Gig Harbor, WA Road Trips

1 360 Trails, 10905 144th St NW. This is a 360-acre wooded county park near Purdy. A popular loop trail leads around the perimeter with smaller trails crossing through the center. It is popular with mountain bikers, hikers and equestrians. 2 Harbor History Museum, 4121 Harborview Dr, ☏ +1 253 858-6722. Experience the history of the Gig Harbor Peninsula including its maritime industries and even a well preserved school house. (updated Aug 2020) 3 Gig Harbor Lighthouse (From SR-16, exit onto Pioneer Way. When the road tees, turn right on Harborview Dr and continue to its end at a small park with a view of the lighthouse). At only 15 ft (4.6 m) tall, this is certainly one of the smaller lighthouses in the region but nonetheless plays an important role in marking the opening to Gig Harbor. 4 Kopachuck State Park, 10712 56th St. NW, ☏ +1 253-265-3606. A 109-acre marine park with 5,600 feet of saltwater shoreline on Henderson Bay. One portion of the park, Cutts Island (or "Deadman's Island") is a half mile from shore and reachable only by boat. 8AM-dusk. (updated Dec 2021) 5 Tacoma Narrows Park, 1502 Lucille Pkwy NW (Exit at 24th St NW and follow signs). 7AM-dusk. A great place to see the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. On a clear day, Mount Rainier will be in the background to the east, beyond the waterway. (updated Mar 2025)

1 Lee's SUP + Kayak Rental, 8829 N Harborview Dr, ☏ +1 253-209-1431, [email protected]. Rent a kayak, canoe or pedal boat to explore the harbor and beyond. 2 Horsehead Bay Public Boat Ramp (Horsehead Bay Dr NW & 36th St NW). 3 Destiny Harbor Tours, 8829 N Harborview Dr, ☏ +1 253 225-6306. Harbor tours, sightseeing, charters and eco tours of Tacoma Narrows Bridges, Gig Harbor, Salmon Beach, Point Defiance, Thea Foss Waterway and the Port of Tacoma. Sea kayaking can be a rewarding way to explore the Kitsap Peninsula's nearly 400 miles of coastline, allowing the paddler a closer and slower look at their surroundings. Thick forests of majestic pine and deciduous trees dot the coastline, interspersed with harbor towns like Gig Harbor that have shops and restaurants accessible from the water. Cascadia Marine Trail. This inland sea trail is a National Recreation Trail and designated one of only 16 National Millennium Trails by the White House. Suitable for day or multi-day trips, the Cascadia Marine Trail has over 50 campsites to visit including several close to Gig Harbor such as The Narrows Park which is a safe haven at the midpoint of the Tacoma Narrows. At night it's great to watch the vehicle lights on the Narrows Bridges from the serenity of the park. The white dome of Mt. Rainier is visible over Tacoma, especially on moonlit evenings. Scuba diving the cold waters of Puget Sound takes a bit more gear and training than most warm water locations, but the rewards are incredible.

1 The Tides Tavern, 2925 Harborview Dr, ☏ +1 253-858-3982, [email protected]. This Gig Harbor restaurant has been a local institution for many years. The smoke-free, 21 & over (it's a bar in the Washington State Liquor Control Board's eyes) environment is set on pilings over the harbor and is the perfect spot to enjoy a glass of wine or beer, a tasty meal from an extensive menu. Perfect for kicking back, while looking the Sound wildlife, boat traffic, and locals coming in and out of The Tides. 2 Anthony's Restaurant, 8827 N Harborview Dr, ☏ +1 253-853-6353, [email protected]. Part of a chain of seafood restaurants in the Puget Sound area, the Gig Harbor location is one of the jewels in the chain's crown. Fairly upscale seafood fare shares the menu with traditional beef, chicken, and salad items. The restaurant's location is fantastic. at the head of the harbor with a drop-dead gorgeous view of the marinas, the homes clinging to the sides of the hill, and Mount Rainier. A bar downstairs features happy hour 1/2 price appetizer options and the same spectacular view. 3 Dexter's Drive-In, 6701 Tyee Dr NW, ☏ +1 253 851-4552. Classic hamburger and fries type drive-in. 4 Brix 25°, 3315 Harborview Dr, ☏ +1 253-858-6626. While this local favorite doesn't have a view of any sort or even a very nice structure to call home, the menu and presentation is fantastic. Meals are exquisitely prepared and feature daily specials. The fare is primarily continental with a Northwest twist.

