6+ Fun Things To Do With Out-of-Town Guests on Whidbey Island
Whether you have guests coming into town for the winter holidays or you have visitors over summer break while the kids are out of school, this guide is here to help you keep everyone busy and entertained!
I asked my friends on Facebook what their tips were, and I love all of the ideas I received! Local Aliea-Mikel Peabody especially knows how to show off Whidbey Island and all it has to offer—her comment on my post really captured the Whidbey spirit:
“Our markets, shops, and restaurants featuring local fish and local farm produce are truly special. People can’t believe the range of bounty here. I do some gallery hopping w/my artsy visitors—[they’re] always impressed by the caliber and variety of our local artists and makers (me too!️).
The honesty flower/farm stands and the movie drive-in and arcade are really charming and nostalgic. Something visitors comment on at the store is how many festivals we have—it’s true we love to gather and celebrate!
Many visitors comment on how laidback and c h i l l Whidbey is—jeans to dinner? Yup. No makeup? You’re fine. Hours rolling by doing nothing but lazy beach-combing? A must! Cell phone not getting service? Put it down. They don’t want to leave behind our “island time” mindset. A big attraction!”
Love it—thank you Aliea-Mikel Peabody! (She also happens to own an amazing shop in Greenbank called Seaside & Sylvan. Find unique furniture, beautiful home goods, decor, textiles, beauty products, children’s items, and several handmade items from local Whidbey residents here!)
For even more ideas for things to do with out-of-town guests, keep scrolling!
Coupeville Wharf
Recommended by Nikki T., the Coupeville Wharf is an iconic Whidbey location that makes for a memorable afternoon! The wharf was built in 1905, and today, visitors can check out the restaurant, coffeeshop, gift shop, and boat dock that now occupy the historic wharf. While you’re there, spend some time browsing the shops on Front Street, too!
The Farm Stand by K & R Farms
If your guests have a sweet tooth or want to pick up some local treats to take home, a stop by The Farm Stand is in order! Fresh waffle cones, a heavenly variety of ice cream flavors that’ll keep everyone happy, seasonal produce, and locally made foods are all there to tempt and tantalize your taste buds.
The Machine SHOP Arcade
If the weather isn’t great when your guests are in town, The Machine SHOP is the perfect way to spend a few hours. This community-focused arcade boasts 65+ classic arcade and pinball machines with some dating all the way back to 1964. They also have 20+ virtual reality games, and they occasionally host bands, comedians, and other performers.
Follow The Machine SHOP on Facebook for updates on upcoming events!
Blue Fox Drive-in Theater
Open all year long, the Blue Fox Drive-in Theater is a treat that the whole family can enjoy together. Not only do they show movies, they also have go-karts and an arcade. Click here for tips on enjoying the drive-in, and check out their show schedule here!
Deception Pass State Park
According to the Washington State Parks website, “Deception Pass is Washington’s most-visited state park.” Karon D. highly recommends bringing visitors to explore this breathtaking destination, and her favorite thing to do is to hike on the trails and in the surrounding areas. Adventure out on 38 miles of hiking trails, 6 miles of horse trails, 3 miles of bike trails, and 1.2 miles of ADA hiking trails.
But hiking isn’t the only thing to do here—the 3,854-acre park also offers water-related activities, from fishing (both freshwater and saltwater) and crabbing to swimming and diving. You’ll even find 1,980 feet of moorage for boating, and there are also opportunities for white-water kayaking. In addition to all of this, visitors can camp, enjoy bird watching and observing other wildlife, picnic, enjoy fire circles, and so much more!
Nikki T. especially recommends checking out West Beach where you’ll find photo-worthy views of the Olympic Mountains and the San Juan Islands as well as some excellent beachcombing. And of course, the bridge is a must-see spot for out-of-towners, too!
The park is open all year long—click here for all of the info you’ll need for your visit.
Fort Casey State Park
Highly recommended by Vanda C., Fort Casey State Park transports you back in time to when the fort was first built. Constructed in the late 1800s, Fort Casey was designed to be part of a “Triangle of Fire” that could protect the entrance of the Puget Sound.
Visitors can take advantage of 999 acres along the waterfront and go camping, boating, diving, fishing, hiking, bird-watching, and more. There’s also a lighthouse to explore, and here you’ll also find educational exhibits to make the most of your time there. Click here for all of the details you’ll need to visit!
We're lucky that there are SO many things to do on Whidbey Island! Not everything could be included here (not even close!) but hopefully these ideas will jumpstart the planning process as you prepare for your guests to visit our beautiful island.
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