Kent, Washington: Travel Guide

D and I head to Seattle on a very regular basis. Seattle is only about a 3-hour drive from Portland, so its very easy to access by car, bus, train, or plane. That said, there are SO many neighborhoods and cities in the Seattle Metropolitan area. I recently had the opportunity to explore one of those cities: Kent, Washington.

Visit Kent (Kent Washington Tourism) invited a group of influencers up to explore this city for the weekend and I’m excited to share what we found. Kent is located a mere 19 miles south of Seattle proper. You get the beauty of the Pacific Northwest, but not quite the hustle and bustle of a huge city. It’s a perfect compromise! My favorite thing about Kent is the diversity. As we drove around I noticed cuisines from across the globe, people of all colors, and cultural arts everywhere. Whether you are looking to try a new craft beer, go kayaking on a lake, or learning a new painting technique Kent Washington has something for you.

Food

As I mentioned, the options when it comes to world cuisines are ENDLESS in Kent. We tried a variety of different restaurants over the weekend in Kent, but I’ve listed some of my favorites.

Asadero Sinaloa: This may have been my favorite meal in Kent. I had never been to a Mexican restaurant quite like this one. This quintessential Northern Mexican restaurant serves up smokey, flavorful meat in many different forms. Tacos, Carne Asada plates, bone marrow and more. Everything we tried was absolutely delightful. Not to mention the margarita was the perfect pairing for the savoy cuts of meat.

Banyan Tree: I LOVE Thai food. I often find that when D and I eat out- we tend to lean towards Thai restaurants. That being said, I’ve had a lot of Thai food over the year and was still very pleased with the Thai dishes at Banyan Tree. The dish that stood out to me: Kao Soy. It was spicy, rich and SO tasty.

Wild Wheat Bakery: This bakery/restaurant was SO cute. All the baked goods in the glass case were perfection. I honestly would have been happy trying any of them. I decided to get the salmon/lox plate. It was the perfect combination of fresh bagel, cream cheese, and salty fish + capers. You can’t go wrong with anything at this top breakfast/lunch spot.

Drink:

Airways Brewery: I love a good craft beer, but living in the Pacific Northwest, you get overwhelmed with all the options. While in Kent, we stopped by Airways Brewing. I loved all the beers I tried, which is rare. I got a flight (huge pours!) and tended to pick several of the lighter beers, but each one stood on its own and was unique. My favorite was the Jumbo Juice. I also liked the whole vibe of the taproom, really getting into the vintage airline look/feel. If you are in Kent, you have to stop here!

Sidetrack Distillery: You couldn’t beat the atmosphere at this tasting room. It was on a working farm! We had a chance to stroll through the fields and see the raspberries, blueberries, flowers, peaches and more. That made our tasting experience much better because when we tasted the liquors – the fruit really stood out. All the liquors we tried were worth taking home! If you want to try these for yourself, check out their website as opening times are subject to change.

Sights:

Lake Meridian: If you are looking to swim, kayak, or spend a day in the park, Lake Meridian is your spot. This lake located right in Kent has water access for everyone. You can even use motorized boats on this lake! I loved strolling around the lake and putting my feet in the cool water on a hot summer day. It’s a wonderful way to spend your day in Kent.

Kent Farmer’s Market: Everyone loves a good farmers market. The Kent Farmers Market is no exception! It had stalls with all kinds of world cuisines. I also love the stunning flowers and bounty of fresh fruit and vegetables. If you are in Kent on a Saturday- stop by the Farmer’s Market!

Artsy Fartsy Art Lessons: Why not take a quick art lesson while you are in Kent? Artsy Fartsy is the cutest little art shop and gallery in downtown Kent. Susan, the owner is patient and so passionate about art. Whether you are a beginning or professional artist, there is something here for you. Stop by and view the gallery or get your hands a little dirty and create some art of your own. 

To learn more about Kent and to plan your next visit- check out VisitKent.com.

While this trip was sponsored by Visit Kent, the thoughts and opinions are my own. Next time you are thinking about heading up to Seattle from Portland, consider staying in Kent! I know you will enjoy it as much as I did!

Love,
Rachel x