1 The Float, 14511 Sherman Dr NW (Sherman Dr NW north of its intersection with NW 144th), ☏ +1 253 857-3897. This popular maritime themed pub is close to the water and has good food options. 2 Heritage Distilling Company, 3207 57th St Ct Nw (Harborview & Pioneer), ☏ +1 253 509-0008. The Pacific Northwest's premier Destination Distillery. Free samples of custom made spirits - whiskey, gin and vodka. Plus, the first and only Craft Distillery in the US to offer patent-pending programs for customers to legally make their own distilled spirits and/or have them custom aged to individual specifications.

There are several lodging choices in Gig Harbor from hotels, to bed-and-breakfasts, to motels, to vacation rentals. 1 The Inn at Gig Harbor, 3211 56th St (N end of 56th from Olympic Dr), ☏ +1 253 858-1111. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. One of the newest and most well known choices. The Inn features upscale lodging close to the city center with many amenities within the hotel. The construction is of a Northwest lodge style. One of the drawbacks to this lodging, though, is its location. It is a bit outside of the loop for exploring the area by foot and is set right against busy Highway 16. 2 The Maritime Inn, 3212 Harborview Dr (south of the Harborview Dr & Rosedale Ave intersection in downtown Gig Harbor), ☏ +1 253 858-1818. A small hotel right in the center of town, an excellent location to enjoy the many restaurants, galleries, and shops by foot. This is Gig Harbor's only major lodging choice right along the waterfront. Rooms have fireplaces and many enjoy views of the harbor. 3 The Best Western Wesley Inn, 6575 Kimball Dr, ☏ +1 253 858-9690. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 10AM. Not your typical Best Western. This is quite a nice lodging choice perched above the center of the town, convenient to some restaurants and freeway access. Rooms are nicely appointed including some with fireplaces and bay windows. 4 The Waterfront Inn, 9017 North Harbor View Drive (north of the Harborview Dr & Peacock Hill Ave intersection, north of downtown), ☏ +1 253 857-0770. A small B&B right on the water in downtown. This is a perfect spot from which to explore this maritime village.

A car is really quite requisite to see the Gig Harbor area as a whole. Gig Harbor is easy to get to by car from the rest of the Puget Sound area. from : From Interstate 5 (I-5) in Tacoma, take State Route 16 (SR-16) west across the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. The first four exits after the bridge are all Gig Harbor exits. Jerisich Park, 3323 Harborview Dr, ☏ +1 253 851-1793. This popular guest moorage is about a quarter of the way up the south shore of the harbor. The long guest float extends from the park’s flagpole. Moorage is free, with a maximum stay of 48 hours. On shore are a few picnic tables and restrooms with showers. Arabella's Landing Marina, 3323 Harborview Dr (look for black pilings topped with dunce caps), ☏ +1 253 851-1793. Boating accommodations for day excursions and overnight trips including restrooms, showers, laundry facilities, wheelchair accessibility, storage lockers. Gig Harbor Marina and Boatyard, 3117 Harborview Dr, ☏ +1 253 851-7157. A full-service boatyard and marina: covered and uncovered slips, haul out/repair facilities in Downtown Gig Harbor. Peninsula Yacht Basin, 8913 N. Harborview Dr, ☏ +1 253 858-2250. Slips range up to 85 feet with covered moorage from 36 to 46 ft. Power and water available for all slips The Shoreline Restaurant at the head of the bay and the Tides Tavern toward the entrance offer floats for patrons.

This is a harbor town. Boaters can moor in the harbor and explore the many shops, cafes, and galleries downtown. Those coming in on four wheels can struggle to find parking in downtown, but once they do, exploring the town by foot is well worth it. Cushman Trail. This popular paved pedestrian and bike trail connects various points of interest downtown and crosses forested and wetland areas making for a nice varied ride through the area. Also has access to street parking and bathrooms. Pierce Transit, ☏ +1 253-581-8000. Operates local and regional public transit bus routes in Pierce County. Communities within the county served by this operator's routes include Fife, Gig Harbor, Lakewood, Puyallup, Steilacoom, Tacoma. (updated Jun 2023) Bus route 100 - Local service between retail centers at 45th St Ct NW & Point Fossdick Dr NW, Kimball Dr P&R, downtown and Purdy P&R. There's no bus service to most places west of Hwy 16 and Key Peninsula (KPN & KPS). During the summers, there is a local trolley bus numbered #101 along the same route as the #100.