Surrounding Community

Whidbey Island
Oak Harbor
http://www.oakharbor.org
The picturesque town of Oak Harbor has a modern culture steeped in its rich, local history. Originally settled in 1849 when seafarers staked a claim and established a trade port on Whidbey Island in the Puget Sound, the area has grown to encompass nearly nine miles from limit to limit. The town was given its name by Dr. Richard Lansdale, because of the abundance of Garry Oak trees, a relatively rare strain of tree.

Whidbey Island was named for Joseph Whidbey, the first colonist to lay claim to the nearby island.

The township had both a financial and population boom in the 1890s, when Dutch settlers colonized the area, coming from Canada and the Midwest, and used the area's rich resources to establish fertile farmland. Today, windmills and Dutch construction bear witness to the area's brilliant history. Many of the town's oldest original structures were built near the harbor, since water trade was the main initial source of income.

One of the city's greatest employers, the Navy, came to Oak Harbor in 1941 to bolster the war effort. The Navy continues to be a major benefactor to the area.

Today, the main cog of Oak Harbor, Old Town, is still buzzing with activity. Pioneer Way, Old Town's main thoroughfare offers dining, craft stores, antique dealers and other laid-back shopping experiences, perfect for a weekend stroll.

Other nearby attractions are:
The Blue Fox Drive-in is one of only four remaining drive-ins in the state of Washington. The Fox also features an on-site go-kart track, as well as a snack bar for all your refreshment needs. The Blue Fox offers party packages featuring train rides, go-kart specials and arcade fun. The drive-in also shows classic cartoons prior to the main film, in true retro style. Call the 24-hour movie information line (360) 675-5667 or visit http://www.bluefoxdrivein.com for current movie listings.

Downtown Oak Harbor's Whidbey Saint Patrick's Celebration is an annual festival celebrated on March 17 that begins on Pioneer Way and Jensen Street and ends in Windjammer Park where you can stand alongside the mayor and kiss the "Blarney stone" for a year's worth of good luck.

Every April, in honor of Oak Harbor's Dutch history, the town is filled with tulips to kick off the annual Holland Happening Festival, spanning three days. Events include a family-friendly carnival, a street fair featuring Dutch food, wooden shoe carving, a "Klompen Canal Race," an international dance festival and the festival culminates with a grand parade along the waterfront.

The Whidbey Playhouse (http://www.whidbeyplayhouse.com) is a community theatre, featuring year-round productions for more than 40 years! The playhouse features "classic" plays as well as original works, and is always sure to delight the whole family.

Oak Harbor Windjammer Park is a 28-acre city beach, featuring 56 RV and 30 tent campsites, three little league baseball fields, two 'tot lot' play areas, two basketball courts and shoreline picnic tables and grills. During the summer, the beach offers lagoon swimming as well as wading pools for children. In late summer and early fall, the park features kite-flying, picnic areas and an assortment of outdoor activities. Windjammer Park also offers a boat launch, two wading pools and a swimming area complete with dock and waterslide.

Whidbey Island Race Week draws about 125 sailboats to the Oak Harbor Marina for an annual event in July. There is lots of food and entertainment after racing during the weeklong festivities.

Coupeville
http://www.cometocoupeville.com
Known to islanders as the center of the Ebey Landing National Historical Reserve, Coupeville is responsible for the majority of the historical preservation on Whidbey Island.

If Whidbey's history piques your interest, pay a visit to the Island County Historical Museum, a chronicle of the island's rich history. Since 1963, the museum has existed in several different locations, beginning with the former General Telephone building. From 1971 to 1991, the museum was located in the former Coupeville Fire Hall. Finally, in 1991 construction on the present site was completed, on the site of the former Blockhouse Inn. The new location offers dazzling views of Penn Cove and the Coupeville waterfront.

Coupeville also boasts the famous Penn Cove Shellfish Farm, and an ingeniously designed main street, featuring false-front stores that offer antiques, crafts and other specialty items.

