News from the Station

Life in Mountlake Terrace, Washington

As the seventh-largest city in Snohomish County, Mountlake Terrace offers a lot for residents to enjoy. Due to its idyllic location in the Pacific Northwest, you can spend your days outdoors enjoying nature, wine tasting at a local vineyard, or shopping til you drop.

Your next shopping spree is awaiting you at Alderwood Mall, the area’s premier shopping destination! When you call Terrace Station home, you are conveniently located to retailers like Costco and QFC. Need to make a quick trip to the pharmacy? Rite Aid is only a two-minute drive from your front door! Are you looking to switch up your style? Stop by Bellis Salon to get pampered! Terrace Station is also just a quick drive from Maida Hair Salon. And most importantly, only a half-mile away from the nearest Starbucks!

Other coffee shops in the area include Espresso Break, just a four-minute drive up the road from Terrace Station, Urban City Coffee, known for their coffee and sandwiches, and Woods Coffee, where we like to get our favorite seasonal drinks!

Shopping can really work up an appetite, thankfully Mountlake Terrace is a melting pot of different cuisines! If you’re in the mood for Mediterranean you have to check out Time Out, a Greek American fusion restaurant. Craving Mexican? Las Espuelas will feed your appetite! And our personal favorite, Italian food from Sorelli Pizza!

Schooling In and Around Mountlake Terrace

Mountlake Terrace is home to Edmonds School District. Terrace Station is within a 5-mile proximity to 16 schools ranging from preschool to high school. Edmonds Community College and Shoreline Community College are both only a short drive away. Also in the area include Cascadia College, Lake Washington Institute of Technology, and Western Washington University at North Seattle College.

Spend your Days Outdoors Surrounded by Natural Beauty

Located just five miles from Puget Sound and within 100 miles of six different national parks and forests, Mountlake Terrace is a nature lovers’ paradise. Just in Mountlake Terrace alone, there are nine neighborhood parks and countless trails!

If you’re interested in the history of Mountlake Terrace and the surrounding area, pay a visit to Heritage Park to learn about its unique past.

Any bikers out there? Go for a ride along Interurban Trail, an 11.8-mile paved trail that is friendly to bikers, joggers, and walkers, and yes, that includes dogs! During the cooler months, enjoy the Mountlake Terrace Recreation Pavillion, equipped with an indoor swimming pool and lazy river! During the warmer months, head down to the dock at Lake Ballinger where you can enjoy an afternoon of fishing, quiet boating, or playing at the waterfront.

Whatever activities you enjoy, whether it be trying out a new restaurant or hiking Mount Rainier, Mountlake Terrace is the perfect place to call home. And after an action packed day of activity, there’s no better place to come home to than Terrace Station Apartments!

During these uncertain times we encourage you to check the Covid guidelines being enforced at each of the places mentioned above before you go so you are aware of any closures or restrictions that may be in place. To stay up to date on the most recent news and developments regarding the Coronavirus, please read the Washington State Coronavirus Response.

A new year means it’s time for a home decor refresh! Whether you’re looking to completely revamp your space or just add a few touches to spruce it up, Mountlake Terrace and the surrounding area is home to a variety of home decor shopping options.

Find timeless and versatile pieces big and small at Pottery Barn, just up the road from Terrace Station in the Alderwood Mall. Get lost in their vast selection of bedding, dinnerware, rugs, and more! Although on the more high-end side, this is the perfect place to invest in staple pieces for your home that will last a lifetime! 

Just next door to Pottery Barn you’ll find Home Goods. Cost friendly and the perfect place to find decor for any upcoming holiday, Home Goods is your one stop shop for finding incredible deals on funky and unique pieces! 

Our neighboring town, Lynnwood, Washington, is home to a Restoration Hardware Outlet. This upscale home furnishing company is typically on the pricier side but this outlet sells all of your favorite home decor pieces at a fraction of the original price! Score on all the latest and greatest home decor trends without having to break the bank! 

Take a trip to Edmonds, Washington, where you’ll discover Cost Plus World Market! This eclectic specialty import store is the perfect place to find unique decorations and furniture that will give your space a bohemian and alternative vibe! Also check out their fake plants section for those of you who don’t have a green thumb! 

