Things to Do in Lynnwood

Waterways Cruises offers a unique and unforgettable way to experience Seattle aboard its beautifully appointed yachts. Our Dining Cruises will treat you to the best of fresh Northwest cuisine and spectacular sights along the way, while our private charters will accommodate groups up to 200 guests for special celebrations.

If you’ve never stood on top of water, or if you’ve stood on it and want to further defy the laws of viscosity and velocity, then strap in to Northwest Riders’ line of Slingshot Sports boards and bindings, designed to give you a blend of comfort and performance that most only experience during sleeping-bag races. As you’re towed along by a 21-foot Malibu vRide boat, the experienced nautical navigators on board will tame the wake to fit your desired degree of difficulty.

Classes run year-round at various times of day during the midweek and weekend, depending on availability (it's busiest on weekends, naturally). The first three hours are spent in the classroom, covering basic knots, safety precautions, and terminology. Once you've sorted out port from starboard and clarified where the bunny goes after emerging from the hole, you and two or three other students will hop into one of the club's boats for some hands-on practice. The small class size ensures plenty of time sailing, mastering the rigs of rigging and the sportsmanship of seamanship, while receiving personal attention and critique from a worthy seastructor who is United States Coast Guard certified.

It's been more than three decades since Andrew Drake rode his first wave, but his passion for surfing stays strong. Washington Surf Academy is the embodiment of his passion and has grown to include instruction not just for surfing but for paddleboards as well. Unlike a gingerbread man's enemies, Mr. Drake's classes don't take a cookie-cutter approach. "Every person is a unique case," he says. The diversity of his clientele is one of the things Mr. Drake finds most rewarding. "Some people will have huge fears, and it is nice to see them get over them. This one time, this lady was freaking out, but I talked her into it, and she loved it so much that she bought a board from us on the first day."

By helping them to float out of their comfort zones, Mr. Drake and his team open people up to the hidden world off Seattle's coast. With snow-capped peaks in the distance, surfers can conquer waves and paddleboarders can float beneath bald eagles flying to their next college history lecture.

Wave Hounds’ staff of paddling pros connects surf riders with outstretched waves via easygoing paddleboard rentals and lessons. For those requiring a car rack to hoist boards to the beach, the stoked staff at Wave Hounds can provide temporary use of one for no additional cost. With a board onboard, water-walkers can speed off to any nearby body of water, including Green Lake, Lake Washington, Lake Union, or Lake Sammamish, or any other spot indicated by a blue blob on a map. A stand-up paddleboard not only imbues stand-out abs, but provides a quiet, connected-to-the-sea means to poke around mysterious inlets and intimate coves. Though a stand-up paddleboard is easy to operate, the shop can provide a condensed 10-minute lesson for those who request it. With multiple boards in stock, the husband-and-wife team behind Wave Hounds can provide a well-fitting 3-D steed for any rider. Wetsuits are also available to rent for an additional fee.

Outdoor Adventure Center's wildly experienced guides have led groups off the grid for more than a quarter century, pursuing rugged fun in the scenery and fresh air of mountains, rivers, and coastlines. Explorers at heart, the staff boldly launch kayaks into the ocean around the San Juan Islands and conquer the frothy waters of the scenic Skykomish River, known for its beginner-friendly rapids, migrations of spawning merpeople, pool and drop areas, and breathtaking views of 5,000-foot mountain peaks. Horseback and hiking trips delve into the lush woods, and nature photography excursions pause to celebrate the beauty of the wilderness near Index. The core team of 14 guides takes safety seriously, most with certifications from the American Canoe Association, training in wilderness first aid, CPR, and swiftwater rescue, and life vests tattooed over their chests.