15 Things to Do on Whidbey Island for a Day or Weekend Trip
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As Washington locals, we have the luxury of being either a ferry ride or couple hours drive away from so many beautiful pacific northwest destinations, one of them being Whidbey Island and all of the fun (and whimsical) things to do there.
Whidbey Island is the largest island in Washington state and is world famous for its Penn Cove Mussels. It’s also a super popular destination all year round because Washingtonians are just as obsessed with the island as tourists are.
We took a trip to Whidbey Island this past Thanksgiving and over Black Friday Weekend to change things up for the family, and it was BEYOND worth it. Let’s get into all the fun we had, delicious food we ate, historical places we visited, and trails we walked!
But first, I want to acknowledge the history of this land. Whidbey island has been the home of the Coast Salish people for thousands of years, including the Kikiallus, Skagit, Snohomish and Swinomish people. Before European settlers ever set foot on the island, its original name in the Lushootseed language was “Tscha-kole-chy“.
How to Get to Whidbey Island
If you’re coming from Seattle, take the Mukilteo ferry to Clinton on Whidbey Island. This ferry only takes about 20 minutes. If your location is more north of Seattle and Mukilteo, drive up I-5 to Highway 20 through Fidalgo Island. This will take you right over Deception Pass, the bridge that connects Fidalgo Island and Whidbey Island (and it’s a beautiful drive).
If you’re coming from the Kitsap or Olympic Peninsula, take the Port Townsend to Coupeville ferry, which takes about 30 minutes. This is also a popular route for people wanting to hit up Whidbey Island after visiting Bainbridge Island. If you’re planning your trip on the weekend or during a busy time like the summer or the holidays, you can reserve your ferry times before you go, but only for the Port Townsend to Coupeville ferry. Reservations aren’t available for the Mukilteo ferry.
Refer to the map below that shows the different ways to get to the island and some of the top spots from our list:
When is the best time to go to Whidbey Island?
The best time to go to Whidbey Island depends on the kind of mood you’re going for. Like most of the Pacific Northwest, summer is the most popular time to visit. The days are much longer, it’s usually sunny, and you probably won’t see a drop of rain (sadly), but you’ll need to brace yourself for the crowds. There are fewer tourists in the spring and it’s beautiful for the blooms and gray whale watching.
If you prefer the notable PNW mystical-fog-like setting, I recommend visiting in the fall and winter, which is also the best time for deals. Our trip to Whidbey was in November and it was beautifully decorated for the holidays with fun small events.
How do I spend a day on Whidbey Island?
Whidbey Island makes for the perfect day trip from Seattle or Tacoma, whichever you’re coming from. Seattle is closer to Mukilteo’s ferry, but Tacoma is only about a half hour further (still providing plenty of time for a dap trip). You could do the ferry there and back, or plan for the full loop and either drive to Whidbey through Fidalgo Island and then take the ferry back to Mukilteo.
This route will take you through all the top stops on Whidbey: Deception Pass State Park, Oak Harbor, Fort Ebey State Park (perfect for a day hike), Ebey’s Landing, Coupeville, Fort Casey, Langley, and more! There’s also no shortage of hiking trails, wineries, art fairs, farmer’s markets, great seafood, and adorable shops. If you’re going to hike, consider getting a Discover Pass, since all Washington State Parks on the island (where most of the trails are) require it.
Go to Langley for The Art Galleries and Eclectic Shops
Langley is nicknamed the “Village by The Sea” and is a popular area for artists, which makes for some great shopping. It’s also only 10 to 15 minutes from the ferry that comes into Clinton.
One of my favorite shops was Kalypso’s Gifts, a women-owned eclectic shop with crystals, books, tarot decks, jewelry, and gifts made by local artisans. The Flying Bear was another cool shop that doubled as a florist and eclectic gifts and treasures shop. It was the cutest shop I went to on Whidbey. If you want to check out any art galleries, I loved Rob Schouten Gallery and their outdoor sculpture garden.
