Tucked between the suburban Seattle community of Bainbridge Island and the popular Olympic Peninsula is another area with natural wonders, American military heritage, and charming small towns. It’s easy to reach the Kitsap Peninsula, with Washington State Ferries departing directly from the downtown Seattle waterfront.
Enjoy the hourlong ferry ride to Bremerton, where hundreds of boats bob in the water at the marina and restaurants, cafes, and boutiques line the walkable commercial district. Don’t miss the USS Turner Joy a floating museum that was once a naval ship. Now you can walk aboard the boat, seeing equipment, navigation displays, sailor quarters, and even the remnants of old weapon turrets.
After a 10-minute drive north (25 kilometers), stop and stretch your legs in Silverdale on Clear Creek Trail, an urban hike through wetlands. From Silverdale, it’s just another 18 kilometers to Poulsbo. This waterfront town is known as “Little Norway” and was founded by Norwegian and Nordic settlers in the 1880s. Breweries, restaurants, cafes, and gift shops are plentiful, especially along Front Street near Liberty Bay Waterfront Park. Sluys Poulsbo Bakery often has a line out the door for its Scandinavian pastries, doughnuts, and fresh bread, while boutiques like Nordiska are the perfect spot to pick up delightful Nordic-inspired housewares, clothing, books, and decorations.
Travel next to the Suquamish Museum, a tribute to the Suquamish Tribe who first settled the land in this area and were led by Chief Seattle, the namesake of city. At the museum, exhibits detail Chief Seattle’s life and that of other Suquamish leaders, as well as the tribe’s history, traditions, and culture.
It’s about a 20-minute drive (16 kilometers) north to Port Gamble. This town on the Hood Canal was once known for its lumber industry and sawmill, but now it’s a starting point for countless outdoor activities like biking, kayaking, and hiking. Another 20-minute drive (20 kilometers) takes you to the northern tip of the Kitsap Peninsula and the town of Hansville. Highlights here include the picture-perfect Point No Point Lighthouse that looks out upon Puget Sound.
Port Orchard Shutterstock
After a day or weekend of adventure, drive south again toward Bremerton. If time allows, plan a stop in Port Orchard, another walkable waterfront community full of antique shops, restaurants, and cafes. It’s also home to world-famous author Debbie Macomber, known for her popular Cedar Cove series, which is set in a fictional town that’s based on Port Orchard. End your storybook getaway with a return ferry ride from Bremerton back to Seattle, where even more dreamy adventures await.
Travel Info: Bremerton is a one-hour ferry ride from Seattle. Board the boat from the Washington State Ferries terminal downtown at Pier 52. Silverdale and Poulsbo are both accessible via WA-3 north. Take WA-305 south to the Suquamish Museum from Poulsbo. Take Port Gamble Road northeast and WA-104 west from Suquamish Museum to Port Gamble. Follow WA-104 east and Hansville Road northeast to reach Hansville. Back in Bremerton, follow WA-3 south to WA-166 east to reach Port Orchard.