We had the loveliest time getting lost this weekend on the Kitsap Peninsula. While we originally had a full day planned in Edmonds, we arrived in Kingston to find out that every ferry from noon to 4pm was already booked. Since swimming the sound wasn't a viable option and driving all the way down and around would've taken us 3+ hours with traffic, we had to change our plans. After a few minutes of griping, we realized we were in a beautiful place on a beautiful fall day and it would be a shame to waste it. So, we went exploring. Come along with us to the small towns of the Upper Kitsap Peninsula.
Kingston
Lower Right photo c/o VisitKitsap.com
Kingston is an adorable little town on Appletree Cove, 30 minutes from Edmonds by ferry (while all of the ferry rides in Puget Sound are beautiful, the Edmonds to Kingston route ranks as one of the prettiest we've taken) or about an hour's drive North of Gig Harbor.
Our first stop was Aviator for coffee for me and a steamer for Bella. Aviator is a cozy little spot on the edge of the green space next to the Kingston ferry terminal. I stop there every time I'm in town and take my coffee for a waterfront stroll, which sometimes ends in conversations with fisherman, sometimes in a stop at the public market (if it's a summer Sunday), and sometimes ends with soaking up the sun from one of the giant Adirondack chairs near the gazebo. As it turns out, there are big chairs all over Kingston. Check out the map here. We'll be aiming to visit them all on our next trip!
Because we'd decided on a late lazy lunch at home, we didn't eat in Kingston this trip but the burgers and the laid-back vibe at The Grub Hut were a huge hit with the whole family on our last visit.
On the way home from Kingston, we found a few wonderful places and decided that maybe there was another upside to our plans being harpooned. In the midst of an extremely over-scheduled month, we had found ourselves with five blissful hours free of plans. That meant we could stop wherever our hearts fancied.
On our way back, we discovered a beautiful fern-covered path high above the sound at A Quiet Place Park, decided we had to stop at the home of CB's famous nuts (check out the retail shop if you're in the area or visit therm here to order online), and whiled away a few hours in the absolutely charming town of Port Gamble,
Port Gamble
Port Gamble is the sort of town that makes you wonder how you've ended up in New England when you were in the PNW just moments before. We'd taken the turn for Port Gamble solely because Bella had seen a sign for historic sights and said "what's down there?" I'm so glad she asked.
Stepping into Port Gamble is akin to going back in time. Horse-drawn carriages would seem more at home than cars on its storybook streets. From the General Store to the wonders of The Painted Lady (antiques and other treasures), this tiny town offers a great deal to see. We happened upon the town while there was a wedding at the movie-set perfect Hood Canal Vista Pavilion, which added to the magic of our adventure. The white picket fence-ringed lawns edging the Puget Sound, the public garden across the street showcasing dahlias of all types, and the red-barn-housed quilting shop felt like a painting come to life. We stopped in at the picture-perfect Butcher & Baker for refreshments before we headed home, where Bella had "the best Italian soda EVER." If you go, she recommends huckleberry with almond milk.
Poulsbo
Bottom middle photo c/o NationalParkTraveling.com
Poulsbo, also known as "Little Norway," is a Scandinavian town on the shores of Liberty Bay. Its 4.5 square miles are full of small-town charm, nods to the vikings, and some of the sweetest shops and restaurants on the Peninsula. It's the perfect destination for an afternoon or for a whole weekend.
From its picturesque marina to its quaint main street brimming with boutiques, Poulsbo offers a lot to love. It's one of our favorite places to visit in all seasons as the sounds sparkles in the summer (and there's even an occasional pirate festival) and the whole town decks itself out for the holidays.
Favorite Poulsbo Places
Coffee & people watching: Caffe Cocina; Hot Shots Java
Restaurants: Dalla Baia Italian bistro (the clams are my personal favorite; the pasta--they even had gluten free pasta last time we visited--and pizza were a big hit with the rest of our family); Green Light Diner (the best gluten free pancakes we've ever had; also they're the size of your head!)
Activities: Poulsbo Historical Society. We LOVE the maritime artifacts); SEA Discovery Center
Shops: Poulsbo Candy Shoppe. We are incapable of visiting Poulsbo without a stop into the Poulsbo Candy Shoppe. We're big fans of their dozens of flavors of fudge (and their seasonal huckleberry gummy bears); Nordiska for Scandinavian treasures; Details Home and Garden (especially at Christmas) and Better-2-gether for the most perfect home accents; and Liberty Bay Books, because an adorable little town must have an adorable little indie bookshop to be complete.
There's so very much to see on the Kitsap Peninsula (we'll be adding our guide to the lower peninsula soon) that it's nearly impossible to be bored. Whether you're interested in history, restaurants, hiking, shopping, or the myriad waterfront activities accessible along the coast, there truly is something for everyone. We hope you'll enjoy it as much as we do.
Happy journeying!
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