Other cute shops and art galleries to check out:
- The Star Store
- Music for the Eyes
- Grayhorse Mercantile
- Moonraker Bookstore
- Whidbey Art Gallery
- Artworks Gallery
- Museo
Eat Pie at Whidbey Pies in Langley
Whidbey Pies is located next to Salty Sea Coffee in Langley (across the street from the Langley Whale Center) and has the absolute best marionberry pie I’ve had in Washington. If you’re coming from out of state and aren’t aware, one of the “Washington things to do” is to eat marionberry anything. This is the perfect marionberry thing you need to try. If you’re a pie lover, you’re going to freaking love this.
After you pay for your pie, walk right over to the coffee shop for a latte or tea and have yourself a little treat outside. The outside seating is dog-friendly, but only has 2 tables.
Check Out The Seafood at Saltwater Fish House & Oyster Bar in Langley
Every time we’re in Langley, we make it a point to go to Saltwater Fish House & Oyster Bar for dinner. They don’t have a ton of seating inside, so you’ll have to get there before 5pm. If you come later, expect to wait anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour, especially on the weekends. But even if you end up waiting, the food is 100% worth it.
I tried their Dungeness crab cakes, clam chowder, and the specialty seafood pasta they had that night. It was all amazing and I ate way too much. Their oysters are also very popular.
If You Have a Dog, Take Them for a Walk at Seawall Park
If you walk across the street from Saltwater Fish & Oyster House, you’ll see steps that go down to the shore where Seawall Park is. It’s a great spot to bring your dog for a little walk along the trail, let them do their business, or have lunch on one of the picnic tables along the water.
See The Historic Coupeville Where Practical Magic Was Filmed
Coupeville is the filming location of Practical Magic and they actually painted all the buildings on Front Street white to match the Cape Cod aesthetic for the movie. The buildings are no longer white but are still just as cute. In September and October, they host a variety of Practical Magic and witchy-themed events and tours.
We didn’t have too much time to spend here so we checked out the Coupeville Wharf and got a coffee at Crabby Coffee before exploring some shops. Even though we didn’t eat there, we heard Front Street Grill is a good place for lunch or dinner, especially their Penn Cove Mussels.
Hike at Ebey’s Landing (or Just Enjoy The Scenery)
Ebey’s Landing was once home to the Skagit people with a history of over 12,000 years of continuous human habitation before European explorers ever stepped foot on it. When that land became part of the Oregon Territory (before it was Washington) Isaac Ebey, one of the first permanent settlers, claimed 640 acres of it under the 1850 Donation Land Claim Act. It was later made a National Historical Reserve by the U.S. government in 1978.
Ebey’s Landing requires a Discovery Pass to park and you can either park down by the beach or up at the Prairie Overlook trailhead by the cemetery and take the trail to Prairie Ridge Trail. It’s also dog-friendly. The walk takes you through Sarah and Jacob Ebey’s cabins on your way to the bluff for beautiful views of Mount Baker, the Cascades, and Olympics over the Puget Sound. If you want to keep walking once you’re done, also try the Pratt Loop trail from the east side of the parking lot or go down to the beach and walk along the shore.
Visit Fort Ebey State Park
There are many cool and interesting things to explore at Fort Ebey State Park, including its 26 miles of trails, but you’ll need a Discover Pass to park. If you want to do some hiking while you’re on Whidbey Island, I recommend starting with the Bluff Trail in Fort Ebey State Park. It’s 4 miles roundtrip, is kid and dog friendly, and the highest point is 570 feet, so it’s considered a pretty easy hike. It has beautiful views of the water, shore, and Olympic Mountains, and maybe you’ll see a while!
Drive up to Deception Pass and Walk The Bridge
Since we spent several days on Whidbey Island for our holiday trip, we made it a point one day to drive up to Deception Pass and walk the bridge. We also went underneath the bridge for more viewing opportunities and got to see a group of harbor seals playing in the whirlpools and by the rocks. We then took a little detour up from there to Anacortes for some delicious clams at Adrift.
Visit South Whidbey State Park
South Whidbey State Park is a 347-acre park full of cedar and pine forests and 3.5 miles of hiking trails. There are also beautiful views of the Puget Sound and Olympic Mountains and is a great spot for bird watching, clamming, and crabbing. Discover Pass is required.
