21 Fun Things To Do On Vashon Island: A Comprehensive Guide

Where is Vashon Island?

Vashon Island is a small island located about 12 miles from Seattle. It’s a small but very pretty island with some great beaches and amazing views of the Puget Sound.

It’s just 19 miles from the downtown part of our city and it’s only about a 20-25-minute drive for those coming from pretty much anywhere else on the east side (like Renton). If you want to get away without going far, Vashon might be your best choice!

Why should you go on a vacation to Vashon Island?

If you’re like me and love your city but need an escape from Pugetopolis, this might just be the perfect place for you! It is home to Loew Beach State Park. This means it has four beach areas that are privately owned as well and people can drive their cars onto the beaches (but please don’t). You also get amazing views of downtown Seattle across Elliott Bay by sticking around the Discovery Park area of Vashon Island. 35 minutes to downtown Seattle and 20 minutes in a car is not that bad of an escape!

Is Vashon Island Worth Visiting?

Vashon Island is a small island with all its charm. You should visit this place at least once in your lifetime! The beaches here are spectacular and very private as well (like Loew Beach which we talked about above). And of course, there are the awesome historic areas on Vashon: like Chihuly at Pike Place, Mark Anderson’s studio where he creates many sculptures along the Seattle waterfront, etc… There is plenty to see and do here, it is worth a visit!

What is the one thing I must do while on Vashon Island?

Discovery Park is a state park. The kids will love it and you can spend hours there! It has all sorts of wildlife (not just birds) to encounter too for sure! And don’t forget about family camp: delicious homemade meals over an open fire- everything from hotdogs to cheeseburgers with marshmallows, sugar cookies, fry bread. Making smores (and they are delicious) can only be done there!

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How to Get to Vashon Island

There are two ways to get to Vashon Island. The first is by ferry from Seattle. The Washington State Ferry system has a regular route that takes you to Vashon Island, and they have an express route as well. If you want to save money and reduce your time on the ferry system, then you could use the Vashon Island Express. This will cut down your travel times by approximately 75%! Both ferries are available during most seasons except winter which is when they close due to weather conditions.

To Know the Schedule from Seattle to Vashon Island check the Official Website of Washington State Ferries.

The second way that people get to Vashon Island is through Kitsap County SeaTac Airport in Tacoma, Washington, or SeaTac, Washington. It’s fairly cheap to fly.

Best Time to Visit Vashon Island

Overall, Vashon Island is a great place to visit all year round. However, the best time to come is spring and fall when the weather is milder.

Where to Stay On Vashon Island

I always stay at the Vashon Bay Townhouses when I am on Vashon Island. It’s such a quiet, peaceful place to relax and unwind! They are accommodations for 2 (2 queens or 1 King bed) that overlook Westcott Beach with access to their hot tub deck.

If you are staying on Vashon Island, be sure to check out these 4 amazing places! These locations make a great family getaway.

Vashon Park Resort The options here at Vashon Park Resort are endless. You can stay inside or step out onto their private waterfront pier to take in stunning views of the Puget Sound and Olympic mountain range, watch for whales nearby, and know that your children will be safe beyond compare.

Mermaid’s Club Hotel: There is no doubt that you will get more than a hotel experience from this place; this 1848 Victorian house looks more like a true Oyster Bay. Rooms can be booked using private cottage beds, or the lovely cottages by the water which come complete with private patios and bathrooms. The place is perfect for quiet relaxation, surrounded by beautiful loveliness on one of Washington State’s most famous beaches!

Vashon Airstay Inn: This historic property offers six different accommodations at three distinct locations: The Lodge (lower building); Hacienda (upper building); and Deer Run (carriage house and tents on the property). You can choose an overnight stay, or if you want to spend more time at the property rent a cabin that gives guests access to trails around the historic estate’s land.

Where to Eat & Drink on Vashon Island

Raja’s Dream Garden, you won’t be disappointed! It is just a short walk from the Vashon Ferry and if you aren’t feeling too spendy then stop in for coffee or tea at Coconut Cup on W. Bay Blvd, that’s about 5-10 minutes away (they have both delicious drinks though).

There is the Vashon Island McMenamins on W. Bay Blvd downtown for $4 to get a “local” drink, or go inside and enjoy their private bar where you can have some appetizers with your beer; this was one of my favorite experiences of all time because I got to make yummy things like seafood sauces! They also own multiple pubs around Seattle :).

