(gentle bright music) - Hey, I'm Rick Steves and I love to travel.

Whether enjoying the wonders of Europe or the local sites right here in my hometown of Edmonds, Washington, getting out and exploring brings me so much joy.

And you'd be surprised how many cool places and activities are right here in our own neighborhood and how easily you can get around these days using public transportation.

Where I live, Community Transit, the local transit provider, is better than ever at getting riders where they want to go throughout Snohomish County and beyond.

Whether you're traveling for work, school, shopping, dining, or just exploring, it's efficient, affordable, and a great way to experience our community.

I've partnered with Community Transit for a special series about the joy of travel right here in our own backyard.

Together, we'll explore our region and see how when you take public transit, the journey can be part of the fun.

Thanks for joining us for this Community Transit destination series.

(gentle playful music) One aspect of travel that warms my heart is the discovery of new and diverse cultures.

Whether you're traversing foreign lands or simply exploring the simple comforts here in our own backyard.

Here in the Pacific Northwest, there are so many vibrant communities.

Each one boasting its own unique blend of culture, cuisine, and art.

Each of these communities puts on great events throughout the year.

From community celebrations to art extravaganzas, there's something for everyone.

The Edmonds Art Festival is held annually in June, on the same weekend as Father's Day, and features more than 160 booth artists, a juried art contest with more than 400 regional artists and over a thousand pieces of art from students in the Edmonds School District.

Enjoy a variety of food options and enjoy live entertainment while you drink in the local art scene.

Parking can be hard to find during the festival, but buses to Edmonds make getting there a breeze.

The Monroe and Snohomish Pride celebrations in June are a wonderful way to celebrate the rainbow of diversity and love in our communities with a colorful parade, entertainment, music, food, and fun for all.

Enjoy two vibrant community events, the Mill Creek Festival and CELEBRATE!

Lynwood.

Enjoy local arts and crafts, food and fun.

Nearby bus stops can get you to both with no sweat.

The Evergreen State Fair is held every year for 11 days with the final day of fair ending on Labor Day.

Enjoy fun rides, music, food, and a rich celebration of local agriculture and community.

And, for front-door service, buses drop you right off at the entrance gate.

(light-hearted music) The annual Mukilteo Lighthouse Festival is the perfect way to say goodbye to summer.

Each September, visitors enjoy a weekend of fun events, including a 5K and 10K run, a parade, food and drinks, and a stunning firework show over Puget Sound.

There are so many exciting events and activities happening every week throughout the year, and Community Transit is here to help ensure anyone can get to the fun.

And for families with kids and teens, here's some more great news: youth 18 and younger ride the bus for free with a youth ORCA card making family travel plans easy on your wallet and giving teens the independence to take local transit.

Yep, ORCA has you covered for a budget-friendly family journey.

All aboard.

(gentle playful music) Thanks for joining me as we explore the different ways to take advantage of public transportation here in our region.

And if you haven't taken a ride on community transit, now's the perfect time to give it a whirl.

To learn more, head on over to ctgo.org/ridenow.

Until next time, I'm Rick Steves, thanks for watching and keep on traveling.