If you live around Puget Sound and are looking for the staycation version of a road trip, then this 255-mile loop is just what the doctor ordered. Looping all the way around the sound, this drive will take you on ferries, over bridges, and into some of the most picturesque towns in the area.
We’d recommend making this trek a weekend trip and picking out some fun accommodations along the way. With state parks, lighthouses with keeper quarters that can be rented by the night, and even houseboats as lodging options, you can turn this local drive into a fun adventure.
So, let’s hit the road and explore Puget Sound in a way that will blow any day trip out of the water.
Must Visit Stops Along the Way
This route can start or end from any point around Puget Sound. We’re using Seattle as the starting point for obvious reasons, but the world is your oyster. Feel free to adjust and explore to make the most of this epic getaway.
Seattle
On a trip to see the best of the best around Puget Sound, it only makes sense to start in downtown Seattle and check off some of the city’s most well-known attractions.
Head down to Pike Place Market to take in the iconic views of the market’s sign that stands tall over the sound. Make sure to stop into Beecher’s Handmade Cheese for some of their incredible mac and cheese.
From there, hop over to the Space Needle and take a ride to the top for the best views you’ll find anywhere in the area.
Tacoma
It’s time to hit the road and head south along I-5. Hopefully, the traffic gods are on your side, but odds are you’ll spend a few minutes sitting in traffic. Luckily, this is the worst it should be for the entire drive, so it’s good to get it out of the way early.
Once you arrive in Tacoma, head over to Pt. Defiance Park, where you can stretch your legs on the park’s miles of forested trails. From there, ride the hillside slides down to Dune Park for jaw-dropping views of the sound and, hopefully, Mt. Rainier to the south.
This park was once a heavily polluted industrial site but now stands as one of the gems of the area.
If you have time, swing by downtown Tacoma and stop by the Museum of Glass to watch live glass-blowing demonstrations and explore the magnificent works by local artist Dale Chihuly.
Gig Harbor
The next stop is just across the infamous Narrows Bridge and only a 20-minute drive from downtown Tacoma.
Gig Harbor may only be a short drive from the busy I-5 corridor, but once you’re here, you’ll feel like you’re miles away. Spend the night in this quaint harbor town in one of the area hotels or, if you’re feeling adventurous, on one of the boats available for rent in the town’s harbors.
These rentals range from small sailboats to luxurious wooden yachts that once entertained the rich and famous.
Grab a bite to eat at Tides Tavern, a local favorite, where you can watch boats come and go through the harbor’s narrow entrance.
Bremerton
After a quick breakfast, it’s time to head north along the Kitsap Peninsula. The first stop along this rural stretch of land is the working-class town of Bremerton and its waterfront, which is lined with navy ships.
The Naval Shipyard is one of the region’s biggest employers and also offers some incredible attractions that are well worth the stop.
The USS Turner Joy is a floating museum onboard on a retired U.S. naval destroyer. Explore the inner workings of the ship where your imagination can run wild with what life was like for sailors aboard this impressive piece of maritime history.
You can also explore the Puget Sound Navy Museum, which sits right next door.
Poulsbo
It’s time to head north again into the small Norwegian-themed town of Poulsbo.
Along the way, we highly recommend stopping for lunch at The Oak Table in Silverdale. This popular breakfast and lunch spot serves massive portions, and the apple pancake is an absolute must-try.
If you didn’t fill yourself up on pancakes at The Oak Table, then make a stop at Sluy’s Bakery in downtown Poulsbo for some of their excellent donuts and pastries.
After all these sweets you can burn off some energy with a walk along the downtown waterfront and the boardwalk that parallels the bay to the north of town.
Port Townsend
Our last stop for the day will be the maritime town of Port Townsend. The city’s Victorian architecture and grand downtown buildings reflect its past status as the commercial hub of the Puget Sound.
Today the city is known for its bustling shipyards and location at the confluence of the Puget Sound and the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
You can grab a room at the downtown Monarch Hotel, which is located in one of the most ornate buildings in town.
In the morning, you’ll head to the ferry dock to make your way across the sound for the final leg back to Seattle.
Whidbey Island
After a short and relaxing ferry ride, it’s time to explore Seattle’s favorite weekend getaway, Whidbey Island. This island is filled with vacation homes and quaint towns that are perfect for exploring.
One of our favorite places on the island is the town of Coupeville. With its picturesque waterfront and artsy shops, it’s a great way to spend a few hours before hitting the road again.
From here, you have two options: either head south and catch the Clinton to Mukilteo ferry or head north and explore the stunning Deception Pass area.
Deception Pass State Park
If you’re here, then you obviously have made the correct choice and made the drive north to Deception Pass. This narrow pass and gorgeous bridge are surrounded by Deception Pass State Park, which is home to campgrounds, miles of hiking trails, and hidden beaches that are perfect for exploring.
The gem of the park though is the narrow pass between Fidalgo Island to the North and Whidbey Island to the south. During changing tides, water rushes between this narrow passage, creating treacherous conditions for boaters and the occasional playground for the resident orca.
At this point, it’s time to hop back onto I-5 and make your way back into Seattle. We hope you enjoyed this journey around Puget Sound and were able to discover a few new places to stop on your next journey.
