50 Things to Do in Kitsap County (and Beyond) This Summer

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

  1. Check out Silverdale Whaling Days (July 29-31)
  2. Go to the Kitsap Wine Festival (August 13)
  3. 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
  4. On a rainy day, explore the Puget Sound Navy Musem and USS Turner Joy
  5. Poke around the Bremerton Vintage Flea Market (Saturdays 10am-4pm)
  6. Pay respects at the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial
  7. Make a “Farmers Market Challenge” and try to visit all the Kitsap County farmers markets
  8. Watch a movie at the Rodeo Drive-In in Bremerton
  9. Rent kayaks from Olympic Outdoor Center in Poulsbo or Port Gamble
  10. Go to Manchester State Park
  11. Wine tasting at Olalla Vineyard & Winery (and don’t miss the Kitsap Wine Festival on August 13)
  12. Explore some local, kid-friendly hikes
  13. Take a visit to Albers Marcovina Vista Gardens, a botanical garden in Bremerton
  14. Food Truck Fridays at Yoked Farmhouse Brewery (kid and dog-friendly)
  15. Drink a mimosa flight on the patio at Peninsula Bev Co. in Port Orchard
  16. See a performance at Kitsap Forest Theater
  17. Swim at Wildcat Lake Park
  18. Cool off at area splash pads
  19. Go antiquing at Josephine’s Merchantile in Port Orchard, Red Plantation in Poulsbo or Silverdale Antiques in Silverdale
  20. Check out Port Gamble – hiking at Forest Heritage Park, shop at Port Gamble General Store, brunch at Butcher & Baker Provisions
  21. Ride the Kitsap Live Steamer train at South Kitsap Regional Park (April-Oct, 2nd and 4th Saturdays of every month, 10am-4pm)
  22. Donuts are very popular here – try Lone Star Donuts, Larry & Kristi’s, American Donut Makers and decide your favorite
  23. Spend the day in Kingston
  24. Watch the fountains at Harborside Fountain Park (and grab burritos at El Bacon across the street)
  25. Visit the SEA Discovery Center in Poulsbo an aquarium in Poulsbo.
  26. Explore the tide pools at Shine Tideland State Park in Port Ludlow just over the hood canal bridge.
  27. Attend the one of the Poulsbo ArtWalk Second Saturday of the month or Poulsbo Art Festival in August
  28. MWR is hosting Intro to Stand Up Paddle Boarding at Elwood Point on June 15 and August 17
  29. Bioluminescent Kayak Trip on July 22 at Port Gamble hosted by MWR. If interested sign up soon as it fill up quickly!
  30. Welcome back in person on base 5K races with a Rainbow Run 5K on June 30

REGIONAL

  1. Go to the Seqium Lavendar Festival (July 15-17)
  2. Go tide pooling and beach combing at Tongue Point Marine Life Sanctuary in Port Angeles
  3. 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
  4. 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!
  5. Spend the day in Tacoma: Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, Point Ruston (shops, restaurants, farmers market, playground, splash pad, waterfront trail)
  6. Go to a Seattle Mariner’s or Tacoma Rainier’s game
  7. Go to Olympic National Park
  8. Head over to the Washington State Fair in Puyallup (Sept. 2-25)
  9. For rainy day fun with kids, go to the Hands On Children’s Museum in Olympia
  10. Make a weekend of it and go to Mount Rainier National Park (for some tips, click here)
  11. Day trip to Port Townsend: poke around downtown shops, explore Fort Worden, beers at Pourhouse
  12. Day trip to Whidbey Island: explore downtown Coupevile, hike at Ebey’s Landing, explore Fort Casey
  13. Hop a ferry to Vashon Island: hiking trails, beers and pizza at Camp Colvos Brewing (kid and dog-friendly), Saturday Farmers Market
  14. Head to the coast and visit Pacific Beach – Navy Gateways Pacific Beach
  15. Hike to the New Dungness Spit Lighthouse in Seqium
  16. Get fresh oysters on Hood Canal at Hama Hama Oyster Saloon
  17. Wine tasting in Woodinville Wine Country
  18. 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)
  19. Experience Leavenworth in the summer, fun with kids or without (check out this new, adults only hotel)
  20. 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!

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