Take a short ferry ride across Puget Sound from Seattle or Edmonds to the township of Kingston, and enjoy restaurants along it's beautiful main street!
The small town of Kingston WA has a population of 2,000 people, and is the gateway to the Olympic Peninsula. Walk off the ferry to a bustling main street, and explore two blocks of restaurants, bars, shops and cafes.
Kingston is also a 10 minute drive to popular attractions like the Heronswood Garden, and 1950s-themed My Girl Drive-in & Museum.
It's also a 20 minute drive to charming towns like Port Gamble and Poulsbo, or places of interest like the Naval Undersea Museum and Point-no-Point Lighthouse.
Hotels: Kingston's only hotel is 10 minutes away from the ferry terminal, and is the The Point Casino and Hotel. The other nearest hotels are 20 minutes away in Poulsbo. You can also find vacation homes to rent in Kingston, many with waterfront views.
5 best things to do in Kingston WA
1. Kingston ferry.
Enjoy a stunning ferry ride from Seattle or Edmonds across Puget Sound to Kingston, with soaring views of the Olympic Mountains.
- Seattle to Kingston ferry (40 minutes, pedestrian only, schedule).
- Edmonds to Kingston ferry (30 minutes, car ferry, schedule).
2. Kingston WA restaurants
Kingston has a charming main street, just off the ferry arrival area. Walk or drive off the ferry, then explore two blocks of restaurants, bars and shops.
If you're looking for a casual meal, enjoy beer, wine and burgers at the rustic Kingston Ale House, with patio dining for summer days. You can also pick up delicious burgers, salads, milkshakes and more at The Grub Hut, with a laid-back patio area.
J’aime Les Crepes serves delicious sweet and savory crepes, coffee and ice-cream all day, with outdoor seating with water views. However, the best water views are across the road at Sourdough Willy’s Pizzeria. Eat inside the modern dining room, or take-out one of their scrumptious Sicilian, New York or Detroit pizzas.
3. Kingston WA coffee
Trendy Aviator Coffees and Teas (pictured above) has a small booth just near the ferry, overlooking the waterfront Mike Wallace Park. If you'd like to sit down, the Over the Moon coffee shop is just up the street, and perfect for a pastry and latte.
4. Kingston ice-cream and bakery
Island Cool Icecream (above) serves small batch ice-cream in a sleek shop, with more than 40 flavors to choose from.
The Sweet Life Cakery (above) is a boutique bakery housed inside a charming cottage, serving quiche, cakes, cupcakes, cookies, pies and scones.
5. Mike Wallace Park
The waterfront Mike Wallace Park overlooks the Ferry Terminal and marina. Follow the waterfront path that flanks the marina for gorgeous Puget Sound views, and watch the ferries gliding in. The large grassed area at the park is used for summer concerts and the public market.
6. Check the events calendar
Kingston WA is bustling with year-round events!! These include a Farmers Market, Kites over Kingston, Wine & Brew Walk, Arts Festival, Summer Concerts, Art in the Woods, and Kingston Cove Christmas (check calendar of events).
7. Stroll down to Saltair Beach Park
If you'd like to get away from the crowds, stroll down to Saltair Beach Park for a wide expanse of sandy beach with views of Mount Rainier. Take the Saltair Beach Access Pathway that zigags down the hill, north of the Kingston Ferry Terminal on First Avenue.
8. The Heronswood Garden
The Heronswood Garden is a 10-minute drive northwest of Kingston. Trails wind through both a stunning formal garden with hedges, and a re-creation of a forest logging camp with wetlands, logs, ferns and red cedar.
9. My Girl Museum and Drive-In
The My Girl Museum and Drive-In is a replica of a 1950s drive-in restaurant, housed inside a 10,000 square foot museum. It has a retro diner with jukebox, bandstand, dance floor, movie theater classic cars, Rock and Roll memorabilia, and authentic 1957 gas station. So much fun! There’s even a movie trailer that Elvis once used.
You can rent out the facility with live music, bartender, catering, and Elvis and Marilyn impersonators.
Check hours.
10. Arness Roadside Camp
The Arness Roadside Camp is a few minutes drive from downtown Kingston, and is a lovely viewpoint park with a sandy beach, where you can watch the Kingston Ferry.
Parking in Kingston WA
Kingston can get very busy in summer months, especially when cars are driving off the ferry along the main street (Hwy 104). Here's a map to help you find parking.
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