The Best of Mill Creek, WA

Mill Creek is a growing city of 20,000 residents sandwiched in-between Bothell on the south and Everett on the north. As it grows with new housing and commercial development, Mill Creek retains green spaces galore, with parks and playgrounds running through the entire city. While recent commercial developments often attract chain businesses, Mill Creek has many interesting locally-owned shops and eateries that offer an alternative to chain stores. Let’s explore the best of Mill Creek’s local flavors.

A viewpoint just off the North Creek Trail

Parks and Recreation in Mill Creek, WA

When you look at an overhead map view of Mill Creek, one appreciates the amount of green space. Small playground areas dot the map, and large swaths of reserved green space are evident. The most impressive of this set of green space is the North Creek Trail. The North Creek Trail starts from the North Creek Park, where you can enjoy boardwalks over impressive wetlands, runs Mill Creek’s entire western side, and ends in south Everett at McCollum Park. The section of the trail from Mill Creek Town center to McCollum park is nearly two miles uninterrupted tree cover on a paved path that serves walkers, runners, and bikers.

Breakfast options at Bequest Coffee Co. 

Local Coffee in Mill Creek, WA

With Mill Creek being near Seattle, you will find no shortage of the omnipresent Starbucks coffee shops around town. For local coffee lovers, a trip to Mill Creek Town Center gives you two of the best alternatives to corporate coffee with local favorites nearly across the street from each other. Both Bequest Coffee Co. and Spotted Cow Coffee Company offer an inviting atmosphere, a choice of delicious food options, and of course, fresh-brewed coffee drinks. A freshly made egg breakfast sandwich from Bequest is a reliable way to start your day.

Frame Choices at Artesian Custom Framing

Unique Shopping in Mill Creek, WA

If you are looking to support local business, Mill Creek offers shops of many varieties to frequent and shop local. Artesian Custom Framing, a thirty-year-old company in Mill Creek Town Center, has had three different local owners in its time in operation. In addition to their expert framing service, they sell a range of local artesian products like paintings and jewelry. Sports fans will enjoy a trip to Mill Creek Sports to look at their large selection of autographed sports memorabilia. Runners also have a local shop in the Town Center called Run26.

Central Market’s storefront in Mill Creek

Grocery Stores in Mill Creek, WA

When you drive around Mill Creek, you will note that grocery stores are abundant. While many of the stores are from national chains, two unique stores stand out. Sprouts Farmers Market in north Mill Creek is part of a national chain, but they focus on natural and organic food. Central Market in the Mill Creek Town Center is part of a three-store local chain. Going to Central Market is an experience with large tanks full of live crabs and lobsters and a large selection of natural and organic foods.