North Creek Snohomish - Bothell, WA

North Creek was first settled in the late 1890s and early 1900s, and it remained primarily a rural farming district for quite some time. Residential development increased as the metropolitan population moved further into the suburbs in the 1980s and 1990s. Development continued with the commercial expansion of nearby Bothell, although the rural character has been retained in the eastern half of North Creek.

Exhibits at the Bothell Historical Museum in downtown Bothell describe the history of the area. The towns of Bothell and Mill Creek both host a number of cultural events throughout the year, including Fourth of July and New Year's celebrations.

Restaurants and pubs are located in shopping centers along Highway 527. For a centralized dining or bar experience, patrons travel to nearby towns, including Mill Creek, Bothell and Kirkland. The restaurants along Highway 527 offer a mix of fast food, ethnic cuisine and pub dining. Ethnic cuisine ranges from Indian to Vietnamese to Japanese sushi.

Lombardi's Italian Restaurant offers traditional Italian dining with house specialties that include the prawn-topped Arrabbiata pizza and seafood mac and cheese. The restaurant features live music on the weekends and special events such as Wine Dinners, a five-course wine and meal pairing. The lounge serves a number of Northwest-themed cocktails, including the Antique Lumber and Woody Manhattan, the latter featuring locally distilled rye.

The Rock Wood Fired Kitchen, a local chain, prepares pizza and other pub specialities. The list of microbrews available is impressive. Homebrewed beer, along with ample happy hour specials, make this a great place for a casual dinner.

The small Silver Dollar Casino offers a limited range of card games and hosts poker tournaments. Nightlife across the area is exciting, if casual and familiar.

With businesses and residential area stretched over a wide area, driving dominates local transportation, with regular bus service providing options for nondrivers. For walkers and bicyclists, North Creek Trail runs north to south from North Creek Park to the city of Bothell. Public parking is available for free in many areas.

Highways 527, 524, and 9 carry a bulk of the area's traffic, while Interstate 405 provides drivers access to the rest of the Puget Sound area, including the employment centers of Seattle, Bellevue, and Redmond. Community Transit bus routes offer local service, with the most frequent routes on Highway 527. Canyon Park Park-and-Ride at the junction of Highway 527 and Interstate 405 connects commuters to Bellevue and Everett via Sound Transit routes 532 and 535 and to Seattle via Community Transit route 435.

Uber does not currently service the area directly, but you can flag an unoccupied taxi or call for pickup from many local services. Uber may offer rides into and out of Seattle proper.

North Creek Park, the north endpoint of the North Creek Trail, features a 3/4-mile boardwalk through wetlands. It is free for regular recreational use. The wetlands are home to numerous bird species, which attract local birdwatchers. The park houses picnic areas, a playground for children, and numerous scenic viewpoints of the creek and surrounding areas. The park is pet-friendly, but walking your furry friend does require a leash. The Starlight Beach Walk is a popular annual event at the park, ranking highly along with festivities during the Fourth of July and Memorial Day weekends.

Miner's Corner County Park, near the town of Bothell, offers a large playground, as well as the Miner's Corner Sand and Water Garden. The garden provides visitors of all ages an interactive opportunity to learn about wetland ecology and wildlife. The playground includes a basketball court, foursquare court, and an open grassy field.

The cost of living in North Creek is about average for the mid-range suburbs of the Seattle metropolitan area, while less than the population centers of Seattle and Bellevue. A one-bedroom residence rents for an average of $1,050 per month, which is about $300 less per month than in the city of Seattle. A pint of beer at a local pub ranges from $3.50 for major brands to $6 for microbrews. Gas prices are about 15 percent higher than the national average, while slightly lower than average in the city of Seattle. Commuter bus fares to major employment centers and the downtown area range from $2.50 on Sound Transit to $4.25 on Community Transit.

A majority of shopping is located in shopping centers along Highway 527, with some businesses found along Highways 524 and 9. A large Fred Meyer grocery and department store caters to most needs, while further grocery options are available north along Highway 527 in the town of Mill Creek. From June to October, a farmer's market happens every Friday at the Country Village in Bothell, only a mile south of Interstate 405 on Highway 527. For more extensive retail shopping, head to Downtown Bellevue or Alderwood Mall, each only a short drive down Interstate 405.

For comic readers and game players, Mill Geek Comics offers a wide selection of used and new comic books, along with card and board games for children and adults alike. The store also hosts gaming events and tournaments.

For aspiring singers, dancers, musicians and actors of all ages, Applause Studio offers a wide range of classes and private lessons from professional instructors. To help new students find their passions, the studio offers one free class for first-time students.

For pet owners Tails-A-Waggin Dog & Cat Inn provides grooming and boarding services for cats and dogs as well as Doggie Daycare to ensure your canine companion has a meaningful day while you are at work. The store also offers do-it-yourself stations for washing and grooming your own pets.