Downtown Bothell - Bothell, WA Area Guide

The downtown area of Bothell has always been the heartbeat of this Seattle suburb since its inception in 1885. Bothell slowly grew from a logging town into a sprawling commuter suburb just 30 minutes from Seattle. The downtown area remains a hub of activity, filled with many restaurants, small businesses and entertainment venues that make Bothell special.

Downtown Bothell has few cultural options and just one museum. The Bothell Historical Museum in The Park at Bothell Landing features a schoolhouse and cabin built in mid-1880s. Most other cultural offerings within the neighborhood are focused on local art-related shops. Tsuga Fine Art & Framing on Main Street has a variety of painting classes, from watercolor to acrylics. Local artist Charlene Collins Freeman also offers art classes in her private gallery. Annual events in the neighborhood include the Fourth of July Freedom Festival and the Bothell Beer Festival.

Locally sourced produce and friendly neighborhood restaurants define much of the dining scene in downtown Bothell. There’s also a strong multicultural influence to the cuisine options, bringing an international flair to the area.

Head to Alexa’s Cafe, one of the most buzzed-about spots for breakfast. Located on Main Street, this locally owned cafe has a family-friendly feel and serves up American comfort food, although breakfast is where this place shines. Try the popular morning glory pancakes, made with whole-wheat flour and filled with crushed nuts, raisins, shredded carrots and coconut. Other must-try menu options include the crab Benedict and French toast slam, which includes three slices of French toast topped with eggs and maple-flavored bacon. Come early on the weekends, or expect to stand in a line that extends out the door.

Just off of Main Street, Tandem Dinner & Wine Bar provides another locally owned dining experience. This slightly upscale spot focuses on organic ingredients in an eclectic dining room filled with antique furnishings. Be sure to try the raved-about menu items, such as the creamy risotto with crisp, pan-seared duck breast or the famous Tandem signature filet topped with mushroom and a red wine demi-glace sauce.

Pen Thai adds refinement and international sophistication to Main Street. This upscale restaurant serves up authentic Thai dishes in a luxurious dining room. Favorites on the menu include the crispy garlic chicken, panang curry halibut and marinated beef strips known as Heavenly Beef.

The downtown nightlife scene in Bothell is decidedly low-key but vibrant. Plenty of bars in the area have a lively nightlife atmosphere or host live music performances. The Three Lions Pub on Main Street has one of the best late-night scenes in the neighborhood. Catch a game on one of the many flat-screen televisions, while enjoying a wide array of English and local beers on tap. Tuesdays are Quiz Nights, so expect to compete for cool prizes. Check out local indie artists at the laid-back Den Coffee House & Cafe. The cafe brings in artists to perform on select evenings. It also hosts open mic nights and serves light salads, sandwiches and a variety of coffee drinks.

Although public transportation is not widely available in Bothell, there are options that go through the downtown area. Seattle’s Sound Transit has several lines that travel through the neighborhood, taking passengers to a few points within the area as well as to Seattle and surrounding towns. Snohomish County also operates Community Transit, a county-wide bus service that has a stop in Bothell’s downtown area.

Your best option for getting around the neighborhood is to drive. Free and metered street parking can be found all over the neighborhood as well as parking lots. State Route 522 along the southern part of the downtown area takes you toward the Seattle area. Interstate 405 lies close to the eastern side of the neighborhood, providing easy access to and from neighboring towns. Expect to call for a cab in advance if you need one, as hailing one on the street is not practical in this suburban neighborhood.

You can get around some parts of the downtown area on foot, most notably Main Street. Main Street features various shops and restaurants lining both sides of the street. Some areas of the neighborhood are more bike-friendly than others. A few major streets, such as Beardslee Boulevard and 104th Street, have biking lanes. Main Street doesn’t have a biking lane but does provide bike racks; however, biking trails are available in neighborhood parks, such as The Park at Bothell Landing along the riverfront.

The largest park in Bothell, The Park at Bothell Landing, borders the Sammamish River on the southwestern edge of the neighborhood. This free park acts as a focal point for outdoor activities and community events. It features multiple playgrounds, walking and biking trails for exercise, picnic areas, an amphitheater and pristine views of the river. Residents gather at the amphitheater to watch fireworks over the river during the Fourth of July Freedom Festival as well as the summer Music in the Park concert series. The neighborhood also contains a smaller park, Sammamish River Park, which includes a picnic area and biking trails.

The cost of living in the downtown Bothell area is roughly on par with the overall cost of living in Seattle. Overall, it costs 17 percent higher to live in Bothell than the state average. You can expect the cost of renting a one-bedroom residence to average $971 a month in the downtown area.

From downtown Bothell, getting to Seattle’s city center on public transportation costs roughly $4.75 for an adult fare. Costs can vary slightly, depending on the route and how many zones you go through. Filling up your tank in downtown Bothell and the surrounding area costs about 18 percent more than the national average. Expect to pay between $4 and $ for a pint of beer at a local pub.

Most shopping in the neighborhood can be found along Main Street. While the area lacks major chain stores, you can peruse through several independent boutiques, antique stores and thrift shops along this main thoroughfare.

Head to Alligator Purse Consignments Store to check out their impressive collection of vintage and contemporary handbags. There's also a $2 clothing rack in the back where you can find great deals. At Bothell Main Street Antique, shop for rare and hard-to-find antique furnishings, home decor and jewelry. Shop for hard-to-find European wines at Rain City Wines. Locals shop for groceries at QFC. The neighborhood does not have a farmers market, but the nearby County Village Shops features one on Fridays in the summer.