For more than 20 years, Coupeville has been home to the annual Penn Cove Mussel Fest, featuring multiple musical performances, children's activities, a chowder tasting area, a chowder-eating contest as well as tours of the historic Shellfish Farm.

During the summer, Town Park hosts "Concerts on the Cove" (http://www.concertsonthecove.org) and the park has a short waterfront footpath that leads to shopping areas as well as the town boat launch.

If adrenaline is your muse, many of Coupeville's parks offer kayaking, mountain biking, and many unique hiking trails, spanning mountains, forests and seaside vistas.

In a perfect blend of history and action, visitors can scuba dive at the Fort Casey/Keystone Underwater Park. Divers will find indigenous jellyfish, porpoises, otters, sea lions and maybe even a gray whale or Orca.

Every October, kids and adults gather at Cooks Corner for the Halloween Torchlight Parade. The parade begins at Cooks Corner and continues down Front Street, through the heart of historic downtown Coupeville. For information, call (360) 678-3310 or visit http://www.islandhistory.org.

Greenbank
Located at Whidbey's most narrow point, Greenbank is a respite from the pressures of city life. Comprised of rolling farmland and deep woods, the city is a home to both conservationists and agriculturists. The famed "U Growth" Forest has become the most recent addition to the South Whidbey State Park, a 347-acre preserve that features 4,500 feet of sparking saltwater shoreline along the Admiralty Inlet.

Greenbank's most well-known landmark is the Greenbank Farm (http://www.greenbankfarm.com), featuring wine tastings, beautiful wedding facilities, and shopping areas dedicated to local products and antiques. The real draw, though, is the Whidbey Pies Café and Cheese Shop. People come from all over the country to sample their loganberry, marionberry, strawberry rhubarb and other classic pies. The café also features boutique-style gourmet meals that are easy on the wallet. The Farm is also home to a variety of festivals and shows throughout the year.

The Meerkerk Rhododendron Garden (http://www.meerkerkgardens.org) is the perfect destination for floraphiles and romantics alike. The adjoining Rhododendron Park has more than 140 acres of trails, winding through wild rhododendrons and other local plant life.

In addition to the historic and entertaining locales, visitors to Greenbank will find abundant seascape vistas, perfect for crabbing, clamming and tide pool observations.

Freeland
http://www.freeland-wa.org
After spending the day exploring Greenbank, spend your night at one of the many inns, cottages and bed-and-breakfasts located throughout Freeland. In the morning, take a leisurely stroll down Doublebluff Beach. In addition to offering an amazing panoramic view of Mt. Rainier and Seattle, it is also dotted with picnic areas, leash-free dog areas and several collection sites for driftwood aficionados.

At nearby Freeland Park, you can also host a picnic, dig for clams, or simply watch the windsurfers and boaters from one of the park's many waterfront tables. And what waterfront park would be complete without playground facilities? Freeland Park has a quaint play area adjacent to the picnic areas, making it a perfect location for your next family get-together.

Langley
http://www.visitlangley.com
It can truly be said that Langley has the best of both worlds: a sweeping bluff overlooking the channel of the Saratoga Passage, as well as a breathtaking, 180-degree view of the Cascade Mountains.

Langley is also known for having the highest density of cottages, bed-and-breakfasts and inns, totaling more than 60 within the town limits.

In addition to its inherent beauty, Langley's Seawall Park is also home to endangered species and local flora alike. Bald eagles, herons and sea lions call Seawall Park home, and grey whales migrate past the park's shore in the springtime.

Langley also started a new tradition: Welcome the Whales Day! A small pod of Gray Whales have been sighted every year around early March and have been staying through May. Visit http://www.whidbeycamanoislands.com/outdoor_adventure/graywhales/ for dates.

