First Trip to Whidbey Island

Ideas for your first trip to Whidbey Island -- Simple itinerary suggestions to explore the Central and South end of Whidbey.

If I were visiting Whidbey for the first time, my top priority would be to spend a little time unwinding at the house - catch a slow moment with coffee and the sunrise or enjoy a glass of wine watching the tides come in and out from the bluff. There is truly so much peace & quiet to be taken in here at the Madrona Bluff House, it can be hard to get motivated to see anything else. The island is full of surprise and delight moments - - from the views of Deception Pass to the ferry in Clinton, so we always try to include some excursions as well as plenty of recharge time at the house.

For a short adventure on our first or second day of the trip, our immediate neighborhood of Greenbank & Freeland has opportunities for food & fun within a 10–15 minute drive.

If I had the dogs -- I would call in an order for a Reuben to-go from Greenbank Deli and take the whole group up for a walk at Greenbank Farms at the off-leash dog park. Sandwiches on a bench with views of Holmes Harbor & tossing the ball for the dogs - it's perfection. If I had kids along -- I would get pastries at Jupiter Coffee and drive down to Double Bluff Beach to build a driftwood fort for a beach picnic. Finish up the adventure by picking out the craziest vinyl records you can find at Senior Thrift in Freeland and then enjoy them together back at the house while doing a puzzle or playing a game of pool.

If I was hosting a ladies' getaway -- I'd sleep in late but still leave plenty of time to browse the treasures at the Mutiny Bay Antique Mall and then pop into Rocket Tacos for margaritas and the best chickpea tacos you could ever dream of. Or maybe stop in Fare Market for their outstanding Bahn Mi Fries.

For the next day, I have to recommend spending a little time wandering in one of our South Whidbey towns. Although it's hard to decide between them -- Coupeville and Langley are both fun for everyone, so you can't go wrong. I appreciate that they both have my three favorite things -- bookshops, bakeries, and views of the Salish Sea.

Hanging with the dogs -- I would go up to Coupeville and grab a breakfast sandwich at the Little Red Hen and take a walk out to the incredible views at Ebey's Landing. Back to the house for snuggles by the fire.

Adventures with kids -- I'd walk to the end of the Wharf in Coupeville - get a cup of cocoa and wander in the Kingfisher bookshop (or the Honey Bear gift shop, if treating them with toys & candy is part of the agenda) If they still had energy left - I'd be excited to drive over for a wander in the woods at the Price Sculpture Forest -- an outdoor art experience that is perfect for all ages.

Weekend with the ladies -- Brunch at Flower House Café and poking around the adjoining Bayview Garden Center. Wander over to Langley to get inspired at the galleries and boutiques and finish up with a watercolor painting tutorial back at the house.

Bonus itinerary items that always seem to be crowd-pleasers for any group - movies at the Blue Fox Drive-In, hiking at Deception Pass State Park, and dining with a view of the Saratoga Passage at Village Pizzeria. Three wildly different but consistently well-received ideas. Have fun planning your trip and then enjoy the slower pace of island life.

Cheers to making time for relaxation and adventure!