Enjoy a Socially Distant Summer in Edmonds
Everyone agrees that Summer 2020 is like nothing we’ve ever experienced. But even with current Phase Two restrictions in place, there are many ways to enjoy the season in Edmonds! From picnics, to virtual concerts, to historical self-tours—check out how to enjoy an Edmonds summer—at a distance!
Outdoor Dining
Sunny weather and the need to remain socially distant means dining al fresco is in order! There are many great establishments in town that have patios or sidewalk dining options – including several who have created outdoor dining space due to the pandemic. Or grab some takeout for a picnic on the beach!
Las Brisas has a sizable patio featuring umbrellas on the tables to provide shade and a view of the lovely Hazel Miller Plaza gardens. Girardi’s also has an inviting beautiful plant-filled patio with trees that give natural shade on sunny days.
Enjoy coffee and pastries or a delicious crepe, salad or sandwich on the patio at Red Twig. Café Louvre has added tables outside to enjoy your coffee, breakfast, or lunch.
SanKai Sushi has added sidewalk dining outside of their restaurant now, just like cousin Salt & Iron around the corner.
Family-friendly Hamburger Harry’s has also added outdoor dining. And the decks at Rory’s and Demetris Woodstone Taverna are perennial local hotspots to take in the view of the ferry and beach.
It’s a good idea to double check hours of operation as many places have shortened their normal business hours.
Stroll Main Street
A new concept rolled out by the City of Edmonds this summer, Walkable Main Street is a program that closes Main Street to cars on certain weekends, allowing pedestrians to stroll freely (and distantly).
Restaurants along the route have expanded their seating along the route which has been a popular with visitors. Grab a table and people watch while enjoying a refreshing beverage and bite and then go visit the great retailers in downtown Edmonds to round out your visit.
Our retailers have been getting creative to entice passersby. Rogue has created outdoor pop-ups in collaboration with popular lines carried in the store like Laura B Elements and Silly Yeti. Driftwood Modern took advantage of the walkable Main Street by setting up a display outside of the store to encourage shopping. ARTspot did a fun chalk challenge inviting people to get creative.
As for parking, the lot at the under-construction Main Street Commons at the corner of 6th and Main is open for parking, there are the After Hours lots that Ed! has created in partnership with local businesses, and there are also the free city lots at 5th and Bell and 4th near Main.
Pre-Order at the Summer Market
The Edmonds Summer Market is open with modified rules like vendors being set up six feet apart, a reduction in the number of shoppers allowed in, and a mask requirement for both shoppers and vendors.
Another new change is the option to pre-order your items to make your shopping trip efficient. In this article from My Edmonds News, you can find a list of vendors offering pre-orders.
Beach Launch, Robert Cooke
Take Your Own Walking Tour
Although our local museums, libraries, and art events like the Art Walk might be closed temporarily, Edmonds is still brimming with history and art – and you can still experience it!
The City of Edmonds Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services has put together several walking tour maps that you can download and take with you as your guide on your own tour of Edmonds.
There are self-guided tours on a variety of subjects. There is a public art walking tour that showcases all of the public art installations throughout town. The historic sites tour features over 27 historical sites of interest, including present day businesses like the Edmonds Theater and Engel’s Pub. And if you go up toward the Westgate neighborhood, there is a self-guided tour of the historic names laid to rest in the Edmonds Memorial Cemetery.
Virtual Summer Concert Series
A favorite among locals is the yearly free summer concert series put on by the Edmonds Arts Commission which has gone virtual this year! The concerts in 2020 feature four different musicians and will run through August 20th.
Music will be streamed on television (Comcast, channel 21 or Ziply, channel 39) as well as posted on their YouTube Channel. Why not grab some takeout and your mobile device and head to one of our great parks or beaches to enjoy your own private concert?
Taki Tiki and The Market have convenient sidewalk takeout windows open. The Cheesemonger’s Table has a wide selection on their takeout menu of sandwiches, salads, cheese plates, and charcuterie. And you can’t go wrong with snagging a cold brew and a pastry from Waterfront Coffee to savor while listening to music.
Staying local for dining, shopping, and personal services is easy to do in downtown Edmonds. To see all of the great options in town, visit our website.
We look forward to seeing you in downtown Edmonds very soon!
By Kelsey Foster, photos by Matt Hulbert