Explore Fort Casey State Park
For Casey State Park is really something else. There’s an adorable 1903 lighthouse and historic military batteries to explore with tons of opportunities for fishing, camping, and birdwatching. The park also has 1.8 miles of hiking trails and has access to the Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail. There’s also a beach and scuba diving available at the Keystone Underwater Dive Park off Fort Casey’s shore. A Discover Pass is required for the park.
Visit Downtown Oak Harbor
If Langley is artistic, Oak Harbor is even a little more so. A fun thing to do here is to walk downtown and find the different sculptures hiding in plain sight, including the famous bronze Kraken and Mermaid. Some of my places here were the Purple Moon shop, Gary Oak Gallery, and the Mad Batter Bakehouse.
Go to Any of The Island’s Arts and Crafts Markets/Fairs
Whidbey Island has a ton of events, arts and craft fairs, and farmer’s markets all through the year. Each town has their own farmer’s market that usually runs through August or October, depending on the location. Langley especially has a ton of art fairs in the fall and winter for holiday shoppers. One of these is the Whidbey Art Market that takes place over Black Friday Weekend.
Chill Out at a Winery, Tasting Room, or Brewery
Whidbey Island is home to many wineries and breweries due to the microclimate. During one of the times we had a long wait at Saltwater Fish House & Oyster Bar, we killed time tasting a few wines at Ott & Hunter Wines across the street until we got a text that our table was ready. It’s very classy and cozy on the inside with beautiful views of the water. There’s also a great pizza spot next door, Village Pizzeria.
If you want to explore wineries and breweries across the island, these are some great ones to start with:
- Spoiled Dog Winery
- Hierophant Meadery
- Holmes Harbor Cellars
- Comforts of Whidbey Winery and B&B
- Dancing Fish Vineyards
- Double Bluff Brewing Company
- Thirsty Crab Brewery
Stay at The Inn at Langley
The Inn at Langley is a beautiful place to stay in Langley, especially during the holidays. The rooms are huge and come with a balcony overlooking the water and a fireplace that’s perfect for the rainy months. We normally wouldn’t book a place like this to stay because it’s definitely on the pricier side, but we split the costs of the trip between us and treated ourselves for a pre-Christmas. It’s right on 1st Street and next to all of the great shops mentioned earlier in the article, which was perfect for Black Friday Weekend shopping and events.
The breakfasts were amazing and they did a fantastic Thanksgiving dinner that featured a fresh Halibut steak and other local foods. It’s also pet-friendly (but the management is a little rude about dogs that bark…so beware) and has a spa on site. I’d definitely recommend staying here for at least a night for the experience, but not if it doesn’t fit in your budget.
Where Else to Stay on Whidbey Island If You Want to Prolong Your Trip
The Inn at Langley is not the only cool place to stay. If you plan on staying anywhere on Whidbey Island and want more affordable lodging recommendations, refer to the list below:
- Candlewood Suites Oak Harbor by IHG (dog-friendly)
- LoveJoy Cottage (welcomes up to 4 cats and dogs per room)
- Saratoga Inn (breakfast included)
- Captain Whidbey (bar and lounge on site)
If you want to extend your Whidbey Island trip into a longer road trip, consider driving through Fidalgo Island and up to Bellingham for some Mount Baker hiking (and cute little towns). Or you can take the Coupeville ferry to Port Townsend and make your way to Olympic National Park.
When you visit Whidbey Island and use our recommendations, let us know in the comments how it went (or ask us any questions in the comments before you go)!
For more PNW road trip ideas:
- Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip Itinerary: 7 Days in Oregon and California
- Oregon Coast Highway Road Trip: The Perfect 3-Day Itinerary
- Vancouver Island Road Trip 8-Day Itinerary: Seattle to Vancouver Island’s Pacific Rim
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Dani is an entrepreneur and one of the creators of hikingandroadtrips.com. She is obsessed with everything outdoors, especially hiking, traveling and will take any opportunity to #getoutside for adventure or to just vibe with the earth.