The Pacific Northwest county primed for adventure lovers

National Geographic

22-05-2025

Between the skyscrapers of Seattle and the wilds of the Olympic National Park you'll find Washington's Kitsap Peninsula, a waterfront spot that stretches across 375 miles of coastline. Aside from its tranquil natural beauty, this area offers a long list of adventures — from bioluminescent kayaking and forest hikes to art galleries and beer festivals, there's more than enough variety to keep you entertained.
If you're passing though Seattle for the 2026 FIFA events — or simply to experience one of the US's greatest cities — consider tagging on a visit to this beguiling region in the Puget Sound. Here's how to make the most of it. Stump houses were commonplace in the early logging days of the late 19th century, when enormous trees were cut down and resourceful settlers repurposed the stumps for storage and shelter. Photograph by Aljolynn Sperber What to do
Think national park adventures, Indigenous sites, museums, art galleries and more.
By day, fill your itinerary with experiences in Kitsap's great outdoors. Watch for orcas and collect sea glass at Point No Point County Park, catching reflections of Mount Rainier in the water. Also at the northern end of Kitsap, Port Gamble Forest Heritage Park — where locals are restoring former timber-company land — offers an idyllic spot for mountain biking. Follow the coastline southwest to go for a hike in the Guillemot Cove Nature Reserve, where you should keep an eye out for the iconic 'stump house', a large hollowed out Western Red Cedar stump that was fitted with a door, windows and a roof some time in the late 19th or early 20th century.
Alternatively, stay busy with cultural attractions. It takes around an hour to drive south from Port Gamble (home to colourful Maine-inspired architecture) to Bremerton, and en route there is much to discover. You can visit Chief Seattle's grave at the Suquamish Tribal Cemetery and learn about Coast Salish heritage at the Suquamish Museum or, for a slice of small town life, explore the many shops, cafes, bakeries and galleries in Norway-inspired Poulsbo. For military history, tour Keyport's US Naval Undersea Museum to discover the area's role in the evolution of submarine technology. Bremerton itself offers a more artsy vibe — catch a show at the Bremerton Roxy or the Admiral Theatre and explore the Kitsap History Museum.
If time allows, venture over to the incomparable Olympic National Park. There, you'll find ancient forests, rocky beaches and the wild, verdant slopes of Mount Olympus, all about an hour's drive from Port Gamble. Once night falls, be sure to get back on the peninsula. Head to the Olympic Outdoor Center, where you can paddle through bioluminescent algae on the Kitsap Peninsula Water Trail — the etheral glow puts the lights of Seattle to shame. The Kitsap Peninsula provides fishers, restaurants and diners access to some of the freshest seafood in the Pacific Northwest, including oysters, clams, salmon, Dungeness crab and mussels. Where to eat
Stick to the local classics — that is, fresh seafood and a pint — or try something completely new.
Kitsap is loaded with fabulous dining options morning, noon and night. For breakfast, take your pick of bakeries and cafes, like Poulsbo's famous Sluys Bakery — if nothing else, be sure to step in for a whiff and to eye the towering pastry displays in the window. Bremerton's creative Cafe Corvo, Manette's Saboteur Bakery and Silverdale's Oak Table will also keep you both cosy and caffeinated. For lunch, nowhere beats Butcher & Baker in Port Gamble, famous for its pimento cheese fried-chicken sandwiches, housemade cheesecakes and the views across the water.
For dinner, pick your passion: American South-inspired, elevated fare at Restaurant Lola, a Black-owned local fave; Poulsbo's Molly Ward Gardens, where you can dine amid antiques and wildflowers; Kingston's Sourdough Willy's, where the sourdough starter has been bubbling for 127 years; Port Orchard's Holy Water, where cafe grub gets served up in an old-school church; or Bremerton's hip, eclectic Hound + Bottle, a spot that feels every bit a neighbourhood restaurant.
After dark, head on over to Grumble & Wine, Tracyton Public House or The Kingston Ale House for some of the Pacific Northwest's best signature brews. Great dining and entertainment meet fascinating maritime history in Bremerton. Photograph by Visit Kitsap Peninsula Illahee State Park is home to an impressive old-growth forest, including towering Douglas firs. Photograph by Visit Kitsap Where to stay
Choose between cosy farmstays, Nordic-inspired digs, waterfront accommodations and everything in between.
At approximately 600sq miles, the Kitsap Peninsula is roughly the same size as London. Which is to say there are plenty of accommodation options.
In downtown Poulsbo — known as 'Little Norway', thanks to the fjord-like Liberty Bay — boutique hotels and charming B&Bs like Hotel Scandi place you steps from waterfront dining and Scandinavian-inspired shops. Kingston and Bremerton offer waterfront holiday rentals, perfect for families or extended stays, many with small private beaches and boat docks. For example, the Marina Square Suites are situated between the ferry terminal and marina in downtown Bremerton — from here, you can catch a 30-minute ferry ride to Seattle or go on a paddleboarding, kayaking or sailing adventure.
For nature enthusiasts, campsites at Illahee State Park and Scenic Beach State Park allow you to sleep amid enormous Douglas firs and near the water. Or, for those who prefer to bed down in luxury, there's the Black Crane Treehouse and Raspberry Ridge Farm, both of which provide the seclusion and flexibility of a self-catered space. More than 150 vendors gather to celebrate all things blackberry on the Bremerton Boardwalk for the annual Blackberry Festival. Photograph by Isaak Hammers When to go
Mark your calendar for the region's best events — or visit whenever the mood strikes.
With mild winters and less rain than Seattle, there's no bad time to explore the Kitsap Peninsula. May through October offers especially excellent weather, perfect for morning hikes or late-night paddles. Spring and fall are milder, but with smaller crowds in the big-ticket attractions like the Olympic National Park. Keep in mind, though, that the Olympics hit elevations of around 7,900ft, so be prepared for changing weather and snow at higher elevations.
As for events, time your visit during the annual Chief Seattle Days to celebrate the region's Indigenous community (August), taste the glories of the Bremerton Blackberry Festival (September), experience Viking Fest in Poulsbo (May), or catch FIFA World Cup and World Club Cup events in nearby Seattle (summer 2026). Direct flights are available to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport from London, Manchester, and Edinburgh. Cars are available to rent for the 75-minute drive to Kitsap Peninsula, or take a scenic ferry ride across Puget Sound from Seattle to Bremerton. For more information, head to visitkitsap.com. This paid content article was created for the Greater Kitsap Chamber & Visitor Center. It does not necessarily reflect the views of National Geographic, National Geographic Traveller (UK) or their editorial staffs.
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