Summer starts here, and it’s going to be the best summer ever!

EAT, EXPLORE, HIKE, SWIM, paddle & SHOP YOUR WAY ACROSS THE KITSAP PENINSULA. HERE’S A WHOLE LIST OF WAYS TO THRIVE THIS SUMMER! This is your guide to mixing and matching endless summer fun on the Kitsap Peninsula.

We live for summer - the long days, the trips to the tidepools, the BBQs, and community gatherings…we love these few glorious months. Everything is green, and the weather is great!

Love Kitsap is your resource for outdoor adventures, patio happy hours, and the best summer experiences on the Kitsap Peninsula.

summer events we love!

Explore Kitsap Itinieraries

Farmer’s Markets

art + experiences

Additional Summer events

4th of July Info

Outdoor Concerts

explore like a local

 
Wednesdays | Silverdale waterfront
Thursdays | Port Orchard Waterfront
Thursdays | Manette
Thursdays | Clearwater Casino
Fridays + Saturdays | The Point Casino
Saturdays | Kingston Waterfront

      ice cream      

July is National Ice Cream Month

The average American consumes about 4 gallons of ice cream per year...have you met your quota yet?

Since JULY is National Ice Cream month, it’s only fitting to shout out a few great spots up and down the Peninsula to grab a scoop, or two...or three...

Island Cool

Kingston, Bainbridge Island, Poulsbo
Enjoy ice cream the old-fashioned way, in small batches with fresh milk, cane sugar, ripe fruit, and imported chocolate.

Scoops & Bites

Bremerton Ferry Terminal
This friendly shop specializes in yummy snacks, ice cream, loads of toppings, and of course their SUPER SHAKES!

Sapling Gelato

Bremerton's Evergreen Park
Serving legit gelato right next to Evergreen Park. Sit next to the fire pit outside.

Carter and Co.

Port Orchard Waterfront
Bay Street is a much sweeter place thanks to its ice cream, chocolate, and bakery goods.

      state parks      

Port Orchard

Manchester State Park
Blake Island State Park

Bremerton

Illahee State Park

Seabeck

Scenic Beach State Park

Poulsbo

Kitsap Memorial State Park

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      tiny parks      

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KID-FRIENDLY aDVENtURES

Endless summer adventures are everywhere you turn around the Kitsap Peninsula. Here are some that are a bit more enjoyable for our younger adventure buddies. This list is geared towards shorter trails, playgrounds, splish-splashing, and might even be a bit educational. *wink*

waterfront EATS

With hundreds and hundreds of shoreline miles, there are endless options for water view dining. Eat, drink, and be merry all summer long at these favorite local foodie hangouts with incredible views and outdoor seating options.

OUTDOOR EXPLORATION

Although there will never be enough summer days to experience EVERY adventure the Kitsap Peninsula offers, we can - and will - TRY! Summer months on the Kitsap Peninsula enhance the already perfect trails, beaches, gardens, swimming holes, and unique outdoor experiences. Here is a round-up of some of our favorite spots to hit up when the sun is shining its warmest.

Pet-Friendly adventures map

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explore even more Kitsap adventures!

GREAT SWIMMING HOLES

Kitsap Lake, Bremerton
Jump in and cool off in one of Kitsap’s biggest and most popular lakes.

Wildcat Lake, Bremerton
Grab the floaty and some friends for a day on the water on this CK lake.

Illahee State Park, Bremerton
In the summer, the chilly waters of the Puget Sound are perfect for cooling off.

Long Lake, Port Orchard
Perennial Port Orchard local favorite for wakeboarding, fishing and swimming.

Horseshoe Lake, Port Orchard
A small lakeside park in SK that has picnic areas, a boat launch and a nearby golf course and summer camp.

Olalla Bay, Olalla
Home to the local polar plunge. But you can plunge in the summer too!

waterfront shopping

In the summer months, the Kitsap Peninsula’s waterfront areas are home to a variety of live music, festivals, and markets in addition to constant picturesque outdoor dining and shopping.

Poulsbo

Poulsbo’s waterfront sits along Liberty Bay in the northern part of Kitsap County. Liberty Bay is a protected arm of the Puget Sound and is thus calmer and more placid than other places. This makes Poulsbo a haven for boaters, especially in the beautiful summer months. Its picturesque downtown core features a Little Norway vibe, paying homage to its roots, with rosemaled storefronts and shopping areas.

PORT ORCHARD

A walk down Bay Street on Port Orchard’s waterfront reveals a cluster of shops, restaurants and experiences that are perfect for a few hours with the family, friends or flying solo. Port Orchard isn’t glitzy or ostentatious, but it does have great locals and tons of heart.

BAINBRIDGE ISLAND

The opposite end of the island is just a 35-minute ferry ride from downtown Seattle. Winslow Way is the waterfront shopping mecca of the island, with plenty of restaurants, bars, and wineries to give you reprieve from your shopping adventures.

MANETTE

Easy pedestrian access to many area shops, restaurants, and parks is great - but we especially appreciate the ease with which one can walk from Manette to Downtown Port Orchard.