Under An Hour From Seattle Is Washington's City With Serene Parks, Tasty Eats, And River Access

Just over 30 miles northeast of Seattle, Washington, is a small town where you get the best of both worlds — access to the biggest major city in the Pacific Northwest and some of the best nature Washington has to offer. You won't have to go far from this city for a day on the water or some hiking. With its location on the Skykomish River, as well as a recreational lake and forested parks with nature trails and playfields, you can spend the day outdoors in Monroe, Washington.

While you'll be excited to get outdoors, you won't want to miss a visit to Monroe's Historic Downtown, which is lined with a number of historic red-brick buildings, diverse restaurants, and boutiques. Named after President James Monroe and fully incorporated in 1902, the town of Monroe had several periods of growth, due to the location of a condensed milk factory, the success of the nearby timber industry, and farming. Today, people largely visit Monroe to watch races at the Evergreen Speedway or to use the town as a basecamp, since the town calls itself "The Gateway to the Cascade Mountains."

Monroe is easily reachable by car or public transit. From Seattle, you can drive up State Route 522 heading northeast, or you can use US Route 2 if you're coming from the east. To reach Monroe from Seattle without a vehicle, the most direct route is to book a seat on a Northwestern Stage Lines coach. Once you arrive, stay at a cozy Airbnb in town or head 10 minutes east on Route 2 to the Thousand Trails Thunderbird campground. This campground is situated right on the Skykomish River and is surrounded by tall green pine trees. Visitors can reserve cabins or a space for an RV or tent. Some are even located right on the river.

While you could head to the riverfront town of Skykomish, Washington, Monroe offers similar sights and experiences just a short walk from its downtown. In under 10 minutes, you'll find yourself on the rocky banks of the Skykomish River amid the densely forested 90-acre Al Borlin Park. Along the 1.2 miles of trails, you'll pass by blackberry and salmonberry bushes, wildflowers, and tall leafy maple and cottonwood trees with knobby and moss-covered bark. The park periodically closes for maintenance or flooding during the winter, so keep an eye out for signs indicating closures.

Nearby, there is also the Skykomish River Park, which has wide open areas for picnics, parties, or running around with your pup at the dog park. To get out on the water, head to the nearby public boat ramp located on the west side of the bridge in Lewis Street Park. This is a popular spot for wading in the shallows of the rocky river bank, floating on the river with a kayak or paddle board, or taking a dip in the clear blue-green waters. There's also a great view of a Monroe icon, the Lewis Street Bridge, which spans the Skykomish River. For more great bridges in Washington state, head to one of America's most beautiful, the Deception Pass Bridge.

For more fun on the water, head to the recreational park on Lake Tye. Here you can swim, fish, or take paddle-powered watercraft out on the lake. You can also go for a leisurely walk or run around the 1.63-mile paved trail that encircles the lake. In the park, you can enjoy the large sandy swimming beach, take kiddos to the playground, or play a pickup game at the tennis or basketball court. You'll also find restrooms and plenty of parking for busy days.

Whether you're about to head out for a day on the water, or you're famished after a day being outdoors, Monroe has many options to choose from. In fact, if you're a fan of Mexican food, you might just find your new favorite taqueria here. One Redditor calls the Mexican food in this region "legit the best I've had in my life." If this sounds up your alley, head to the intersection of E Main St and S Lewis Street, where you can find an array of Mexican restaurants, bakeries, and snack shops to choose from.

With more than 1,000 reviews and 4.7 stars on Google Maps, Las Tres Marias is one of the most popular options for Mexican restaurants in downtown Monroe. The restaurant is impossible to miss, with a bright pink second story and lime green window treatments. One Google reviewer said that Las Tres Marias has "such a welcoming and colorful atmosphere. The chips and salsa are the best-always fresh and flavorful." The menu has many classic Mexican dishes, but the carne asada and chile relleno are among the most popular.

With great spots like Washington's favorite restaurant, Pink Door, in Seattle, this state is no stranger to great Italian American food. If you're craving a plate of creamy pasta during your visit to Monroe, head to Tuscano's Italian Kitchen. When you walk in, you'll find the interior is decked out in Italian-inspired decor, with red, white, and green string lights and pairs of wicker baskets hung from the wooden beams. The restaurant has nearly 1,800 reviews and 4.4 stars on Google Maps, and many diners praise the hearty mac and cheese and Fettuccine Alfredo dishes.