Poulsbo (pronounced PAULS-boh) is a city on Kitsap Peninsula in the Puget Sound of Washington state. Known as "Little Norway," Front Street is lined with dozens of quaint and colorful shops offering Scandinavian gifts, fine art, fashions and antiques.
Understand
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Poulsbo was settled in 1892 by Norwegian loggers, farmers and fishermen who likened the fjord-cut landscape to their homeland. Iver Brynildsen Moe, the first postmaster, suggested the town be named "Paulsbo", but federal authorities misspelled the town's name, likely misreading Moe's handwriting, and the community became known as "Poulsbo" thereafter. Norwegian was the primary language of most residents until the population boom around the area's naval bases during World War II.
Municipal information
[edit]Get in
[edit]By car
[edit]
Poulsbo is along State Route 305 (WA-305), just east of its junction with State Route 3.
- From Shelton, take WA-3 north through the county
- From the Olympic Peninsula, cross the Hood Canal Bridge near the northern tip of the Kitsap Peninsula, then take WA-3 south.
- From Tacoma and Interstate 5, take WA-16 north across the Tacoma Narrows Bridge until it joins WA-3 near Gorst.
By boat
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Like most towns on the Kitsap Peninsula, Poulsbo was built around the harbor before there were roads, so the town center is geared towards the piers.
- 1 Port of Poulsbo Marina, 18809 Front St, ☏ +1 360 779-3505. It has 130 visitor slips - 60 may be reserved (for groups of 15 boats or more). Easy access to shops and restaurants from the marina. Electrical, pump outs and Wi-Fi available.
- 2 Poulsbo Yacht Club, ☏ +1 360 779-3116. Reciprocal yacht clubs only, water and power. Telephone and cable TV hookups are available. Two fixed and one portable waste water stations make pump-outs
By bus
[edit]The major bus station is the 3 North Viking Transit Center and Park & Ride, north of town at Viking Way NW & Vetter. The Clallam Transit Rt #123 and Jefferson Transit Rt #7 stop at the North Viking Park & Ride.
- Bremerton-Kitsap Airporter, (bus stop) AM/PM Mini-Market at 22003 Viking Way (SE of the junction SR-3 and 305, next to the North Viking Transit Center), ☏ +1 360 876-1737. It provides scheduled ground transportation to and from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to various locations on the Kitsap Peninsula. They also have an additional stop at Walmart on 21200 Olhava Way.
- Clallam Transit Rt #123 The Clallam "Strait Shot" (#123) runs thrice daily (M-Sa) and twice on Sundays to Port Angeles from the Bainbridge Island Ferry Terminal via Suquamish Way and North Viking Transit Center/P&R in Poulsbo with limited stops in Sequim, Jamestown and Discovery Bay.
- Jefferson Transit (JT) JT #7 connects Poulsbo to Port Townsend via Port Ludlow while the #14 bus goes up to Port Townsend from the Kingston Ferry Terminal.
- Kitsap Transit, ☏ +1 360 479-6962, toll-free: +1-800-501-7433, [email protected]. Kitsap Transit offers transit services throughout the area from the N Viking P&R to Kingston (307); Bremerton (301); Silverdale (301, 331 or 332); Bainbridge Island (390); Downtown Poulsbo (344), etc. Passengers transfer to the Kitsap Fast Ferry in Kingston or onto the Washington State Ferries in Bainbridge Island or Bremerton to reach Seattle. Continue on the Link Light Rail to the airport from downtown Seattle. full fare $2 and is part of the regional ORCA network system.
The 4 Kingston Ferry Terminal is also nearby. The Dungeness Line bus picks up and drops off at the Kingston Ferry Terminal and the Edmonds Ferry Terminal at the other side:
- Dungeness Line (Greyhound Connect), (Scheduled stop) Corner at Henery Hardware @ 10978 NE State Highway 104 in Kingston (eastbound buses/vans pick-up and drop off at the ferry dock while the westbound buses/vans pick up and drop off at Henery Hardware), ☏ +1 360 417-0700. Twice daily connections to/from Discovery Bay, Port Townsend and Port Angeles in one direction and over to Edmonds, downtown Seattle and Sea-Tac in the other. Reservations required.
