Washington's Underrated Peninsula Is A Pacific Northwest Basecamp With Charming Towns And Waterfront Bliss

Just across the Puget Sound and about 10 miles from Seattle, Washington's Kitsap Peninsula has deep Indigenous roots that remain widely preserved and protected today. For thousands of years prior to European settlers, the Port Gamble S'Klallam and Suquamish tribes thrived in the area. Despite forced relocations to reservations, these groups have continued celebrating their cultural heritage. Today, the Kitsap Peninsula serves as a popular basecamp for exploring these cultures and several other vibrant communities throughout the Pacific Northwest.

When planning a visit to the Kitsap Peninsula, the hardest part will be deciding where to go. However, with 11 main destinations that each offer unique experiences, the region makes it easy to plan a trip around anything from history and water activities to food and drink. To help you navigate each spot, here's a little introduction to each community's atmosphere:

Bainbridge Island is full of diverse shops, restaurants, and outdoor activities. Meanwhile, quirky Bremerton is a city full of curious museums, like the Bremerton Bug and Reptile Museum or the U.S.S. Turner Joy (DD-951) Naval Destroyer Museum Ship. For a wine tasting adventure, visit the Olalla Valley Vineyard and Winery in the town of the same name. In Kingston, you can wander the main street or go kayaking in the marina. To take in a buzzing waterfront, head to Port Orchard. If craft breweries and hiking trails are more your vibe, then check out Silverdale. Poulsbo, also known as Washington's "Little Norway," is heavy on European charm, as is Gig Harbor, the Kitsap Peninsula gateway city full of Croatian and Scandinavian history. Feel like time-traveling to the 1850s? Visit the General Store in Port Gamble. Hansville is a sleepy escape with sweeping views, and Suquamish is the best spot for Indigenous culture.

If you're interested in understanding the Peninsula's Indigenous background, a must-visit site is the Suquamish Museum, where you can delve into the tribe's history and culture. The gravesite for Suquamish Chief Seattle, for whom the major city is named, is also there. Old Man House Park is another interesting site to consider visiting. The one-acre landmark once hosted Chief Seattle's longhouse and served as the center of the Suquamish village. The U.S. Military burned the house down in 1870 and seized the land in 1904. After 100 years of ownership disputes, this single remaining acre was returned to the tribe in 2004.

Another big draw in the region are the Kitsap Peninsula National Water Trails (KPNWT). This natural saltwater system with 371 miles of coast is a prime destination for kayaking around bays or coves, scuba diving, SUPing, fishing, or simply boating around looking at wildlife. The shoreline includes beaches and public piers, and the KPWT website  suggests routes depending on how much time you want to spend on the water. If sea kayaking sounds fun but intimidating, prepare for the perfect Pacific Northwest adventure at Port Gamble's Olympic Outdoor Center, which offers classes for novices.

Agritourism is also a hip scene on the Kitsap Peninsula. With seasonal farmers markets typically running between spring and fall, you have a good chance of being able to visit at least one. You might even be inspired to plan a road trip focused on these attractions. Local websites highlight location-specific details (including vendor info), but some of the best markets include Bainbridge Island Farmers Market (April–November), Bremerton Community Farmers Market (May–October), Poulsbo Farmers Market (March–December), Port Orchard Farmers Market (April–October), and Kingston Public Market (May–October).

To reach the Kitsap Peninsula, start at the closest major airport (Seattle-Tacoma International Airport), a roughly 40-minute drive from Gig Harbor. For jetsetters who prefer door-to-door service, the Bremerton-Kitsap Airporter operates a shuttle bus to the peninsula with various stops. However, driving allows the most flexibility to explore the entire region. Still, there are some public transportation offerings. Those traveling by foot or on a bike can take Kitsap Fast Ferries from Seattle's passenger-only terminal, and a ride from to Bremerton will take about 30 minutes (40 minutes to Kingston).

If you want to skip the ferries and opt for a scenic drive, there are two bridge options. From the Olympic Peninsula, you can reach Kitsap Peninsula via the Hood Canal Floating Bridge, and start your trip with a visit to Port Gamble before working your way south to Poulsbo. If you're driving from the south, near Tacoma, you can take the Tacoma Narrows Bridge, and begin your adventure with a visit to Gig Harbor. Once you're on Kitsap Peninsula, Kitsap Transit operates buses with a wide range of routes that cover the Northern, Central, and Southern areas.

Throughout the peninsula, there are several unique lodging options. In Poulsbo, Hotel Scandi is a boutique property with history dating back to the 1890s. Today, the reimagined hotel honors Poulsbo's Norwegian heritage through architecture and design. In Gig Harbor, the Washington Woodland Estate bed and breakfast is a five-acre wonderland with gardens, meditation areas, and a fitness trail for guests to explore. For a dose of history, Mrs. Howe's Bed & Breakfast in Port Orchard is a former family home from 1923. Centrally located, it's within walking distance of the historic downtown and several key sights.