Langley WA

Visit a charming town on Whidbey Island in Washington State.

Langley is 2-hours north of Seattle, at the south end of Whidbey Island.

If you're looking for the perfect island escape, then plan a getaway to Langley.  It's often referred to as the Village by the Sea, with breathtaking views of the Saratoga Passage. 

If traveling from Seattle, drive 20 minutes north to Mukilteo, take the 20-minute Mukilteo Ferry, then continue 10 minutes north to Langley.  The other option is to cross Deception Pass Bridge at the north end of Whidbey Island, then drive 45-minutes south to Langley.

Langley has a great selection of gift shops, wine bars, and restaurants along First Street, and two museums.  Stay overnight in a choice of luxurious lodges with unsurpassed water views.  You can also use Langley as a base to explore other attractions on Whidbey Island.

10 best things to do in Langley 

1. Explore charming shops along First Street.

Enjoy incredible water views while wine tasting at Ott & Hunter Wines, visit the Chocolate Flower Farm gift shop, or browse the Rob Schouten Gallery.  Treat yourself to something delicious at Sprinklz Ice Cream Parlor.

Browse shops along Langley's popular First Street.

Stop at the Chocolate Flower Farm on First Street for all things chocolate, including chocolate candles and jam, and a flower with a chocolate scent!

The Ott & Murphy Winery Tasting Room offers wine tasting with a waterview.

There's a wide choice of stores on First Street, ranging from boutiques, to pet supplies, a gem gallery, bookstore, ice-cream shop, and kid's clothing shop.

This is a west-facing view of Langley's attractive main street.

Pick up a coffee at the South Whidbey Commons Cafe & Bookstore.

2. Savor breathtaking views of Saratoga Passage.

Enjoy breathtaking water views of Saratoga Passage along Langley's First Avenue. Follow the path uphill as it merges into Cascade Avenue, overlooking the small marina.

Walk east along First Street up the hill, past the popular Village Pizzeria with an outdoor seating area.

The boat ramp at Phil Simon Memorial Park at the marina, is a great place to launch a kayak.

Stroll out along the pier at the marina, for incredible views of Saratoga Passage.

Savor incredible views of the Olympic Mountains across the marina at Langley.

3.  Take the stairs down to Seawall Park beach.

At low tide follow the stairs off First Street, down to the beautiful beach at Seawall Park at Langley.  Find small treasures in the sand like clam shells or driftwood, and sink your feet into the soft sand.  There's some picnic benches on the grassed area.  Ring the bell if you see an Orca, and let the whole town know!

Ring the whale sighting bell at Seawall Park Beach at Langley.

4. Grab a coffee at the Useless Bay Coffee Company.

The Useless Bay Coffee Company has a friendly vibe and is a popular, community hang out in Langley.  The patio is ideal for warmer days, surrounded by gorgeous cottage gardens, or find a table inside the industrial-themed interior.

5. Dine at both casual and upscale restaurants in Langley.

Langley has a decent selection of restaurants, that caters to all tastes. 

Try the Braeburn Restaurant for brunch, or the Ultra House or Anthes Ferments for comfort food.  Get a pub meal at Spyhop or the Double Bluff Brewing Company.  The Inn at Langley restaurant offers an incredible upscale dining experience.  Families will enjoy the casual Village Pizzeria with an outdoor seating area in summer, and wonderful views over Saratoga Passage.

6.  Visit the Langley Whale Center Museum for latest Orca sightings.

Stop by the small Langley Whale Center Museum (105 Anthes Avenue) to get the latest information on Orca sightings in the local area.  The Salish Sea is home to a permanent community of 73 Orcas across three pods, so you might be treated to a whale spotting!

It's great to get a more in-depth understanding of the marine life that thrives in these waters; like whales, harbor seals, elephant seals and sea lions.  You can also check out marine pelts and skeletons at the museum from marine mammals.

Kids are welcome here, with a small play area with toys and games.  There's also a gift shop.

7. Learn about local history.

Visit the tiny South Whidbey Historical Museum (314 Second Street), housed inside an old logger bunkhouse.  Learn about Whidbey Island's early beginnings as a hub for the logging and fishing industries. 

8.  Stay in a luxurious Langley lodge.

Langley has a fine selection of luxurious inns, with some of the best lodging in Washington State.  These include the Saratoga Inn, Inn at Langley, Boatyard Inn, and Eagles Nest Inn.  Start planning a weekend away!

This is the Saratoga Inn in Langley, along Cascade Avenue.

The waterfront Inn at a Langley has a beachfront setting.

9.  Load up on pies, cheese and local produce at Greenbank Farm.

Nearby Greenbank Farm has art galleries, a wine shop, cheese shop, and the scrumptious Whidbey Pies.  It's housed in a huge, red barn beside a wetlands area.  There's also a small kid's play area to hang out.

10. Stroll through beautiful Meerkerk Gardens.

Peaceful Meerkerk Gardens is also close to Langley, with stunning rhododendrons along meandering paths.  It's usually fairly quiet here, and wonderful respite from some of the busier places on Whidbey Island.

11.  Visit the historic seaport town of Coupeville.

The pretty town of Coupeville is north of Greenbank, lined with well preserved Victorian homes.  You might recall Coupeville's main street from the 1998 movie Practical Magic (1998) with Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock.  It's other claim to fame is that it's the second oldest town in Washington State.

Walk out to the iconic Coupeville Wharf, breath in the bracing sea air, and have a coffee at the Salty Mug at the end of the wharf.

12.  Enjoy incredible views of the Olympic Mountains.

Enjoy incredible views of the snowcapped Olympic Mountains from Fort Ebey, about 40 minutes drive from Langley.  Explore 25-miles miles of gorgeous bluff trails overlooking Admiralty Inlet.  Take your flashlight and step inside an old coastal defense fort, or inspect the awesome gun emplacements.

13.  Climb to the top of a historic lighthouse.

This breathtaking Fort Casey State Park also has a network of fascinating military batteries to explore, and is a 30 minute drive from Langley.  The batteries were once part of the Ring of Fire guarding the entrance to Puget Sound.  Tour the Admiralty Head Lighthouse.

14.  Visit a lavender farm.

Just north of Fort Ebey, don't miss the Lavender Wind Farm.  It has 17 varieties of lavender in it's fields. There's also a gift shop with lavender lotions, bath salts, teas, and jams.  Step outside to explore the fun lavender labyrinth.

15.  Explore the most popular park in Washington State.

Further afield is Deception Pass State Park.  This requires a long drive to the north end of Whidbey Island, one hour from Langley.  See the dramatic Deception Pass bridge, and wander along dramatic West Beach and North Beach. 

Directions to Langley.

If traveling north to Whidbey Island, take the 20-minute ferry from the Mukilteo Ferry Terminal to Whidbey Island, then drive 6 miles north to Langley.  (Mukilteo is 20-minutes north of Seattle).  If traveling south, you can avoid a ferry crossing by driving across Deception Pass Bridge to Whidbey Island, then 45-miles down to Langley.