Location: Snoqualmie
Top Things to do in Snoqualmie
Top 10 Things to do in Snoqualmie, United States
Snoqualmie (/snoʊˈkwɔːlmi/ snoh-KWOHL-mee) is a city next to Snoqualmie Falls in King County, Washington. It is twenty-five miles east of Seattle. This city is home to the Northwest Railway Museum. The population was 13,190 in a 2016 census estimate.
Restaurants in Snoqualmie
1. Snoqualmie Falls
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Snoqualmie Falls is one of Washington state's most popular scenic attractions. More than 1.5 million visitors come to the Falls every year. At the falls, you will find a two-acre park, gift shop, observation deck, the Salish Lodge and the famous 270 foot waterfall.
Reviewed By David E - Honolulu, Hawaii
The drive from Seattle to Snoqualmie Falls on the 90-E is gorgeous. You see the Cascades throughout most of the drive. In March they were still covered in snow and it was just really a sight to see. It was also really cool driving on bridges over really large bodies of water. I mention these because they were my favorite things about my little detour to Snoqualmie Falls.
Reasons for the “Average” review:
1) The Parking Lot was not awesome. That I saw, there were 2 of them. One of them right next to the Gift shop was $5 and one of them across the street was FREE. The free one is accessible and not that far and really only shaves off like 3-5 mins of walking. Definitely worth doing to save the $5. The only problem is, the parking lot was large but was really still limited. It was surprising that it was that packed for a mediocre waterfall.
2) There is an upper viewpoint of the falls and it is pretty much right from the $5 parking lot. The falls are fine, but it is located literally right next to a hydroelectric plant. The plant is part of what makes Snoqualmie Falls unique but in both a good and a bad way. Yes, it’s neat that it was the first (I think) underground water powered plant (or something like that), BUT the appearance of the plant right next to the falls make it a little…ugly and not what nature intended.
3) There is a trail to the lower viewpoint of the falls. The trail is like 0.5 miles one-way and it is quite steep. Also, it is partially stroller friendly. I had a baby & stroller and the way down was a little challenging and I had to make sure I had good grip on the stroller. The trail is not paved, but gravelly which was ok. BUT, when you near the end of the trail, there are stairs. I had to abandon the stroller and carried my son to the end which was about another 5 minutes. The lookout point is closer to the water and a really similar view of the falls as the upper lookout. PLUS, the viewing area was REALLY small and crowded. The time this took up, the difficulty, and the crowd made this extra effort not worth it. I really regretted the extra walk (which I usually really love to do). Then, I had to deal with going back up the slope with the stroller. Not awesome.
4) And btw, the bottle of waters on sale at the gift shop were pricey. Decided not to get it. The water fountains there were not working at the time so just had to go without water which was unfortunate.
My advice, just do the upper lookout as the lower lookout really has nothing new or different to offer. And make sure you have a sufficient amount of water before you go to save some money. Oh yeah, and definitely go for the free parking.
2. Compass Outdoor Adventures
Overall Ratings
5 based on 61 reviews
*Bike Rentals * Corporate Events * Summer Camps Compass Outdoor Adventures was originally incorporated in 2006. The founder, Luke Talbott, was teaching fifth grade in the Snoqualmie Valley when he began to notice a trend in his students. Creative problem solving seemed to be taking a back seat to immediately quitting when something got difficult. Exploration and curiosity became secondary to playing it safe and relying on adults. He realized that to do something great, he would need to go outside the four walls of the classroom and get kids into an environment where they could truly learn what it is like to be alive. Starting in 2008, the first Compass summer camp began with a total of 12 kids. Campers hiked, biked, explored, and got dirty in the forested corridor of Interstate 90, all within 25 minutes of their homes. By 2016, over 400 summer campers, thousands of field trip participants, and hundreds of corporate folks were taken out into the wilderness and shown their true capacities were far more than they ever imagined. CREATE WORLD CLASS EXPERIENCES FOR BOTH ADULTS AND CHILDREN. ENCOURAGE CALCULATED RISK TAKING TO BUILD A SENSE OF ADVENTURE. INTRODUCE PEOPLE TO THE OUTDOORS AND THE FUN AVAILABLE.
Reviewed By John D
Our team decided to get out of the office and into nature for an afternoon. We came to Compass Outdoor Adventures to help us make the most of it -and boy, did we make the right choice! We went snowshoeing throughout the stunning Snoqualmie pass...MoreCome out any time John! Looking forward to adventuring out with you all again!
