1. OUTDOOR ADVENTURE CENTER...

This company is the amazing outdoor adventure outfitting company that owns this amazing venue as well! Outdoor Adventure Center gets people from all over and brings them white water rafting down the North and South Fork sections of the Skykomish River as well as various local rivers. They also provide inflatable kayak trips, teach classes, provide multi-day adventure trips and do sea kayaking in the San Juan Islands. A rafting trip with your wedding party, friends and family is a perfect way to celebrate. If you need a very safe, exciting, and professional guided trip either on the river or on the ocean, please contact them at 425 883 9039 or go to their webpage at outdooradventurecenter.com.

 

 

2. WALLACE FALLS HIKING LOOP...

To get there, take Highway 2 west toward Gold Bar from Index and follow the signage directing you to take a right on First Street and beyond to Wallace Falls State Park. In recent years, the park was charging an entrance fee, though this practice seems to have gone by the wayside. Park and hit the trail! This winding trail is short and well-marked. There are a few hills along the way but fair. There is also quite a bit of foot traffic on this trail which makes the path very visible and allows it to be absolutely accessible to the whole family. With 200’ drops, these lower, middle and upper falls create an exciting scene! This hike, if you go all the way to the top and take the loop, will take around 3hr. 15min., a total of 6.3 miles. But, know you don’t have to go all the way to the top and you can still enjoy the beautiful falls.

 

 

3. HEYBROOK LOOKOUT HIKING TRAIL...

To get there, take Highway 2 east of Index just past milepost 37. Parking for the trailhead is a widened gravel shoulder on the north side of the highway. This trail is a just shy of a mile one way but gains roughly 800’ through the forest as you hike. This trail is great for people looking for an easy hike that takes only about 1hr. and 30min. up and back. Back in 1925 a lookout was first placed here and by 1932 a 45’ tower was erected. That tower stood until replaced by a larger tower in 1964.  The current lookout was built in the late 1990’s, stands 73’ tall, and offers some excellent views of Mount Baring, Mount Persis, Mount Index, and Bridal Veil Falls.

 

 

4. LAKE SERENE HIKING TRAIL & BRIDAL VEIL FALLS...

To get there, take Highway 2 west of Index. Keep an eye out for the Mt. Index road on the left near milepost 35. Take the Mt. Index Road for about a half-mile following the signs directing you to the Lake Serene Trailhead. Once you reach the trail start hiking. Once you reach a fork a sign for Bridal Veil Falls should be about a mile into the trail. This little jaunt is great if you’re looking for a small hike that is well marked and easy. Lake Serene on the other hand is about a4hr. 30min. hike that has quite a bit of elevation change and has a lot of switchbacks. This hike is moderate, but is advised for someone who is looking for adventure and willing to take the distance and stamina to get there. To get there you just follow the signs at the fork and continue on. Once you reach the top you can make your way to the beautiful snow-feed and sometimes iced over lake.  This wonderful trail is worth every step as you get to your goal of lake, because as you reach the lake it is as though you can touch Mt. Index right behind it. We do advise that you hike often in order to do this hike as well as ask that you start early. 

 

 

5. INDEX TOWN WALL OVERLOOK HIKE...

To get there, take Highway 2 to the Index turnoff near Milepost 34. Follow the Index-Galena Road for about a mile to the bridge. Take a left at the bridge and go across the river, proceeding through town to Index Ave.  Take a left crossing the railroad tracks and following Index Ave as it turns left and becomes 2nd Street.  Take the next left onto Avenue A and follow it out of out of town for a half mile to find the parking area on the right. Once you’ve parked, take the obvious trail up to the railroad tracks, cross them, and avoid being decoyed toward the sign to your left. Rather, head right and follow the tracks for a couple hundred yards until you see a road turning toward the rock wall. Following the road you will come across a clearing, a rock wall with a big white door. Once here, follow the wall right until you find the trailhead. As the trail switchbacks up, through the young forest, always choose the path that continues uphill. The trail is a continual steady uphill trek through the woods as you continue climbing to the top of the cliffs until you reach your destination. Once the trail gets to a small service road, head to the right to get to the beautiful views of Index, Mt. Index and the surrounding peaks, mountains and valleys. This hike is for good hikers and advised to those who want an adventure without great mapped out signs. This hike is up, up, up and takes about 2hrs. and is 2.5mi.