May Kitchen and Bar:

This popular South Hill restaurant serves delicious food and has a nice brick fireplace where you can enjoy a perfect fall day. This is one of my favorite places in all of the Puget Sound area! It is also very near to downtown Tacoma. The outdoor seating for May Kitchen & Bar serves coffee, pastries, lunch items, and sandwich options with a delectable view of Puget Sound. The atmosphere is relaxed and casual yet quaint -just like the name says- “It’s Your Kitchen”

Lyad’s Syrian Grill:

This menu is different, and the food tastes amazing – just all-around great taste! The place has a friendly vibe but you want to be off the strip so it’s not too packed. This restaurant also serves some traditional Middle Eastern dishes- like falafel or shawarma, hummus & tahini (both are my absolute favorite foods), and baklava!

Snapdragon: This restaurant offers a wide variety of vegetarian food. It is named after the two-colored flower that thrives in certain areas of South Puget Sound. I personally would recommend getting the grilled veggie pizza topped with eggplant, black beans, and one other kind of vegetable you like! The people who work there are super friendly too, so go to Snapdragon for a great meal (the daily specials twice weekly are really delicious!!)

Glass Bottle Creamery: This is a nice restaurant that serves reasonably priced pastries and other desserts. They offer drinks, coffee, espresso martinis, or baked goods with the same dairy-free ingredients used by First Ave Market in Tacoma (the little shop on Broadway just north of downtown). The interior design is very simple as well: white walls/white ceiling/black tables.

The Rock Island Pizza: The Rock Island Pizza is famous for its delicious pizzas and sandwiches. The pizza toppings change daily and can be made with gluten-containing flour or wheat -our favorite time to go there is during their “special days” (like the Children’s Festival) if they have different types of house and we try all four combinations.

Getting Around on Vashon Island: Do You Need a Car on Vashon Island?

There are so many options for getting around while you are on Vashon Island. If you don’t want to bring your car with you no problem you can rent a car or bike to explore the island.

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Best Things to do on Vashon Island

In this guide, I am going to share with you some of the best and cool things to do on Vashon Island. Check out and make this on your bucket list.

• Visit Maury Island Marine Park

Maury Island Marine Park is the perfect place to be for a nature walk. The tall trees create a dense canopy that makes it easy to see wildlife and enjoy the sounds of birds chirping everywhere while taking in great views of both Puget Sound & Kenmore Bay. Once you’re done check out our beautiful Hibiscus Gardens right by Maury Island Light!

• Relax at Lisabuela Park

If you’re on Vashon, then making the trip over to Lisabuela Park and soaking in those moments of quiet is pretty much a must! The lush green land serves as an oasis where even wild undisturbed animals will show up at any given time. 

With a beautiful pond that never sees rain, lovely trees, and shrubs enough to make any nature lover’s eyes light up, one of the best things to do on Vashon Island.

• Go Kayaking at Jensen Point (Burton Acres Park)

Kayaking is one of the fun things to do on Vashon Island. If you’re in the mood for some gentle kayaking, head to Jensen Point Park in Burton Acres Park. There are several areas where you can launch your boat, so there’s plenty of room to explore. The water is also relatively calm and perfect for beginners or those who just want to take a leisurely paddle.

• Hike Through Shinglemill Creek Preserve

Another great place for a beginner-friendly hike on Vashon is the Shingle Mill Nature Preserve.  This beautiful trek leads through lush trees and bamboo thickets, Eventually giving way to an open field with views of both Green Lake & Jones Bay. Overlooking the preserve from above are majestic Douglas Fir trees that create countless handholds throughout this trail.

• Check Out Frog Holler Forest

Rent a bike and explore the trails at Frog Holler Forest. Vashon offers numerous miles of stunning mountain biking trails, so why not mix in some fat tire with your route? Or perhaps you’d like to do both while learning how to grease up one of our cycle-specific mechanics. Either way, there’s plenty here for beginners and folks who just want to get out on two wheels!

• Visit an Art Gallery

Looking for something other than hiking to do with your family? Take in a wave of art at one of Vashon’s galleries. From the most famous, Mille Collines Gallery, to brand new additions like Providence Art Salvage Co-op, where we’ve got plenty you’ll love! 

• Explore Mukai Farm And Gardens

Located on Vashon Island, Washington State, Mukai Farms and Gardens is a breathtaking place for tourists and locals alike. The gardens are home to more than 2,000 plants including many varieties of roses, orchids, bamboo, and other tropical plants. There’s also an amphitheater where concerts are held throughout the year. Visit Vashon and learn about the island’s Japanese American and agricultural heritage.

• Visit Lavender Farm

The quiet scent of lavender is a relaxing one that helps calm fears and eases the nerves. Head over to Holm Farm Lavender for an experience where you’ll feel the same way! 

