Coming up with a list of things to do in Poulsbo was easier than you might think. That’s because it’s a vastly underrated town with a rich history, cute downtown, stunning waterfront views, and great restaurants.
There’s no denying this is a small town with a population of roughly 12,000. However, its proximity to Seattle and Bainbridge Island makes it a popular pit stop for day trippers eager for a small town experience.
Most people remember Poulsbo for its quaint Nordic-themed downtown, which is intentional. The city was founded in the 1800s by Scandinavian settlers and continues to retain its rich Nordic history, so much in fact that it’s nicknamed “Little Norway.”
The weather in Poulsbo is typical of the Pacific Northwest, with mild summers ranging from the mid-50s to the mid-70s. This makes it a popular summertime destination, though I enjoy visiting in the winter for the Christmas lights and lack of crowds.
If you’ve been thinking about planning a trip and want to know about the best unique things to do in Poulsbo, I’m going to break down all of the must-stop restaurants, museums, waterfront activities, and events!
Things to Do in Poulsbo
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Grab breakfast at Mama’s Armenian Kitchen
website | get directions | cuisine: Armenian bakery | best for: baklava
Mama’s is one of the most recommended spots in Poulsbo, which should really tell you something because they’re only open on Saturdays. This also means they sell out fast, so get there early and be prepared to wait in line. I’ve seen this place with a line around the block even in the rainy months.
Their baklava is the most popular item and is usually the first to sell out shortly after opening. If you miss out, don’t fret. As much as I love the baklava, their carrot pistachio cake is my favorite menu item. It’s expertly spiced with natural sweetness from the carrots that left me desperately wishing I had ordered two.
Shop the quaint downtown area
Given the thoughtful design of downtown, one of the best activities in Poulsbo is to go window shopping and explore the local boutiques.
Some shops lean into the Nordic theme, like Nordiska, which sells Nordic-inspired kitchenware and gifts. Other shops like Abigail’s Artful Abode cast a wider net with a variety of vintage, boho, and midcentury housewares and artwork.
Red Plantation Marketplace is one of my favorite antique and vintage stores with over 20 vendors showcasing original clothing pieces, accessories, and artwork. For original artwork and jewelry designed by local Poulsbo artists, stop by the Carrie Goller Gallery.
Peruse the Poulsbo Farmers Market
website | get directions | best for: local produce
Of all the typical Poulsbo things to do, visiting the farmers market should be at the top of your list. It runs every Saturday from 10 AM-2 PM and features vendors ranging from berry farmers to mushroom foragers, hand-cut flowers, honey, and local meat grown from regenerative farms. There’s also often live music to keep spirits high.
With any good farmers market usually comes a proper selection of local food vendors, and Poulsbo’s market does not disappoint. Whether you’re looking for mushroom coffee, brats, or French crepes, you’ll undoubtedly find some good eats at the market.
Get lunch at Oxalis Kitchen
website | get directions | cuisine: coffee shop & cafe | best for: lattes & sandwiches
There are a number of coffee shops in Poulsbo, but my favorite is Oxalis Kitchen. I first tried their scones at the farmers market and was impressed with their texture. Many scones are overly dry and crumbly, but theirs had a delicate crumb while still remaining moist in the center. They also make excellent granola, which makes a good souvenir.
Of course if you’re coming for lunch you might want something heartier. I suggest their rice bowl, which comes with perfectly-cooked veggies and your choice of chicken or tofu. For coffee, I was pleasantly surprised with their ginger beet latte, which was spicy and earthy without being overpowering.
Walk the boardwalk along the waterfront
website | get directions | best for: water views
For being a relatively small town, Poulsbo is teeming with parks. There are over 17 parks within the city limits, easily catapulting it to my list of the best small towns in Washington state.
Muriel Iverson Williams Waterfront Park, more commonly called Liberty Bay Waterfront Park, is the most notable as it guides you along the bay, offering an unfettered view of the port and keeping you close to the local shops and restaurants.
Kayak or paddle board on the bay
After walking along the boardwalk, you’re probably ready to dip your toes and spend a few hours paddling the bay. Olympic Outdoor Center has great deals on single and double kayaks, paddle boards, and monster paddle boards capable of supporting up to six people.
Get a sweet treat at Sluys
website | get directions | cuisine: bakery | best for: doughnuts
One of the most quintessential things to do in Poulsbo is stop at Sluys. Located just off the boardwalk, Sluys has been a Poulsbo staple since the mid-70s. They’re a family-owned bakery making everything from scratch, from their bountiful cinnamon rolls to their delicate Finnish ribbon cookies.
Given their wide selection, you’d be surprised at how quickly they sell out. I typically order a few doughnuts, and their jelly-filled ones are my favorite. They’re pillowy soft, sweet, and have the perfect jelly-to-filling ratio.
Grab beer at Valholl Brewing
website | get directions | best for: Belgian ales
You only live once, so after your trip to the bakery, treat yourself to a pint at Valholl Brewing. In keeping with the European theme, they make two of my favorite styles, German and Belgian witbiers. They also have a great outdoor seating area that overlooks the marina.
