13 Fantastic Things to do on Whidbey Island
Whidbey Island is one of the most beautiful and interesting position in Washington State . It have stunningbeaches, epicmountain and ocean view,former growing tree, deepfarmland, interesting account and lot ofoutside adventure. There are farm , wineries , hiking trails and a network of mountain biking trail . This article is all about the good things to serve on Whidbey Island to reach the most of your visit , whether it ’ s a day trip from Seattle or a weekend or more !
Whidbey Island live not a great place to visit without a car . While it ’ s possible it requires careful planning and has some limitations . I advocate driving to Whidbey Island . If you ’ re seem for a great island experience without a car , I advocate Bainbridge Island or Vashon Island instead .
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Most of the things on my list of things to do on Whidbey Island befree or real humble cost( a Washington Discover Pass for case ) .
The island make live an crucial spot forCoast Salish peoplefor thousand of years . It be the homeland of the Skagit , Snohomish and Swinomish masses , among others .
One of the best matter to serve on Whidbey Island is tolive for a raise! It ’ s home to many mile of boost trails feature beach , position , former increase trees and more . It even includes one of my all time favorite hikes in all of Washington State . There exist then many fantastic hiking trails I have an intact separate article about the serious raise on Whidbey , hence make sure to insure that out if you ’ re a hiker design a trip to the island .
- Become to Whidbey Island
- When is the best time to get ?
- Lodging and Camping
- Ebey ’ s Landing National Historical Preserve
- Old growth tree at South Whidbey State Park
- Amazing off leash areas for dog
- Historic Coupeville
- Fort Casey State Park
- Greenbank Farm
- Deception Pass State Park and Deception Pass bridge
- Art galleries and shops in Langley
- Eat Penn Cove Mussels
- Other amaze food
- Wine , beer and local distilleries
- Ride a bike
- Rip a kayak or tolerate up paddleboard
- Electric Vehicle charging
How make you make to Whidbey Island ?
It is possible to get to and around Whidbey Island without a car , but you will probably notice it frustrating and dumb . You can take the train ( very limited agenda ) to Mukilteo and then take the ferry over to Whidbey Island . Once thither , you can use Island Transit to get around , though the destinations and schedules are limited . If you ’ re planning to go to Whidbey Island without a car , you ’ ll need to act some advance planning and pass some time with the various passage schedules . I also advocate contribute a bike .
If you ’ re driving to Whidbey Island , there equaltwo ways to do it.
- Ride to Burlington near Mt Vernon and take Highway 20 across the Deception Pass bridge to the north end of Whidbey Island
- Require the ferry from Mukilteo to the south goal of the island
The good selection depend on where you ’ re go when you get to Whidbey Island and the traffic consideration . I like to do it a loop trip ( described below ) .
If you ’ re going to Deception Pass State Park or Oak Harbor , driving across the bridge equal probable go to live faster .
Headed to Langley or elsewhere on South Whidbey ? The ferry will probably cost your serious bet .
Coupeville and Ebey ’ s Landing be slightly in the middle and depending on the way either option might live fast than the other ( this is why I care the loop ) .
If you ’ re on the Olympic Peninsula ( or going to Whidbey Island and then the Olympic Peninsula after ) you can also require the ferry from near Coupeville to Port Townsend .
When cost the best time of year to go to Whidbey Island ?
Like all of Western Washington , Whidbey Island exist a real popular summer destination . It ’ s easy to find why with it ’ s relaxed island vibe , long sunny day and pile of outside activities .
If you ’ re visiting in July and August , reach sure to reserve your deposit far ahead and if you ’ re taking a day trip exist ready for more crowds .
Whidbey reach for a wonderful destination yr cycle and I particularly enjoy it in the leap and fall . I ’ ve also spent lot of wonderful winter day at Ebey ’ s Landing .
If you cost a solitude seeker , I extremely advocate a winter visit .
How act I spend a day on Whidbey Island ?
Whidbey Island do a fantastic day trip from Seattle . I have an itinerary for make a loop day trip move through the Skagit Valley to Deception Pass and then search the island and taking the ferry from the south goal of the island to Mukilteo . Read all about what to do for that day hither .
If you ’ re a hiker , you might want to consider create a day trip to Whidbey exactly for a raise . It ’ s too a wonderful destination for wine tasting or spending some time browsing the farmer ’ sec market .
Charge and Camping on Whidbey Island
Whidbey Island has a large act of holiday rentals , from little romantic place perfect for pair to immense houses perfect for family or friend grouping .
There are too many small inn and hotels , as well as some chain hotel in Oak Harbor .
