You can’t beat the Kitsap Peninsula for natural beauty. The beaches, mountain views, and forests will leave you breathless, plus you may see plenty of bald eagles, great blue herons, and harbor seals as you explore. But there’s a sophisticated side, too, with world-class museums, gardens, and golf courses. And, if you love craft-made beer and locally sourced food, you’ll be delighted with the array of microbreweries and delicious eateries. Click on www.VisitKitsap.com for more information!
Kitsap Peninsula ~ The Natural Side of Puget Sound
DAY – 1
Explore Bremerton’s waterfront boardwalk and Harborside Fountain Park, a beautifully landscaped oasis next to the ferry dock with fountains intended to represent submarine conning towers.
In the afternoon head to Silverdale and check in at the waterfront Oxford Suites. Silverdale is the retail shopping mecca of the region and offers a wide range of shopping and dining options.
A local favorite is Silver City Restaurant & Ale House offering excellent all-American fare and award-winning craft brews.
DAY – 2
Spend the morning in picture-perfect Poulsbo, also known as “Little Norway.” This small town by Liberty Bay has a charming downtown filled with art galleries, boutiques, and a wide variety of restaurants. Poulsbo is notable for its public art, including murals and the waterfront Guardian Stone sculpture.
At the Poulsbo Marina head to Olympic Outdoor Center to rent a kayak or stand-up paddleboard and set sail to explore a section of the 371-mile Kitsap Peninsula National Water Trails.
In the afternoon, drive to Hansville, located on the tip of the Kitsap Peninsula, to stroll the sandy beaches of Point No Point and visit the historic US Lighthouse, one of the oldest in the country. Hansville offers sweeping views of Admiralty Inlet, Whidbey Island, and the Salish Sea, and an amazing variety of sea birds at this nationally recognized birding area.
DAY – 3
In the morning, head to the village of Suquamish and the ancestral home of Chief Seattle. The Suquamish people have lived along the clear saltwater of Agate Passage for millennia and the world-class Suquamish Museum showcases their arts and culture.
The next stop is Port Gamble, a Victorian company town that operated an active logging mill until 1995. The Port Gamble General Store & Café is one of 30 restored homes and businesses on the National Register of Historic Places and it is a great place to grab an ice cream, lunch, or a gift.
If you’re a golfer, head to the award-winning White Horse Golf Club for a challenging course in a lush setting.
DAY – 4
Spend your final day in Kitsap exploring Bainbridge Island. Start the day at the world-famous Bloedel Reserve. The 150-acre garden and forest preserve created by timber executive Prentice Bloedel. He believed in the healing power of nature and made sure that his garden would provide refreshment and tranquility to neighbors.
For lunch and an afternoon of delights, head to downtown Winslow. The main street is filled with charming shops and restaurants and the well-curated Bainbridge Island Museum of Art. Named one of America’s best small-town museums by Travel + Leisure Magazine, it features regional, contemporary art.
Be sure to make time for a stop at the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial. A satellite of the Minidoka Internment National Monument, it tells the story of 51 local families forced to leave their homes and community after the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor and the United States’ entry into World War II.