How to Extend a Work Trip in Kitsap Without Overplanning It

Ariel View of Hansville, Photo by VKP staff

Business trips don’t have to end when the meetings do. If you’re already in Kitsap for a conference, client meeting, or work event, extend your stay. Kitsap’s waterfront communities are close together, making it easy to explore and add one or two days without spending your weekend in the car.

You don’t need an hour-by-hour itinerary. Each waterfront community offers enough to fill an afternoon naturally.

North Kitsap

Point No Point Lighthouse in Hansville, Photo by Tim Davis

• • Hansville: Enjoy real sand at Foul Weather Bluff, or take a tour at the Point No Point Lighthouse.
  • Port Gamble: Known as a ghost town, take one of their famous paranormal tours. Take in views from the water by renting a kayak from Olympic Outdoor Center.
  • Kingston: Enjoy a food tour of crepes, pizza, ice cream, poke, empanadas, off the ferry strip. Tour the beautiful Heronswood Garden, or try your luck at The Point Casino & Hotel.
  • Poulsbo: Fuel up at Sluys Poulsbo Bakery, shop the locally owned boutiques along Historic Downtown Poulsbo, take a break at Liberty Bay Waterfront Park.
  • Suquamish: Visit the Suquamish Museum, immerse yourself in the history by visiting the Old Man House Park.

Central Kitsap

Pegasus Coffeehouse on Bainbridge Island, Photo by VKP Staff

• • Bainbridge Island: Start at Pegasus Coffee House, then wander Eagle Harbor Book Co. before spending the morning at the Bloedel Reserve, where quiet forest trails, reflecting pools, and formal gardens invite you to linger.
  • Silverdale: Pick up coffee from Oak Table Café before exploring the walking trails at the Clear Creek Trail or browsing locally owned shops throughout Old Town Silverdale.

South Kitsap

Ballast Book Company in Bremerton, Photo by Brittany Kelley Photography

• • Bremerton: Enjoy a locally-owned restaurant at Restaurant Lola, browse Ballast Book Company, stroll the Bremerton Boardwalk, and watch ferries cross Sinclair Inlet.
  • Port Orchard: Wander Bay Street that leads to great views past the Port Orchard Waterfront Park, sip coffee at Café Corvo, browse local boutiques, and enjoy dinner overlooking the marina.
  • Gig Harbor: Walk the harbor, lore Invitation Bookshop, and linger over a meal at Brix 25° or Tides Tavern.
  • Olalla: Take the scenic route, stop by Olalla Bay Market & Landing, and take in the peaceful backroads that make this corner of Kitsap feel worlds away. If you’re 21+ stop by and enjoy Olalla Vineyard & Winery or Spin Cider.

The best weekends aren’t overplanned. Sit on a waterfront bench a little longer. Browse one more bookstore. Order dessert. Watch one more sunset. Leave space for the unexpected.

About the author:

As a transplant from the Bay Area, Lin Hino now proudly calls Poulsbo home, where she and her growing family are putting down roots and embracing everything Kitsap has to offer. With a background in marketing, community engagement, and event planning, she enjoys sharing stories that celebrate Kitsap’s waterfront towns, vibrant arts scene, local businesses, and unforgettable experiences. Whether she’s planning a weekend adventure with her family or crafting an itinerary for Visit Kitsap, Lin hopes to inspire others to slow down, explore with curiosity, and discover the warmth, beauty, and welcoming spirit that make Kitsap a special place to visit.