Discover the Best Things to eat, experience, and explore in Kitsap with Your Ultimate travel guides - Love Kitsap.

Hundreds of miles of shoreline, countless opportunities for adventure - the Kitsap Peninsula is PNW smalltown authenticity at its best.

From farmers markets to local breweries to endless pine needle strewn trails winding through the evergreens, Kitsap is where exploration meets adoration. Let us help you plan your visit today!

~ Kitsap’s only digital exploration guide ~

Explore the Kitsap Peninsula by City

a ferry pulling into the Kingston terminal in Kitsap county

Kingston

Welcome to the heart of Kitsap’s coastal magic. Tucked along the shores of the Puget Sound, Kingston, Washington is the perfect blend of small-town charm and Pacific Northwest adventure. Known as the “Little City by the Sea,” Kingston welcomes visitors with waterfront dining, walkable marinas, scenic hiking trails, and a vibrant local arts scene. Whether you’re arriving by ferry from Edmonds or road-tripping through Kitsap County, Kingston is your gateway to relaxed coastal living, farm-fresh flavors, and unforgettable views of the Olympic Mountains. It’s a must-visit destination for travelers seeking an authentic Kitsap experience.

Pia, the Peacekeeper, Danbo Troll located on Bainbridge Island, Kitsap County, Washington

Bainbridge Island

Just a short ferry ride from Seattle, Bainbridge Island feels like a world away—where towering evergreens meet rocky beaches, and small-town charm blends seamlessly with sophisticated Pacific Northwest culture. This island gem is a haven for art lovers, foodies, and outdoor adventurers alike, with boutique shops, award-winning wineries, forested trails, and stunning waterfront views around every corner. Whether you're strolling Winslow’s walkable downtown or kayaking along the shoreline, Bainbridge Island invites you to slow down, breathe deep, and experience Kitsap County at its most enchanting.

Port Gamble

A perfectly preserved 19th-century mill town nestled along the Hood Canal. With its historic New England-style architecture, sweeping waterfront views, and tree-lined streets, Port Gamble feels like a step back in time with all the warmth of the Pacific Northwest. Explore quaint shops, sip locally roasted coffee, or wander through forested trails that lead to hidden beaches. Whether you’re here for a romantic weekend, a historic adventure, or just a peaceful escape, Port Gamble offers one of Kitsap County’s most unforgettable and

mural of viking pirates sailing into Poulsbo, Washington

Poulsbo

Fondly known as “Little Norway”— Poulsbo welcomes visitors with old-world charm and stunning Pacific Northwest beauty. Stroll along its vibrant waterfront boardwalk, where Scandinavian bakeries, boutique shops, and waterfront cafés create a storybook downtown that feels both cozy and full of discovery. With its rich Nordic heritage, spectacular mountain views, and easy access to kayaking, hiking, and weekend events, Poulsbo offers a magical Kitsap County experience that blends culture, nature, and small-town warmth in every season.

Silverdale waterfront, exploring the beach, sailing

Silverdale

Silverdale is where modern convenience meets the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest. Perched between the shimmering waters of Dyes Inlet and the rolling foothills of the Olympics, Silverdale offers a dynamic mix of shopping, dining, and outdoor recreation—all with breathtaking views at every turn. Whether you're paddleboarding on the bay, exploring local trails, or unwinding at a waterfront bistro, Silverdale is the heart of Kitsap County's energy and charm, inviting travelers to experience the perfect balance of adventure and relaxation.

Bremerton

Bremerton, Washington is a vibrant waterfront city where naval history, arts, and the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest come together. Just a scenic ferry ride from Seattle, Bremerton invites visitors to explore its walkable downtown, tour the historic USS Turner Joy, and discover galleries, cafés, and waterfront parks along the bustling marina. With mountain views, rich maritime culture, and easy access to Kitsap’s outdoor adventures, Bremerton is the perfect jumping-off point for travelers looking to experience the soul of Washington’s west side—authentic, welcoming, and full of discovery.

