Go have dinner somewhere on the water (Ray's Boathouse was my first thought). I'm not one of those crazy "The Water's So Beautiful!" people, but I find the sailboats pretty relaxing.

Then prepare yourself for the sadness that is Everett. My condolences.

If I had one afternoon/evening to spend in Seattle before going on to Everett, I'd go on down to the water and have myself a good cry. After that, head up to Freemont/Ballard to revel in weirdness.

The market is one of my favorite places in Seattle. I've gone there every time (this will be my fifth) I've visited. I can't recall ever seeing a headshop though. I guess it's time to check out what else has changed. So that's the afternoon. I guess I need to find dinner before heading back to SEA to pick up my co-worker before we trek up to Everett (logistics are still in flux).

oh, headshop = smokeshop for potheads. I haven't actually been to the market in several years, so maybe it isn't there anymore. All that aside, there should still be a bitchin' comic book store down there somewhere!

That's ok, Yellek, I see you're from NC.

Because I'm a follower with no new ideas of my own, I recommend Pike's Market, too. In addition to elephant ears, you need to buy a bag of fresh, dunked in sugar, donuts from the friendly, tattooed punks. I'm pretty sure a bag of them is about 10,000 calories, so you know they're good.

Another thought is, from the market, to walk down 1st a ways and go to Pioneer Square. Over a year ago, the mayor and company cracked down on a lot of the more dangerous clubs (shut 'em down). As a result, much of the square is actually enjoyable. In the afternoon/early-evening you can enjoy the many art galleries (if that's your thing). At night, there are a number of great clubs where you can watch people act stupid.

After such fun, you won't be affected by Everett. However, upon your return to Everett, I'm sure you can hunt down a dive bar with stiff drinks and far too many people with rat-tail-do's.

I love living here because there's beaches. I'm happy to take a book and read by the sea if the sun's out.

Alki beach for people-watching...
Golden Gardens for ice-cream and family fun.
Carkeek Park Beach for a quieter, less popular beach.

Not to mention Baconaise.

Or a Sounders game, if you want to see some proper football, without any of this picking it up and running around with it nonsense

Funny you should mention that. Sounders was/is one of my customers as well (great bunch of guys in the back office). I'm sure (though this may be hubris) I could have gotten a ticket but alas, I'll be in town during the week and SSFC plays on the weekends. That Barca game in August is very tempting, though; I'll have to see if I can swing a return trip. (Disclosure: This is actually very unlikely. I go where they send me and have little say about when or where.)

In addition to the afternoon/evening that I'll have to myself (with a rental car for those who mentioned a need for transportation), I'll also need to find dinner for two (no, not like that) the following night. Is there anything (anything at all) in Everett worth trying or should we just trek back into the city?

Le Panier in Pike Place Market has some tasty tasty pastries. Expect to wait in line for them.
I can second downtown Edmonds as nice - I remember being really impressed with a place called Olives. It's been a while, so I'm not sure if it's still open.
If you have lots of time though, I'd recommend the Experience Music Project. I remember it being somewhat spendy, but awesome.

My favorite thing during my day or two in Seattle was having my host pick up one of those street crossing flags and wave it as we crossed the street. That's some good free entertainment.

Vinn is right: Le Panier is a must stop in the market. They have the tastiest pastries. There's also a vegan bakery about a block from that one that has really good stuff. They have cookies the size of your head.

Wasn't that crazy home invasion child murderer Shawna Forde from Everett?