While Rick Steves is renowned for his European adventures, locals may be surprised to see him touting exploring the hidden gems of Snohomish County while taking transit. The new series brings a fresh perspective of the region, highlighting accessible and affordable travel options right in our backyard. The series is a collaboration between Community Transit, Snohomish County’s public transit provider, and Rick Steves.  

The renowned travel writer, television host, and public speaker lives in Edmonds, Washington when he’s not touring the world. Locals can even stop by his travel store in Edmonds to explore their travel needs. His approachable style and emphasis on connecting with local cultures have made him a beloved figure locally and around the globe.  

“Our partnership with Rick Steves is a reminder that public transit isn't just a means of transportation; it's a gateway to exploring your community in a whole new way,” says Community Transit CEO Ric Ilgenfritz. “When you hop on a bus or train, you're not just going from point A to point B — you’re embarking on an adventure. You can take in the scenery, connect with your neighbors and loved ones, and discover hidden gems you might never have known existed. Rick Steves, with his passion for travel and local experiences, perfectly captures the spirit of this journey.”  

The series includes five videos in which Steves hops on Community Transit buses to highlight popular spots in Edmonds, Lynnwood, Mukilteo, and the Greater Seattle region. Steves also explores regional connections with Sound Transit's Link light rail extension and highlights exciting annual festivals and events in Snohomish County.  

Bothell City Council member Jenne Alderks applauds the series and credits Steves for influencing how community leaders think about transit policies that shape local travel.   

“I don’t know if Rick Steves realizes how much he had impacted local policymakers. A lot of us learned about European urbanism from watching his travel shows. What you are doing here highlights what we figured out watching his shows: European style urbanism is possible in the United States if we are willing to learn from and adopt some of their practices.” 

Isabelle Hitzel, who managed the marketing campaign for this series, says it comes at a pivotal time for local transit. 

“It’s been a big year for local transit, and we've had a lot to share with riders. We launched Swift Orange Line, Link light rail expanded to our region, and we had a major service change, bringing 32% more local service to riders. People see so many ads in a day — we wanted this series to be different. This series was an opportunity to explore all those big changes and remind people of the wonderful places they can take transit.” 

Marketing Copywriter Rory Graves, who helped write the series, says she hopes it can encourage people who haven’t tried local transit take the leap.  

“Taking the bus or light rail for the first time can be intimidating, but Rick can make even the most daunting travel plans seem easy and approachable. And once you’ve done that first trip, you have the confidence to do it again. I hope this series can help convert new transit riders.” 

Ready to embark on a journey through Snohomish County with Rick Steves as your guide? See the full series here and start planning your trip today!