port orchard
Miles of shoreline and forests - Port Orchard is a quiet cluster of waterfront and inland neighborhoods with a keen sense of community.
47.5404° N, 122.6362° W
Port Orchard is connected via the ferry system like no other Kitsap community. Historic foot ferries carry passengers across Sinclair Inlet to Bremerton, relics from the 100+ year old Mosquito Fleet that buzzed along the waters in bygone days. The ferries leave from the Port Orchard and Bremerton waterfront every 30 minutes. Across Port Orchard in the eastern-facing shores, the community of Southworth is home to the Washington State Ferry System’s Southworth- Fauntleroy-Vashon route, a 30-minute crossing to West Seattle with a stop on Vashon Island. Port Orchard, having ferries that link to 3 cities, is the most ferry-connected community in a place known for its maritime history.
We love exploring Port Orchard’s miles of shoreline. Whether we’re riding our bikes along the gentle surf of Beach Drive along the west-facing waterfront or exploring the tide pools in Manchester State Park, some of our favorite adventures involve the many, many miles of waterfront that Port Orchard offers. Sitting opposite Bremerton on Sinclair Inlet, the waterfront access in downtown Port Orchard is plentiful - public piers, water access, and pocket parks dot the waterfront along Bay Street and Beach Drive. The Port Orchard Marina, Annapolis, and Waterman Pier are all good places to put a kayak in the water and follow along the shore. Sinclair Inlet is usually very calm and makes for pleasant kayaking with great views of the Olympic Mountains, especially at sunset.
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stay in Port Orchard
Port Orchard’s annual events
other events you don’t want to miss!
Port Orchard Night Market
{summer}
One Saturday each month, during the summer months of June-September, the Port Orchard waterfront transforms into the largest night market on the Kitsap Peninsula. Watch the sun set over the Olympic Mountain Range while you shop over 50+ local makers and food vendors, listen to live music and explore a wide variety of eateries along Bay Street.
Port Orchard Farmers Market
{spring/summer}
The Port Orchard Farmers Market is open every Saturday from 9a-2p from April to the end of October.
Port Orchard Summer Concert Series
{summer}
Port Orchard’s free live music concert series is located on the waterfront overlooking the foot ferry terminal with sweeping views of the sun setting over the Olympic Mountains and the Washington State Ferries pulling into Bremerton across the water. There isn’t a more serenely perfect setting for live music in Kitsap.
Kitsap live steamers
{Spring/summer}
Hidden within the evergreens at South Kitsap Regional Park is a magical steam engine train track that comes to life on the 2nd and 4th Saturday every month from April - October. Rides are free, operated by a nonprofit, Kitsap Live Streamers, and donations are welcome. The 12-minute ride operates from 10am-4pm and features a fun and relaxing journey through the woods, where you can watch for wildlife and fantastical hidden objects among the trees.
Visit Bay Street
Port Orchard’s unassuming waterfront is lined with local favorites.
As a waterfront community, Port Orchard offers numerous marinas and the downtown corridor has shopping, museums, live theater, pubs, and dining. With ferry access from Bremerton and Seattle, an excursion to Port Orchard is an easy day trip or a weekend getaway. It's hard to miss the majestic view of the sun setting behind the Olympic Mountains and the pride of military heritage just across the water at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard where you can see aircraft carriers, destroyers, and battleships.
A walk down Bay Street on the Port Orchard’s waterfront reveals a cluster of shops, restaurants, and experiences that are perfect for a few hours with family, girl-time, or even a solo trip. Port Orchard isn’t glitzy or ostentatious but it does have great locals and tons of heart.
josephine’s mercantile & Gathered by Jo’s
Josephine’s Mercantile:
701 Bay Street
Port Orchard, WA 98366
Gathered by Jo’s
702 Bay Street
Port Orchard, WA 98366
Josephine’s Mercantile is a vintage market with one-of-a-kind treasures, vintage decor, reclaimed goods, repurposed furniture, and curated local artisan gifts. Grab a bakery item and a coffee from Mercantile Coffee Co. in the back of the store, and you’ll have everything you need to peruse for hours on end.
Gathered is a gift shop featuring local makers, vintage goods and hand-crafted, custom furniture by Smith Metal Works. Gathered also hosts a variety of pop-up markets, art classes, and offers community space for intimate gatherings and events.
