Monroe (Washington)

Monroe is a city in the Puget Sound region of Washington State. It is the home of the Evergreen State Fair, and the entrance to the Stevens Pass Highway. == Get in == === By car === US Highway 2 connects Monroe to the northwest (Cities of Snohomish and Everett) and to the southeast (Cities of Leavenworth, Wenatchee and eventually to Spokane and Idaho) through the beautiful Cascade Mountains via Stevens Pass. The drive from Snohomish to Monroe is mostly farmland, while the drive east and beyond is mostly forest. Monroe is generally considered the last stop for east-bound travelers, as it has the most options for food, lodging, bathrooms, or gasoline before trekking over the mountain pass and reaching the next big city of Leavenworth (1.5 - 2 hrs of driving). State Route (SR) 522 comes from the southwest originating from I-405 in Woodinville and ending at Highway 2 at the beginning of Monroe's newer retail area. Monroe-Duvall Rd (SR-203) originates further south at I-90 in Snoqualmie and winds 29 mi (47 km) up into Monroe through Pleasant Hill, Carnation, and Duvall. It crosses the Skykomish River and enters into Monroe as Lewis St,. It ends at its intersection with US Hwy 2. == Get around == Community Transit, ☏ +1 425-353-7433, toll-free: +1-800-562-1375. Operates local and regional public transit bus routes in Snohomish County, except only local routes in Everett. Communities within the county served by this operator's routes include Arlington, Edmonds, Everett, Lynnwood, Marysville, Mill Creek, Monroe, Mountlake Terrace, Mukilteo, Snohomish, and Stanwood. (updated Jun 2023) Bus routes travel to Monroe from Everett (270, 271) via Snohomish, and express buses from Seattle (424) via Kirkland and Woodinville. == See == 1 Monroe Historical Society & Museum, 207 E Main St, ☏ +1 360-217-7223. (updated Aug 2017) 2 Western Heritage Center, 611 US Highway 2, ☏ +1 425-232-3493. (updated Aug 2017) == Do == 1 Evergreen State Fair Park (Fairgrounds), 14405 179th Ave SE. Hosts events such as antique shows, concerts, holiday events, rodeos, and of course the Evergreen State Fair. Facilities can be rented out for private events. (updated Aug 2025) Evergreen Speedway, 14405 179th Ave SE (at Evergreen State Fairgrounds). (updated Aug 2017) === Events === 2 Evergreen State Fair, 14405 179th Ave SE (NW of Jct US-2 and SR-522), ☏ +1 360-805-6700. Late Aug-Labor Day. One of the largest county fairs in the Pacific Northwest, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors. Wander the display halls, see a concert, indulge in Fair food or feel the thrill of a carnival ride. Adults $16 weekday/$18 weekend. Parking $15. (updated Aug 2025) == Buy == == Eat == 1 Lewis & Main Restaurant, 104 N Lewis St, ☏ +1 360-799-3573. very spendy. 2 Alfy's Pizza, 9121 US Highway 2, ☏ +1 360-794-7775. (updated Aug 2017) == Drink == == Sleep == 1 Best Western Sky Valley Inn, 19233 US Highway 2, ☏ +1 360 794-3111, fax: +1 360 794-0179. (updated Aug 2017) 2 Evergreen Inn & Suites, Monroe, 19103 US Highway 2, ☏ +1 360-863-1900. (updated Aug 2017) == Go next == Monroe is on the North Cascade Loop itinerary.