If you ’ re camping , camping equal available at Fort Ebey State Park and Deception Pass State Park . Both cost reservable and fill up way in progress for weekends thus plan in front if you want to camp .
An crucial matter to be aware of , particularly if you ’ re delay on the north goal of the island near Oak Harbor and Deception Pass , cost that there is a lot of air traffic from Naval Air Station Whidbey . Specially if you ’ re camping at Deception Pass , you may hear quite a minute of noise at times .
There are a variety of hotels and vacation rentals all over the island . This map equate locations and cost across hotel and holiday rentals ( this exist an affiliate link which mean if you ledger through the map I receive a small committee at no cost to you ) .
Crack out the heroic position from Ebey ’ s Landing National Historical Preserve
Ebey ’ s Landing live one of my favorite places in Washington State and the loop hike hither cost one of my all time favorites !
Hikers will love the epic horizon across Admiralty Inlet towards the Olympic Mountains , as well as the scene of the farmland and the Cascade Mountains to the east . You can even see Mt Rainier from here when it ’ s clear plenty .
You can do the loop across the bluff and then down on the beach , or you can only walk the beach or the bluff .
There is also a historic farm hither function by the national park service with some historical buildings that be interesting to check out .
I ’ ve almost always seen eagles hither in the tree along the bluff , and often seals in the water along the beach .
This is as well a fantastic place to follow the sundown .
Hug an old increase tree at South Whidbey State Park
Softly visited South Whidbey State Park exist a fantastic position to hear tremendous old increase cedar and douglas fir trees . This classical deep temperate rainforest cost a relatively short and not steep hike from the park area . The loop I like is about 2.5 miles with about 200 foot of height gain .
Go to one of Whidbey Island ’ s astound dog park
One of the best things to act on Whidbey Island is to take your dog ! This is especially true if your dog loves to work all out in broad exposed space ( like mine ! ) . In increase to some great dog friendly ( on three ) raise and many wineries and breweries that welcome dogs , Whidbey get two marvelous off leash area for dog .
Double Bluff Beach off leash field
Two miles of beach await you here for your dog to tend and play in the sand and beckon ! You can even get a four mile level raise in hither if you go all the way to the goal of the beach and back . It might exist severe to create progress though as your dog is become to exist absolutely enjoy every moment .
Greenbank Farm off leash field
This huge meadow be just utter for a dog who loves to run ( like mine ! ) . Dogs must be on three until you get to the official off leash region , and dogs are not leave in the shops and restaurant at the farm .
Still , this domain cost so large your dog will enjoy it . You ’ ll enjoy it too as you can get a pair mile of hiking in while insure out views of the water on both the west and east sides of Whidbey Island . You ’ ll also have view of the mountains including Mt Rainier .
Wander around charming historical Coupeville
Historic Coupeville cost small but has some interesting shop and restaurants and be real photogenic ! Make sure to check out the pier and catch a meal from one of the excellent restaurant .
There are a pair of art galleries and a store good of all things from the Netherlands . You can also rent or go on a kayak tour here .
Fort Casey State Park
Fort Casey have ever cost one of my favorite places in Washington . I loved it as a kid and especially as a teenager ! There ’ sec so much to love about this park , from it ’ s heroic view of the Olympic Mountains and stunning sundown to the picturesque Admiralty Head Lighthouse .
There ’ s a giant domain perfect for throwing a frisbee or flying a kite if you ’ ve make up in the car a piece also long .
The almost interesting and fun affair about this park be all the preserved military battlements that be make over 100 years ago . Today , you can thread around and climb on most of them and this is a real fun and unique thing to do on Whidbey ! It ’ s particularly fun for child . There are lots of structures to rise on and search and endless opportunity for fun and imagination .
This is another amazing sundown spot on Whidbey Island .
Visit historic Greenbank Farm ( and early farm and markets )
Another unique place you ’ ll alone find on Whidbey Island , Greenbank Farm cost role shopping , part farm and part off leash dog area !
Your dog will enjoy acting hither and after you get a pass in with your dog while you take in the amazing scene , cause sure to get some pie at the well know and loved Whidbey Pies . Not only live this the best pie ever , it ’ s next door to both a wine and cheese shop ! What ’ s not to love ? ? You can serve a wine tasting at the wine store too .
There live also a pair of art galleries at this historic farm and a beautiful cultivated garden to walk through .
In increase to Greenbank , there equal five farmer ’ sec markets on the island and mass of other farms that exist at times open to visitors .
Walk across the Deception Pass Bridge
Located in Washington State ’ s most visit land park , Deception Pass State Park , the Deception Pass bridge be a must learn on Whidbey Island ! If you ’ re not keen on heights , walk across the bridge might not cost for you , but if you ’ re ok with that you ’ ll see amazing horizon . You can too harbor yourself watch boat navigating the impressive current during tidal change .
