No one knows the wildest, weirdest, prettiest, tastiest or most thrilling adventures better than a local.
The Snohomish County Tourism Bureau is putting together a series of “top 10” lists of area attractions. They want to highlight well-known favorites and round up a few of the county’s best kept secrets.
And they could use some help.
What restaurant has the most delectable grub, and where can people see a view of the mountains that will take their breath away? What’s the best perch for spying local wildlife? Where can adrenaline junkies get their fix?
When visitors come in with specific questions or interests, the bureau wants to have something that’s up to date and easy to use, said Amy Spain, executive director of the tourism bureau.
Staff are working on five brochures. The information will be available online and in pocket-sized print versions at visitor centers. The topics for the brochures are Snohomish County’s Top 10: strange and wonderful oddities; scenic outlooks; foodie experiences; activities for thrill seekers; and wildlife viewing locations.
“We decided that we’re going to create some really specialized mini-brochures,” Spain said. “Our Visitor Guide is an example of a very comprehensive piece … Sometimes you don’t want to carry around a whole magazine, you just want one piece of information and say, ‘OK, just let me take that with me.’”
The bureau is taking suggestions for the brochures at www.snohomish.org. People can fill out the form or call with their ideas. Staff plan to check with experts to make sure those ideas would be a good fit for the brochures. For example, if someone’s favorite fishing hole requires cutting through private property, it’s better kept a local secret than a tourist attraction.
Some categories are open for interpretation. The best foodie experience could be best barbecue, freshest fish, most interesting drinks or something else entirely. The same goes for scenic viewpoints, which could be part of a leisurely drive or at the end of an arduous hike. A number of people ask for scenic driving routes, Spain said, but not all of those include a picture-perfect stopping point.
“We have a lot of places we direct people who want to take a drive,” she said. “But what about those people who want that perfect overlook, that iconic snapshot from their trip or vacation?”
A few bureau brainstorming sessions have yielded some examples of what could be in a brochure. The Sasquatch statue at Index and the Paine Field UFO sculpture are fun oddities, and Everett’s Legion Park or the restored fire lookout atop Mount Pilchuck are ideal viewpoints. Foodies might like wine tasting in Monroe or The Root Beer Store in Lynnwood. Thrill seekers could try drag racing at Evergreen Speedway or skydiving in Snohomish, and animal lovers can head to Arlington for the Outback Kangaroo Farm or Sarvey Wildlife Center.
Though there is no firm time line for the project, the goal is to have brochures available within the next two months for summer visitors, administrative assistant Terry Musgrave said. The bureau is looking for suggestions as soon as possible. There could be any number of attractions they don’t know about, she said.
“That’s what we’re looking for,” Spain said. “What’s something only locals would know?”
Kari Bray: 425-339-3439 kbray@heraldnet.com
To submit suggestions for the brochures, download a form at www.snohomish.org and email or fax it to Terry Musgrave, terry@snohomish.org or 425-348-5701. People also can call in ideas at 425-348-5802, ext. 104.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
