Whidbey Island Day Trip Complete Guide and Itinerary
Whidbey island is a large island in the beautiful Puget Sound only an hour from Seattle. It has small town coastal charm which is a great escape from the city.
Whether you are a Seattle local or a visitor, a quick Whidbey Island day trip is an easy and rewarding getaway. This guide will tell you all you need to know to have a successful trip to Whidbey island to soak in the Puget Sound island life and local charm.
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Whidbey Island in a Day
This leads us into what to do on the island. This small island has a lot to offer and you could easily spend a weekend if you wanted.
This guide will focus on the top sights to hit in one day. If you have more time, check into a local bed and breakfast for a weekend escape.
1. Early Morning – Ferry to Whidbey Island
Board the Mulkiteo ferry for the quick journey to Whidbey. Once your car is off, quickly run up to the observation deck to soak in the beautiful sights of Puget Sound and capture some photos.
Embrace your inner Derek Sheppard (I’m looking at your Grey’s fans) and enjoy the scenic (but short) ferry ride.
2. Morning – Langley + Brunch
Arrive in Clinton and navigate the 15 minutes to the charming town of Langley.
Langely is an adorable town on the coast of the island with quaint shops, resturants and a beautiful path along the water. Stroll the main street and stop in shops that catch your eye.
If you are craving breakfast or coffee, swing by Useless Bay Coffee Company. We didn’t make this stop because we got Starbucks on our drive over (I’m judging myself too).
One of the cutest shops you must see is the Langley Fire Department.
This old fire house turned storefront is adorable from the outside and houses amazing homemade glass-blown figurines, glasses and decorations. We wanted to buy everything.
3. Late Morning – Greenbank Farm
Head to Greenbank Farm, conveniently located in the middle of the island. Greenbank Farm has a ton of stalls selling local goods such as cheese, wine and pie.
There are also numerous (dog friendly) walking trails that meander through the farm grounds. If you are here at lunch time, grab a bite at the café.
Otherwise grab some snacks to enjoy in the car. We opted for buffalo spiced cheese curds and they were delish.
4. Midday – Fort Casey
Next up is the historical Fort Casey. Built in 1897, Fort Casey was one of three forts that created a trap for boats entering Puget Sound.
Though this fort was never active in war, it is a fun place to stretch your legs, read some history and see beautiful views of Puget Sound.
Spend 30 minutes (or longer) exploring inside and on top of the fort. There are conveniently placed signs that detail the history of the fort so you are guaranteed to learn something!
Tip: You need a Discover Pass to park at Fort Casey. You can get a day pass for $10 or a year pass for $30. If you are local or planning to visit other sites, I’d recommend the annual pass.
5. Late Lunch – Coupeville
By now, you will likely be pretty hungry so hop back in the car and head to Coupeville. Coupeville is smaller than Langely but equally adorable.
Wander the streets, shop the shops and check out one of the local resturants.
Restaurant Options in Coupeville:
The Cove Coupeville: The cove is located at the end of a pier which leads to panoramic views and a super fun atmosphere. I have also heard great things about the food.
Ciao: A couple blocks from the main street, Ciao is a great stop for authentic Italian pizza and pasta
Front Street Grill: Located conveniently on the main street of Coupeville, Front Street Grill is a tasty waterfront lunch spot.
Their specialty is oysters and they have 10+ different preparations. We opted to split the fried pickles (we’re obsessed) and fresh caught fish and chips and it was all delicious.
6. Afternoon – Deception Pass Bridge
Begin your drive home by heading north to Deception Pass Bridge. At least, get out and take some photos with the locally-famous bridge.
If you have more time and energy, take one of the hikes for even better views of the bridge, water and surrounding islands.
7. Evening: Return to Seattle
Head home! Reflect on your wonderful Whidbey Island day trip and start day dreaming about your next adventure! (that is what we did at least).
The 2 hour drive will get you back to the city with plenty of time to find dinner!
For another great day or weekend trip from Seattle, check out this guide to Ocean Shores.
One Day Whidbey Itinerary Map
Getting to Whidbey Island
There are two ways to get to Whidbey:
1. Ferry Boat from Mulkiteo to Clinton
2. Driving over the Deception Pass bridge
#1 is much faster but #2 is more scenic and cheaper. For the best of both worlds, I recommend doing a loop where you take the ferry to the island then drive back.
Other Notable Whidbey Island Stops:
Ebey’s Landing State Park– Great trails and water views, this would be a great stop between Coupeville and Deception Pass.
La Conner– Another cute waterside town with great shops and resturants. La Conner is located on the way back to Seattle and would be a great stop for dinner.
Seattle Premium Outlets– Also located on the way back to Seattle, the outlets have a ton of great stores and deals. We are definitely guilty of stopping here.
Summary of this Whidbey Island Day Trip
Since Whidbey island is only a couple hours from Seattle, it’s possible to squeeze a lot into a one day itinerary.
During your one day on Whidbey island, visit two towns – Coupeville and Langley. In addition, try some local foods at the Greenbank farm.
Explore the nature of the island at Fort Casey and Deception Pass with some short hikes and walks.
Finally, experience a famous Seattle ferry for this loop trip to and from the city.
As always, reach out if you have any questions about a Whidbey Island Day Trip or anything else.
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