Between Tacoma And Port Townsend Is Washington's Peninsula Gem With History, A Casino, And Coastal Views

Western Washington is jam packed with hidden scenic gems where you can imagine yourself becoming one with the forest, enjoying a misty day on the trails, or cozying up inside with a warm mug by the fire. Among the Puget Sound lowlands are many such places with islands and peninsulas that are as well deserving of a visit as both major Pacific Northwest cities and small town tourist destinations. One such place is on the Kitsap Peninsula. One town that is smack dab between Tacoma and Port Townsend is the census-designated area called Suquamish.

Named for The Suquamish people — meaning "people of the clear saltwater" in the Southern Lushootseed language — a tribe that has been a steward of the Kitsap Peninsula for over 10,000 years, Suquamish has undergone many changes since the arrival of European settlers. Today the area is home to a little over 4,000 people with 8% identifying as Native. Suquamish is small and mostly residential with no central downtown area, however, there are plenty of things to do during your visit — especially if you're interested in Native American history, playing the slots, or simply enjoying stunning views of the Puget Sound.

The best time to visit Suquamish and the greater Puget Sound Lowlands area is certainly in the spring and summer months, from May to August, when the sun is shining, flowers are blooming, and the trees are vibrant and green. Alternatively, you can visit in the early fall when the leaves begin to change color and the salmon return to their spawning grounds in late September and October. To get the most out of your trip, you'll need a car to explore the area. On your trip, consider a visit to the artsy and eclectic Bainbridge Island and other locations on the underrated Kitsap Peninsula with its many charming towns and waterfront views.

While Suquamish may not have all the trappings of towns like Port Townsend and Tacoma, there are plenty of reasons to visit and pay your respects to a great leader and person of historical significance to the city of Seattle — Chief Seattle. In Suquamish you can find Chief Sealth's gravesite, Sealth being another version of Chief Seattle's anglicized name — his name in Duwamish being Si'ahl. The grave is located in the Suquamish Memorial Cemetery and honors the legacy of a man who was a great warrior and leader of the Duwamish tribe, who maintained good relations with other native tribes, and assisted, encouraged trade, and made peace with European settlers when they landed at Alki Point. 

The chief was very influential in the establishment of the city of Seattle and maintaining the relative coexistence between the native population and settlers, hence why the city is named after him. Today, visitors can pay homage at the grave and attend Chief Seattle Days, which typically occur in August. The event is open to the public and honors Chief Seattle's accomplishments and highlights Coast Salish traditions and culture with events like the salmon bake, powwows, and music and dance performances at the Coastal Jam event. One of the most popular events that is open to the public is the canoe race, with tribal-affiliated canoeing club members racing against one another.

To learn more about the tribe and its people, a must-visit is the Suquamish Museum, whose mission is to collect and preserve the culture and history of the tribe to teach the community about the Suquamish people. The museum offers visitors a detailed timeline about the history of the Suquamish along with well-preserved artifacts and information about the culture. You may also want to take time to also visit Old Man House Park, which was the location of a longhouse that eight tribal chiefs and their families once called home. Today, it is a humble one-acre park with a beach that looks out over Port Madison and the greater Salish Sea.

Looking for a place to stay with waterfront views and entertainment? The Suquamish Clearwater Casino and Resort in Suquamish has just that for visitors to the Kitsap Peninsula. The casino is where it's all happening with their doors remaining open 24 hours on weekends, and 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. on weekdays. The casino has over 1,300 slot machines, table games, a Keno lounge, and live music on the weekends from tribute bands playing favorites like Van Morrison and Journey. There are also six restaurants within the casino ranging from casual to fine dining with an emphasis on local ingredients and cuisine.

On the resort side, there are around 85 rooms, many of which have sweeping views of the waters of Agate Passage towards Port Orchard Bay and the shores of neighboring Bainbridge Island. At the resort you can relax at the Angeline Spa which offers massages and facials or take a dip in the indoor swimming pool and hot tub. On a road trip with your RV? The Clearwater has 19 dedicated RV parking spaces with full hookups available including electricity, water, and waste. Just because you're in an RV doesn't mean you'll miss out on great views, though, as the spaces have waterfront views as well.

If you're a fan of the show Twin Peaks, you'll absolutely want to pay a visit to the Kiana Lodge where a pivotal scene from the first episode was filmed by a large log (if you know, you know). The Lodge also hosts events throughout the year such as themed dinners and holiday crafting workshops. However, to see the "real" Twin Peaks, don't skip out on a visit to the picturesque Washington city of Snoqualmie. Dining options in Suquamish are a bit limited but the casino's restaurants are open to the public, and the nearby Sully's Bistro & Bar is well-reviewed with popular dishes like crab cakes, cioppino, and the Friday night prime rib. The Bistro also has great waterfront views and outdoor seating for those precious warm sunny days.