The little riverside town of Snohomish once began as a settlement by the forks of two waterways. It now counts just over 10,000 people calling it home—according to the 2020 census the population stood at 10,126. In its present form the town wears a mix of historic storefronts, tree-lined streets, and a riverside backdrop. It is often noted for its long stretch of antique shops, its preserved brick facades along First Street, and the sense of continuity between past and present.

Wandering through the old core, you’ll immediately sense that this is a place with stories—some well known, some whispered among locals. The downtown historic district is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and many of its buildings date back to the early 1900s after a fire reshaped much of First Street in 1911. One piece of lore often circulated is that in the earliest days, a resident claimed to see glowing lights along the riverbank on foggy nights—a claim that sometimes is woven into ghost tours. Another tale involves a ferry crossing in the mid-1800s, before bridges spanned the flow, that was said to vanish from memory for a few years during floods and reappear later in a shifted location, sparking debate over where the original crossing ran.

Though antiques tend to dominate visitor chatter, the local dining scene has grown with taste and ambition. Take Trails End Restaurant & Taphouse, on Maple Avenue, where classic American fare meets a rotating selection of craft brews. Their steak dishes, signature mac and cheese, and thoughtful seasonal specials make it a regularly praised choice among locals and visitors alike. Around the historic district, Who’s on First, located on First Street, is known for locally sourced ingredients, a menu of creative small plates, and a cozy but refined atmosphere. For breakfast or Sunday brunch lovers, Maltby Café stands out. Housed in a former schoolhouse dating to 1937, its cinnamon rolls and hearty morning fare draw crowds early in the day. If you’ve got a hankering for barbecue, Wild West BBQ on Pilchuck Avenue remains a go-to for smoked meats, brisket sandwiches, and classic sides. Elsewhere, brings a spicy, energetic dining experience with Thai favorites like pad thai, curries, and fried rice combinations. Across these eateries you’ll find that menus shift with the seasons, emphasizing fresh local produce and meats that give every visit a slightly new flavor.

Daily life here also centers on independent shops, craft studios, and galleries all along the main drag. Many businesses cater to antiques, home goods, and vintage décor, giving First Street the feel of a long open-air museum of past design. A few bookstores, artisan shops, and local bakeries intersperse among them, and those who walk the sidewalks can often hear the clink of coffee cups, low conversation, and the echo of footsteps on brick.

The list of things to do fills the seasons. In summer, the long-running Kla Ha Ya Days festival turns the downtown into a swirl of parades, artisan booths, live music, pie-eating contests, and fireworks—drawing thousands from the region each July. Outdoor enthusiasts favor the Centennial Trail, a multiuse path that runs through and beyond town, offering walking, biking, and horse trails in a former railroad corridor. Parks along the river and fishing access points invite quiet afternoons by the water; Morgantown Park, Pilchuck Park, and Cady Park all offer river access, picnic areas, and walking trails. Some adventurous visitors hop in a hot air balloon or take scenic aerial tours from Harvey Airfield south of town—this airfield remains privately operated for general aviation and smaller craft. In fall, local farms open corn mazes, pumpkin patches, and seasonal harvest events; in winter the quieter streets lend themselves to walking tours of holiday lights and historic house décor.

One of the less obvious facts about this riverside town is that much of its street alignment reflects old ferry and homestead paths—some property lines predate formal town planning. Flooding from the Snohomish River has shifted riverbanks over generations, so rerouting and regrading of dikes and levees become occasional civic tasks. In local memory, a significant flood in the 1970s injured infrastructure and forced downtown adaptation, strengthening community bonds and a legacy of collective rebuilding. Though it lost its status as county seat in the 1890s, the town has preserved more of its original appearance than many neighboring places that have evolved rapidly.

If your stay is longer than a few hours, there’s enough here to anchor a full weekend—meandering historic streets, sampling the local flavors, following trails, attending evening performances, joining a festival, or just resting by the riverside. In between your explorations, unexpected things may emerge: a sudden local jam session on a sidewalk, a pop-up artisan show, or a whispered tale from a longtime resident about how the river shifted overnight a century ago.

And if any property damage, flood, fire, or mold issues arise during your visit or afterward, we invite you to contact our team at Cleaner Guys today. We specialize in water damage restoration, fire damage restoration, mold removal, mold inspection, and more. We’d be honored to help protect your home or business in Snohomish and guide you quickly and professionally.