Local Guidebook
Sightseeing-close by
These recommendations are all within 30 minutes of our listing.
This is a great place to walk the docks and enjoy the views. It's a beautiful marina with tall ships, places to sit, and during low tide some shore to explore. If you go up the stairs by the women's bathroom there is a nice park where you can see even better views, enjoy the picnic tables, and use their fire pit.
Brownsville
This is a great place to walk the docks and enjoy the views. It's a beautiful marina with tall ships, places to sit, and during low tide some shore to explore. If you go up the stairs by the women's bathroom there is a nice park where you can see even better views, enjoy the picnic tables, and use their fire pit.
If you want to learn about the rich history of the US Navy and Pudget Sound Naval Ship Yard this free hands on museum is worth a visit.
30 locals recommend
Puget Sound Navy Museum
251 1st StIf you want to learn about the rich history of the US Navy and Pudget Sound Naval Ship Yard this free hands on museum is worth a visit.
This free museum has a wealth of knowledge about the Navy's undersea operations, technology, combat, research, and salvage. It is less than 10 minutes from your apartment.
29 locals recommend
U.S. Naval Undersea Museum
1 Garnett WayThis free museum has a wealth of knowledge about the Navy's undersea operations, technology, combat, research, and salvage. It is less than 10 minutes from your apartment.
Food Scene
Some of our favorites local eateries. We have only included local places. You will find a wide variety of chain restaurants as well but I didn’t list them here.
Closed until at-least mid December due to Covid. New locally owned and run restaurant (as of September 2019) is delicious and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner! Outdoor seating, live music, a farmers/local market (seasonal).
Maynard's Restaurant
2251 NW Bucklin Hill RdClosed until at-least mid December due to Covid. New locally owned and run restaurant (as of September 2019) is delicious and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner! Outdoor seating, live music, a farmers/local market (seasonal).
Home of the "Poulsbo Bread". The donuts and baked goods are fresh and delicious. Avoid the huge cookie smiley faces. They look good but the taste- not so good (according to my kids ;)
44 locals recommend
Sluys Poulsbo Bakery
18924 Front St NEHome of the "Poulsbo Bread". The donuts and baked goods are fresh and delicious. Avoid the huge cookie smiley faces. They look good but the taste- not so good (according to my kids ;)
Great food and views! It's one of the best places on the peninsula to eat! Huge deck for outdoor eating.
59 locals recommend
Boat Shed Restaurant
101 Shore DrGreat food and views! It's one of the best places on the peninsula to eat! Huge deck for outdoor eating.
Great local burgers and shakes (German Chocolate is my favorite) and fun atmosphere. Also a great place for a mid sized group if you want to get a group together(recommend calling ahead).
11 locals recommend
Green Light Diner
18820 Front St NEGreat local burgers and shakes (German Chocolate is my favorite) and fun atmosphere. Also a great place for a mid sized group if you want to get a group together(recommend calling ahead).
The food is great, relaxing atmosphere, and great service with some outdoor seating.
28 locals recommend
Silver City Restaurant & Ale House
2799 NW Myhre RdThe food is great, relaxing atmosphere, and great service with some outdoor seating.
The Oak Table Cafe
3290 NW Mt Vintage WayBest breakfasts in the area! 😋
We have thoroughly enjoyed our visits to this quaint restaurant, the food is good, but the entertainment is great. Take some time enjoying the open mic on Friday nights or the various entertainment performing each night.
Guitar Cafe
3381 NW Bucklin Hill RdWe have thoroughly enjoyed our visits to this quaint restaurant, the food is good, but the entertainment is great. Take some time enjoying the open mic on Friday nights or the various entertainment performing each night.
Central Market
20148 10th Ave NEGreat ice cream with original flavors. This coupled with sidewalk shopping along the Poulsbo downtown district is a time well spent.
44 locals recommend
Mora Iced Creamery
139 Madrone Ln NGreat ice cream with original flavors. This coupled with sidewalk shopping along the Poulsbo downtown district is a time well spent.
Parks
Kitsap county is full of amazing parks. They are full of variety, shorelines, wildlife, play structures, and history. One of our favorite things about living in this community is the access to outdoor recreation and how accessible they are! Enjoy exploring them!
This great little Norwegian inspired town that is right on the water has something for everyone.
8 locals recommend
Liberty Bay Waterfront Park
18809 Anderson PkwyThis great little Norwegian inspired town that is right on the water has something for everyone.
If you are waiting at the Bremerton ferry terminal notice the Harborside Fountain Park that has 3 artistic fountains and places to sit and eat or play. It's nestled between the Pudget Sound Naval Ship Yard and the ferry terminal making this a great place to take pictures.
13 locals recommend
Harborside Fountain Park
251 1st StIf you are waiting at the Bremerton ferry terminal notice the Harborside Fountain Park that has 3 artistic fountains and places to sit and eat or play. It's nestled between the Pudget Sound Naval Ship Yard and the ferry terminal making this a great place to take pictures.
Playground, Pavillion, shoreline, and grassy perimeter make this a great place to play! If the tide is low made sure to venture to the shoreline and look for ocean life. Often we find hermit crabs, clams, sand dollars, muscles, etc on the shore. If you venture out on the docks you can see see the sea anemones, barnacles, tube worms, jellyfish, etc.
8 locals recommend
Silverdale Waterfront Park
3337 NW Byron StPlayground, Pavillion, shoreline, and grassy perimeter make this a great place to play! If the tide is low made sure to venture to the shoreline and look for ocean life. Often we find hermit crabs, clams, sand dollars, muscles, etc on the shore. If you venture out on the docks you can see see the sea anemones, barnacles, tube worms, jellyfish, etc.
