We were fortunate to spend the summer on Whidbey Island, in the Puget Sound, for a whole month! Here are some of the things we’d recommend doing on Whidbey with Kids.

Things to do with Kids on Whidbey Island

 

Coupeville: walk, shop, eat

Most of our time was in this little town because our house was just a 2 minute drive from the center of town. Coupeville is one of the easiest towns to explore with kids, with Front Street, the historic wharf, Penn Cove views, and an easy waterfront walk. You can pop into places like Kingfisher Bookstore, grab lunch nearby, and wander out on the pier to watch boats, shorebirds, and even seals! At the ned of the pier are shops, food, and historical information.

Langley: walk, shop, eat

Langley is perfect for a family stroll, with a compact downtown full of shops, cafes, and water views. You can browse spots like Callahan’s Firehouse Studio and stop for a meal at places like Prima Bistro, all without much walking. It feels bigger and more lively than Coupeville, which would make it my first choice if I were to live here. It’s also closer to the ferry back to Seattle. I’d like to spend more time in this town in the future.

Forever summer sunsets

Whidbey sunsets can turn into the whole evening in summer, when the light stays late and the sky hangs on well past dinner. Beach spots on the west side are especially good for this, and kids usually stay busy with driftwood, rocks, and tide lines while you watch the color change. Sitting on a bluff BBQing is one of my favorite things to do, especially since sunsets never seem to end!

Clam Harvesting

Clam digging is a fun hands on outing, but you really do need to check the current beach status and shellfish safety first. Some Whidbey beaches are open year round while others are closed or have special rules, so it’s not something to guess on the day of. Also, you need to apply for the proper permitting and make sure to have the appropriate gear and clothes. We didn’t find much, we had a great time doing it! Definitely check the shellfish Safety Information map to find out where you can go.

Island County Historical Society Coupeville Museum

The Coupeville Museum is a good rainy day stop because it’s fun enough for kids and still full of interesting local history. The collection spans everything from island settlement stories to artifacts dating back thousands of years, so it gives a quick but real sense of place. It’s bigger than you might think and has a lower level with so much to see! Say hello to Madrone for us!

Deception Pass

Deception Pass is one of the biggest family must dos on Whidbey, with huge bridge views, beaches, short trails, and fast moving water below. Kids usually love the drama of the bridge and the driftwood beaches, and it works whether you have one hour or half a day. We love heading down to the shore and skipping rocks. There’s a lot of history here, so ask about it when paying for parking.

Berry picking

Berry picking is a simple summer outing that gives kids room to roam and a snack at the same time. Blackberries usually start showing up in mid to late summer, while farm berries like blueberries are more seasonal and often sell out quickly when they’re ripe. Some of our fondest memories are picking blackberries, taking them home, and enjoying a heaping bowl of vanilla ice cream with a few dozen berries. They’re so juicy, sweet, and easy to find all over the island!

Mushroom Tour

We could, and should, do an entire article just on our experience. A mushroom tour is a great way to turn a walk in the woods into a little treasure hunt, especially in the wetter months. Going with a guide makes it far more useful, since kids can learn what they’re seeing without anyone trying to dangerously identify wild mushrooms on their own. Travis Furlanic was amazing, and we absolutely loved our tour! We found some delicious chanterelles that we cooked up with garlic and butter that evening.

Beach walks And Rosario Beach

Beach walks are one of the best kid activities on Whidbey because they’re easy, free, and never quite the same twice. Look for shells, seaweed, crabs, feathers, and smooth stones, and let the kids build a driftwood fort if they find the right spot. We loved climbing down our bluff to check out the different tides below the house. We checked out many beaches, but Rosario Beach was one of our favorite spots to explore. See more in the video.

Whidbey’s Greenbank Farm

Greenbank Farm is an easy stop with open space, trails, shops, and room for kids to move around. It started as a dairy in 1904, later became famous for loganberries, and today still feels like a piece of old Whidbey that was saved on purpose.

Bayview Farmers Market

Bayview Farmers Market is a fun family stop for local produce, baked goods, handmade items, and usually live music in season. It runs on Saturdays from spring through fall, so it’s a good anchor for a slower South Whidbey day.  We bought some souvenirs, grabbed some kitchen items, had some delicious food, and listened to music. Everyone was super friendly too.

Oak Bowl

Oak Bowl is a classic rainy day backup that offers fun without taking the whole day. It’s an easy way to fill an afternoon when the weather shifts, and bowling works especially well when you’ve got a mix of ages in the group. They have pizza too, but we didn’t try it.

Watch deer: we found a white one!

Deer sightings are common on Whidbey, especially around quiet roads, neighborhood edges, and open fields near dusk. A white deer is rare enough to feel magical, which makes it the kind of sighting kids will talk about long after the trip. We saw them EVERYWHERE. And they weren’t afraid of us. My son got some great close up shots of one of them.

Drive in Theatre and arcade

The Blue Fox Drive In is a real favorite because it’s more than just a movie night. You can get there early for the arcade, and it also has go karts, so the fun starts before the first movie even begins. We went twice, and loved it! Keep in mind, even in summer, it can get chilly so bring blankets. Just remember to buy a card for the Go Karts ahead of time. We waited in line for an hour, and they wouldn’t let us go and get a card once it was our turn. The kids running it are dicks. Strange, because the gal that worked the entrance to the drive in was so sweet and pleasant.