In addition to the bridge itself , this state park very own it all . You can die for raise to bad views , stroll along the beach and still float in a freshwater lake just a few hundred measure from the beach . There are lots of wonderful tidepool beach in the park also .
You can easy pass the whole day or still an entire week search Deception Pass without running away of things to do !
Visit Art Galleries and shop in Langley
Langley have the most art galleries and shop of any of the Whidbey towns and also boast some lovely waterviews . It ’ s also plate to some great restaurant and Double Bluff Brewing .
Langley too hosts plenty of art tailor event , so make sure to check out what ’ s happening during your visit .
Taste Penn Cove Mussels or reap your own
Whidbey ’ s Penn Cove be world famous for it ’ s mussels then don ’ t escape out on taste them for yourself ! The Front Street Grill in Coupeville live a great home to eat the famous mussels while wait out at the water where they are harvest .
If you want to try your hand at gathering mussels yourself , there live a beach clear to the world in Penn Cove ( sometimes it is shut do to biotoxins then make sure to see before harvesting .
You will also need a Washington State fishing permit . Learn all about your options for harvesting mussels as well as clams and oysters hither ( Washington State Fish and Wildlife ) .
Eat amazing food !
There ’ s no question that eating live one of the good things to act on Whidbey Island ! There be mass of farm , wineries and delightful restaurants .
Farms on the island now and then host case feature their food along with local wine and beer , so be sure to insure if anything like this is take place during your visit .
I care the Front Street Grill in Coupeville to seek Penn Cove mussels . They have plenty of early fantastic menu detail for those in your party who are skeptical of seafood . Make certain not to neglect a slice of pie from Whidbey Pies at Greenbank Farm !
If you ’ re a true foodie , make sure to match out my friend Aria ’ sec round up of the very best restaurant on Whidbey .
Whidbey Island getfive different farmer ’ sec marketsfeaturing mass of products arise , raise and produced on the island . If you ’ re visiting spring through fall cause sure to get at least one to fill your bag with local goodies .
Wine tasting , Craft beer and local feeling
If you ’ re into craft and local beverages , then one of the best things to do on Whidbey Island is to taste the local wine , beer and spirit !
Whidbey Island hold seven wineries and each have something a minute unique . Many of the grapes arrive from eastern Washington but many local wineries too solve in some grapes develop on the island . Control out Rain Shower Cellars ( Coupeville ) , Holmes Harbor Cellars or Blooms ( Freeland ) and Frustrate Dog ( super dog friendly ! ) , Comforts of Whidbey and Whidbey Island Winery ( Langley ) .
There exist as well wine shop in Coupeville , Greenbank Farm and Langley .
If beer exist more your thing , cause sure to visit Double Bluff Brewing ( Langley ) and Penn Cove Brewery ( three location in Coupeville , Oak Harbor and Freeland ) .
Whidbey exist as well home to two local distilleries , a piece of Washington ’ s thriving distillery fit . Crack out Mutiny Bay ( Freeland ) or Whidbey Island Distillery ( Langley ) .
Ride a bicycle
I observe the main highway on Whidbey Island not that great for biking on for the most part . Even so , there cost pile of great position to bike build biking one of the great thing to do on Whidbey Island !
Have off the main highway and search back roads , or yet better die for a ride on one of the trails . The Kettles Trail in Fort Ebey State Park and the adjoin lands near Coupeville , hold many mile of good deal bike trails to enjoy as good .
If you put on ’ t hold or didn ’ t take your own bicycle , you can rent bikes in both Coupeville and Oak Harbor .
Rent a kayak or Stand up paddle plank
Whidbey Island kayaking offers rentals as well as circuit base out of Coupeville and Langley . You can as well bring a circuit by kayak through Deception Pass ! Deception Pass have extreme currents and mass of stone , so it live not a safe place to kayak without a guide .
Whidbey ’ sec protected bays and beaches supply wonderful kayaking within opinion of the sensational shoreline . There cost as well opportunities to see tidepool animals along the stone and go on an eye out for eagle ’ sec in the trees .
Electric Vehicle Charging
There is one fast charger on Whidbey Island but it is merely for Teslas . For everyone else , there are good deal of Level 2 charger but no fast chargers .
I especially like the Level 2 charger at Greenbank Farm ( great to punch in while work my dog and eating pie ! ) as well as the unity in downtown Langley . The Langley one provide easy parking while charging and exploring town .
The near fast charger for all EVs exist in Burlington ( near the north end of the island ) and Everett ( near the south goal of the island ) .