If entertainment is your focus, The Whidbey Island Center for the Arts (http://www.wica online.com) hosts several concerts, theatre and dance year-round. If your tastes run more modern, Langley has a selection of current movies playing at the Langley Movie House, a structure that has been carefully restored to its original 1930 design.

Once you've worked up an appetite, you'll find that there are five-star restaurants, family dining, specialty bakeries, classic sandwich shops and a top shelf winery...the Whidbey Island Winery.

As far as shopping, Langley has several specialty shops, and also features craft and clothing shops, and many store items are painstakingly crafted by local artists.

Camano Island
http://www.camanoisland.org
Camano Island, like Whidbey and Fidalgo, is one of the three islands connected via multiple bridges. Simply put, Camano is an island of dazzling vistas, all of which can be experienced without having to wait for a ferry.

Prior to its "official" discovery in 1791, Camano was called "Kol-LUT-chen," or "land jutting into the bay," by the islands local tribes.

Between 1791 and 1900, the island was known by many names. Area loggers nicknamed the sprawling island "Crow Island," since large numbers of crows roosted between the three islands, but predominantly on Camano, hence its unofficial title.

The island eventually came to be known as Camano, named by British Navy Captain Kellett for the Spanish naval explorer Lieutenant Don Jacinto Camano who originally mapped the island's topography in the 1700s.

Today, Camano is a prime getaway location for islanders and mainlanders. Unlike the other island locales, the area is sparsely populated and has little panache in the vein of tourist traps. Instead, a wealth of local and state parks dot the landscape, as well as many free boat launch sites.

Camano Island State Park is the islands largest camping spot, with more than 134 acres of land and nearly 7,000 feet of rocky shoreline and inlets. The park is the perfect location for a picnic lunch or a long weekend of camping, and features forest trails, boating vistas and breathtaking views of the Olympic Mountains and Mt. Rainier.

Fidalgo Island
Anacortes
http://www.anacortes.org
The city of Anacortes, considered to be the "Crown Jewel" of Fidalgo Island, north of Whidbey, is a fantastic springboard for island hoppers...since it's also known as the gateway to the San Juan Islands. Locals call Fidalgo the "Drive-To Island," since it's connected in the south to Whidbey and to the mainland from the east.

Both Whidbey and Fidalgo are located in a "sun trough"—meaning that the weather is temperate year-round, so visitors and locals can take advantage of Anacortes' dazzling attractions.

The temperate water means great fishing, with Blackmouth, Chinook and Coho Salmon; and Dungeness crab are the most prized specimens, but their schooling varies with the seasons. If you're looking for more elusive quarry, the waters are dotted with Rockfish, Lingcod and Pacific Salmon. Anacortes is home to several fishing charters for both casual and sport fishing.

If you're more into observing, but want a different perspective, there are several guided and solo kayak adventures available as well.

The restored downtown district is a historical landmark with classic stores, an "Antique Row" as well as several art galleries that showcase local and national artists. Just off the main drag, bed-and-breakfasts, classical inns and restaurants are just waiting to be discovered.

Local as well as national parks are located in or around Anacortes. Waterfront vistas are bordered by recreational docks, as well as world-renowned shipbuilders, cabinet specialists, rope producers and ship repair specialists.

Visiting seafarers will find the port of Anacortes welcoming, with services ranging from simple grocery to specialty hardware.

Simply put, Anacortes is a community that prides itself on its artistic roots. From classical writers to sagacious quilters, there's quite literally 'something for everyone.'

The Mainland
La Conner
http://www.laconnerchamber.com/index.cfm
Few today would guess that the picturesque, artsy town of La Conner was purchased for a mere $500 in 1869. For that, John Conner bought the entire town plus another 70 acres of land, and, in honor of his wife, Louisa Ann Conner, changed the name of the town from Swinomish to La Conner a year later, to incorporate her first two initials and her last name.