Port Orchard

Port Orchard, Washington is a charming seaside town that captures the heart of Kitsap County with its relaxed vibe, scenic marina, and friendly, small-town spirit. Just across the water from Bremerton, this historic community offers travelers a peaceful escape with waterfront dining, antique shopping, local art, and stunning views of the Olympic Mountains. Whether you're strolling the boardwalk, exploring nearby trails, or hopping on a foot ferry to catch a sunset, Port Orchard is the kind of place where you can slow down, soak up the scenery, and experience the authentic beauty of the Pacific Northwest.

spring events

Visiting Kitsap? Plan your stay around some of the most iconic Kitsap events. From Viking bonfires to sailing on a historic museum to immersing in Kitsap’s art and culture, experiencing Kitsap is easy with our annual event calendar.

Getting Here

Visiting Kitsap is easy once you have these easy travel tips.

Check out these Annual Kitsap events we love!

Plan your visit to Kitsap By Season

Stay in Kitsap

Book an overnight, weekend or week long adventure and make Kitsap your home base for adventure.

  25 in ‘25  

 2025 is your year for Kitsap adventure!

It's your year for beach walking, coffee sipping, and sailing.

It's your year for incredible food, farmers' markets, and festivals.

2025 is your year to explore the Kitsap Peninsula.

From local breweries to legendary lighthouses, Kitsap is bursting with unique experiences for solo travelers, families, corporate excursions, and friend groups. From Hansville to Bainbridge Island to Olalla and beyond, here are 25 unforgettable Kitsap experiences to get you started for 2025…

We could easily go on for days with all the fun things to do, see, eat, and explore on the Peninsula; narrowing it down to just 25 experiences is harder than you might think! We could easily rattle off 250 more, but hey, you’ve got to start somewhere!       

northwest explorers

Visit Kitsap and explore hidden gems and hyper-local favorites with Chief Explorer, Angela Moorer, host of the new series ‘Northwest Explorer’ on Cascade PBS.

season 1

bainbridge island

Episode 1 ~ A Luxury Village & Magical Hideaway
Episode 2 ~ Hey Day Farm: Field to Fork with Chef Tad
Episode 3 ~ Coffee, Art and Local Charm

bremerton

Episode 4 ~ Local Favorites & Hidden Gems
Episode 5 ~ Waterfront Boardwalk Bliss
Episode 6 ~ Exploring Bremerton

Your guide to Kitsap events!

A comprehensive guide to the events you love most. Use these guides to plan your stay and make the most of Kitsap’s most anticipated events of the year.

marina square suites, downtown bremerton, bremerton waterfront, stay in bremerton, visit bremerton

explore bremerton

It’s SO easy to explore Bremerton when you stay at Marina Square Suites on the waterfront! Steps away from the ferries and marina, walk over or sail in and enjoy the best views and eaccommodations Kitsap has to offer!

We are so proud to partner with Cascade PBS and host of the show Angela Moorer for Season 1 of ‘Northwest Explorer’ showcasing each of our wonderful Kitsap communities.

spring

On the Kitsap Peninsula

  explore  

the Kitsap Peninsula

Explore like a Local

These locals share their favorite (and possibly some fairly secret) spots to enjoy eats, drinks, and adventure on the Kitsap Peninsula. Secret Summer is an annual Summer Series that stays relevant year-round because there is never a bad time to visit and explore the Kitsap Peninsula!

EXPLORE by community

meet kitsap tourism coalition

  • Kitsap County

  • Visit Bainbridge Island

  • downtown bainbridge island Association

  • bainbridge island chamber

  • greater kingston Community chamber

  • Poulsbo Chamber

  • visit poulsbo

  • south kitsap chamber

  • Greater Kitsap Chamber

 ferry 

adventures

Kitsap boasts the biggest and most beautiful ferry system in north america and for a visitor a ferry ride to kingston, port orchard, Bainbridge Island or bremerton can be a highlight of the journey. we encourage you to take to the water on a foot ferry, auto-ferry or a passenger only fast ferry to experience the relaxation and the thrill of sailing across the salish sea…

There are 4 ferry terminals on the Kitsap Peninsula: Kingston, Bainbridge Island, Bremerton & Southworth (Port Orchard). TWO types of ferry service help visitors and locals get to Kitsap from King County - the AUTO FERRY, a large vessel that you can drive your car onto and the FAST FERRY, operated by Kitsap Transit that provides passenger-only service to downtown Seattle in half the time of the auto ferry. Use the links below to check the current routes and schedules to plan your next ferry adventure to the Kitsap Peninsula.