3. Fall City Wallaby Ranch
Overall Ratings
5 based on 8 reviews
Reviewed By BDPenman
Rex runs this place with unparalleled passion about his animals and teaching the world about them. Only a few minutes from Snoqualmie Falls, it's definitely worth a visit. We called to book a visit with our little family and paid $60 for the 3 of us. (It's $10 per person for a group of 6 but still $60 if you are fewer than 6.) Rex oozes love for his animals and is even got choked up talking about them. He spends the first part of the tour giving a slide show talk about how the babies grow and then introduces you to the animals. They trust him so completely that they are all gentle and calm when guests come into their enclosures. My 8 year old loved it and will be going back a second time with her cousins.
I asked the B&B manager a few minutes up the road from the ranch and our server in a nearby restaurant and neither had ever heard of it. I asked Rex why nobody knows about him and he said he does zero advertising. He's not there to make a business out of the tours, just to welcome people who track him down and want to learn about his beloved animals.
4. Northwest Railway Museum
Overall Ratings
4 based on 122 reviews
The largest and oldest continuously operating railway museum in Washington State welcomes over 88,000 visitors yearly to its historic depot and 7 ½ acre developing Railway History Center. The museum’s collection of railway artifacts and equipment is one of the most significant in the United States and includes over 70 examples of locomotives, passenger and freight cars, and specialized railway equipment. Antique train excursions operate on weekends, April - October.
Reviewed By lovethemouse p - H
We did not go into the museum. We toured the historic depot grounds because historic trains were in full display. In front of each train, there are plaques with there service information. This would be great for kids, seniors and anyone who loves trains and wants to read about their history from the early 1900's. Informative and educational to read about and see these mammoth sized trains of an era long ago. Highly recommend it! It was a bit sad to see them decaying, out in the elements.
5. Fall City Floating
Overall Ratings
4 based on 13 reviews
Reviewed By Mary H - Issaquah, Washington
We took advantage of a Groupon 2-1 deal and went on the four mile float down the Snoqualmie River. It's a new business but they have figured everything out very nicely. The staff and especially the owner, are professional and nice to work with. The tubes are large and very comfortable and the "Frisbee" paddles work pretty good, except that my hands were rubbed a little raw after all of the paddling we did. We made the trip in 2.5 hours but were told if one just floats it will take four hours this time of year.
We had such a great time that we hope to gather our family together and make a group event out of it. Be sure to wear a swimsuit or something you don't mind getting wet, and water shoes. Bring sunscreen! Even though I lathered up, it was a hot day and I still ended up a little sunburned. It was so relaxing that whenever I'm stressed, I'll think of my time on the river to chill out.
You start about 1/2 mile from the falls and hit some mile rapids right away. It's not scary and the river is pretty shallow this time of year.
6. Snoqualmie Casino
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 274 reviews
Reviewed By Barry E - Lake Stevens, Washington
The Casino is located in a great location with natural beauty all around. The elevation means that it is more likely to have snow than nearer sea level. But there is a parking garage that is next to the Casino. The game floor is beautiful, but they have crammed a lot of games into the space and movement is tight in many areas. The shops and such are open and attractive. The games are pretty tight and we lost our limit in a very short time, but that is gambling.
7. Snofalls Lavender Farm
Overall Ratings
4 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By CarmenV3 - Fall City, Washington
If you love lavender, you would
love this place. It's a small, family run operations so it's very low key. This lavender farm may be the first in the snoqualmie valley so it isn't anything like the other Washington lavender towns; less busy and depends on when you get there, you may get a personal visit and additional tour from the owner. They offer helpful tips on what to do with your flowers to selling their own soaps or homemade essential lavender oil. The prices are super reasonable! If you're local, support this business, get to know the owners and enjoy the beautiful flowers as you drive by.
8. DirtFish Rally School
Overall Ratings
5 based on 26 reviews
DirtFish Rally School is a premier driving school with top notch professional instructors who teach people from all around the world how to rally; with an age range from 15 to 85 and skill levels of professional stunt drivers to people who have never driven a manual before, we do it all! We also provide team-building and employee incentive events for all budgets! Come by and see what our showroom has to offer, including a variety of merchandise,an Xbox Simulator Lounge, and all day, every day rally spectating!
Reviewed By ceibaforest - Ladysmith, Canada
My friends and I went to DirtFish for a half day rear wheel session. While the school is very professionally run and appointed (equipment, safety gear and cars etc), I was disappointed in how little driving we were able to do for the near $800 USD each for the half day.