La Conner's community is diverse and includes farmers, carpenters, artists and other artisans—as well as the Swinomish Tribal Community. Many artists made La Conner their home in the 1940s, inspired by the naturalistic beauty of the farming countryside, and the artistic influence continues to this day. On the third Saturday evening of every month, La Conner hosts an art walk between 4 and 8 p.m. where local art, photography and sculpture are featured, as well as their creators.

At a time when long-distance travel is increasingly expensive, more Washington residents are choosing a local destination for their vacations. Attracted by small shops (everything from boutiques to antiques to arts and craft stores), art galleries, fine restaurants and numerous bed and breakfasts, visitors discover the allure of being treated like a 'local' in a town that values its residents. Those who visit in the summer are presented with a multitude of outdoor options, including boating, fishing, kayaking and biking. Beyond its own enticements, La Conner's location draws many—the town is only about a half- hour drive from Oak Harbor.

Proud that their town is on the National Registry of Historic Places, La Conner's residents strongly value their heritage. They work to preserve the history of the town, something reflected in the efforts taken to retain as much architectural history of the waterfront as possible. Perhaps it's this, along with the peace and quiet of a place to escape city life into the charm of an old-fashioned community, which continues to draw visitors to La Conner.

Burlington
http://www.burlington-chamber.com
Known as "The Hub City" for its proximity to the crossing of two prominent rail-lines (and later, Interstate 5 and State Route 20), Burlington's original designation was a logging camp.

Since then, it has re-established itself, blossoming into a tourist trade stop, with a multitude of shopping malls and restaurants.

Every summer, Burlington celebrates its "oldest and sweetest festival" Berry Dairy Days, featuring shortcake competitions, concerts and local food and craft vendors.

In the springtime, the hills surrounding Mount Vernon are vibrant, with colorful clusters of tulips and daffodils. The nearby Cascade Mountains offer hours of gem-hunting excitement and dazzling panoramic views for photographers and outdoor loves.

Bellingham
http://www.bellingham.org
With a population just under 75,000, the waterfront city of Bellingham is anything but dull. This fact, paired with its established nickname— "the city of subdued excitement"—is only one clever example of the city's duality.

Bellingham is located north of Seattle, and is the last major city in Washington before you hit Canada.

Bellingham is also home to the famous Mt. Baker Ski Resort, open October through April. In addition, to the obvious, Mt. Baker also hosts many non-skiing community events, from Easter egg hunts to film festivals.

Bellingham is also home to Western Washington University and the annual Ski to Sea Race (http://www.skitosea.com), a tradition dating back to 1911.

If indoor activities are more to your liking, Bellingham also features the American Museum of Radio & Electricity, the Bellingham Sportsplex and a cadre of exploratory theatres, ranging from cabarets to comedy.

Bellingham is also home to MindPort (http://www.mindport.org), the museum featuring a revolutionary fusion of creative science and interactive, artistic exhibits, in an attempt to "...facilitate conversations between children and adults."

Bellingham is also home to the Whatcom Museum of History & Art (http://www.whatcommuseum.org), a three-building complex featuring fine art, local history, hands-on children's exhibits and important cultural artifacts. The Lightcatcher Building offers an all-ages interactive gallery, housing a variety of the museum's 200,000-plus artifacts and a 180 foot by 37 foot translucent "Lightcatcher" wall.

Mount Vernon
http://www.mountvernonchamber.com/visitors
Located due south of Burlington in Skagit Valley, the quiet town of Mount Vernon (population 31,513) is most well known for its vibrant tulip fields that dazzle the senses. The fields are an integral part of the town's festivities each year: the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival, spanning the entire month of April, features nearly 50 family-oriented events, as well as a local street fair with live music, exotic foods and artisan competitions.

If you want to test your physical prowess, you'll find the Eagle Rock Challenge Course a fun and memorable adventure. From ground-based balance activities to zip lines and trapeze jumps, Eagle Rock has opportunities for all ages and abilities.

With its wealth of natural beauty, Mt. Vernon is also a photographer's dream. If you get your fill of tulips, venture east for breathtaking views of the Cascade Mountains or venture out to one of Mt. Vernon's many manicured estates.