FAST FERRY Schedules

Travel to Kitsap on foot!

AUTO Ferry Schedules

Travel to Kitsap in your car, drive onto the ferry.


spend the day in Kingston

ferry from Edmonds to Kingston in an afternoon

It’s a beautiful 30-minute crossing from Edmunds to Kingston and once you’ve landed on the Peninsula endless small-town PNW adventure awaits! Feet from the ferry terminal is some of North Kitsap’s best cafes, pizzerias, bars, ice cream shops, and eateries…not to mention dozens of wonderful local small businesses worth a stop. Use the link below to plan your next Kingston ferry adventure!


spend the day in Port Orchard

downtown Seattle > Bremerton > Port Orchard

Port Orchard is connected via the ferry system like no other Kitsap community is. Port Orchard boasts easy travel to Fauntleroy (West Seattle), Vashon Island, Bremerton, plus two options for traveling to Downtown Seattle. On the Port Orchard Waterfront you can easily board the last remaining historic ‘Mosquito Fleet’ foot ferry carrying passengers across Sinclair inlet to Bremerton. Visitors to Bremerton can travel to Port Orchard for an hour, an afternoon, or the entire day in exactly 12 minutes, ferries leave from the Port Orchard and Bremerton terminals every 30 minutes. Pick up a copy of Mosquito Fleet of South Puget Sound, by Images of America at Revival PNW to learn more about these relics that buzzed along the waters in bygone days.

Southworth (Port Orchard) > Vashon Island > Fauntleroy (W. Seattle)

Across Port Orchard in the eastern-facing shores, the community of Southworth is home to the Washington State Ferry System’s Southworth- Fauntleroy-Vashon route, a 30 minute crossing to West Seattle with a stop on Vashon Island. Port Orchard, having ferries that link to 3 cities, is the most ferry-connected community in a place known for its maritime history and celebrations. Check out the Mosquito Fleet Fest in Port Orchard on Memorial Day Weekend.

explore kitsap water trails

Kayaker paddling on the Puget Sound while visiting Kitsap

Kitsap is designated as a National Water Trails System. 

Across the Peninsula, there are numerous spots to launch a kayak, SUP or SCUBA or sail. This vast network of constitutes the Kitsap Peninsula National Water Trails System.

Woman sitting on driftwood during a visit to Fay Bainbridge

water trails access point: fay bainbridge park

- 47.702654 / -122.506404 // 5446 Sunrise Dr NE, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110

Access Type: Beach with paved parking lot.

Loved for its long sandy beach strewn with driftwood logs, Fay Bainbridge Park is a great place to kayak or SUP while taking in the Puget Sound views.

water trails access point: Port of Manchester

-47.555648 / -122.543696 // 8067 E Main St, Port Orchard, WA 98366

Access Type: Dock, Boat Ramp, Beach with paved parking lot.

Launch your kayak from this beautiful South Kitsap water trail access point and take in the gorgeous views of the distant Seattle skyline and Blake Island. A small park and a sandy beach round out this favorite spot for water access. Just a few feet away the Manchester Pub and Carbon Mexican Steakhouse offer food, drink and merriment for all!

 local 

seafood

fresh from the hood canal

With over 371 miles of shoreline, Kitsap has always been known for fresh seafood options. From local favorite Kettlefish in Silverdale to the always fresh catch from native operated Suquamish Seafoods to the dozens of restaurants featuring PNW sourced shellfish, salmon, crab and seafood - there are so many ways to indulge in fresh local seafood!