2026 Island County Travel Guide: must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transport & travel experiences (updated in September)

Chinese Restaurant | Fresh Grilled Fish from Their Own Pond – So Fresh You'll Want to Stomp Your Feet! Escape Seattle city by 1 hour and discover a divine ocean-view Chinese restaurant on Whidbey Island! ✨ Restaurant Name: The Top Restaurant & Lounge (formerly Hongkong Garden) Boasting unparalleled views of Puget Sound's entire bay, with stunning mountain and lake vistas, the terrace is simply divine for watching the sunset! Signature Must-Try: [Qingjiang Own Pond Grilled Fish] The fish is raised in the Qingjiang River by the owner himself, caught and prepared fresh to order, completely free of any muddy taste! Grilled to a crispy golden brown, the tender flesh practically falls off the bone, soaked in a spicy red oil broth, topped with sesame seeds and cilantro – the longer it cooks, the more flavorful it becomes! The freshness and sweetness are incomparable to frozen fish; one bite and you're hooked! The restaurant also offers a full American-style Chinese meal, with grilled fish paired with signature cocktails. Enjoy the sea breeze and panoramic views of the mountains and ocean from the outdoor terrace – perfect for dates, gatherings with friends, or family vacations! Don't miss this place when you visit Whidbey Island! Boasting stunning mountain and sea views, a bite of authentic, spicy Chinese-style grilled fish creates an unforgettable atmosphere! 📍Address: Whidbey Island

Just a 1-hour ferry ride from Seattle, Whidbey Island hides the super chill artistic town of Langley~This place is truly a magical weekend escape from the city!✨ 🌈 A Fairy Tale Colorful Town The whole town looks like a spilled palette🎨! Light blue, soft pink, gray-green, warm yellow little houses are incredibly soothing~From morning to night, the sunlight hitting the walls from different angles changes the colors beautifully, making every shot look like an Instagram masterpiece📸 🎨 A Must-Visit Art Spot The town is full of unique spots: ▫️Gallery by the Bay (a must-visit seaside gallery) ▫️Museo (contemporary art museum) ▫️Island Time (handmade boutique) Each gallery window is like an art frame, with the light and street scenes blending perfectly, creating a full artistic vibe! ☕ A Paradise for Art Lovers Highly recommend these amazing shops: ▫️Useless Bay Coffee (seaside café☕) ▫️Primo Bistro (popular restaurant🍴) Afternoon sunlight on your coffee cup, warm yellow lights glowing at dusk, every corner brings a delightful surprise~ 🚢 3-Day Lazy Itinerary Day 1⃣️ First Ferry Experience ➡️ Stroll Through the Rainbow Town Sit on the deck watching seagulls fly, and get healed by the colorful houses as soon as you disembark! Day 2⃣️ Art Tour ➡️ Coffee Time Visit all the town’s galleries, then relax and zone out in a trendy café~ Day 3⃣️ Island Hike ➡️ Return Trip Sunset Chase Ebey's Landing Trail is stunning, watch the sunset fill the sea on the ferry ride back🌅

Decided on a long weekend at the last minute to take a trip to Whidbey Island🚗🌊 Arrived at Mukilteo Ferry around 10am, hardly any line and got on the ferry right away Visited Langley Village and Fort Casey, the weather was unbelievably perfect The sky and sea were such a clear blue, every photo taken looked amazing Seattle has had great weather lately, highly recommend taking a day to come here and relax💙

▫️Whidbey Island P1-P8 ▫️Bluff Trail 📍Whidbey Island, Washington, Parking lot, Ebey's Landing Rd, Coupeville, WA 98239 P9-P11 ▫️Coupeville 📍 (48.2198208, -122.6862804) P12-P14 ▫️Fort Casey State Park 📍 400 Hill Valley Dr, Coupeville, WA 98239 P15-P18 ▫️Mukilteo Ferry If you don’t want to drive that long to the island, you can take the ferry from Mukilteo Ferry Terminal to Whidbey Island in the morning, which only takes 15 minutes.

