A Beer-Based Arlington Adventure

A trip to a craft brewery can be an exciting one. So many unique beverages to try, delicious food and exploring the local landscape can turn a drinking adventure into a whole weekend of fun. A trip to Skookum Brewery in Arlington is one of those trips.

A 30 to 40 minute drive north (traffic depending, of course), Arlington is the last bastion of suburb before the northern valleys and farmlands on the border of Seattle NorthCountry. Arlington’s downtown is still classic American—quiet with small shops and diners. Time forgot downtown Arlington, but in the best way possible.

Located next to the Arlington Municipal Airport, Skookum Brewery boasts some of the best craft beer in Seattle NorthCountry—especially their IPA selection. The Jackass IPA and Mammoth Jack double IPA are on tap year-round, and Skookum offers ten rotating seasonal taps, so there’s no shortage of different brews to try. We suggest a flight or two to sample it all.

Stepping foot into the kitchy warehouse that Skookum calls home (look for the water tower out front with their logo on it), you can view vats of beers in various states of delicious fermentation. Outdoorsy decorations hang on the walls, with centerpieces of the lodge-like decor being taxidermied buffalo heads and a boat suspended from the ceiling.

While some craft breweries are beer-only, Skookum features a cast of food trucks to feed hungry guests. Be sure to check their calendar to see what mobile goodness is heading their way.

Looking for more fun in Arlington? Lodging can be found not too far away from Skookum Brewing. The Best Western has a full breakfast and omelette station ready for you in the morning. Want to stay a bit more off the beaten path? About 18 minutes away from the Arlington Airport is the Red Rock Inn, located in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains.

If you’re looking for a more robust and local breakfast spot, Elle’s at the Airport is an absolute treat. Dine on American breakfast staples on the deck in the sunny months and watch planes takeoff and land literally right next to you. Traveling by plane? Fly into the airport and park your plane next to Ellie’s for a quick lunch.

There’s also fun to be had around Skookum, with Gleneagle Golf Course just north of the brewery, Elle’s and the airport. Boasting 18-hole and 9-hole courses as well as a pro shop and restaurant, Gleneagle Golf Course is the perfect place to unwind on a summer’s afternoon.

After hitting the links, head north along Highway 9 into Arlington’s historic downtown to browse quaint shops and boutiques. The retro-cool Rocket Alley Bar & Grill is like stepping into a time machine with its manual scorekeeping, gravity-fed bowling ball return and six-lane layout. Don’t expect neon bowling or DJ light shows here.

Head back down south to grab lunch or dinner at Nutty’s Junkyard Grill, complete with classic car signage, gas pumps and car-themed burgers (you can even eat on the back of a flatbed truck). Do yourself a favor and pair your burger choice with their hand-dipped shakes (under “fluids” on the menu) or onion rings.