As always, it is important to support our local small businesses, BuyItInSeattle.com is a great place to shop online and find one-of-a-kind, original  home decor all while supporting the local community! 

If we learned anything in 2020, it was how important it is to have your home be a place that you enjoy spending time in. It doesn’t need to cost an arm and a leg for you to transform your space into something that reflects your own unique personal style! Stay connected with us on Facebook and Instagram as well as our blog where we continually highlight local favorites in the Mountlake Terrace community! 

Seattle is nestled between Puget Sound and Lake Washington, surrounded by the Olympic and Cascade mountain ranges. Due to its idyllic location and dry summer subtropical climate, this city is bursting with natural resources.

As Seattle has evolved over the years, one thing remains consistent, people are flocking to this city! It was first inhabited for thousands of years by the Coastal Squamish peoples before the arrival of the Europeans in 1851. It is then that a lot of extensive trade and social networks that are still used today were developed. The name “Seattle” is derived from the Duwamish Indian Leader, Sealth.

The coal and lumber economy was skyrocketing, and a growing economy meant a growing population. In 1889, estimates report Seattle was gaining 1,000 new residents every month! The massive fire of June 1889 did not hinder the growth rate but rather made it that much more explosive. Seattle was rebuilt, bigger and better than before, buildings were required to be made of steel and brick and the city gained its own professional fire department.  

Seattle became even more of a boomtown with the arrival of the second transcontinental railroad in 1893 and the discovery of gold near the Klondike River in 1897. Things didn’t slow down there. During World War I, Seattle’s shipbuilding industry turned out 20 percent of the nation's warships. 

Seattle was notorious for its boom-and-bust economy. The 1920s were a dark time economically and the city became overrun with Hoovervilles. The start of World War II sparked a rebirth as shipyards once again flourished. The Boeing Company brought a breath of fresh air to the city but even it had its economic slumps. 

Regardless of the ups and downs, Seattle has always remained optimistic. Companies such as Starbucks, Amazon, Microsoft, and Google now help fuel the economy and \ employment. Today, Seattle is known for its arts and cultural institutions, multiple universities and their collegiate sports, as well as,  professional sports teams, and historical landmarks like Pikes Place Market and Pioneer Square. 

To learn more about the rich history of Seattle, visit the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture. Although currently closed to the public due to COVID-19, their website is packed with resources and history lessons.

When you’re in the mood for Thai food, Savvy Thai Cuisine is the place to go. The owners moved to the Seattle area from Thailand and are cooking up all your favorite Thai classics but also adding their own flair by introducing never before tasted dishes that are sure to become your new go-to's!  Although Thai food has a reputation of being spicy, Savvy Thai Cuisine perfectly blends tangy, spicy, a pinch of sweetness, and a touch of saltiness in all of their dishes!

There’s never a bad time for Chinese food and that’s why Wonton Noodle House is one of our top picks! Their huge menu includes handmade wontons, noodles, and dumplings stuffed with shrimp, pork, and Chinese mushrooms. Their noodles come severed in a hot bowl of broth accompanied by marinated eggs, bean sprouts, and crunchy sweet onions.

If you’re looking for more than just a delicious dinner but an experience, check out Ka Won Korean BBQ. Open since 2001, not only have they mastered the art of Korean BBQ using high-quality ingredients but they excel in customer service. We recommend the Kawon Deungshim! 

Wild Wasabi arrives at the top spot for our favorite sushi restaurant. They’re serving up real rolls, nigiri, and sashimi masterly prepared with only the freshest ingredients. If sushi isn’t your thing, try one of their Japanese favorites like udon, tempura, or teriyaki. At Wild Wasabi it’s so much more than just the incredible food but the friendly staff that makes your dining experience so enjoyable. 

Nothing warms up our bellies on a cold day here in the Pacific Northwest quite like a hot bowl of pho from Pho Ha Restaurant! Famous for their original pho recipe the owner learned when living in Vietnam, you can’t find it more authentic than this! Other favorite dishes include their oxtail pho, Bahn Mi, and spring rolls. 

