Stanwood

The scenic, serene gateway to Upper Washington’s splendor

At the mouth of the Stillaguamish River, Stanwood boasts a charming downtown, friendly neighbors, and spacious homes positioned on private, oversized lots. Situated an hour north of Seattle, Stanwood acts as a bit of a gateway to upper Washington’s mountain ranges, lakes, coastal islands, and vast parklands. Local bakeries, summertime car shows, and thousands of feet of serene shores offer refuge for those seeking peace, tranquility, and a sense of calm simply not found in a bustling urban metropolis.

First established in 1866 as Centerville, the community was renamed Stanwood a decade later. Boasting a rich Native and Scandinavian history, Stanwood was first home to several food processing factories, which were then the community’s largest employers. Today, Stanwood is a bedroom community for those working in Seattle’s northern suburban neighborhoods who still long for their little slice of peaceful paradise outside the city.

What to Love

• A friendly community, locally-owned restaurants, and cafes, and a quaint downtown district reminiscent of simpler times
• Situated on the shores of the Stillaguamish River, allowing locals to enjoy the beautiful scenery from local parks and wildlife preserves
• Conveniently located Amtrak station heads as far north as Vancouver, south to Eugene, and beyond

Local Lifestyle

This beautiful community boasts the best of all aspects of nature. From the waterfront shores upon the river and bay, to the endless fields of farmland and forest, Stanwood truly does have it all. This quiet town does offer splashes of cosmopolitan pleasures, best seen through their expansive offering of eateries serving both tried and true favorites, and a few more exotic creations. If a weekend trip to another Pacific Northwest city is in order, the conveniently located Amtrak station takes riders up to Vancouver, and down to Seattle and Oregon, with several other smaller stops along the way.

Dining, Entertainment, and Shopping

The Pacific Northwest is one of the nation’s best spots for craft coffee, and Stanwood has not been excluded from this club. Copper House is just one of the community’s favorite coffee shops and communal gathering spots. Copper House has perfected the classics and solidified its reputation in town as the best place to enjoy gluten-free pastries, artisan sandwiches, and local ice cream.

Another popular bakery is The Flying Kolache. The kolache, a Czech-inspired pastry of soft dough is filled with fruit and, sometimes, cream cheese, or meat, cheese, and jalapeños, for those looking for a kick. This tasty treat is prominently found in Texas, where the owners hailed from. For decades, they have been sharing their love of this comforting treat with the people of Stanwood, with their bakery featuring over 60 flavors.

Burgers featuring all-natural ingredients, a plentiful beer menu, and a modern yet casual environment is found at Mammoth Burger Company. Contemporary versions of this all-American favorite are piled high with decadent toppings like avocado, sauteed mushrooms, and melty blue cheese, with vegan and keto-friendly alternatives also available. Mammoth Burger Company also features an impressive tap list of brews crafted by some of the region’s most beloved breweries.

Sushi, sake, spicy curry, and other pan-Asian delights are the specialty of Jasmin Thai Cuisine & Sushi. The sister establishment of Mammoth Burger Company is a multi-award-winning favorite among locals for its ample selection of both classic and creative sushi and Thaiawanese offerings, all of which are enjoyed in a colorful dining room accented by Asian artwork and decor.

The Picnic Pantry and Parlour is Stanwood’s go-to for unique kitchen gadgets, gifts, and knick-knacks. This locally owned and operated shop located in the heart of downtown offers to-go picnic baskets, perfect for hikes and other outdoor excursions, great gifts for housewarming, and unique, tough-to-find kitchen tools not found in your everyday big box store.

Things To Do

Stanwood hosts many fun events throughout the year, but hardly any other is as highly anticipated as Lights of Christmas. This larger-than-life drive-through holiday light spectacular is a sparkling spectacle for patrons to enjoy colorful displays, wave to Santa and Mrs. Claus, and experience the joy of the season. Throughout the year, Kayak Point Regional Park is one of Stanwood’s favorite places for hiking, boating, and soaking in the region’s beautiful scenery. Spanning across 670 acres, Kayak Point visitors enjoy access to a saltwater beach, a boat ramp, campgrounds, and a disc golf course.

Schools

Some great schools available for children to attend in Stanwood consist of:

• Stanwood Elementary School, prekindergarten-5th grade; clear goals outlined by faculty and staff have led to greater year-by-year improvement of test scores compared to other schools
• Port Susan Middle School, grades 6-8; state testing scores for PSMS are high above the average for Washington state
• Stanwood High School, grades 9-12; SHS boasts a topnotch STEM program to ensure students are adequately prepared for the careers of tomorrow