10 people share 5 cars, taking turns. I didn't track exactly how many hours individuals spent driving but I figure it was less than 1/3 of the 4 hour afternoon session. Certainly there is a introductory session on safety and theory in the classroom which was good and necessary. But after that it seemed like lots of standing around waiting for your turn and waiting for the instructors to debrief or chat in between everyone's turn. All that ate into the time spent behind the wheel.
Another disappointment was the variability in the instructors. Some of my friends liked their instructor and some didn't. I found my instructor NEVER stopped talking and giving directions: "Do this, do that, do this" etc etc. I found I wasn't able to concentrate on driving but rather trying to figure out what the instructor wanted every half second. Since the instructor's voice is miked into your helmet/headset you couldn't hear the car engine or how the wheels where gripping/not gripping as feedback on how you where handling the car. I only could hear "Dothisdothatdothisdothat" the entire time. I didn't find it helpful after the first couple laps and it kind of became annoying as the afternoon went on. Everyone goes there to drive, not be drowned in instructions and not being able to hear yourself think and act.
One friend complained that his instructor wasn't very good period seeming unsure and contradictory in the instructing and driving department. I think most everyone else liked their instructors.
I feel that for the amount of money forked out for this session for 10 guys, we could have bought a beater car and driven to our hearts content in some field and do it again the next weekend and so on.
A lot of the guys I was with DID have a lot of fun but I didn't hear to much interest in coming back after it was all over. I don't think they had any regrets, but repeating the experience wasn't top of their list. The price ways heavy in making that decision.
Given the number of instructors, track maintainers, safety cone guys, and vehicle maintenance and wear and tear, and the well appointed building facilities, I don't think the price is unreasonable but the amount of fun for the dollar was an issue for me.
I wouldn't recommend the half day dirt fish session without raising the issues discussed above.
9. No Boat Brewing Company
Overall Ratings
5 based on 14 reviews
Reviewed By JediSushiChef - Austin, Texas
This is everything a brewery should be, and more. A great local hang and newer addition to the Snoqualmie Valley brewery circuit that's welcoming to all types. When you arrive, the outside seating by the entrance is roomy and family-friendly with picnic-style seating covered by shaded overhangs, along with a separate dedicated cornhole game area and a rotation of food trucks on most days. Flower boxes and other details add to a pleasant outdoor atmosphere....if you're giving it the attention you can tell someone put time and thought into making it an inviting, pleasant hang.
The inside is as impressive, but with a completely different twist as we're getting into brewerville. It's very open with the steely brew machinery feel, but maintains the warm, welcoming vibe from the outdoor area. A long bar & taps are on the right with staff ready to serve, and the can behind the bar area near the entrance when you need it. The wall on the other side receives large televised projection for ballgames and gives off a bit of a quirky retro feel, a bit like the rear screen projections from a R.E.M. concert back in the day. THEN the main show, the guts of the fabulous beer works, are on full display in the back. The space presents a well-conceived layout with bar seating, a leaning bar for the screen, and plenty of nooks with couches and tabletops for huddled groups. The floor layout feels resourceful and intended, but not forced, probably due in part to the generous overhead space created by the high warehouse ceilings. It adds nicely to the local foothills vibe of the place.
But beer drinkers take note -- this is why you're here, isn't it? I've tried several of their taps. My favorite is the rye IPA, although they seem to be out of it often. The scotch ale is also a great tap, but be careful because it's a bit sneaky. I also liked their double brown, and they have a couple good pales. I can't recall the specific names of all the taps because the place and its names are still relatively new, but their mainstays and seasonal rotations all taste great. There's something for everyone here. It's sensory overdrive time for the beer aficionado; home brewers and hardcore beer types can feast their eyes on the brewery machinery in the back while taking a flight through the local sauce.
You can take home a growler for most taps unless they're running low. The staff is friendly and helpful, and when they've run out of one of your favorites they can generally tell you when it's going to return or point you to another source to get your fix, as was the case with me and the rye IPA. This place is worth the trip for the beer experience, a ballgame, letting the kids run around, or to simply get out of the urban madness....come from afar, come often, and tip generously! :)
10. Snoqualmie Point Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8 reviews
Reviewed By Douglas S
My wife and I have visited this area in the past, trying to recreate the 'picnic scene' from Twin Peaks. Now that it is a developed park, this is both easier and more difficult. Certainly access and facilities have vastly improved. Regardless of your interest in Twin Peaks, this site offers a commanding view of the valley of the Snoqualmie, Mount Si, and a number of other peaks. We have seen it on both sunny and cloudy days, and either is a worthwhile sight--but my personal favorite is when the clouds prevent seeing the tops of the mountains, and confine the view. It just feels very snug and comfortable.
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