Visitors arriving via the Bremerton foot ferry will find Jo’s and Gathered a welcome stop for local shopping and browsing on their South Kitsap adventure!
salmonberry books
715 Bay Street
Port Orchard, WA 98366
This Bay Street bookshop is full of treasures and heart. Owner Lizzy curates an excellent selection of books, gifts, records, and art that appeal to a wide variety of tastes. Stop by her shop and pick up a good read for all of your adventures around Kitsap!
Lizzy is also an expert at exploring up and down the Kitsap Peninsula.
Click the link below to learn where Lizzy loves to hang out in Kitsap.
Damn Fine Pizza
1307 Bay Street
Port Orchard, WA 98366
Damn Fine Pizza - the name says it all! Relatively new on the Port Orchard waterfront scene, this pizzeria has it all: amazing food, a hearty tap list, huge views of Sinclair Inlet (the sunsets at DFP are stunning!), a funky and fun vibe, and, of course, a damn fine pinball room! Family-friendly and perfect for a date night or get-together, DFP has quickly become a Port Orchard favorite. Stop by on your next visit to South Kitsap to grab a slice and see what the fuss is all about.
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![historic purple church renovated to airbnb on the port orchard waterfront, Kitsap]()
STAY
The Chapel
Stay in a historic 1895 church featuring gorgeous stained glass windows and 21+ lounge on the lower level. -
![Child explores the Port Orchard marina and visits the Lady Washington Tall ship]()
Explore
Port Orchard Waterfront
Lined with local favorites like Khao Soi, Salmonberry Books, and Josephine's Mercantile, read more at the link below. -
![The Carlisle II sails Sinclair Inlet, floating museum, 100 year old Mosquito Fleet, Kitsap]()
2 hour guide
A detailed guide for maximizing your short visit to the Port Orchard Waterfront.
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![Vintage chandeliers and antiques line the walls of Josephine's Mercantile]()
local
Josephine's Mercantile
5000 sq feet of used, restored, vintage and antique shopping on Port Orchard's waterfront with a Coffee Co. in the back! -
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explore
Salmonberry Books
Local Port Orchard waterfront bookstore owner, Lizzy Rolando, shares some of her favorite spots in Kitsap to explore. -
![A crowd of passengers wait to sail away on the Carlisle II, floating museum, Sinclair Inlet, Port Orchard, Kitsap]()
Annual Event
Mosquito Fleet Fest
The Mosquito Fleet was a vast array of steamships used for Kitsap travel before the advent of automobiles. The annual celebration of these floating museums is mid-May on the waterfront. -
![Rows of flower bouquets for sale at the port Orchard farmer's market, Kitsap]()
local
Port Orchard Farmers Market
The longest running farmers market on the Kitsap Peninsula with sweeping views of the Olympics and an expansive variety of produce and made items. -
![Visit Port Orchard and stay at the Carriage House overlooking the Port Orchard Waterfront, views of the Olympic Mountains, Kitsap]()
STAY
Carriage House
Stunning views of Sinclair Inlet and the mighty Olympic Mountains, and steps away from downtown Port Orchard shops & restaurants. -
![A bird sitting atop pilings in Sinclair Inlet, watching the sun set over the Olympic Mountains, Kitsap]()
explore
Pedestrian Pathway
Watch the sunset dip behind the mighty Olympic Mountains, as herons stalk the tidelands, and ferries passage across the Inlet as you walk the waterfront. -
![Seagulls sail across the sky over the Port Orchard Marina while the sun sets over the Olympic Mountains]()
local
Port Orchard Marina
Sail into the Port Orchard Marina and find first-rate moorage and state-of-the-art facilities that will keep you sailing back again and again. -
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annual event
Port Orchard Night Market
A community favorite, the night market boasts 60+ vendors & food trucks in the heart of downtown. -
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STAY
Red Cottage Guest House
1.5-bathroom studio vacation rental in the heart of downtown Port Orchard!
visit OLALLA
Olalla (meaning ‘land of many berries’) is a small community on the waterfront of Colvos Passage, snuggled between Port Orchard and Gig Harbor. Despite being tucked away off the beaten path, there are plenty of great spots you don't want to miss, like Olalla Vineyard & Winery, Olalla Bay Market & Landing - owned by New York Times Best Selling Author, Gregg Olson - and Anderson Point County Park. If you're coming into town for a concert, an event at the winery, a wedding at The Edgewater House, or the famous Olalla Americana Music Festival (happening annually in August), plan to stay uber local at Olalla Forest Retreat. No matter what your preferred method of exploring is - biking, hiking, swimming, kayaking, horseback riding, fishing, or paddling - you can fill your days driving past fields of horses, fresh floral and produce stands, and savoring the saltwater air (keep your eyes out for orcas and whales since Colvos Passage is a popular pathway). And it doesn't matter if you're enjoying Olalla's breathtaking water and mountain views or escaping into the forest, make sure to slow down long enough to watch the sunset fill the sky with golden rays.
