Charming Gig Harbor, Washington

Weekend Getaway. By Julianna Verboort. Photo by Jim Nelson.

Strolling along Gig Harbor’s quaint, historic waterfront transports visitors to a simpler time. Stress and urgency slip away with the softly lapping harbor waves, replaced by a refreshing calm drifting in on the saltwater air.

Gig Harbor was recently named by Smithsonian Magazine as one of the Top Five Small Towns for culture, heritage, and charm, and it is easy to see why. This beautiful burg is surrounded by water, nestled among the picturesque bays of Puget Sound, about an hour south of Seattle. The primary access is via Tacoma Narrows Bridge – a crossing made famous by engineering catastrophe Galloping Gertie.

This sweet town serves up cultural events and activities year round, so no matter when you time your visit, you’ll have plenty of entertaining choices. You can stay busy, or take it easy with harborside walks, cafes, wine tasting, and a good book from the locally owned small bookstores in the harbor.

Gig Harbor’s rich maritime heritage comes alive at Harbor History Museum’s attractive building near the top of the harbor. The museum is small enough to provide a high quality experience in about an hour; starting your getaway here gives a strong context for your visit to the town. Don’t miss the fully preserved Midway Schoolhouse, built in 1893, complete with historic artifacts and lesson books. Delight in the story of Clarence E. Shaw with his renown Rooster Derby, which was radio broadcast to tens of thousands. Get the story on the fishing industry and the net sheds that still line the harbor, now converted to space for shops, galleries, and activities. Plaques and graphics explaining Gig Harbor’s history are also interspersed along Harborview Drive.

Lay of the Land

To get a feel for this lovely little spot, review Gig Harbor Living Local magazine or www.gogigharbor.com. For a calendar of events, pick up a copy of the Visitor’s Guide at the friendly Gig Harbor Visitor’s Bureau, located close to the harbor at 3125 Judson Street, or view www.gigharborguide.com.

The three primary sections of town are:

The Harbor, with the marina, historic buildings, pleasant shops, art galleries, boating and fishing venues, and favorite local restaurants running along Harborview Drive and up around the top of the harbor. Recreation includes kayak and paddleboard rentals, boat tours, houseboat rentals, and more.

Uptown Shopping Center, connected to the historic harbor via year round trolley bus service (with increased frequency during peak tourism months). Uptown offers an upscale indoor/outdoor shopping and entertainment environment, housing boutiques, restaurants ranging from organic fare to take out, and services including salons and Safeway grocery store. Uptown is also home to Galaxy Theater, which hosts the annual Gig Harbor Film Festival each October.

North Harbor, where you’ll find a newly renovated YMCA with indoor swimming and fitness classes, and conveniences such as fast food, Target, Home Depot and Albertsons Grocery.

Amenities and Recommendations

While steeped in local history and maritime charm, Gig Harbor also caters to sophisticated travelers. Local venues capture northwest cultural trends in the arts, craft beer, craft distilling, organic spa treatments, locally grown food, and fine cuisine.

Green thumbs will delight in the Gig Harbor Garden Tour, held at the end of June. Music lovers can partake in waterfront concerts at Skansie Brothers Park during Summer Sounds, and under the pavilion at Uptown during July and August. Art lovers will be enchanted with the Summer Arts Festival in July and the Open Studio Tour in September. Golfers, bring your clubs to play pretty Madrona Links; kid golfers can try their hand too at the Performance Golf Center’s putt-putt course.

More recommendations include:

• Renting a kayak to see the harbor from a seafaring perspective (there are several kayak rental shops along the harbor);

• Seven Seas Brewing for a pint of locally crafted ale;

• Heritage Distilling Company for spirits tasting, or to start your own cask;

• Java Clay and Cafe for a fun clay project (great for kids too) with a cup of java by the fire;

• Full Moon Art Gallery to take in an eclectic sampling of local artists’ talent;

• Blue Moon Massage & Wellness Spa to enhance your well being; and

• Anthony’s Restaurant for dinner with a view out over the marina.

Further Explorations

A few miles west of town, Kopachuck State Park provides camping, waterside picnic facilities, a beach, and recreational access. Kopachuck is a nice spot to bring your kayak and paddle around Henderson Bay, and capture views of the Olympics.

A quick drive across the Tacoma Narrows will bring you to Tacoma’s museum district, with the internationally recognized Museum of Glass (don’t miss the Hot Shop!), Tacoma Art Museum, and Washington State History Museum; other fun Tacoma sites include Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium with the surrounding park, which also offers kayak rentals; and the Foss Waterway Seaport project.

LeMay–America’s Car Museum (ACM), one of the most unique museums on the west coast, “is designed to preserve history and celebrate the world’s automotive culture.” With one of the largest automobile collections in the world, ACM will enthrall car buffs and can even captivate those who may think automobiles are not all that exciting! ACM is a short drive (approximately 15 minutes) from Gig Harbor, located near the Tacoma Dome.

If time allows you to stretch further afield, Gig Harbor makes a lovely home base for trips to the Olympic National Rain Forest and Seattle with its many tourist attractions.

Accommodations

Maritime Inn is a boutique hotel located on Harborview Drive in the heart of the harbor, and an excellent choice for a romantic getaway. Best Western Plus Wesley Inn and Suites is less than a mile from the harbor, walkable along Pioneer Way (bear in mind you’ll be walking uphill on the way back), offering an outdoor swimming pool, workout facility, wifi and continental breakfast. Waterfront Inn is a small bed and breakfast at the top of the harbor, with hot tubs and water views. The Inn at Gig Harbor, west of Highway 16, includes a small gym and the full service Heritage Restaurant, with wifi and modern conveniences.

There are more than a handful of excellent choices to make a getaway in Gig Harbor, fun, relaxing, exciting, romantic or active, so ask your concierge and the Visitor’s Bureau for recommendations to suit your desires.

Relax, refresh and revive in Gig Harbor, Washignton. You’ll be glad you came!

For more events and fun things to do while in Gig Harbor check out:

www.gigharborliving.com or pick up your copy of Gig Harbor Living when you arrive.

#adventure