So next time you and your partner are going back and forth saying “I don’t know what do you want?”, “I don’t know what do you want?” when discussing dinner plans, browse over our top picks! We promise you, there’s no wrong choice! 

Whether you’re looking to bike, ride horseback, inline skate, or walk, Interurban Trail, located between Seattle and Everett, is perfect for you! This 24-mile long trail weaves through the communities of Shoreline, Mountlake Terrace, Edmonds, and Lynwood. On this path, you’ll come across both Alderwood and Evertt regional mall, a casino, abandoned drive-in theater, among other businesses! 

Spanning 19 miles between Seattle and Bothell, you’ll find the Burke-Gilman trail, accessible to bikers, walkers, and wheelchairs. This trial is used as a way for people to commute to work and the University of Washington just as much as it’s used for recreation and fitness. Its endpoints can be found at Golden Gardens Park and 102nd Ave. NE. 

Are you an adrenaline junkie who loves mountain biking? Well, Tolt Pipeline Trail is perfect for you! This 17-mile long trail made of gravel and dirt is full of steep grades making it a killer workout! 

If you’re looking for a scenic route, consider the Sammamish River Trail, pace through a wide greenway lined with riverside parks and farms. There are bathrooms placed in increments along the trail for your convenience and best of all, it’s dog friendly so your canine companion can tag along! 

We can guarantee you this, there are more trials than there are sunny spring days here in the Pacific Northwest so don’t wait around, get out and enjoy the beauty and nature that surrounds us here in Mountlake Terrace! To learn more about each of the trail’s above beginning and endpoints, click the embedded links! Happy Hiking!

Our favorite place to cheer on our favorite sports team while sipping on a beer is Ringers Pub and Grill. Just a five-minute drive from Terrace Station, this neighborhood sports bar has top-notch customer service and unbeatable specials on food and drinks. There’s no better place to be on game day! 

The Getaway Tavern is the perfect place to unwind after a long day. This laid-back neighborhood dive bar offers new specials every night on their American comfort food and beer options. It’s notorious for its good music and epic karaoke nights! 

During Happy Hour, you can find us at Pub 44. Remarked by some as the best bar in town, this neighborhood joint offers bar-goers access to their pool tables, darts, big block Jenga, and water pong! They also have an awesome beer selection and delicious food to pair it with!

Attention wine lovers, the Pacific Northwest is home to some of the best wineries in the world, and just within a few minute’s drive of Terrace Station alone, we have a variety to choose from. Our personal favorite happens to be Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery. Open Wednesday through Sunday, book a reservation for a tasting experience. 

Anytime the sun is shining, you can find us on Kelnero’s patio enjoying one of their craft cocktails. This cocktail bar, only a 12-minute drive from Terrace Station, serves up unique drinks like a Mediterranean Margarita, Maple Old-Fashioned, and Pistachio Punch! 

The days of waiting until 5 o’clock are over with, head to one of these neighborhood joints today and enjoy a drink with some good company!

Urban City Cafe is the perfect place to curl up with a good book or get some work done thanks to their cozy environment and indoor/outdoor seating. Pair your coffee or tea with one of their paninis, breakfast burritos, pastries, or biscuits from NW Biscuit Company! 

Are you looking to support a coffee shop that sources its coffee sustainably? Woods Coffee is a Washington-based coffee chain that sources their coffee globally, to provide you with the best-tasting coffee, but also to support and honor the hard-working coffee farmers! Right now, they’re offering online ordering, all you have to do is swing by and pick up your order!

In a pinch but can’t go on with the day until you get your caffeine fix? Swing by Rooster’s Espresso, a coffee stand that has been serving up delicious coffee drinks for nearly 30 years! They pride themselves in excellent, fast service, perfect for busy carpool mornings. While you’re there, don’t forget to try one of their famous breakfast burritos!  

Any self-proclaimed chai connoisseurs out there? You have to check out Espresso Break, a local coffee stand where they're making their chai mix fresh, in-house! Not only are their chais’ great but so is their customer service. Best of all, they are dog-friendly and even offer dog discounts on Saturdays!

