perfectly crafted delights close to Bothell await you.
Charcuterie and specialty cocktails from Krō Bär
Photo courtesy of Krō Bär

 

Bothell’s elevated dining scene is small but mighty, and everyone seems to know each other. Industry staff recommend Poquito’s (a sister to the Capitol Hill location), and Amaro for Italian food. Our pick for dinner is The Cottage, with its naturally lit indoor/outdoor setting, seasonal farm to table offerings, and charming, friendly vibe. The kitchen is seasonal, so late summer menus might showcase burrata, with peaches and crispy prosciutto. 

Amaro Bistro
Photo courtesy of Amaro Bistro

A warmly lit, bustling restaurant in Bothell with patrons dining and engaging in conversation. Decorative hanging lights and festive decor enhance the cozy atmosphere, making it a hidden gem in Washington.

An assortment of dishes including pizza, salads, meat, and cocktails on a table; a wine rack with various wine bottles to the right. Welcome to Bothell, where hidden Washington culinary gems await.
The Cottage
Photo courtesy of The Cottage

 

The restaurant has a full calendar of fun promotions, like Wine Wednesday featuring three local tastes for $10. To sample exclusive and extremely expensive spirits at a fraction of the cost, The Cottage has one of the coolest promotions around. Each Tuesday at 4 p.m. is Break Even Bottle Night, where staff opens a rare bottle — say, a Bunnahabhain 25-year single malt Scotch whisky — and sell one ounce pours at cost until it runs out. Don’t delay or that bottle will be empty by the time you arrive. 

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