Downtown Issaquah

Native Salish people originally named Issaquah, Ishquoh [pron: ish-kwa], meaning “Sound of Water Birds.” Just south of Lake Sammamish, Issaquah is situated at the foot of 3 hills: Tiger Mountain to the southeast, Squak Mountain directly south, and Cougar Mountain in the west. Much of the mountain territory is Nature Reserve, and numerous trails invite hiking. In addition to being blessed with such natural beauty, Issaquah is the ideal spot to live for those who work in Bellevue or Seattle. I-90 runs along the city’s northern edge, making it a convenient 20 minute commute to work each day. And for weekend travel, you can easily head east on I-90 over the Snoqualmie Mountain pass, and on to the Tri-Cities area in Eastern Washington.

Downtown Issaquah is very unique in that much of its historic qualities have been preserved (www.downtownissaquah.com). Along Front Street, many early 19^th century buildings have been restored, and among the old-fashioned storefronts you’ll find a Dairygold Dairy with its outside walls decorated with colorful farm murals. The Village Theatre draws people throughout the greater Seattle area to view their elaborate and impressive musical productions, such as Showboat and The Importance of Being Earnest (www.villagetheatre.org ). Front Street Market is a local favorite for groceries, and also along the road you’ll find an old train depot and town hall that have been turned into museums.

In addition to its old-fashioned spirit, downtown also offers a variety of great places to eat. If you’re looking for mouthwatering steak, Jak’s Grill is Zagat Rated (www.jaksgrill.com ); for wine and tapas visit Claude Blumenzweig (www.vinobella.com ). In addition to these two favorites, there is a large variety of family dining options on Front Street, including Mandarin Garden, and Las Margaritas, a Korean BBQ, and various pizza joints. XXX Rootbeer (the only one left in the country), boasts giant hamburgers and drive-in service, and on any given day the parking lot may be full of Harleys or old-fashioned cars from the 50s (www.triplexrootbeer.com).

Gilman Village is another local gem. Connected by boardwalks, this grouping of specialty shops is the perfect shopping destination on the weekend (www.gilmanvillage.com ). Further down Gilman Boulevard, you’ll find the more modern part of Issaquah. There is a Bed, Bath & Beyond and Target, Gold’s Gym, a Safeway and QFC, and other nice retail and specialty stores. Issaquah also has a relatively new library, built in 2001.

Last but not least, Salmon Days, a free festival and parade that takes place every October, celebrates the local Washington State salmon hatchery off Front Street. This is where the fish return every year to spawn eggs. As well as salmon exhibits and activities, the festival features a grand parade of floats and performances, and over 300 local artists showcasing their unique arts and crafts (www.salmondays.org).