Get to Know Gig Harbor: 5 Things to Do on a Day Out in the South Sound

There’s never a guarantee that the weather during a Pacific Northwest spring will feel at all springy, but this day trip to charming Gig Harbor holds up rain or shine.

Getting to this coastal town of just under 8,000 people takes just a short hop from other points around the South Sound, and only takes about an hour from the Seattle or Bellevue areas. If you approach from I-5 and Tacoma, be sure to tell the kids the tale of Gallopin’ Gertie as you drive over the stunning, and now much safer, Tacoma Narrows Bridge. Or if you’re coming from the north, hop on the ferry from Seattle to Bainbridge Island and drive south for a scenic route.

Once you’ve arrived, find a good parking spot. If you follow this itinerary, you won’t be back at the car until it’s time to head home. Here’s to making your Gig a good one. 

1. Sea what you’re missing at Harbor WildWatch

First up: Harbor WildWatch. This marine and environmental education organization started more than a decade ago but only recently took up permanent residence in the heart of Gig Harbor. Find Wildwatch at the historic Skansie House in downtown Gig Harbor.

Admission is free and you’ll get to explore two interactive, self-guided exhibits. The permanent one features hands-on fun focused on topics like how glaciers formed the Puget Sound and what microplastics do to the ocean while the other exhibit rotates quarterly.

2. Safe harbor at Skansie

A six-minute walk away you’ll find Skansie Brothers Park. The shipbuilding Skansie family was kind of a big deal in the early days of Gig Harbor. Expect to see their name all over.

While the park is on the small side, it features a covered pavilion perfect for taking a break while the kids enjoy the fresh sea air. You can also get a closer look at the harbor by strolling along neighboring Jerisich Dock. If you’re lucky and the weather’s clear, you should be able to see Mount Rainier in one of the best views of the mountain the South Sound has to offer. 

3. Break for lunch at a Parisian bakery

Keep walking up Harborview Drive for about four minutes. There are on the right will be local institution Susanne’s Bakery & Deli. Rumor has it Susanne studied cooking in Paris — the truth: she’s got a background in French cuisine — but either way, the bakery’s got world-class food. For lunch, try the soup and sandwiches (the paninis are legendary) but we suggest leaving room for a cinnamon roll. They’re made fresh daily!

4. Get your history on at Harbor History Museum

Recharged and ready for round two? Good, because next up is one of Gig’s better-known cultural landmarks: the Harbor History Museum. Located 11 minutes up the street from Susanne’s, the museum’s 7,000-square foot waterfront location is its fifth home in five decades. Here, learn about Puget Sound history as the Sound itself laps just feet away. You may even spot a Skansie or two in the archival black and white photos lining the walls.

Kids may particularly love the museum’s interactive exhibits and small theater, not to mention the 65-foot boat that calls Harbor History home. The Shenandoah has been a resident since 2000 and is slowly but surely being restored to its original glory. Check the website for seasonal hours and admission.

5. Fuel up for the road at Java & Clay

Few things can tire you out like a walk around a good museum. But before hopping back in your car and heading home, swing by Java & Clay (you may have spotted it earlier while at the park; it’s right across the street).

If you’ve got enough time or want to kill an hour or two and skip traffic altogether, take a break and make art! As the name suggests, Java & Clay serves as both a coffee shop and paint-your-own-pottery studio. There are no studio fees to worry about and plenty of room to stretch out and flex your creative muscles.

Plus, after the customary handful of days to fire and finalize your creation, they’ll ship it right to your door! Though, really, who wouldn’t want another reason to visit Gig Harbor after a day like this?

Editor’s note: This article was originally published a few years ago and updated most recently for 2021.