Birthplace of Boeing airplanes, Everett is a lively coastal city just north of Seattle. Its waterfront, once a highly industrialized area home to a naval base and large paper mill, has recently undergone a transformative redevelopment as a locale for seaside shopping, dining and festivities. The city's numerous parks, boasting free live concerts every summer, are excellent for hiking or relaxing, while the coast is a popular spot for sailing, water sports and whale watching excursions.