EXPLORE: Secret Summer with Korum Bischoff

EXPLORE NOT-SO-SECRET SPOTS TO EAT, SHOP & ADVENTURE THAT LOCALS RECOMMEND THIS SPRING & SUMMER!

Secret Summer gives you the scoop on the restaurants, shops, parks and places to explore that Kitsap community leaders & small business owners love to experience during the sunny months. Look for new Secret Summer articles on the regular around here and start planning your Summer adventures today!

korum bischoff

Bainbridge Island Museum of Art, deputy director

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Korum Bischoff has lived in Kitsap County since 1988. He’s a man of many talents but somehow, he still manages to live under the radar. He works as the Deputy Director of the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art and has worked with many who are noted for their creativity, such as Bloedel Reserve, Teatro ZinZanni, Bumbershoot, and Summer Nights at the Pier. Korum is also a GRAMMY-nominated drummer (!!) and has been touring nationally for over 25 years. Check out some of his current projects below:
WurliPop - funk/soul
Western Arrow - alt-country adjacent
The Phantom Years - alt-pop
Recess Monkey - internationally acclaimed music for families

WE CAUGHT UP WITH Korum and asked him to share the watering holes, restaurants, local businesses, places to explore, and the spots he loves to take friends when they come to visit Kitsap.

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EXPLORE KITSAP LIKE A LOCAL!

Korum, WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT KITSAP?

Korum’s Favorite Local Meal:

“While I love fancy food, most of the time when we go out to eat we're keeping it simple. Sully's Bistro & Bar in Suquamish is our neighborhood restaurant and the pub fare always hits right. White Horse Golf Club is fun for the view of the golf course--you feel like you're on vacation when you sit outside on the patio and we've seen bald eagles bathing in the pond just under the restaurant. Mike at Kingston Ale House makes every meal there special with his hospitality. And when we're really needing to feel like we're getting a break from the daily hustle and bustle, we'll head to Hansville’s Hansgrill Grocery and Provisions Co. for simple fare and the feeling of dining in a small fishing village in Maine.”

Korum’s Favorite Local Drink:

“I like to make my way around the county trying out different spots for a cocktail and my list of favorites is LONG. When I think about the spots I hit most frequently, it would have to be Bar Hitchcock and Agate Restaurant on Bainbridge Island and Hound & Bottle in Bremerton for craft cocktails. We love Sully's Bistro & Bar in Suquamish and the Tracyton Public House in Tracyton for less fussy drinks. Happy hour at Sogno di Vino in Poulsbo is always a treat, but especially when the magnolia tree is blooming and you feel like you're high up in the Swiss Family Robinson treehouse. And you can't go wrong with Bainbridge Brewing Alehouse or Fletcher Bay Winery, especially when you pair it with a visit to Bainbridge Island Museum of Art which is right next door. But my very most frequented -- hands down -- is the Troll's Den, the members-only bar downstairs in the Sons of Norway building in Poulsbo. The view is amazing, the hijinks are always fun, and drinks are strong.”

Korum’s favorite place to get outside:

“When I'm trying to get outside for a bit, I have a few go-to activities. A walk on the Port Gamble Forest Heritage Park trails is a great way to get some steps in and you can start or finish your stroll in the shops and eateris and cute village of Port Gamble itself. My wife and I have gotten pretty into agate hunting recently, so anytime we see a good low tide during daylight, you can probably find us on a beach straining our eyes and necks. When we're feeling more ambitious, we'll head to Kitsap County Guillemot Cove Nature Reserve, it's a bit of a drive and a long uphill walk back up to the car, but it's worth it!”

Korum’s Favorite Sunny/rainy Day Activity:

“On a sunny day, you'd probably find me doing one of the following: 

Getting out on the water - either on our boat which we keep in Port Townsend, or kayaking from the beach at Old Man House Park in Suquamish (hot tip: if you time it right, you can get the currents to do most of the work for you and shoot you south to Manzanita Bay on Bainbridge Island and back up to Old Man House Park with hardly any effort).

Taking a book and a chair to Old Man House Park in Suquamish. I'll read the book for a few minutes and then it becomes an eye shade as I sleep in the sun by the water.”

While there's nothing wrong with staying in pajamas and playing a board game, on a rainy day I love to:

Head to downtown Winslow/Bainbridge Island or downtown Poulsbo to pop in and out of shops, get a good cup of coffee, and say hi to friends and neighbors as we're all out and about. It's a great sunny day activity too, but there's something about the coziness of these independent businesses that feels great on a cold, wet day.

See live music. There are a LOT of talented musicians here and plenty more venturing to venues in Kitsap from Seattle and further away. Brother Don's in Bremerton, Bainbridge Island Museum of Art, Bainbridge Brewing Alehouse, Treehouse Café (Bainbridge Island), and plenty of other venues are bringing seriously talented artists--go support them!”

Korum’s Favorite Spot to Take First-Time Visitors:

“My itenerary would go something like this: A driving tour of Bainbridge Island including a stop at the site of the old Port Blakely Mill, a stroll at the Japanese Exclusion Memorial, and a walk at Fort Ward Park. Then a walk through Winslow with lunch and a guided tour at Bainbridge Island Museum of Art. Afterwards, we'd head to my home in Suquamish, walk over to the Suquamish Museum to really understand and respect where we are, followed by happy hour and dinner at different ends of Front Street in Poulsbo, stopping in shops in between.”

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Stay in Kitsap

Scroll through to see some of our favorite options for your overnight stay near Bainbridge Island and Suquamish.

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Check out some of these annual Museum events!

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explore more of kitsap!