We have family (and now friends too!) with homes on the Olympic Peninsula, so we'll work to build out a list of the best things to do on the Olympic Peninsula with kids... here's a start!
It may be slow going (as we aren't going to write about their private homes and we only visit the area maybe once a year), but we'll highlight favorites and let you know when we update the post or link back to it.
And note that our best hack would be... get lucky enough to have friends and family with a cabin here. ;)
That way you'll have someone patient to teach you how to spot bald eagles, whales, + dolphins, drop crab pots, pick blackberries for a pie, clean and prepare a fish you caught, identify all the critters to catch-and-release, understand the tide charts, view the constellations... but even without that, you'll LOVE the beauty and adventure of the Olympic Peninsula!
Finnriver Brewery + Farm
If you're anywhere along the Olympic Peninsula, try to find your way here. And, if the weather is nice, then I would take that one step further and say to do whatever it takes to get here - it's that good for so many reasons!
First, it started as a place for cider tasting (well actually it started as a farm... obviously...), so their cider is awesome. They have about a dozen different types. And it's hard to decide because the flavors all sound so good (think 'lavender black current', 'cranberry rosehip', and 'forest ginger'). Luckily though, you don't have to try to narrow it down - you can try five in a mini tasting! Then they have bottles for take-away once you've picked your favorite. And I love cider, but for those of you who do not, they also have lots of local beers and homemade sodas too!
Second, the FOOD! I almost forgot to order a drink because the food was so exciting (seriously - that good). The vendors change regularly (and there are way more options on the weekend), but everything we've had has been FABULOUS (yes - coming from ME!).
I'm talking about expensive hipster farm-to-table type food - think vibrant colors of fresh fruits + veggies, edible flowers, beautiful presentation, and SO good - all in a food stall setting. When we were there, we had:
Moonlight Oyster Co - Big juicy oysters (from an island just 5 miles from the farm)
Dented Buoy Wood-Fired Pizza - Super thin wood-fired crust with fresh and creative toppings (e.g. apples, bacon, and shallots)
Nautilus Food Ramen - Serious ramen full of tasty broth and beautiful veggies (even edible flowers); they even have a 'kids' option (limited toppings + mild broth) and a vegan option
Little Spruce Creperie - So delicious that I couldn't even get a picture before we ate most of it. They have both sweet and savory options - with just the right amount of filling!
Third, on this particular weekend, they had a bunch of local vendors selling the cutest stuff! Some of our favorites were:
(Counterclockwise from top left)
Stained Glass from Kate at Urban Forest
Cool metal earrings from Creo Jewelry
Mini collage art block from Nicole Trimmer Art
Animal hair clips from Unica Designs
And fourth, the big area for play! They have a little hill with toy trucks for the kids, an area with big old tires to climb on, and basically just big open grassy space for kids to run around! We were also lucky to visit on a super special day called "Solstice Salmon Days", and there was a really cool piece of large format art... it's hard to explain, so I've included the video above. It was mesmerizing, and we felt so lucky to have stumbled upon such a unique piece of artwork!
Anyway, check their calendar (as they have weird hours).... but in summary, DO NOT miss Finnriver!!!
Port Townsend
We spent less than an hour here (due to limited time before our next ferry), but you could definitely spend a day (or more) here - and even stay overnight! It's one of those old, small coastal towns that give you the feel of driving along the upper east coast. It has the cutest little 'downtown' strip of Victorian-era buildings - packed with shops, restaurants, and hotels. It's definitely touristy, but in that small-town quaint way.
We stopped for ice cream at Elevated Ice Cream Co, an old-style ice cream shop with interesting flavors and great ice cream! Since we got lucky with a sunny day, we went out to their back patio (on the bay), and then even walked along the bay watching the sailboats.
After ice cream, we walked up the strip to check out the little shops - with our main destination being the local toy shop a few blocks up. Abracadabra had the most beautiful window display, luring us into a small toy, book and gift shop. It's a small space, but it's packed with thoughtful items - especially those featuring the Pacific Northwest (local stickers, Washington coloring books, guide books, etc.). Highly recommend for a small gift if you're in the area looking for a local souvenir!
Gig Harbor
And lastly (for now), we had enough to say about Gig Harbor that we wrote a mini post - go check it out here!
The Ferry
Would it be a complete list if I didn't include the ferry to actually get over to the Olympic Peninsula from Seattle?? It's both a mode of transportation and an activity the kids will love. The ferry is a lot faster than driving around, plus it's a really unique experience if you're not from the area! You can walk on or bring your car (which was key for us), and it's a pretty quick (~30 minute depending on your terminals) ride over.
A few ferry 'pro' tips (well, enough to get by as a tourist):
Get there early. For most of the ferries, you can't get a ticket ahead of time. So visit the website (here) and figure out which time is best for you. Then plan to be an hour early - especially during peak season like summertime! You'll have to wait in your car to board, but it's better than not getting on!
Bring your own food. You might need some snacks (and toys) for the long wait times in your car. Then there is food on the ferry (even hot food!), but it's not that great. My brother's family recommended we bring our own snacks, and we were really glad we did!
Pack a sweatshirt. You can enjoy the ride without braving the elements (as there is a large inside portion), but to get the best view, you'll want to head outside for a bit. We were there in the summer and it was still "cold" (for us) and a bit foggy, so I'd say pack a sweatshirt (with a hood).
OK - more to come, but don't wait to book your ticket to go explore this beautiful part of the USA!
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