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A Perfect Day Trip
Looking for a perfect day trip that blends scenic beauty, small-town charm, outdoor adventures, and a healthy dose of local flavor? Look no further than Whidbey Island. Discover this hidden gem just north of Seattle that feels a world away.
From the moment your ferry glides across the water, or you cross the iconic Deception Pass Bridge, you’ll feel the shift – like you’ve stepped into a slower, sweeter rhythm of life.
Morning: Start with a Ferry Ride & Fresh Brew
There’s something magical about starting your day on a boat. Hop on the Mukilteo-Clinton ferry and enjoy stunning views of the Puget Sound, as you glide toward adventure. Once you land, swing by one of the island’s many cozy coffee shops. You’ll find Sunshine Drip, Cedar & Salt Coffee House, Beaver Tales Coffee LLC and so many more just in Coupeville.
Midday: Nature, Shops & Island Charm
Now that you’re caffeinated, it’s time to explore Coupeville! Nature lovers won’t want to miss a scenic bluff hike, or beach walk at Ebey’s Landing, or the Sculpture Forest on Parker Road. Want something a bit more laid-back? Stroll the charming streets of historic downtown Coupeville, where you’ll find an independent bookstore, antique shops, art galleries and more. At the end of the wharf, you’ll find Beaver Tales Coffee and Tea, Harbor Gifts, Penn Cove Outfitters, & Wharf Dog Paddle & Pantry. Don’t forget to look up and spot Rosie and friends once you’re inside.
Don’t leave without grabbing something to eat. There is something for everyone at one of the many eateries in town. You can find burgers, fish and chips, pizza, Mexican, Thai, and more. Choose from Toby’s Tavern, Front Street Grill, Osprey Fish Co., Molka Xete, Goldies, Phad Thai, Pizza Factory, and Oystercatcher.
Afternoon: Culture, History & Local Finds
Whidbey isn’t just about beaches and views — it’s rich with history and culture. Tour historic Fort Casey to explore the bunkers, and climb the lighthouse for panoramic views. If art is more of your thing, pop into one of the many local galleries or check out the rotating exhibits at the Pacific Northwest Art School in Coupeville.
If you happen to be visiting during one of the island’s many festivals or markets — lucky you! The community really comes alive with live music in the summertime with the Sound of Summer Concerts & Oak Harbor Music Fest. Or find fresh produce and handmade goods that show off the island’s creative soul at the Bayview Farmers Market, Coupeville’s Farmers Market, and Oak Harbor Farmers Market.
Evening: Sunset, Sips & Serenity
As your perfect Whidbey day winds down, find a spot to watch the sunset. We suggest heading to Deception Pass or West Beach. Grab a blanket and soak in the golden glow as the sun slips behind the Olympic Mountains and listen to the waves roll in. If a relaxing drink is more your style, settle in at a local winery or brewery for a glass of something delicious made right here on the island at Spoiled Dog, or Holmes Harbor Cellars.
Why Whidbey?
A day on Whidbey is more than just an escape — it’s a reset. It is a reminder that the best adventures don’t require boarding a plane or mapping out weeks of travel. Sometimes, all you need is a day, a ferry ride, and a little curiosity.
What are you waiting for? A perfect day trip is a short distance away. Your Whidbey Island day trip is calling. Come for the views, stay for the charm, and leave with your heart just a little fuller. Or fall in love and stay forever. If that’s the case, we can help make that happen. Let’s connect.
The Whidbey Island Guide and Neighborhood Deep Dive!
When you are preparing to move to a new location or to buy a home for the first time, you are likely eager to learn literally EVERYTHING from the home buying process to everything about the area and what it has to offer when you arrive.
Whether from pure excitement or overwhelming nerves you are likely to find yourself up well past your typical bedtime researching things like:
What cool things are nearby?
Which neighborhoods you can afford.
What those neighborhoods are like.
If you can imagine yourself living there.
Where the best spots are for a cup of coffee.
and probably… where the most iconic location for a picture that might make you Instagram famous might be.
Luckily for you, some real estate brokers are obsessed with this same level of need-to-know. There are a handful of brokers who have created incredibly in-depth online guides to their area. Many go as far as to include information on individual little neighborhoods that will make your search and transition that much easier.
Where it all started:
We were inspired by Marguerite Martin to go all out on neighborhoods and provide rich local content just as she has with her page Move to Tacoma.
It brings us great pleasure to announce that here at Windermere Whidbey Island, we recently unveiled our very own Neighborhood Guide. We couldn’t be more excited to share it with you! Our first release takes a deep dive into 26 neighborhoods from Oak Harbor to Greenbank. We will continue expanding over time. Each page includes written descriptions, images of the homes and neighborhood features, quotes from neighbors, a map with key attractions nearby, median sales price, links to active, pending, and sold homes, commute times to schools and nearby hospitals, and blog posts on a whole suite of topics related to that neighborhood.
Looking for more?
If you are looking for more lifestyle information, check out our umbrella page The Whidbey Island Guide. The guide offers local events, links to government and public sites/resources, collections of articles on things like hiking, restaurants, and so much more.
Remember, these pages represent just the tip of the iceberg on what our brokers know about living on Whidbey Island. If all this information just leads to more questions give us a call! If you have suggestions on information, you wish we would add please tell us, we are all ears.
Connect with us:
Connect with us and expand your search by following us on Instagram at @Windermere_Whidbey_Island where you can find reels on the various neighborhoods of Whidbey.
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If Facebook is more your thing you can find us here!
QR Codes Connecting Us to History
Whidbey Island is home to several wonderful little towns each with their own fascinating history and culture. Perhaps the most intriguing is Whidbey’s oldest town; Coupeville, home of the first Whidbey Island settlement.
Coupeville:
Coupeville is an adorable waterfront community rich in history and culture. In 1850 Issac Ebey became the first official Whidbey Island settler when he applied for the first land claim on the island. Claiming over 600 acres of what is now Ebey’s Landing, Ebey was soon to be followed by his nephew and many others. By 1854 there were 29 settlement claims in Coupeville alone and in 1881 it officially became the Island County seat.
Preservation:
Although all of Whidbey is covered in fascinating history, Coupeville is unique in its preservation. Where many of the original buildings of Oak Harbor and Langley have been torn down or decimated by historic fires, downtown Coupeville’s original buildings remain intact and in use. In fact, the town of Coupeville has more historic buildings in a condensed area than anywhere in the Pacific Northwest.
Technology:
To celebrate this fact and educate people on these beautiful historic buildings, Island County’s 4-H club took on the project of using modern technology to connect us to the past. Next time you’re in downtown Coupeville, take a closer look at those historic store windows. You might just see one of these:
Scattered down Front Street are tons of these QR codes leading to the Coupeville Historic Waterfront Association website developed by the 4-H club in 2012. This website is full of information gathered from the Island County Historical Society, City Records, and over 100 personal interviews with people recounting memories and stories of the historic downtown. Each building’s QR code will lead you directly to that building’s history: when it was built, its original purpose, and the different stores that have occupied the space.
So, the next time you are strolling down Font Street whip out that smartphone of yours and learn a little bit of history along the way.
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Whidbey Farmers Market