• Enjoy the Vashon Island Strawberry Festival

The strawberry festival is one of the largest and most wonderful events on Vashon Island. The historic Strawberry Festival lasts from mid-May to the beginning of June each year. There are so many things to do while you are at the festival.

In addition to a massive strawberry breakfast, you can enjoy live bands at numerous outdoor concerts around the island and visit art & craft booths.

• Visit the Lighthouse at Point Robinson

The Lighthouse at Point Robinson is located on a peninsula of land in Lake Michigan. About 20 minutes north of downtown Chicago, the lighthouse offers an outstanding view out over North America’s largest natural freshwater lake.

If you’re an angler, then getting out to the lighthouse at Point Robinson is a must. This spot has earned a real reputation for being one of our most productive fishing areas on Vashon. The resources are so abundant that we went ahead and added some new pic-n-plugs!

• Fishing on Vashon Island

There are so many places where you can go fishing with your friends and family. Make a tent on the beach and try to catch some fish for your lunch. This is a fun thing to do on Vashon Island.

• Go and Watch The Whales

To see the whales on the island Visit Yelcho Cove – this is an absolutely beautiful spot to watch for whales (it’s as close as you can get and still be alive).

• Go and Visit The Farmers Market 

Vashon Island Farmers Market is located downtown and this is the most popular tourist destination on the island. The market is open 10 am-2 pm every Saturday, April to October. 

You can find a great variety of fresh and productive items at the market so walk around and visit the shops. For instance, you can find some amazing pottery to decorate your home with.

• Shopping on Vashon Island

Shopping is the most popular activity when you are on vacation. Vashon Island has so many things to offer when you are shopping around. You can find so many handmade jewelry, and fine clothes for you and your family. 

• Taste Fine wines on Vashon Island

Vashon Island is home to some fine and award-winning wineries, there are six wineries open to the public and each offers a wide variety of wines for sampling. The vineyards range from small family operations to well-known and respected names in the wine industry. Several offer tastings with food pairings, so you can really get a sense of what makes their wines special..   

Also, you can find amazing cideries, breweries, and cocktails to drink on the island.

• Horseback Riding

Horseback riding is one of the fun and unique things to do on Vashon Island. Horseback riding is a great way to enjoy the natural beauty of Vashon Island. Several companies offer rides that range from beginner-ridden trails to more experienced routes.

• Hopping on Beaches

Vashon Island has many lovely beaches and places to swim, whether it’s on the South Beach or along the East Side. Visit The East Side Of Poulsbo Beach and the surrounding area is the best location to find Vashon’s finest beaches. In order of quality, they are: Maury Island Regional Park, Fern Cove, KVI Beach is the only sand beach on the island.

• Camping on Vashon Island

Camping is the most fun and popular thing to do on Vashon Island. The Vashon Island camping experience allows you to connect with nature and yourself. There are so many campgrounds on the island where can relax and picnic with your family and friends. 

You can choose your best types of camping like….

• Tent Camping

• Car Camping

• Rv Camping

• Bike Camping

• Glamping

• Hammock Camping

• Learn How To Make Pottery on Vashon Island

Vashon Island is home to many fine artists. If you are looking for unique and fun things to do on Vashon Island then take part in pottery lessons. Where professionals will teach you or your kids how to make amazing potteries.  This can be one of the most fun and unique experiences on the island.

• Explore the Island by E-Bike

Once you park your car, hop back on your bike and head up Madison Rd for a fast ride around Starr Point Park (opposite side of the parking lot) – visit an enclosed garden where you can do gardening activities with native plants from Puget Sound! There is also great wildlife viewing at this park!

• Play Golf

In case you love golf and sports, then the Vashon Island Golf And County Club is a great place to spend time. It provides a relaxing atmosphere while you are having a great time playing golf. Visitor amenities include a swimming pool, a bar, and a restaurant.

The Bottomline

Vashon Island is a perfect place for a short- vacation or a weekend getaway. If you are planning your trip then this guide will help to choose your routes to things to do.

Tips for a Sustainable Visit

Supporting Local Businesses and Artists

• Visit farmers’ markets to enjoy fresh, locally sourced produce and handmade goods.
• Explore galleries and studios to discover the island’s vibrant arts scene and support local artisans.
• Dine at restaurants that prioritize farm-to-table menus and sustainable practices.
• Shop at small, locally-owned boutiques to find unique souvenirs and gifts.

Eco-Friendly Travel Practices on the Island

• Reduce waste by carrying reusable water bottles, bags, and utensils.
• Choose eco-conscious accommodations that emphasize sustainability.
• Travel light and use bicycles, walking paths, or carpooling to reduce your carbon footprint.
• Respect wildlife and ecosystems by staying on marked trails and leaving no trace.