By train
[edit]Amtrak Cascades stops in Edmonds. The station is less than 10 minutes on foot to Edmonds Ferry Terminal, which sails to Kingston. From Kingston Ferry Terminal, connect to local buses that stop near Poulsbo's waterfront.
Get around
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The charming core of Poulsbo surrounds the harbor, with easy access from the water and a large parking area. It is walkable on foot.
By bus
[edit]- Kitsap Transit, ☏ +1 360 479-6962, toll-free: +1-800-501-7433, [email protected]. The #344 bus connects North Viking P&R into Poulsbo and serves as a local bus around Poulsbo full fare $2 and is part of the regional ORCA network system.
See
[edit]- Stroll down Front Street. All the shops and restaurants in Scandinavian decor and architecture.
- 1 Poulsbo Heritage Museum, 19020 Front St NE.
- 2 Poulsbo Maritime Museum, 19010 Front St NE, ☏ +1 360-994-4943. Daily 10AM–4PM. This small museum showcases the maritime and early economic history of Poulsbo, with exhibits on logging, seafood processing, fishing boats, and the early ferry system. Free.
- 3 SEA Discovery Center, 18743 Front St NE, ☏ +1 360 598-4460. Th-Su 11AM to 4PM. Promote lifelong learning and appreciation for the marine environment and underwater technology by enhancing science education with hands on learning and conservation. Free.
Do
[edit]If the great outdoors is your passion, rent a kayak and paddle scenic Liberty Bay, take a walking tour of the town, or simply relax along the boardwalk and look for seals, herons and eagles.
Parks
[edit]- 1 Raab Park, 18349 Caldart Ave NE, ☏ +1 360 779-9898. 21 acres, Sand volleyball, playground, picnic areas/shelter available for private rentals, barbeques, restrooms, nature hiking trail (.2 mile), winding paths, exercise path (.33 mile), some exercise stations, lawn/sitting areas, arboretum, multi-purpose playfield, wildlife/bird viewing, skate park, dance stage, community gardens, fenced dog run
- 2 Kitsap Memorial State Park, 202 NE Park St, ☏ +1 360 779-3205. 8AM-Dusk. Kitsap Memorial State Park is a 58-acre camping park with 1,797 feet of saltwater shoreline and facilities for group and individual recreation near Poulsbo, weddings and overnight stays. The park offers beautiful natural surroundings and sweeping views of Hood Canal. Also available to rent is an old-fashioned log hall that sits atop a wooded bluff, with panoramic view of Hood Canal and the Olympic Mountains. Built in 1936 by the Works Progress Administration, the hall has an expansive, cozy wood interior with an open log cathedral ceiling. Ideal for weddings, receptions, family reunions and company picnics. Rental cabins are also available.
Events
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- Traditional Lutefisk Dinner. January.
- Viking Fest. 3rd weekend in May. Celebrates Poulsbo's Norweigian heritage.
- Midtsommer. June solstice weekend. More of that Norweigian heritage celebrations.
- Chris Craft Rendezvous (Poulsbo Marina). July.
- Julefest. Early December. Santa, folk dancers, and lighting of the Yule Log.
- Lighted Ships Parade. December. Santa visits via boat, kind of cool!
Birdwatching
[edit]The Kitsap Audubon Society has been meeting since 1972 and has a broad coalition of birders tracking and sharing sightings since then. They maintain an active website with updates of the latest sightings, suggestions on areas for birders and even a regular newsletter. They also developed a checklist of birds likely to be seen birds in the area.
The state Audubon society developed The Great Audubon Birding Trail which includes key migration flyways. Flyways are major north-south routes of travel for migratory birds and likely areas to see birds along the route extending from Alaska to Patagonia. Liberty Bay near Poulsbo is one of only a handful of areas named to the list.
Sea kayaking
[edit]The protected waters of Liberty Bay is a fun area to explore by boat or sea kayak. Poulsbo is one of the many harbor towns that cater to kayakers with shops and restaurants accessible from the water.
Kayak trails
[edit]Organized trails offer overnight camping options and maps of appropriate travel lengths and scenic travel destinations.
- Kitsap Peninsula Water Trails. The National Parks Service named this 'Trail of the Month' in the entire USA for the month of December 2012, PDF copies of the water trails map are available and Poulsbo is on the trail.
