Neighborhood Guide: Lake Stevens

Introducing Lake Stevens.

Nestled into the foothills of the Cascade Mountains, the city offers lakefront, wooded, and urban lifestyles with an idyllic mountain backdrop only 35 miles north of Seattle.

Lake Stevens has a vibrant local restaurant scene. LJ’s Bistro and Bar delivers some of the city’s best dining. Biscuit & Bean, a Ballard favorite, opened their second location in downtown Lake Stevens. The café offers up freshly made biscuits, homemade syrup, and all your favorite caffeinated beverages.

Meatheads Smokehouse and Beer Works, serves up traditional barbecue along with house-crafted beers. Speaking of breweries, Lake Stevens Brewing Co is the city’s first and was founded by a group of local brewing enthusiasts who decided to go professional.

With over 195 acres of parks and green space, and easy access to hikes at Mt. Pilchuck State Park, Lake Stevens is an adventure enthusiast’s dream. Local beach parks such as Lunden Park, Davies Beach, and Sunset Cove Park give residents easy access to swimming, canoeing, paddleboarding, and other aquatic activities. The parks are also perfect for a picnic or summer barbeque. Boat launches at many of the parks provide easy access for a day on the lake or a heavenly sunset cruise. The Centennial Trail, with multiple trailheads accessible to anyone through Lake Stevens, features 30 miles of paved trails perfect for biking, running, or an evening stroll in the fresh air. A short drive down Highway 2 brings you to amazing hikes such as Lake Serene and world-class skiing at Stevens Pass Ski Resort.

The city contains 9 public schools: 6 elementary schools, two middle schools, and Lake Stevens High School. All of these schools are easily accessible from anywhere around the city via parent drop-offs or the comprehensive bus system. Lake Washington High School boasts a publicly accessible aquatic center, open year-round, with swim lessons, swim teams, and facility rentals for birthday parties and other events. The surrounding area also features numerous private schools.