Kitsap Peninsula
The Kitsap Peninsula consists of the quaint water towns of Gig Harbor, Poulsbo “the Viking City,” and Bainbridge Island. They are easily accessible from the Tacoma Narrows Bridge in Tacoma, from the Olympic Peninsula, and from the ferry in Seattle.
Gig Harbor
Across Galloping Gertie’s (the Tacoma Narrows Bridge) you will first come across the cute little sailboat and rowing town of Gig Harbor. When I asked what to do in this area, the only thing the locals recommended was shopping. I didn’t really understand until I got there; the town is so small! On one side of the main street, behind the stores are neighborhoods. On the other side, behind the stores is the water. I found a few more places to explore than what was originally told; see below!
What To Do
Visit Skansie Brothers Park
Skansie Brothers Park is a fun hangout area where you can walk along the docks, and also go up to the top of the building there for some cool views. Sometimes you can see the junior rowing team - apparently they are world-recognized rowers. Here there are very large houses across the waterway with yachts! It is fun to look at these beautiful homes.
Visit Old Ferry Landing
While exploring, I wandered along this street of beautiful houses on the water. Turns out there’s a park at the end called Old Ferry Landing. It has a plaque for the history of Galloping Gertie’s (a very interesting history lesson), and amazing views of the South Sound with the two distant land masses being Vashon Island to the left, and Point Defiance/Tacoma to the right.
Shopping
I had great conversations with the women who worked at the gift shops of Weathered Cottage and Dolly Mama Too. They both ended up being great places to shop as well!
Where to Eat
Java & Clay Cafe
I went here for a cup of coffee and a breakfast sandwich. Then I took my morning meal across the street to Skansie Brothers Park and sat atop the building there to soak in the views. You also have the option of painting pottery here! It takes up a good amount of space in a separate room in the back of the cafe.
Suzanne’s Bakery
A great place for local baked goods in the downtown area!
Milltown Pizza, Tides Tavern, and 7 Seas Brewing
I did not stay for lunch/dinner but these were spots the locals recommended.
Poulsbo
This small Scandinavian town called itself “Little Norway” and “Viking City,” which is evident when driving along the main street with the Norwegian flags blowing in the wind and the Norwegian-style paintings on the buildings.
What to Do
Liberty Bay Waterfront Park
Poulsbo has a beautiful boardwalk along Liberty Bay with a gazebo. Soak in the views here, which is just behind the main street.
Sluy’s Bakery
This is the #1 thing to do in Poulsbo according to locals. Sluy’s Bakery is along the main street of Poulsbo and you can smell it from almost a mile away on a good day! The line to get into it is typically about one block-long, but they are efficient and it is well-worth the wait. Get whatever your heart desires!
Poulsbohemian Coffeehouse
By the time we got here it was closed but I heard this place was really good if you need a coffee break.
Bainbridge Island
Bainbridge Island can be explored by driving through the entire Kitsap Peninsula (which I did). You can also go to the town from the ferry in Seattle which is about a 35-minute ride with amazing views of the big city and the islands surrounding it.
What to Do
Shopping
On the main street there are many shops and parks along the water for some great views. We went after the shops were closed but we did get in to see Classic Cycles before the end of their day. This bicycle shop has very old “classic” bikes that have stories attached to them. It was like a bicycle museum; super cool! There are a lot of other things to do in this town, see the Visit Bainbridge Island website for more information.
