How to spend 2 Hours in Downtown Port Orchard
Port Orchard’s waterfront is lined with local shops, food & drink and parks…and is a foot ferry ride from bremerton.
If you are on the Bremerton waterfront or at the Bremerton marina, we’re looking at you American Cruise Line, then it’s very easy to ride the 10 minute passenger ferry to downtown Port Orchard.
A walk down Bay Street on the Port Orchard’s waterfront reveals a cluster of shops, restaurants and experiences that are perfect for a few hours with the family, friends or flying solo. Port Orchard isn’t glitzy or ostentatious but it’s a perfect example of a PNW small town with amazing locals and tons of heart. Here’s how you can make the most of just a few hours in Port Orchard!
foot ferry ride from Bremerton to Port Orchard
Bremerton and Port Orchard are conveniently connected via a 10-minute passenger ferry ride that runs daily. On the Bremerton side, the foot ferry leaves on the 15 and 45 and on the Port Orchard side the foot ferry leaves on the hour and on the 30. The ride is short but very pleasant as you traverse Sinclair Inlet between the two cities. If you’re lucky you’ll ride the 117 year old historic Carlisle II Mosquito Fleet era ferry, lovingly referred to as a ‘floating museum’. From the foot ferry it is a short walk to the waterfront shops, cafes & restaurants.
HELPFUL INFO:
Fare is cash only, $2 per person each way.
The South Kitsap Chamber of Commerce sponsors foot ferry tickets for cruise guests who want to explore Port Orchard, grab your voucher on the Bremerton side as you disembark the cruise ship!
Ferry runs 7 days a week, with free rides on Sundays (with services ending at 5pm on Sundays)
Coffee at The Mercantile + shopping at Josephine’s & Revival
Josephine’s Mercantile ~ 701 Bay St // Revival ~ 702 Bay St
Our first stop is for a quick latte at Mercantile Coffee Co. inside Josephine’s Mercantile. Josephine’s is a wonderland of curated antiques, vintage items, and collectibles…we could wander Jo’s for hours perusing all of the vendor’s unique collections. Right across the street is Revival, Joesephin’s sister store & one of Bay Street's most exciting retail shops. With huge corner windows, Revival is filled with light…it is also filled with an incredible collection of PNW + Kitsap County apparel, gifts, and decor. Set inside a unique historic space that once housed the first Ford Model T warehouse on the Kitsap Peninsula.
go Antiquing at Olde Central Antique mall
801 Bay St
The Olde Central Antique Mall is one of the best places to go antiquing on the Kitsap Peninsula…and it’s feet from the foot ferry! 40+ vendors absolutely fill this space with all manner of rare, vintage and antique items and collections. As you wander through Olde Central you never know what treasures you’ll discover!
OR if you’re not interested in more Antiquing…
walk the pedestrian path to the soroptimist overlook or rockwell park
From the foot ferry follow the waterfront boardwalk to the Port Orchard Waterfront Park and the Soroptimist Overlook. This short walk brings you to a pavilion and benches perfect for a picnic or a quick rest with beautiful views. The Port Orchard Waterfront Park is a local favorite for those with kids and you’ll often see young ones playing on the popular playground. A pedestrian path winds North from the park, past the Soroptimist Overlook, which has a stairwell offering access to a cute little sandy beach. If you choose to follow the path further you’ll quickly find Rockwell Park - a tiny enclave with seating, tables, and a little sandy beach perfect for relaxing and taking in the view.
Lunch at peninsula bevco
110 Harrison Ave
Port Orchard loves Bevco and the vision + team behind this legit local spot. Beer lovers will get lost in the MASSIVE selection on tap, in bottles and cans. Plus, foodies will love the menu full of comfort favorites. Their patio overlooks Sinclair Inlet and is the perfect place to sip a beer or cider on a hot day. We are fans of the rice quinoa bowl, their flatbreads, and amazing mac and cheese!
treats at carter & Company
707 Bay St
If you brought your sweet tooth with you to Bay Street then a stop into Carter’s is a MUST. Treat yourself to yummy homemade ice cream and chocolates and a huge selection of eats and treats including freshly baked sourdough bread, delicious quiches, and sweet + savory pastries. We can never leave without a pecan roll or two!
pick up something new to read at Salmonberry Books & Find the Path Books
Salmonberry Books ~ 715 Bay St // Find the Path Books ~ 710 Bay St
Bay Street has two excellent book stores…right across the street from each other! If you’re looking for your next good read then pop into either or both of these locally owned independent book stores.
explore kitsap further with these resent articles + guides
All of the fall events, festivals, trick or treating and fun on the Kitsap Peninsula. Pumpkin patches, Halloween events and family fun in Bainbridge Island, Port Gamble, Poulsbo, Kingston, Bremerton, and Port Orchard.