Central Des Moines - Des Moines, WA

The Central Des Moines area's first settlers arrived in the late 1860s, and by the late 1800s, Federal Way was a logging settlement for the large lumber industry in the area. Federal Way incorporated in February 1990 and became the 10th largest city in the state of Washington.

Residents and visitors can step back in time when they visit Denny and Barker Historical Cabins, named after two of the area's earliest settlers, inside West Hylebos Wetlands Park. Both cabins have been restored, allowing visitors to see what life was like in Federal Way’s early days.

The Red, White and Blues Festival takes place in July each year, and admission is free. Residents enjoy both local and international musical acts as well as family-friendly games, food and a fireworks show at the close of the festival.

Plenty of great restaurants can be found in the Des Moines and Federal Way neighborhoods. Wally's Chowder House Broiler sits next to the water, offering diners a beautiful view of Puget Sound. Locals rave about Wally's having the best clam chowder in town. Monday through Friday, Wally's has an all-you-can-eat fish-and-chips special featuring perfectly cooked cod. Be sure to save room for dessert because the restaurant has homemade blueberry cheesecake and fresh fruit pies.

For fast pizza delivery, the locals order from Pop's Pizza & Pasta in Federal Way. The restaurant has fresh toppings for its pies, such as the Giardino, a pizza with homemade Alfredo sauce, cauliflower, broccoli, tomatoes, Gorgonzola and mozzarella cheeses, topped off with pesto. Pop's also delivers freshly made pasta dishes, such as spaghetti, lasagna and Mario's linguini, pasta sauteed with chicken breast, sun-dried tomatoes, artichoke hearts, capers and fresh basil in a creamy lemon sauce.

Another great Italian restaurant can be found in Des Moines. Via Marina Ristorante serves up fire-roasted pizzas and terrific Italian dishes such as Chicken Marsala, chicken breasts and portobello mushrooms with a wine and cream sauce atop fettuccine. The Cannelloni di Magro, another local favorite, has homemade pasta filled with spinach and ricotta and pecorino cheeses and topped with marinara sauce and mozzarella.

If you're in the mood for a luau but don't have the time or money to visit Hawaii, stop in at Pac Island Grill in Federal Way for authentic Hawaiian fare. The loli loli chicken and kalua pork features fire-grilled barbecue chicken and smoked pulled pork with cabbage, and this dish won best entree at Taste of Tacoma. The restaurant also caters luaus, complete with traditional Polynesian entertainment, which is a fun option to the standard backyard barbecue.

Time Out Ale House has pool leagues for enthusiasts and always has the best games on TV. The bar food features a wide variety of choices, from pizza and burgers to appetizers and soups. A rotating draft beer selection along with bottled beer and wine all add to the perks of this local favorite hangout.

The Federal Way Transit Center is serviced by Pierce Transit, King County Metro and three express bus routes. A one-way bus pass to downtown Seattle costs riders $2.50, making this an affordable way to commute to work. Bicyclists can access both paved biking trails and shared roadways in and around Federal Way and the Central Des Moines area, making bicycling an easy way to get around the area whether for a relaxing ride or to commute to work.

While some residents do walk to work, the majority who work outside Federal Way either carpool or use public transportation. Both Uber and Lyft offer residents a convenient way to get to the airport and other downtown locations. Highway 99 and Interstate 5 provide an easy way for residents to travel to Sea-Tac and other downtown Seattle locations.

Residents of Federal Way have six community parks, 23 neighborhood parks and six community facilities to use and enjoy, as well as three trail systems, which are all maintained by the City of Federal Way Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department.

Celebration Park covers more than 83 acres and includes hiking trails, a children’s playground, and baseball and soccer fields. Residents can pack a picnic lunch and relax in the beautiful wooded setting that has a great view of the mountains.

West Hylebos Wetlands Park has boardwalks and trails throughout its 120 acres. Visitors aren't allowed to bring pets or bicycles into the park; this is to protect the wetlands found here. The park hours run from dawn until dusk.

French Lake Park has a great place for dogs to run off leash. The park has a separate area for smaller or shy pets, and it has plenty of room for all pets to run and play.

The cost for a one-bedroom apartment in Federal Way averages approximately $1,000, or 4.8 percent higher than the rest of Washington and 12.1 percent higher than the national average. A gallon of gasoline costs 2.6 percent more in Federal Way than the national average, while a cup of coffee runs 19.3 percent higher than the rest of the nation. A one-way bus pass to downtown Seattle costs $2.50, and a pint of beer sets you back about $4.

Many retail shops can be found close to Highway 99 in Federal Way, including national retailers and small mom-and-pop establishments. The Commons at Federal Way is the area's largest shopping center. It features over 100 retail shops and restaurants for visitors to enjoy, including Macy's, Sears and Target. For comic book fans, go to Fantasium Comics and Games for its Marvel collection. And DC comics has plenty for it's anime for devotees. Shoppers can also find a large selection of tabletop games, and the shop hosts a magic night on Friday evenings. Everything a dance student needs can be found at The Dance Collection, including pointe shoes, leotards and tap shoes for both adults and children. Locals find the staff very knowledgeable and helpful in finding just the right item for any style of dance-related gear. Recognized as a top-10 shop by Better Homes and Gardens magazine, Carriage Country Quilts has everything a quilter needs and wants to make the perfect quilt. The shop carries reproduction fabrics, batting and tons of patterns to entice shoppers, and the shop has many different classes and programs for both novice and experienced quilters. Located in the Commons Mall parking lot, the Federal Way Farmers Market operates on Saturdays from May through October. Shoppers can find fresh farm produce, baked goods and crafts from local artists as well as events such as a chili cook-off and a classic car show during the summer. Residents have several options for grocery shopping in the neighborhood. Trader Joe's carries plenty of organic produce, meats and snacks. Another local favorite is Marlene's Market and Deli. This family-run store only carries organic products and has done so since 1976.