Everett
http://www.everettwa.org
In addition to being the "homeport" to the U.S. Navy, Everett is home to almost 50 miles of fresh- and saltwater shorelines, the largest public marina in the west and a wealth of environmental and cultural enrichment opportunities. Everett's park system is comprised of 1,600 acres of hiking trails, bike paths, waterfront vistas and picnic locales. Forest Park is one such location, with an indoor pool, animal learning center as well as several picnic pavilions. When you're ready to do some shopping, steer toward the corner of Hewitt & Colby, where you'll find gourmet chocolatiers, kitchen accessories, floral markets, wine tasting and a multitude of art galleries.

In the summer, every Friday at dusk (July through August), Everett shows Cinema Under the Stars—free movies for the family shown at Thomas A. Sullivan Park. Don't forget to pack snacks, blankets and pillows. For more traditional shows, Everett's Comcast Arena shows ticketed events from kid's shows and rock concerts to off-Broadway plays and even travelling circuses.

Seattle
http://www.seattle.gov
One cannot talk about the Pacific Northwest without mentioning Seattle, the largest and most affluent metropolis in Washington.

Though it was originally settled as Duwamps, the city was officially named Seattle in 1852. The city flourished until 1889, when the Great Seattle Fire raged through the downtown area, destroying nearly every structure in its path. Nonplussed, residents quickly rebuilt, on top of the original destroyed foundations. Today, visitors can take an underground tour and see the remains of the "original downtown."

At last tally, more than 3.6 million people call the Greater Seattle area home, while more than 563,000 live in Seattle proper.

Perhaps one of Seattle's greatest draws is the Bumbershoot Festival, an arts and entertainment extravaganza, and is one of the largest music venues in the world!

It's a known fact, as well, that Seattle boasts the highest attendance of dance and music events in the country, since the city offers more than 125 live music venues and more than 15 different symphony orchestras.

The Olympic Peninsula
Port Townsend
http://www.ptguide.com
Located to the east of Whidbey, Port Townsend is one of only three registered historic seaports in the United States. In addition to many historical sites and preserves, the town is surrounded by the Strait of Juan de Fuca, Discovery Bay and Fort Townsend Bay.

Port Townsend is a thriving artistic community, with year-round theatre, music and gallery presentations. According to a recent article by National Geographic Explorer, the Port is "the most sophisticated place west of Seattle." It goes without saying that the majority of modern-day industry revolves around maritime sales and repairs, however you might be surprised to find that the other thriving industry is timber and paper export.

In fact, the largest local industry is the world famous Port Townsend Paper Company, but several smaller specialty businesses still attract visitors and locals.

Recently, though, the Olympic mountain range, with its rain forests and untouched wilderness, has drawn far more tourist dollars than mill dollars, so it should come as no surprise that the future of Port Townshend seems to lie not in logging, but in tourism.

Bremerton
http://www.ci.bremerton.wa.us
Bremerton's 37,000-plus residents are spread between East and West Bremerton, separated by the Port Washington Narrows.

On Bremerton's seaside trails, hikers can witness bald eagles swooping into the water for fish, migrating whales in the inlet and dazzling views of both Mt. Rainier and the Olympic Mountains. In addition, the town boasts a multitude of galleries, music venues and entertainment at the top-rated Admiral Theatre.

State and Local Parks
http://www.parks.wa.gov
Whidbey Island
Deception Pass State Park
A dazzling bridge that connects the Whidbey and Fidalgo Islands, the Pass is easily one of the most-visited state parks in Washington, with an annual visitor count exceeding three million.

It was given its name by early Spanish explorers, since it appeared to be a calm bay, but was a vicious, twisting channel beneath the surface. Today, the Pass is also one of the most photographed locations on the Puget Sound, both by tourists and professional photographers, looking to capture its pristine beauty. The bridge is actually comprised of two spans: Canoe Pass to the north and Deception Pass to the south. The bridge was declared a national monument in 1982.