Drive around

A slow drive around Whidbey can be part of the fun, especially when the fields are bright with spring color and the scenery keeps changing. Central Whidbey is especially pretty for this, where open farmland and wide views make even a short drive feel like something. It’s worth stopping and trying to see an eagle and some beautiful landscapes.

Whidbey Island Fair

The Whidbey Island Fair has that small town summer fair feel kids love, with animals, rides, exhibits, and fair food without feeling too huge. It’s held in Langley in late July, which makes it a great add on if you’re on the island during peak summer. We had a lot of fun on a hot day at this fair. The food was good, rides fun, and the atmosphere lively. They even had a stage with a hypnotist and live music.

Admiralty Head Lighthouse at Fort Casey

Fort Casey is great with kids because you get a lighthouse, beach access, huge open fields, and old bunkers to explore. The current Admiralty Head Lighthouse dates to 1903, so it gives the stop a real historical feel, not just a pretty photo spot. We also heard they offer camp for kids here, but we didn’t look into it in time.

Whidbey Playhouse

Whidbey Playhouse is a nice change of pace if your family likes local theater or needs an indoor evening plan. It’s a longtime community theater in Oak Harbor, and it works best for older kids who can sit through a full show. We went to a showing of Beetlejuice, done primiarly by young adults and kids, and it was FANTASTIC! They put on a hell of a show.

Olympic National Park

Olympic National Park is not on Whidbey, but it makes a great bigger outing if you want beaches, rainforest, or mountain scenery in the same trip. It’s more of an overnight plan, and spots like the Hoh Rain Forest or Ruby Beach are usually the big draws. It just takes a ferry to Port Townsend to being the journey, and we enjoyed almost a full week exploring. See more about our highlights at the Olympic National Park.

Quick trips to Seattle via Ferry

Seattle is close enough to turn into a side trip, and the ferry ride itself is part of the fun for kids. The easiest route is usually Clinton to Mukilteo, then a drive into the city, so it feels manageable without being too much.  If you had to do it in 1 day, you could, but we recommend an overnight stay. There’s so much to do in Seattle with kids.

Whidbey Island Restaurants

Molka Xete

Molka Xete is a good casual stop in Coupeville when you want something flavorful and easy with kids. It’s right on Front Street, so you can pair tacos or Mexican plates with a waterfront walk before or after. We love that they make their tortillas fresh right there! Everthing was delicious, and we visiting many times during this month.

Goldie’s Pizza

Goldie’s Pizza is a relaxed family option in Coupeville that feels a little more local than a basic pizza stop. It’s known for handmade pizzas and a casual beer garden feel, which makes it great after a long beach or sightseeing day. We had some great pizza, and realized it’s far from a secret. It was packed!

Callen’s Restaurant

Callen’s is a good sit down option near Fort Casey when you want a meal with a view. It looks out toward Admiralty Inlet and the ferry landing, so even breakfast or lunch feels a little more memorable. Everything was great.

Prima Bistro

Prima Bistro in Langley is a stronger pick for a slower lunch or dinner, especially with older kids or a mixed ages group. It has a French inspired Northwest menu, seasonal dishes, and still feels welcoming enough for families. We ate on the roof top and had one of our best meals.

The Mill at Kasteel

The Mill at Kasteel is an easy stop in Oak Harbor when you want something a little different from the usual island lineup. It serves Mexican American food in the old windmill building, which gives it a look kids usually remember. It feels a little Disneyish, and the food was just OK. Their menu is huge, and it was good for the kids, but I don’t think we’d go again.

BBQ on the Bluff

BBQing on the bluff at our house was a favorite past time for me. I’m happiest when cooking during sunset with a cold beer and amazing views over the water.

The Fare Market

The Fare Market in Freeland is great when you want something quick that still feels thoughtful and local. It does world comfort food, with things like bao buns and other easy grab and go options that work well in the middle of a busy day. This was easily one of our best meals.

Mussels at home from Penn Cove

Taking Penn Cove mussels home for dinner is one of the most Whidbey things you can do. They cook fast, usually in just a few minutes once the pot gets going, so they’re a great option if you have a kitchen and want one simple island meal at home. A nice dry white wine, garlic and butter are all you need!

Front Street Grill

Front Street Grill is a dependable Coupeville stop with water views and one of the best locations in town. It’s a bit of a staple for the island and usually really busy. We barely squeaked in before the wait became intolerable.

Rocket Taco

Rocket Taco in Freeland is a fun, easy family stop when you want something fast but not boring. It’s right on Main Street and known for handmade tortillas, which gives this simple taco stop a little extra character. We loved eating out on the lawn in the back.

Flower House Cafe

Flower House Cafe is a sweet breakfast or lunch stop tucked into Bayview Garden, which makes it feel more relaxing than a standard cafe. The covered courtyard and garden setting are especially nice if you want a slower start to the day. The food was all delicious and super fresh.

Osprey Fish House

Osprey Fish House is a good seafood choice in Coupeville when you want something casual instead of a full formal dinner. It leans into that fish shack style, which works well with kids and still feels very on brand for the island.

Ivar’s

Ivar’s is an easy standby if you’re coming to or from the ferry and want something familiar. The Mukilteo location sits right by the ferry dock, so chowder or fish and chips can slide right into the travel day without much extra planning. keep in mind, this isn’t technically ON Whidbey Island, but it’s a classic good meal when traveling to and from the island while waiting for the ferry.