It’s safe to say you will never go a day without getting your caffeine fix when you live in Mountlake Terrace! Whether you’re a coffee, tea, or just in it for the pastries type person, there’s a coffee shop for you!

The City of Mountlake Terrace offers a plethora of Youth Day Camps for children of all ages throughout the entire summer! Camp activities include songs, games, arts and crafts, swimming, trips to local parks, and more. They also offer more specialized camps for children interested in swimming, sports, dance, tennis, and basketball! Your little ones will be exhausted by the end of the day! 

Mountlake Terrace is conveniently located nearby a variety of hiking trails! A few hikes we have on our list so far include Goldmyer Hot Springs, a 4.5-mile hike nestled in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains, Big Gulch Trail, a dog-friendly trail winding through meadows and forest, and North Creek Trail in Bothell, a recreational multipurpose trail!

With Seattle just a short drive from Mountlake Terrace, we’re adding some iconic attractions to our bucket list. A trip to the Chihuly Gardens and Glass is definitely on our list, this exhibition includes 8 galleries, glasshouses, and gardens to explore! For family-friendly fun for all, we’re taking a trip to the Pacific Science Center for hundreds of hands-on science exhibits! We’re packing up our picnic basket and heading to Seattle’s iconic Gas Works Park to bask in the beautiful summer weather! 

With so much to do in the surrounding area, there’s never a dull moment in Mountlake Terrace. Get out and enjoy as much as you can while we have beautiful weather, we all know it won’t be long before the rain rolls back into town! 

Known for their nigiri and rolled sushi, Sushi Moto Japanese Restaurant is a cozy joint located just off Pacific Highway. Along with their signature dishes, they also serve Japanese favorites like tempura and udon. Although they are on the pricier side, you can taste the freshness and the hard work that goes into creating their hot pots, bento boxes, and rolls. 

If sushi isn’t your thing, check out Wild Wassabi! Although most people flock here for their top-notch sashimi, they also offer an extensive vegetarian menu that includes favorites like udon, teriyaki, and tempura! If you’re feeling adventurous, they are always pushing the envelope with their innovative chef’s specials! 

Another one of our favorites is Sushi MISOYA. This family-run restaurant tucked away in H Mart Plaza is known for its welcoming atmosphere, This is the perfect place for sushi purists who love classic rolls made with high-quality ingredients. If you’re looking for the perfect blend of ambiance and delicious food, you have got to check this place out! 

If you’re looking for a dining experience, Oceano Sushi & Asian Fusion will blow you away! They don’t just see sushi as food but rather as an art form. They are on the pricer side but their sushi truly tastes as good as it looks, but let’s get one thing straight, it’s still not too pretty to eat!

We hope our recommendations got you hungry for sushi! We suggest you take the time to try out each restaurant listed above so you can get an idea of what makes each place special! Bon Appetit, Terrace Station residents! 

Packing your kids lunch at home ensures your student stays full and focused for the day full of learning ahead of them! Days of soggy sandwiches and stale crackers are over! Get creative when thinking of meals to pack, here are some tasty ideas! Is the carpool line taking forever? These meals double as quick dinners! 

Staying organized during back to school season can be challenging, between carpooling, homework, and extracurricular activities, it can be nearly impossible to keep your Terrace Station home looking tidy. Follow these tips that utilize household items and transform them into organizational lifesavers! 

Send your kids back to school with A+ style! Some of the best sales of the year happen around this time and CNN has compiled a list of all the best sales you have got to hit up! The list includes school supply stores like Best Buy, Staples, Office Depot, and more! 

Homework time can be a point of stress in a lot of households, especially as students adjust to their new schedule after a summer full of fun. Hold the tears and read The Princeton Review’s top 12 Study Tips for Back-to-School. A few of their tips include staying organized with a planner, getting into a routine, and utilizing multiple study areas!

Make this year your student’s most successful school year yet! After the out of the ordinary year last year was, it can be hard to get back in the swing of things but by following these tips and tricks, we’re sure you, and your student, will be successful!