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![A magical and unique forest retreat in the Olalla woods]()
STAY
Olalla Forest Retreat
An enchanting 1970’s storybook cottage deep in the magical forests of Olalla. -
![Blue skies and crystal clear waters, visit for a cup of coffee]()
Local
Olalla Bay Market & Landing
Sit outside above the deep waters of Colvos Passage with a menu of local wines, espresso, PNW craft beer, salads, sandwiches and pizza. Take in the views of Mount Rainier or stroll the beach. -
![Sunshine filled backyard winery retreat]()
Local
Olalla Vineyard & Winery
An Olalla oasis, a vision of absolute tranquility and beauty for sharing a glass or bottle among friends and loved ones. -
![Music group sings to a crowd in the Olalla Valley]()
Annual Event
Olalla Americana Music Festival
Channeling the spirit of Americana, this one-day festival in mid-August also features food trucks, a local market, and the legendary Berry Pie Contest.
Carlisle II foot ferry
A uniquely Kitsap experience, riding the foot ferry between Bremerton and Port Orchard is a fun, affordable, and low-key way to explore these two waterfront communities. If you're lucky enough, you may even get a ride on the 'Floating Museum' - the historic Carlisle II, the last of the 'Mosquito Fleet' foot ferries that once crisscrossed the Puget Sound.
Depending on the weather, it can either be a foggy excursion or bright and sunny boating…either way, you’re on a historic wooden passenger ferry that harkens back to bygone days when dozens of private ferry operators shipped passengers hither and yon amid the vast network of coastline cities such as Olympia, Seattle, Shelton, and Port Townsend.
The ride is under 10 minutes and allows you to experience the best of Bremerton's and Port Orchard's waterfront shopping, sightseeing and dining options.
banner forest
6451 Banner Road SE
Port Orchard, WA 98367
Deep in the rural wilds of South Kitsap is a 635-acre forest park with nearly 30 miles of criss-crossing trails perfect for mountain biking, foraging, dog walking, horseback riding, and trail running.
Banner Forest is a huge swath of evergreen forest and wetland in Port Orchard that has been used for decades by those with a penchant for adventure and a love for nature. Easily accessed by visitors arriving via the West Seattle auto ferry - throw your bikes/dogs/kids in the car and make the 30-minute ferry crossing to explore the wild side of South Kitsap.
manchester state park
7767 E Hilldale Rd
Port Orchard, WA 98366
$10 entry fee or Discover Pass required.
An easy, low-key escape into nature and a playground for Kitsap Peninsula residents and visitors alike, Manchester State Park is known for its historic military bunkers, lush PNW landscapes, and the barking of distant sea lions.
THE ONLY LOCAL GIFT GUIDE YOU NEED FOR SHOPPING ON THE KITSAP PENINSULA!
We know you love and value the small businesses that make Kitsap so special. That’s why this holiday season, we are featuring some of Kitsap’s favorite brands - the makers, small businesses, and entrepreneurs.
We’re making it EASY for you to shop for everyone on your shopping list - right here on the Kitsap Peninsula.
When you shop local, you get two things: great products AND the convenience of online shopping. So, whether you’re gearing up to do all your shopping in person or you plan to cozy up under a blanket and shop till you drop online, this is everything you need to plan your local shopping mission!
Additional Resources
EXPLORE more kitsap!
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Port Orchard
SOUTH KITSAP
Port Orchard is a quiet cluster of waterfront and inland neighborhoods with a keen sense of community.
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Poulsbo
NORTH KITSAP
Poulsbo is a charming city on Liberty Bay with a picturesque downtown core featuring a ‘Little Norway’ vibe.
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Bainbridge Island
NORTH KITSAP
The Island of Bainbridge, has become an increasingly affluent bedroom community of Seattle given its walkability from downtown Seattle.
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Kingston
NORTH KITSAP
Though Kingston is quiet and quaint, it plays an important role in anchoring the North Kitsap end. Several ferries service auto and walk-on passengers seeking passage to Edmonds.
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BREMERTON
CENTRAL KITSAP
Kitsap’s largest city and most popular with commuters due to the multiple ferry options to downtown Seattle.
Stunning beachfront on the shores of Port Orchard with unobstructed, waterfront vistas from inside the window-lined living area and furnished deck beneath by a canopy of trees.