Velkommen til Poulsbo! This welcome greets visitors to Poulsbo, a historic town proud of its Nordic heritage. Sitting on Liberty Bay on the north end of the Kitsap Peninsula (the ancestral land of the Suquamish people), the town was founded by Norwegian families that had settled by the 1880s.
Today, Poulsbo celebrates its heritage with cultural festivals, colorful murals, and Norwegian pastries, earning it the nickname “Little Norway.” Just a short ferry ride from Seattle and about an hour’s drive from Tacoma, Poulsbo’s downtown is graced with Scandinavian architecture and cute boutiques. Its location also makes it a great base for exploring more of the Peninsulas region.
Things to do in Poulsbo
Outdoor Adventures
Like many communities on the Kitsap Peninsula, Poulsbo offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy outdoor activities, including expert-led kayak tours, hiking, and mountain biking.
Hikers of all skill levels can find trails in Poulsbo’s well-maintained park system. Along the water, Muriel Iverson Williams Waterfront Park is an easy walk from downtown, and its popular boardwalk offers views of the Olympic Mountains. For salmon sightings during the seasonal migration, head to Fish Park. You’ll find trails, viewing platforms, and interpretive signs about habitat restoration. Families can enjoy the 21-acre Frank Raab Park with its skate park and new inclusive playground, while those seeking solitude can immerse themselves in nature along the Poulsbo Wilderness Trail.
Book a guided tour by kayak to learn more about the waterways and wildlife of Puget Sound, or rent boats and gear from the Olympic Outdoor Center. You’ll likely spot harbor seals (Liberty Bay hosts pupping grounds), but paddlers can also spot bald eagles, seabirds, and even the occasional orca.
Need even more action? Shred some flowy trails on a mountain bike at Stottlemeyer Trails, which offers easy routes for beginners and more technical tracks for advanced riders on the southern side of the Port Gamble Trail System.
Culture & History
To appreciate Poulsbo’s Norwegian heritage, stroll through downtown to soak in the architecture of storefronts and churches. You’ll find multiple murals painted by local artists, including the giant Uff Da mural, which captures a popular Norwegian exclamation, plus Viking and fishing-themed murals.
Learn even more about Poulsbo’s founding families, the fishing and logging industries, and how the town has evolved at the Poulsbo Maritime Museum and adjacent Heritage Museum. Both museums have kid-friendly areas and activities. About six miles east of town, visit the Suquamish Museum—owned and operated by the Suquamish tribe—for beautifully curated exhibits showcasing traditional and contemporary art and culture. For natural history, visit downtown’s SEA Discovery Center (open Friday-Saturday), where kids can experience aquarium exhibits and learn about marine habitats and residents.
Shopping
For retail fun, there’s nothing more satisfying than wandering Front Street and the downtown shopping area. Highlights include Indigo Plum, a boutique selling high-end footwear and apparel, Liberty Bay Books, an independent bookstore with frequent events, and The NW Dog for the finest in squeaky toys, leashes, and treats for your pup. Don’t miss Nordiska, a home goods and gift shop specializing in Nordic-inspired wares where you might find colorful linens, imported soap, or traditional Christmas trolls.
Annual Events
The largest of Poulsbo’s annual events, Viking Fest in May celebrates Norway’s Constitution Day. Come for waterfront festivities, including a parade with traditional costumes, a carnival, music, art, and dancing. There’s also a family-friendly fun run.
Celebrate summer’s warmth like they do in Norway at the Midtsommer Fest in June. You’ll find folk traditions, including dancing around the traditional Maypole, a Viking parade, a Nordic craft market, and a community gathering around a solstice bonfire at the waterfront.
In August, the Poulsbo Arts Festival celebrates the arts at Muriel Iverson Waterfront Park. Watch demonstrations, listen to live music, and check out vendors hawking handcrafted jewelry and all kinds of artwork, from fabric creations to ceramics.
Come winter, Julefest in December honors Christmas traditions with a torch-lit parade, the Lucia Bride’s arrival in a Viking boat, Norwegian holiday treats, and vendors.
Where to Eat in Poulsbo
Award-winning Sluys Poulsbo Bakery on Front Street is known for hand-cut donuts, pastries, and traditional bread loaves. Since 1974, this family-run spot has been serving up Norwegian specialties like lefse potato flatbread. Need a quick pick-me-up before hitting the road? Visit Byrdie’s Coffee to-go window, named for the owners’ dog. Try a caramel macchiato, blueberry lavender kombucha, or matcha latte.
For waterfront views almost as spectacular as the food, The Loft at Latitude Forty Seven Seven welcomes visitors for Pacific Northwest casual fine dining with options like fresh local oysters, creative salads, and grilled Pacific sockeye salmon. Sunsets over Liberty Bay are even better on the patio. At Tizley’s Europub, a cozy spot serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner next to Sluys, dine on European classics like schnitzel, Swedish meatballs, and beer-braised pork knuckle with kraut. Both European and Washington-brewed beers are on tap.
Whether it’s a happy hour stop, dinner with friends, or a pub crawl, Poulsbo’s hopping craft brew scene shouldn’t be missed. Pints of cider or IPAs go well with build-your-own mac & cheese or burger options at Brass Kraken Pub, overlooking the marina. They also provide brunch and late-night service. The family friendly taproom at Valhöll Brewing keeps Viking culture alive with offerings like the Valkyrie Red Ale or hazy Norseman IPA. Enjoy views of the Olympics as you sip house-made brews.
Where to Stay
Poulsbo offers a range of accommodations for every need and budget. Hotel Scandi, a nine-room boutique hotel in the heart of downtown, was Poulsbo’s first hotel in 1892. Today, the property offers updated, modern lodgings complete with kitchenettes. Rooms share four bathrooms off the central hallway. As a bonus, the entire hotel can be rented by groups.
The new Fairfield Inn & Suites Poulsbo, a Marriott property located 2.5 miles from downtown, offers 101 bright rooms, an indoor pool and fitness center, and free hot buffet breakfast.
Perched on a hill that affords sweeping views of Liberty Bay and the Olympics, the luxurious Nordic Hill Manor boasts 10,000+ square feet and seven bedrooms. This castle-like manor is great for groups, offering sleeping space for up to 25 people, a game room, a chef’s kitchen, and a private theater.
For gaming fans and families, the Suquamish Clearwater Casino Resort’s 183 original lodge-style or tower rooms in nearby Suquamish may be the perfect fit. The beautifully landscaped grounds are right on water and there’s an indoor pool and spa for relaxing. You’ll find multiple dining options for all tastes, a concert venue, and a Native art gallery.
About the Author
Jennifer Burns Bright is an editor and writer based in Astoria, specializing in Pacific Northwest travel, wellness, and local food. She enjoys foraging for wild food and renovating her 110-year-old cottage. She oversees longform content for clients like Travel Oregon and contributes to AAA’s Via magazine, among others.