 

 

6. SEATTLE & PIKES PLACE MARKET...

This is a must see for anyone and everyone. SEATTLE IS AMAZING, just packed with fun things to do and see all day long! Pikes Place is one of Seattle’s top best places to visit and has so many fun things to see and do! From Index WA to Pikes Place you will go west on hwy. 2. Once you reach hwy. 2 you will get on the 522 going west. Next take I-405 S toward Bellevue and then take exit 14 for Washington 520 W toward Seattle. Keep left at the fork, follow signs for I-5 S/Portland and merge onto I-5 S. Take exit 165B to merge onto Union St.  Turn right onto 1st Ave and then turn left onto Pike St.  Pike Place Market 85 Pike St. Seattle, WA 98101. Also, there is the Space Needle, the Gum Wall, Alkai Beach, Seattle Art Museum, etc, to visit, so have fun!

 

 

7. LEAVENWORTH WASHINGTON...

This beautiful old Bavarian town is a great place to bring family and friends if they want to get a taste of Bavarian food, and atmosphere! This town has a lot to go see and do! To visit this awesome town from Index, WA you will need to go east on Hwy. 2 for about 1hr. and 20min.! You can look up fun things to do at cityofleavenworth.com/about-leavenworth. Also, Outdoor Adventure Center now does rafting on the Wenatchee River as well, so contact them if you are looking at getting some white water action with your crew before you head out to explore this awesome town!

 

 

8. SAN JUAN ISLANDS...

These Islands are absolutly the jems of WA. (besides Index of course). If you are looking for ocean water, beauty, and amazing sunsets, these Islands are just the place to for a fun couple days of adventure and exploration! From hiking, biking, whale watching, paddle boarding, unique little shops, farms, sea life, to the ferry ride, you name it...they have it. The only hard part is, they are a ways out from Index and the ferry ride can be $$. But, all in all, if you are looking for another fun option for your guests, this is a great place to visit! 

 

 

9. THE MUSEUM OF FLIGHT...

Definitely a Great Museum to go see and visit for the history of planes and flight! Lots of displays which are hands on, which makes it fun for kids to adults. There are various sit in the cockpit plane displays, from fighters, to boeing, to other plane, they have it! Many poeple who have gone have great reviews of this place and say they love touring air force one and the concorde. The employees who work there are very knowledgeable and friendly! Their cafe prices there are reasonably priced and there is plenty of parking. Great outing to take little ones, grandparents, family and friends on a rainy day. Their address is 9404 East Marginal Way S Seattle, WA. 98108-4097 and you can reach them by phone at 206 764 5720.

 

 

10. SULTAN BAKERY...

This is our top most favorite place to go get brunch or lunch! They have amazing, did I mention, AMAZING sandwiches, donuts, soups, egg meals…you name it! Go visit them at 711 W Stevens Ave Sultan, WA 98294 or contact them at 360 793 7996.

 

 

11. ZEKE'S DRIVE IN...

This is a great burger joint that is only a few miles from the River House. Go visit them at 43810 State Rt 2, Gold Bar, WA 98251 or contact them at 360 793 2287.

 

 

12. LA HACIENDA MEXICAN RESTAURANT... 

A great Mexican restaurant located just 15 minutes from Index in the small town of Gold Bar, WA. They have great margaritas and a decent menu. A great option for a local dinner or even a budget rehearsal restaurant. The best way to contact them is through their Yelp page at yelp.com/biz/la-hacienda-gold-bar. 

 

 

13. MOUNTAIN VIEW DINNER...

This is another dinner that does a great breakfast and lunch. Visit them at 1306 Croft Ave., Gold Bar, WA 98251 or contact them at 360 793 3345.

 

 

14. BENJARONG THAI RESTAURANT...

This is one oof our top favorites! The food is great and they are super friendly! Please try them and visit 19480 Hwy. 2 Monroe, WA 98272 or contact them at 360 794 5099.

 

 

15. TACOS EL REY...

If you are looking for a meal that comes fast and tastes great for less try this place out! Check them out at 19191 Hwy. 2 Monroe, WA 98272 or contact them at 360 805 0872.

 

 

16. RED ROBIN GOURMET BURGERS...

Classic American food is here in little Monroe as well, try out the everyday Red Robin at 14797 N Kelsey St., Monroe, WA 98272 or contact them at 360 805 9949.

 

 

17. MI TIERRA...

If you’re looking for the late night Mexican restaurant, you can visit Mi Tierra at 19480 State Route 2, Monroe, WA 98272 or contact them by phone at 360 805 5522.

 

 

18. SOCKEYE'S RESTAURANT & BAR...

The only seafood restaurant in the area is Sockeyes Restaurant and Bar in Monroe. It is located right on the beautiful though man-made Lake Tye.