Kayak rentals
[edit]- 3 Olympic Outdoor Center, NE Young St, toll-free: +1-800-592-5983. It offers kayak rentals, classes and basic information for paddling the area for just a few hours or week long adventures.
Buy
[edit]- Poulsbo Farmers Market, Poulsbo Village Medical/Dental Center (Corner of 7th & Iverson). Every Saturday 9AM-1PM, April to December. This seasonal market pulls in farmers, bakers, chefs, and artisans from across the region. Their mission is to provide the best food, hand-crafted products, and sense of community that Kitsap has to offer.
Eat
[edit]If shopping makes you a bit hungry, feast on handmade European chocolates, baked goods, fresh waffle cones, delicious smoked salmon or gourmet coffee in one of Poulsbo's fine restaurants and cafes.
- 1 Sluys Poulsbo Bakery, 18924 Front St NE, ☏ +1 360-779-2798. Summer: daily 4:30AM–7:30PM, closes an hour earlier Su-Th in winter. Handmade pastries and breads. Long lines form in the mornings for Poulsbo Bread and treats like the Viking Cup (a cinnamon roll donut).
- 2 Brass Kraken Pub, 18779 Front St NE, ☏ +1 360-626-1042.
- 3 Casa Luna, 18830 Front St NE, ☏ +1 360 779-7676. Daily 11AM - 9PM. Popular Mexican restaurant.
- 4 Green Light Diner, 18820 Front St NE, ☏ +1 360-697-3449. 50s diner styled. Good breakfast food, does have okay lunch food. Milkshakes with or without booze.
- 5 JJ's Fish House, 18881 Front St NE. Burgers and seafood with a view of the marina.
- 6 Sogno Di Vino, 18830 Front Street NE, ☏ +1 360-697-8466. Italian food, wood fired pizzas.
- 7 Tizley's Europub, 18928 Front St NE, ☏ +1 360 394-0080. M Su 8AM - 10PM, Tu-Sa 8AM - midnight. Poulsbo loves anything Scandinavian and centrally located Tizley's is no exception. Good food, great beer selection and a deck that offers warm weather visitors a refreshing view of the Liberty Bay.
- 8 The Loft, 18779 Front St NE, ☏ +1 360-626-0224. American food. Best views in town, very crowded in the summer. Extensive outdoor seating.
Drink
[edit]- 1 ENVY Bar and Grill, 19559 Viking Ave NW, ☏ +1 360 779-2202. M-F 8AM-2AM, Sa Su 7AM-2AM. Known for their giant burgers and great selection of local beers.
- 2 Paella Bar and Burrata Bistro, 19006 Front St, ☏ +1 360 930-8446. 2-10:30PM. Spanish tapas bar known for their small plates and extensive wine menu.
- 3 Rainy Daze Brewing, 650 NW Bovela Ln #3, ☏ +1 360 692-1858. Specializing in IPAs
- 4 Valholl Brewing, 18970 3rd Ave NE, ☏ +1 360 930-0172. Dog friendly
- 5 Western Red Brewing, 19168 Jensen Way NE.
Sleep
[edit]- 1 GuestHouse Poulsbo Hotel, 19801 7th Ave NE, ☏ +1 360 697-4400.
- 2 Poulsbo Inn & Suites (Poulsbo Inn), 18680 State Highway 305 NE, ☏ +1 360 779-3921. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. A continental breakfast buffet is served, which includes homemade waffles. $83-125.
Connect
[edit]- 1 Kitsap Regional Library Poulsbo, 700 NE Lincoln Rd, ☏ +1 360 779-2915. This branch offers many events for children and adults alike including story time, writers club, kids movies etc. See website for current events.
Go next
[edit]Poulsbo is centrally located on Kitsap Peninsula and offers nearby access to several other towns.
- Port Gamble and the Olympic Peninsula are to the north via SR-3 and the Hood Canal Bridge.
- Keyport, across Liberty Bay to the south, has a newer marina and the Naval Undersea Museum.
- Suquamish is to the west and offers further access to Bainbridge Island via the Agate Pass Bridge.
| Routes through Poulsbo |
Ends at  ← Port Gamble ←
|
N  S
|
→ Silverdale → Bremerton |
| END ← | NW  SE
|
→ Suquamish → Bainbridge Island |