Plateau - Auburn, WA

Settlement in the Plateau area of Auburn originated with the Muckleshoot Native American Tribe, whose presence continues to present on the Muckleshoot Reservation.The city of Auburn incorporated in the 1890s, named after Auburn, New York. A farming area for much of its early history, over the 20th century, the city grew into an industrial and suburban community.

The White River Valley Museum features permanent exhibits on the area's history and growth as well as rotating exhibits by local artists or related to Pacific Northwest themes. The Muckleshoot Casino holds regular music acts, while about 6 miles to the southeast, the 20,000-seat White River Amphitheater hosts major national and international musicians. The Auburn Avenue Theater features live plays and musicals, while the semi-annual Auburn Arts Walk combines local art and wine tasting.

Other than at the Muckleshoot Casino, very limited dining options exist in the Plateau, with only a few Asian cuisine restaurants along Auburn Way. Greater dining options make their homes a short drive away in central Auburn or by the Outlet Collection mall. Chain restaurants dominate dining near the mall, while downtown features a mix of fast food, chain restaurants and eclectic local eateries.

For one-stop dining, entertainment and nightlife, Muckleshoot Casino answers the call. The large casino features eight restaurants, five bars, a cigar lounge and a full range of games of chance, from card tables and bingo to over 3,000 slot machines. Music acts or Las Vegas-style shows take place almost nightly, and pay-per-view UFC matches play on the big screen in the casino's Club Galaxy. Join the player's club for game incentives and extra chances to win.

The Spunky Monkey Bar and Grill dishes up a mix of pub food and original cuisine. On the menu, the Caesar Burger takes away the dilemma of choosing between a Caesar salad and a burger, while the "Screaming Pasta" comes dripping in a garlic-lemon-basil sauce. As a bar, the Spunky Monkey doesn't disappoint, with professionally hosted karaoke and drink specials most nights, including $2 beers on Tuesdays and $1 off whiskey on Wednesdays.

When you crave large portions of traditional breakfast foods, Sun Break Cafe dishes up what you need, including biscuits and gravy, chicken fried steak and all the other classics. Head in early to avoid the lines, especially on the weekends. Sun Break also serves lunch, with a wide selection of sandwiches, such as a turkey bacon melt on a croissant and the house original cream cheese, cranberry and turkey sandwich.

Other popular bars in the area include Wet Head Brewery and OddFellas Pub & Eatery.

Auburn Way South, also known as Highway 164, carries a bulk of the traffic through the Plateau and connects drivers to central Auburn and Highway 18, which in turn connects to the freeways of Highway 167 and Interstate 5 to the west. Traveling in the neighborhood generally requires a car, with only a few walkable areas outside of park trails. The roads don't have dedicated bicycle lanes, although with light traffic on roads besides Auburn Way, they remain generally safe for bicyclists.

King County Metro bus routes 186 and 915 run on Auburn Way, providing local service and service to Seattle via connection to the Sounder commuter train. Multiple cab companies and Uber operate in the area, with hailing a cab unlikely except at the Muckleshoot Casino. Drivers park for free on area streets.

Along the shore of the Stuck River, the large Game Farm Park appeals to almost anyone, with soccer and softball fields, outdoor fitness equipment, basketball and tennis courts, wooded shoreline trails, an amphitheater and multiple play areas. Across the river, the Game Farm Wilderness features an 18-hole disc-golf course, trails, picnic areas and overnight camping grounds for tents and recreational vehicles.

Les Gove Park also contains a wide range of opportunities for park goers, such as ball fields, a large playground, a gymnasium, climbing wall, bocce ball courts, horseshoe pits, trails and outdoor exercise equipment. The park also houses multiple structures that can be rented, and to top it all off, multiple points in the park provide magnificent views of Mount Rainier.

Smaller area parks include Auburn Rotary Park and Shaughnessy Park, each of which house open spaces and sports courts. Roegner Park, just south of the Game Farm Wilderness, features an off-leash dog area.

Game Farm Park hosts a number of annual activities and events, such as Petpalooza, a festival geared around pets of all kinds, with food, music, a pet parade and pet contests of various kinds. Other parks also host events such as summer children's concerts at Les Gove Park.

Life in the Plateau averages slightly less than other areas of Auburn and quite a bit less than the large urban centers of the region. Rent for a one-bedroom residence runs just over $750 per month. Drivers expect to pay about 5 percent above the national average for a gallon of gas, while bus riders pay $2.25 on local Metro routes and $3.75 per Sounder commuter train ride to Seattle. A pint of beer at a local pub averages around $3.50, with specialty beers averaging $5.50.

With limited shopping in the Plateau, central Auburn and the Outlet Collection mall attract a majority of shoppers. The mall houses a wide range of factory and outlet stores of major retail brands, as well as a number of other boutique and chain stores. Central Auburn features a range of small shops selling everything from musical instruments to tattoos and scuba gear.

Also located in central Auburn, major grocery stores include Safeway, Grocery Outlet, Walmart and Fred Meyer. For farm-fresh foods and wares, the Auburn farmers market runs seasonally in front of the Sounder train station.

Classic Farmhouse sells furniture, crafts, knickknacks and home furnishings that reflect the style of days gone by. Carrying both antiques and newly crafted designs, the shop can outfit your home with a sense of comfort and class.

For the ultimate in specialized shopping, visit Mando's Disc Golf Pro Shop, where you can pick up all your supplies before you hit disc golf course. The store carries discs of all types and sizes, as well as bags and information on local disc golf courses from a knowledgeable staff.

To satisfy your sweet tooth or to pick up a gift for someone special, check out Gosanko Chocolate. The retail shop sells chocolate produced at the local Auburn factory, featuring gift boxes and seasonal molded treats as well as truffles and caramels.