Stefanie A. Massie

A destination for locals and out-of-towners alike, Bothell’s wide variety of opportunities for fun and entertainment make it a top choice for those looking for a memorable weekend experience! Nestled in a prime location that’s surrounded by beautiful outdoors and some of the most popular attractions in the region, it’s not hard to be entertained in Bothell.

Check out our 4 ideas for how to spend a fabulous weekend in Bothell:

McMenamins: Hotel, Dining, Bars, Movies & More

“McMenamins Anderson School is a great spot!” recommends Brian Hayter. “There are lots of options within but my favorite place is to grab a drink and sit outside near the fire pits, or they have outdoor tables that are under cover with heaters for the cold/wet days.”

Whether you’re just looking for dinner and a movie or searching for an overnight getaway, McMenamins’ Anderson School in Bothell has your dining and entertainment needs covered! This one-stop-shop is located in a converted school, and hotel rooms are located in converted classrooms.

During your stay, visit the Principal’s Office for a drink, enjoy outdoor seating at the Tavern on the Square, take advantage of the Anderson School Theater Bar (order burgers, brews, popcorn, and candy and have it delivered to your table during the movie!), and much more. We recommend checking out their website for room package offerings, a schedule of special events, and more details on accommodations.

Woodinville Wine Country: Sip & Shop

Located right next door to Woodinville, Bothell’s close proximity to this wine capital make it a popular destination for wine lovers. Woodinville is home to a whopping 108 wineries and tasting rooms, 8 microbreweries, distilleries & cideries, and 26 different dining spots! With so many wineries to choose from, it can be a bit daunting, but we recommend checking out Woodinville Wine Country’s website for a guide to Woodinville’s different districts as well as a list of wineries and a special passport that can get you discounts. For those hoping to stay the weekend, there’s also a guide on hotels and bed & breakfasts available for your convenience.

When the sun comes out, Tonya Tye recommends biking from downtown on the Sammamish River Trail and finding a glass of wine to enjoy at the plethora of wineries. She also recommends listening to some music at the popular Chateau Ste Michelle, home to some delicious wine in addition to a concert series that attracts big names like Josh Groban and John Legend.

Country Village

Whether you’re looking for some family-friendly entertainment or heading out with a group of adults for a night on the town, Country Village offers a whimsical setting to explore and enjoy! Discover charming ponds, restaurants, and shops with gifts, home decor, toys, antiques, and much more. Home to almost 40 shops, we recommend setting aside at least an entire day to explore the scene!

Country Village is also home to several events throughout the year—enjoy beer walks, wine walks, “Ladies Night Out” events, and other more adult-friendly events alongside seasonal happenings for kids like Cookies with Mrs. Claus, Gingerbread House Weekend, Wizard Fest, Meet the Easter Bunny, and much more.

Also, from June through September each year, take advantage of the Country Village Farmers Market! Located in the center parking lot, this dynamic expanse of vendors features dozens of stands, fresh local produce, handmade items, live music, and much more. View farmers market dates and a list of vendors here.

Brewery Tour

Beer is a big deal in the Pacific Northwest, and Bothell’s long list of breweries sets the perfect scene for a weekend brewery tour!

Watts Brewing Company: This nano brewery names their accessible beers after bees, and each release is only brewed once.
Decibel Brewing Co: Kids, pets, and outside food are welcome at this establishment!
The Hop and Hound: Enjoy at least a dozen fresh beers on tap, plus Stumptown Cold Brew Coffee on NITRO, and different food trucks every Friday.
Foggy Noggin Brewing: As one of the world’s smallest production breweries, Foggy Noggin offers fresh beers in their Bothell tasting room (bring a growler!).
Nine Yards Brewing: This all ages spot is located right off of the Burke Gilman trail, making it a great option when you need to stop and cool down.

Tonya Tye also recommends stopping at 192 Brewing Co. or Cairn Brewing, and combining it with a day of riding your bike along the Burke Gilman or along Lake Washington. Break for a picnic along the way!

Feeling a bit tired of heading to the gym as usual? Need some inspiration? Staying fit and healthy doesn’t have to be boring, and luckily for Bothell residents, there are plenty of unique ways for staying active!

While Bothell is definitely home to some great gyms (Jen Bowman recommends Orange Theory and Fusion Hot Yoga in Canyon Park for major calorie-burning workouts!), we also recommend checking out these other options for something that’s extra fun, entertaining, and active:

Elevated Sportz

Located at 18311 Bothell Everett Hwy Suite 140, Bothell WA 98012

“Elevated Sportz in North Bothell is the best rainy day exercise you can get,” says Jen Bowman. “Their weekly schedule offers variety of activities for kids and adults. Trampoline dodgeball anyone? They have a food counter where you can fuel up, too. Even better yet, NO MEMBERSHIP required. My toddler loves the daily 10am-12:30pm Hoppy Hour in the three level Adventure Zone that’s perfect for little kids to explore and play in a padded environment!”

Kids and adults alike love Elevated Sportz, and their dynamic range of offerings ensures there’s always something new to check out! In addition to the events that Jen mentioned, Elevated Sportz hosts a Lazer Club Night for teens, an all-ages Cosmic Night laser party, Lazer Maze Challenge, homeschool meetups, Special Needs days, and more! Plus, you can host birthday parties, team parties, or even rent out the entire facility for your special event.

Check out pricing and take a look at the different play areas offered here.

The Park at Bothell Landing

Located at 9919 NE 180th St Bothell, WA 98011at N Bothell Way

“The Park at Bothell Landing offers a little known boat launch along the Sammamish River, where you can put in your kayak, canoe or paddle board to take advantage of an outdoor ‘gym’ that will cost you nothing,” recommends Claudette Meyer. “Whether your goal is an energizing early morning paddle, an after work recharge, or an all-day workout, you’ll burn calories surrounded by beautiful scenery. Head west if your destination is Lake Washington. For a much longer paddle, you can head southeast to Lake Sammamish, maybe with a pit stop at Redhook Brewery along the way.”

Great tips, Claudette! Not only does The Park at Bothell Landing offer the opportunity to stay active, but it’s also a lovely place to spend time with family or friends at. Pack a picnic and make a day of it!

Burke-Gilman Trail

More than 18 miles long, the Burke-Gilman Trail extends from Shilshole Bay in Seattle all the way to the City of Bothell. This incredible amenity not only offers a paved surface for joggers, walkers, skaters, strollers, and bikers, but it’s also a popular commuting option as well!

Recently, the trail has be undergoing some updates, and Melissa Huddleston has the details:

“In addition to the Burke Gilman Trail, the North Creek Trail expansion will connect the North Creek Park in Bothell to the Burke Gilman Trail. The new expansion will extend from 183rd St SE to SR 524 and will include an elevated walkway 20-40 feet above ground,” shares Melissa.

“This section of the trail will be located between Sprague Drive and 192nd St SE. The timeframe of completion according to the Snohomish County website is still to be determined. I’m very excited as this trail will literally be steps from my home. On warm summer days, you’ll be able to find me riding my bike from my house to Woodinville Wine Country!”

You can view a map of the entire trail here, complete with information on road access points. We recommend planning your trip ahead of time and stopping at one of the beautiful, scenic parks along the way!

4 Fabulous Ways to Spend a Weekend in Bothell