Depending on how much time you have, there are a few other breweries in the area worth visiting. Western Red Brewing is down the street and is owned by a family of loggers. They have a wider selection ranging from amber ales to Kolsch and IPAs.
On the other side of the bay, Echoes Brewing is known for its higher ABV brews like triple IPAs, Belgian strong ales, and barleywine.
Sip at wine tasting rooms
No day trip would be complete without grabbing a glass of wine. While actual wineries may be few and far between in this area, Poulsbo has several tasting rooms that allow you to experience a lot of small PNW producers under one roof.
Details Wine Bar is a small, but adorable wine bar with a wide selection of local small-batch wineries.
State 42 Wines is owned by a husband-and-wife duo making wines from organic and sustainably farmed vineyards across multiple AVAs in Washington.
Former US Navy divers turned renowned winemakers run Hard Hat Winery, a nautical-themed winery specializing in more unique varietals like dolcetto and cabernet franc.
Visit the heritage and maritime museum
Maritime Museum website (get directions) | Heritage Museum website (get directions) | best for: local history
I’ve always thought one of the more underrated things to do in a new city is to check out the local museums. They’re usually cheap (or free) and give you a unique glimpse into the city and the chance to learn something new about its history.
The Poulsbo Heritage Museum captures the Scandinavian heritage of the early Poulsbo settlers through original artifacts, clothing, and imagery. The Maritime Museum focuses more on the lives of commercial and sport fishermen in the area and the history of boat building in the bay.
Attend one of the city’s annual events
Poulsbo has a ton of fun events throughout the year. Here are some of the most popular.
Viking Fest
website | get directions | best for: Nordic festival
If you’re visiting Poulsbo in May, one of the most notable Poulsbo attractions is their annual Viking Fest. It’s a 3-day celebration that dominates downtown with parades, live music, and line dancing. There’s even a strong man competition as well as a donut and lutefisk eating contest.
Midtsommer Summer Solstice Celebration
website | get directions | best for: summer solstice festival
Each year over the summer solstice, the Sons of Norway host a Midsommer celebration. The day kicks off with a Nordic Market where traditional Nordic wares are sold, followed by traditional Nordic dancing and a bonfire lighting ceremony to welcome the arrival of summer.
Poulsbo Art Festival
website | get directions | best for: handmade art
On the third week of August downtown Poulsbo hosts its annual arts festival at Liberty Bay Waterfront Park. It’s free to enter and offers a chance to meet Poulsbo artists specializing in work across all mediums. Buy original pieces, listen to live music, and enter a raffle to win some local artwork.
Poulsbo Beer Run
website | best for: beer crawl
In honor of Oktoberfest, Poulsbo hosts an annual beer run, the proceeds of which go to charity. It’s a one-day-only event where participants can run (“or walk, or stumble,” according to the site) around downtown Poulsbo for more than 4.1 miles.
Along the way you’ll stop at 5 breweries and 1 cidery to sample the local brews before ending at your starting point to celebrate with a final beer and a doughnut from Lone Star Doughnuts.
Get dinner at Burrata Bistro and Paella Bar
website | get directions | cuisine: Italian & Spanish | best for: tapas
You used to have to choose between the Burrata Bistro and Paella Bar, but the two have since merged into one restaurant while keeping both menus. This means you can order from either and dine in-house or on their spacious alley patio.
Burrata Bistro has an Italian-driven menu with small bites like pork ricotta meatballs and steamed clams, along with a few salads and traditional plates like lasagna and puttanesca.
The Paella Bar is Spanish with a lengthy list of tapas, ranging from garlic prawns to cod fritters and your choice of seafood or chicken and seafood paella. In keeping with the theme, the wine list is extensive with a range of Italian and Spanish varietals.
End with a day trip
If you plan to spend a long weekend in Poulsbo, consider dedicating a day to exploring a new area. Poulsbo is a short drive from multiple must-visit spots, including many of my favorite Washington coast attractions. Of all the easily accessible towns, I’m partial to Port Townsend for its adorable Victorian-themed downtown and abundance of restaurants and waterfront views.
One popular way to get to Poulsbo is by taking the ferry to Bainbridge Island and then driving to the peninsula over the bridge connecting the island. If you do this, you can shop downtown Bainbridge, grab a bite at one of the many excellent Bainbrdige restaurants, check out a winery or two, and still make it to Poulsbo within 25 minutes for dinner.
If time is not of the essence, consider extending your trip for another few days and take advantage of the ferry system. From Port Townsend you can take a 35-minute ferry to Whidbey Island and go wine tasting, or go international and hop on the Port Angeles ferry to experience all the unique things to do in Victoria, BC.
More to do in Washington
After you explore all the things to do in Poulsbo and the areas nearby, check out my other guides for more ideas of what to do in the gorgeous Evergreen State.
- The Most Unforgettable Road Trip in Washington
- My Favorite Summer Vacation Spots in Washington
- Things to Do in Seabrook, the WA Coast’s Quaintest Town
- 21 Road Trip Ideas from Seattle
- Romantic Getaways in Washington
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