Silverdale Whaling Days
Nothing beats summer in Washington state. Nothing. We endure months and months of dreary, rainy weather (and June-uary, as this month has shown so far) for gorgeous, warmer days.
So whether your family just PCS’d here or you’ve been here for years, here’s some summer inspiration:
KITSAP COUNTY
- Check out Silverdale Whaling Days (July 29-31)
- Go to the Kitsap Wine Festival (August 13)
- Spend a day on Bainbridge Island – walk the grounds of Blodel Reserve, coffee and treats at Blackbird Bakery, explore the shops downtown, tasting rooms and more
- On a rainy day, explore the Puget Sound Navy Musem and USS Turner Joy
- Poke around the Bremerton Vintage Flea Market (Saturdays 10am-4pm)
- Pay respects at the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial
- Make a “Farmers Market Challenge” and try to visit all the Kitsap County farmers markets
- Watch a movie at the Rodeo Drive-In in Bremerton
- Rent kayaks from Olympic Outdoor Center in Poulsbo or Port Gamble
- Go to Manchester State Park
- Wine tasting at Olalla Vineyard & Winery (and don’t miss the Kitsap Wine Festival on August 13)
- Explore some local, kid-friendly hikes
- Take a visit to Albers Marcovina Vista Gardens, a botanical garden in Bremerton
- Food Truck Fridays at Yoked Farmhouse Brewery (kid and dog-friendly)
- Drink a mimosa flight on the patio at Peninsula Bev Co. in Port Orchard
- See a performance at Kitsap Forest Theater
- Swim at Wildcat Lake Park
- Cool off at area splash pads
- Go antiquing at Josephine’s Merchantile in Port Orchard, Red Plantation in Poulsbo or Silverdale Antiques in Silverdale
- Check out Port Gamble – hiking at Forest Heritage Park, shop at Port Gamble General Store, brunch at Butcher & Baker Provisions
- Ride the Kitsap Live Steamer train at South Kitsap Regional Park (April-Oct, 2nd and 4th Saturdays of every month, 10am-4pm)
- Donuts are very popular here – try Lone Star Donuts, Larry & Kristi’s, American Donut Makers and decide your favorite
- Spend the day in Kingston
- Watch the fountains at Harborside Fountain Park (and grab burritos at El Bacon across the street)
- Visit the SEA Discovery Center in Poulsbo an aquarium in Poulsbo.
- Explore the tide pools at Shine Tideland State Park in Port Ludlow just over the hood canal bridge.
- Attend the one of the Poulsbo ArtWalk Second Saturday of the month or Poulsbo Art Festival in August
- MWR is hosting Intro to Stand Up Paddle Boarding at Elwood Point on June 15 and August 17
- Bioluminescent Kayak Trip on July 22 at Port Gamble hosted by MWR. If interested sign up soon as it fill up quickly!
- Welcome back in person on base 5K races with a Rainbow Run 5K on June 30
REGIONAL
- Go to the Seqium Lavendar Festival (July 15-17)
- Go tide pooling and beach combing at Tongue Point Marine Life Sanctuary in Port Angeles
- Do all the Seattle touristy things: Walk on the ferry and go to Seattle Aquarium, Pike Place Market, Gum Wall, Great Wheel and other waterfront shops. On another day with a car, check out the Space Needle, Chihuly Glass Museum, Museum of Pop Culture
- Take a long weekend to drive down the Washington/Oregon Coast, great pit stops in Long Beach, Astoria, Seaside, Cannon Beach. Don’t miss the Tilamook Cheese Factory & Creamery!
- Spend the day in Tacoma: Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, Point Ruston (shops, restaurants, farmers market, playground, splash pad, waterfront trail)
- Go to a Seattle Mariner’s or Tacoma Rainier’s game
- Go to Olympic National Park
- Head over to the Washington State Fair in Puyallup (Sept. 2-25)
- For rainy day fun with kids, go to the Hands On Children’s Museum in Olympia
- Make a weekend of it and go to Mount Rainier National Park (for some tips, click here)
- Day trip to Port Townsend: poke around downtown shops, explore Fort Worden, beers at Pourhouse
- Day trip to Whidbey Island: explore downtown Coupevile, hike at Ebey’s Landing, explore Fort Casey
- Hop a ferry to Vashon Island: hiking trails, beers and pizza at Camp Colvos Brewing (kid and dog-friendly), Saturday Farmers Market
- Head to the coast and visit Pacific Beach – Navy Gateways Pacific Beach
- Hike to the New Dungness Spit Lighthouse in Seqium
- Get fresh oysters on Hood Canal at Hama Hama Oyster Saloon
- Wine tasting in Woodinville Wine Country
- Go to Snoqualmie Falls, just 30 minutes outside Seattle (grab their famous brunch, go to the spa or stay the night at Salish Lodge & Spa)
- Experience Leavenworth in the summer, fun with kids or without (check out this new, adults only hotel)
- Brave the summer crowds up to the San Juan Islands, there’s a reason summer is the busy season
What would you add? Comment below!