First time visiting Whidbey Island, took the ferry from Mukilteo to the island, stayed one night in an RV Airbnb at a vineyard, then passed by Deception Pass in the north and returned to Seattle by land. This was my first time staying in an RV Airbnb, and the experience was pretty good. The RV was an Airstream parked on a small hill at a vineyard, overall quite new, with well-equipped and clean interior facilities. Down the hill was the vineyard, a horse ranch, and a bar. We stayed on a Friday night, and the farm owner invited us to their weekly Friday night concert, but since we arrived late, we didn’t go. It sounds like this is a lively and popular spot in the town. Besides here, we also went to: 📍Fort Casey State Park: A very open park by the bay. We arrived at sunset, with deer quietly grazing, the old battery converted into a skateboarding slope, and a few people sitting quietly on benches by the bay watching the sunset. Very peaceful and beautiful. 📍Deception Pass: Maybe because it was cloudy when we went, there wasn’t anything particularly special, but the nearby five-minute drive to the popular burger joint The Shrimp Shack had no line, and we got to try a very delicious blue crab burger (also ordered the Oyster Burger but it tasted a bit fishy). We had originally booked to visit Pronkin Pastures Alpaca Ranch to see alpacas, but had to give up due to changes in the itinerary. The whole trip was very relaxing and pleasant, the island is not crowded, and relatively pristine and quiet. The only downside was the long wait for the ferry to get on the island, so on the way back we decided to give up the already purchased ferry ticket and return home by land from the north.

#holidayitinerary Just two hours from Seattle, Ebey’s Landing offers one of the most scenic yet relaxing hikes in the region. Located on Whidbey Island, you can reach it either by ferry from Mukilteo (a short 15-minute ride after a brief wait, $13.5 for car + driver, $6 per passenger) or by driving the long way. The loop combines the Bluff Trail and Beach Trail, each about an hour, creating a perfect mix of sweeping cliffside views and peaceful shoreline walks. While the beach can be a bit tiring to walk on, the ocean breeze and stunning scenery make it worthwhile, and the bluff section rewards you with panoramic coastal landscapes. Pro tip: wear long pants for the bluff trail, as the narrow grassy paths can get scratchy—totally worth it for the views! #travel #trip #usa #seattle #thingstodo #myitinerary

Coupeville travel guide: 1. Overview Coupeville is a peaceful and exquisite seaside town located in a certain region of the United States (the specific region may be unknown due to the article not explicitly mentioning it), known for its unique natural scenery and rich historical culture. 2. Must-visit attractions Coastline scenery: Coupeville's coastline is one of its biggest highlights. Visitors can stroll along the coastline, enjoy the magnificent sea view, and feel the pleasant sea breeze. Historical buildings: The town retains many historical buildings, which witness the changes and development of the town and are an excellent window to understand the local history and culture. Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve: This is a national historical reserve with rich historical sites and natural landscapes, an important place for visitors to learn about local culture and ecology. 3. Recommended activities Hiking: There are many hiking routes around Coupeville. Visitors can walk along the coastline or into the depths of the forest to enjoy the beauty of nature. Seafood tasting: As a seaside town, Coupeville's seafood is naturally not to be missed. Visitors can taste fresh seafood delicacies at local restaurants or markets. Cultural experience: Participate in local cultural activities or festivals, such as concerts, art exhibitions, etc., to gain a deeper understanding of the town's cultural heritage. 4. Food recommendations In Coupeville, visitors can taste authentic seafood dishes and local specialties. Especially the Hong Kong Garden Restaurant Lounge, which is famous for its delicious grilled fish, and the restaurant's view is also excellent, making it a good choice for visitors to dine. 5. Accommodation suggestions Coupeville offers a variety of accommodation options, from budget motels to high-end resorts. Visitors can choose suitable accommodation according to their budget and needs. It is recommended to book in advance to ensure a smooth trip. 6. Tips Best travel time: Choose the right travel time according to the local climate characteristics. Generally speaking, spring and autumn are more suitable travel seasons. Transportation: You can choose to drive or take public transportation to Coupeville. Self-driving tours can arrange itineraries more flexibly, but you need to pay attention to local traffic rules and road conditions. Precautions: Please pay attention to safety during the tour and abide by local regulations and customs. At the same time, keep the environment clean and protect natural resources and cultural heritage. This is the travel guide for Coupeville. I hope it will be helpful for your trip.

This is the common name for two two-lane bridges on Route 20 in Washington State. They are used to connect Whidbey Island in Island County, Washington, and Fidalgo Island in Skagit County. The completion of the bridge was key to the construction of the Naval Air Station Whidbey Island. It also helped the city of Oak Harbor to flourish.

#gohiking Deception Pass State Park in Washington State is renowned for its dramatic coastal scenery and iconic bridge. There are many stunning viewpoints, hiking trails through lush forests and opportunities for beachcombing and wildlife spotting. Come here to explore the bridge's vertigo-inducing heights or relaxing by the shoreline. It's a memorable trip surrounded by natural beauty and outdoor adventure.

If you take I-5 N from Washington State, USA, past Mt. Vernon, and then take I-20 West, you will arrive.