Some may call Seattle Jet City but Snohomish County is more deserving of that distinction. The county is home to the new Future of Flight Aviation Center and Boeing Tour, where groups can see the assembly of the Boeing 777 and 787, and complete their aviation experience at the Flying Heritage Collection to view rare treasures of twentieth- century military aviation.

Nature-based tours also abound, with bald eagle viewing, river rafting, kayaking, hiking trails and estuary tours giving your group a glimpse of local wildlife and habitat.

Groups will also find hotel rates 40% lower than downtown, all while enjoying both Seattle's popular attractions and the local charm from your Snohomish County hub.

And we can't forget Snohomish County is a shopper's delight! Find the latest in fashion trends at Alderwood lifestyle center or Everett Mall. Seattle Premium Outlets has exclusive brands at incredible discounts or if antiques are your passion, the historic town of Snohomish is your paradise found!

Top Attractions

This area is immensely proud of its aviation history. Beside many outdoor activities that involve flying, groups can visit the Future of Flight Aviation Center and the Flying Heritage Collection. The two collections round out an excellent rendition of aviation's past, present and future.

The Future of Flight Aviation Center and Boeing Tour is located 25 miles north of Seattle's center, and is the only public tour of a commercial jet assembly plant in North America. It features an advance composite of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner prototype, a luxury plane set to debut in early 2008. Also at the Center are simulators and many hands-on activities for groups.

The Flying Heritage Collection presents more than a dozen different planes showing the revolution of aviation, making an excellent activity for group travelers, especially military groups. This attraction is actually a private collection, and is simply annotated in a medium-sized hangar at the rural Arlington, Wash., airfield.

But brushing up on your 20th century history isn't the only thing to do in Snohomish County and Lynnwood, Washington. The first thing that comes to mind? Shopping! Alderwood, Everett Mall and Seattle Premium Outlets offer every store for every budget.

For more information on group attractions in , Snohomish County and Lynnwood, Washington.

Top Festivals and Events

Experimental Aircraft Association Fly In, Arlington July In continuing the county's theme of aviation, this event lasts five days, encouraging visitors to participate in its forums and workshops, tour hundreds of aircraft and watch aircraft demonstrations. Evenings see crowds gathering around hot-air balloons. Its remote location on Arlington airfield also allows big groups to spread out for a few hours.

Jetty Island Days, Everett July-September Jetty Island is a manmade jetty a quarter-mile off the coast of Everett. From the Wednesday after the Fourth of July until Labor Day, a free walk-on ferry brings visitors over to the jetty for a day in the sun. The sand is a little muddy but is a great spot to sunbathe and wildlife watch. Click here for more festivals in the , Snohomish County area.

Arts and Culture

Much of Snohomish's arts are located in Everett, with the Everett Symphony, Everett Historic Theater, Civic Auditorium, and Performing Arts Center. One will never be at a loss for museums or historical societies either, no matter where you are in the county. One example of the community's preserving nature is Lynnwood's Heritage Park.

Heritage Park, Lynnwood With Tudor style architecture built from 1909-1919, this area is a great representation of what Lynnwood was in the first fifth of the twentieth century. The buildings were saved from destruction when the construction of a highway threatened to build over them. Self-guided tours are available of the village-like setting featuring beautiful landscaping, interpretive signage, a public plaza and demonstration gardens.

Sense of Adventure

This area is an outdoorsman's paradise and a soft adventure fiend's mecca. Outdoor sports rule this area, with mild temperatures all year round.

From kayaking the Puget Sound to visiting the Washington Serpentarium, you'll be able to find something that make's your heart pump a little faster. The Serpentarium features turtles, snakes, lizards, frogs, and invertebrates like spiders for all your creepy crawly tastes. More exotic animals are at the facility including the alligator snapping turtle and an albino alligator, one of only six in the world housed at a zoo.

Tee Time

Some of the finest public golf courses in the Pacific Northwest are located in Snohomish County. The two newest Harbour Pointe Golf Club and The Golf Club at Echo Falls - are ambitious, challenging, 18-hole courses built during the 1990s. Other favorites include Ballinger Lake, Cedarcrest, and Kayak Point. Even this far north, you and your group can enjoy golfing any month of the year!

The Herald Interactive Golf Guide lists many courses in Skagit, Snohomish and King County along with fees, descriptions and amenities.

Culinary Scene

The region's culinary scene is lively and delectable. Many restaurants focus on local ingredients, wines from the Pacific Northwest and hometown flavor. Eschew the large chain restaurants in favor of a local recommendation! Seafood is always a popular choice, and the quantity and quality of brewpubs means it's always easy to belly up to the bar for a local microbrew. For more information regarding area restaurants, visit www.tasteofsnohomish.com.

Sense of Adventure

This area is an outdoorsman's paradise and a soft-adventure fiend's mecca. Outdoor sports rule this area, with mild temperatures all year round.

From kayaking the Puget Sound to visiting the Washington Serpentarium, you'll be able to find something that make's your heart pump a little faster. The Serpentarium features turtles, snakes, lizards, frogs, and invertebrates like spiders for all your creepy crawly tastes. More exotic animals are at the facility including the alligator snapping turtle and an albino alligator, one of only six in the world housed at a zoo.

For more information on group-friendly Snohomish County restaurants

Group Hotel Rooms

More than 5,000 rooms in 71 properties (with other properties currently being built) Click here to find the best group hotel rates in: Snohomish County and Lynnwood

Fast Facts:

Population:606,024 (2000 census)

Land Area: 2,196 sq. mi.

Weather (high):

Spring: 53-68
Summer: 68-74
Fall: 45-69
Winter: 45-53

Precipitation: 3.11 inches/month on average, with winter showing the highest averages

Industry

With Boeing calling the area home, it's no surprise that aviation is at the heart of this area's economy. The area also has seven airports and airfields and the Experimental Aircraft Association Fly-In, a yearly event.

Don't Leave Without

Spending some dough in the Antique Capital of the Pacific Northwest!

The City of Snohomish is the self-proclaimed Antique Capital of the Pacific Northwest—and, with 450 antiques dealers in a five-block radius, you start to see how the claim would hold water! Seasonal tours of the area's historic homes also yield some wonderful opportunities for groups to learn about the region.

Getting There

There are a number of airfields and airports in Snohomish County but, unless you're flying your own charter, it's best to come through Seattle Tacoma International. Distance (in miles) from major North American cities:

Vancouver, BC: 113
Portland, OR: 202
Boise, ID: 526
Helena, MT: 609

Contact information:

Snohomish County Tourism Bureau
Amy O. Spain
(888)338-0976, ext. 11
amy@snohomish.org
www.snohomish.org
City of Lynnwood
Mary Monroe
(425)775-1971
mmonroe@ci.lynnwood.wa.us
www.lynnwoodtourism.com