Ala Spit
Ala Spit is Whidbey Island's most recent recreational area, offering unparalleled sights for the budding birdwatcher, as well as impeccable views of the Skagit River mud flats.

Joseph Whidbey Memorial State Park
Located along the western edge of Whidbey Island, the park is known mainly as Puget Sound's only surfing locale...but that's only one piece of the park's beauty.

It also offers stunning panoramic views of the San Juan Islands. The park is open April 2 through Sept. 31.

Hastie Lake
A gorgeous protected wetland is one of the largest draws for the avian aficionado. The lake is another excellent site for viewing the migratory patterns of Whidbey's native and visiting fowl, as well as hiking, biking and horseback opportunities.

Grasser's Lagoon
This lagoon's central focus is its beautiful tideland, perfect if you wish to clam for the delicate Penn Cove Mussels. On clear days, a leisurely climb up Grasser's Hill will reward you with a jaw-dropping panoramic view of Penn Cove, Camano Island and Mt. Baker.

Fort Ebey State Park
Fort Ebey is part of the original "Triangle of Death," built to protect the coast from attack during World War II. While the original guns have been removed, visitors can still stand on the large concrete slabs where the weapons once stood. Fort Ebey boasts three miles of saltwater shoreline, perfect for a day hike or natural photography. The fort also has a pristine freshwater lake that's perfect for a day of fishing. The park is open year-round for camping and day-use.

Kettles Trail Park
This beautiful trail connects Coupeville and Fort Ebey State Park by way of Ice Age geologic formations known as kettles. The trail system is perfect for biking, long hikes or horseback riding.

Ebey's Landing
National Historical Preserve
Ebey's Landing is the first such reserve on Whidbey, dedicated to rebuilding and conserving historic land, building and restoring beach, bluff and land trails for islanders and visitors alike. The preserve offers spectacular views of Penn Cove, as well as the Olympic and Cascade Mountain Ranges.

Fort Casey/Keystone State Park
Built to be the center of the "Triangle of Death," Fort Casey has been decommissioned, and now welcomes visitors to tour the restored Admiral Head Lighthouse, as well as to experience flawless views of aquatic and landscape vistas. The park is also another perfect place to view or photograph indigenous wildlife. Visitors can also take a ferry to Port Townshend, scuba dive and fish in the surrounding waters.

Hancock Nature Preserve and Overlook
What was once a World War II bombing test site has been transformed into a saltwater refuge, to preserve local flora and fauna. The overlook has several protected areas, but photography and observation are still well worth the trip.

South Whidbey State Park
The recently expanded park is home to enchanting old-growth forests, miles of hiking trails and seasonal guided forest walks. The park also offers several camping locations, barbecue facilities and picnic areas. If solitude is what you crave, take a walk along the winding Bluff Trail, through the forest and down to the secluded beach.

Camano Island
Camano Island State Park
In addition to the island's 52 miles of scenic shoreline trails, the park offers year-round saltwater fishing, seasonal clam-digging for hands-on adventurers, as well as a five mile self-guided nature trail, filled with interesting and educational information about the area.

Campsites hidden throughout the densely-wooded park are perfect for outdoor enthusiasts, and an underwater park is a natural fit for budding or accomplished scuba divers.

Cavelero Beach
The beach offers numerous picnic areas, a boat launch and beautiful views of Stanwood and Stillaguamish River delta on clear days.

Stillaguamish Delta/Livingston Bay
The delta is the perfect location for birdwatchers and photographers. The tidal flats attract flocks of Snow Geese throughout the year, and the flats are a year-round home for Blue Herons, Marsh Geese and a variety of beautiful hawks.

It is also the site of a victorious battle by local protesters to preserve the fragile ecosystem from the slowly-invading spartina grass, a non-native poisonous weed.