Public park and lake access. It’s 15 miles about 20 minutes from our location. We love swimming here and playing at the playground. It can be crowded on hot days and the weekend but quiet and beautiful on summer mornings. It has public restrooms (open April-Sept) that have showers where you can rinse off.
Wildcat Lake
Public park and lake access. It’s 15 miles about 20 minutes from our location. We love swimming here and playing at the playground. It can be crowded on hot days and the weekend but quiet and beautiful on summer mornings. It has public restrooms (open April-Sept) that have showers where you can rinse off.
This park has a beautiful waterfront with natural vegetation and walking trails. There are also tennis courts and softball fields. Let us know if you need rackets or ball gear.
13 locals recommend
Lion's Park
251 Lebo BlvdThis park has a beautiful waterfront with natural vegetation and walking trails. There are also tennis courts and softball fields. Let us know if you need rackets or ball gear.
Educational children's garden, a trail to the water with stunning views of the Olympic mountains, shaded walkways make this a great place to visit when it's hot outside.
J.A. & Anna F. Smith Children's Park
7610 Tracyton Blvd NWEducational children's garden, a trail to the water with stunning views of the Olympic mountains, shaded walkways make this a great place to visit when it's hot outside.
Kitsap Kids Playground
7477 Stampede Blvd NWFun castle-themed playground with public tennis courts.
Park with basketball hoops, ADA accessible play structure, sound access. Our favorite park to explore low-tide.
25 locals recommend
Evergreen Rotary Park
1500 Park AvePark with basketball hoops, ADA accessible play structure, sound access. Our favorite park to explore low-tide.
Park right next to Island Lake. Lake access, play structure, picnic area, and walking trails.
Island Lake County Park
1087 NW Island Lake RdPark right next to Island Lake. Lake access, play structure, picnic area, and walking trails.
Activities
Looking for a fun activity? Here are some suggestions…
Rodeo Drive-In Theater
7369 WA-3An amazing drive-in movie theater! Super fun and bonding.
Kitsap Fairgrounds Disc Golf
1400 Fairgrounds Rd NWFun if you love to play in-wood disk golf.
AMC Kitsap 8
10055 Kitsap Mall Blvd NWNewly updated. Takes reservations.
Clear Creek Trail
Clear Creek TrailLocal beautiful walking trails.
This is a great younger/toddler experience. It's hands-on and interactive. The first Thursday of the month is free. https://www.kidimu.org/
19 locals recommend
Kids Discovery Museum
301 Ravine Ln NEThis is a great younger/toddler experience. It's hands-on and interactive. The first Thursday of the month is free. https://www.kidimu.org/
This hands-on learning-based aquarium is a highlight for the young and old alike. It is an interactive and self-paced quick trip. Great for short attention spans. Typically knowledgeable volunteers are available for questions and keep adults' attention as well.
It is not comparable to other big aquariums a little further away but if you are wondering if your little one would appreciate a trip to the Seattle aquarium or Point Defiance zoo aquarium this is a great "training wheels" experience.
https://wp.wwu.edu/seacenter/about/visit-the-aquarium/
7 locals recommend
SEA Discovery Center
18743 Front St NEThis hands-on learning-based aquarium is a highlight for the young and old alike. It is an interactive and self-paced quick trip. Great for short attention spans. Typically knowledgeable volunteers are available for questions and keep adults' attention as well.
It is not comparable to other big aquariums a little further away but if you are wondering if your little one would appreciate a trip to the Seattle aquarium or Point Defiance zoo aquarium this is a great "training wheels" experience.
https://wp.wwu.edu/seacenter/about/visit-the-aquarium/
Day Trips
Puget Sound Coast Artillery Museum, Commanding Officer's House and Marine Science Center. We love exploring the artillery bunkers and seeing the grand views. Outside enthusiasts, history buffs, and beach lovers can all find something they will enjoy here.
90 locals recommend
Fort Worden State Park
200 Battery WayPuget Sound Coast Artillery Museum, Commanding Officer's House and Marine Science Center. We love exploring the artillery bunkers and seeing the grand views. Outside enthusiasts, history buffs, and beach lovers can all find something they will enjoy here.
Small but fun amusement park for the whole family.
93 locals recommend
Wild Waves Theme and Water Park
36201 Enchanted Pkwy SSmall but fun amusement park for the whole family.
A must-see if you venture to Seattle. Don't miss the fish throwing, gum wall, and market vendors.
2310 locals recommend
Pike Place Market
1531 Western AveA must-see if you venture to Seattle. Don't miss the fish throwing, gum wall, and market vendors.
Professional Services
We have had good experiences with Dr. Gillespie. If you are looking for a local dentist we recommend him and his office.
Life Long Dental
3100 NW Bucklin Hill RdWe have had good experiences with Dr. Gillespie. If you are looking for a local dentist we recommend him and his office.
City advice
Don't miss
Bremerton First Friday Art Walk
On the first Friday of each month in downtown Bremerton, there is an art walk. The shops stay open late and the art galleries have things for people to do. It's a fun evening activity.
https://downtownbremerton.org/BremertonFirstFriday
Don't miss
The clear creek trail runs for 8 miles along Silverdale!
Don't miss this great urban hike. There are multiple entry points and short hikes along the larger trail. https://www.clearcreektrail.org/
Don't miss
Salmon Running
If you are visiting in the late fall (mid October through November) it’s a great time to see the salmon running. Goto https://www.visitkitsap.com/salmon-tours to get current information.