A Pacific Northwest haven for artists

Discover history, art, mouthwatering seafood and the beautiful waters of Puget Sound while visiting the largest island in Island County. Outdoor enthusiasts will find activity at every turn whether kayaking, paddle boarding, hiking or biking around the island. Those seeking refuge will find treasures while shopping at waterfront boutiques, gift shops, art galleries and while dining on fresh seafood.

Travelers can make it to the island by ferry or by cruising over the Deception Pass bridge, which connects Fidalgo and Whidbey islands. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the iconic 177-foot-high bridge is admired for its graceful architecture and front-row seat overlooking lush emerald trees and turquoise waters.

Spend the day at Deception Pass State Park, Washington’s most-visited state park. Kids and adults can fish and swim in Cranberry Lake, search for seashells along the beach, hike through forests and along bluffs and listen to the collective chirp from some of the 155 species of birds inhabiting the island. Keep an eye on the water to catch a glimpse of harbor seals. Can’t leave just yet? Make reservations to set up camp at one of the park’s 172 tent sites.

Further south, visitors will find Oak Harbor, named for its distinguishing Garry Oak trees. Oak Harbor is the largest of seven towns on the island. Dating back to the early 1850s, the town is rich with history and close to Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, built in 1942, and still operating today. Visitors can visit the PBY Memorial Foundation Naval Heritage Center to view seaplanes, artifacts, a flight simulator and learn more about naval history.

Don’t miss Oak Harbor’s Old Fashioned Fourth of July when Windjammer Park is transformed into a grand carnival. The day kicks off with a parade, complete with music, candy and performers and ends with the night’s fireworks show. Rides, fair food and vendors all contribute to a Fourth of July celebration that’s fun for the whole family.

Coupeville is well worth a visit, be it your weekend destination or a brief sojourn before catching the Coupeville Ferry. Among Coupeville’s attractions are a quaint downtown full of shops and restaurants, a gorgeous waterfront, the Island County Historical Museum and multiple summer festivals. The Coupeville Arts and Crafts Festival takes place on August 9 and 10, 2025 and the Penn Cove Water Festival takes place in May annually.

The waterfront begs visitors to take a walk down the Coupeville Wharf to feel the sea breeze up close while taking in a spectacular view of Penn Cove.

From museums to historic landmarks from World War I and II, history buffs will delight in all that Coupeville and the surrounding area has to offer. Visitors can go back in time at the Fort Casey Historical State Park, a 999-acre marine camping park along 10,810 feet of shoreline. Fort Casey, built in the 1800s, was used as a training facility until the mid-1940s. Park visitors can explore the original catacomb-like bunkers, an interpretative center and gift shop and admire the red and white brick Spanish-style Admiralty Lighthouse, built in 1903.

Visitors will marvel at the sight of the Meerkerk Rhododendron Gardens, a 1960s woodland filled with 10 acres of gardens and 43 acres of woodlands to explore. Hikers and cyclists alike will love the 35-mile-long Kettles Trail System, which connects Coupeville with Fort Ebey State Park, located within Ebey’s Landing, a national historical reserve known for its beautiful trails.

Heading down into Langley, near the southern tip of the island, travelers along the waterfront will find posh boutiques gleaming with art, jewelry, books and clothing. An art hub is Langley’s claim to fame, with galleries, studios and art walks filling the city. An art walk is held every first Saturday of the month. A must stop for visitors of all ages is the Langley Whale Center.

Summer galleries will focus on local landscapes, glass art, jewelry and table-top sculpture. Langley will be bustling during the Whidbey Island Fair, July 24-27, 2025. Fair visitors will experience farm exhibits, animals, live entertainment, a wine garden and eye-popping art all on historic farm grounds.

From plentiful parks, woods and shorelines to shops and festivals, there is something for everyone to enjoy on Whidbey Island.

Visit whidbeycamanoislands.com.