If you’ve ever wanted to immerse yourself in Nordic culture, you don’t have to travel far from Seattle. Just under two hours from Seattle is Washington’s “Little Norway,” a small town called Poulsbo. Perched on Liberty Bay on the Kitsap Peninsula, this charming waterfront town is full of Norwegian architecture, food, and events. It’s a great place for a weekend getaway from the city, especially if your visit coincides with one of their annual cultural festivals.
Read on for everything you need to know about visiting Poulsbo, Washington!
Getting to Poulsbo from Seattle
Poulsbo is located 18 miles west of Seattle, across Elliott Bay on the Kitsap Peninsula. Although it is possible to drive to Poulsbo without getting on a ferry, the fastest and most direct way to get there involves driving onto the Seattle-Bainbridge Ferry. The ferry will take you from downtown Seattle to Bainbridge Island. After disembarking from the ferry you’ll drive north on WA-305 across the island, over a bridge to the peninsula, and then on to Poulsbo where it sits along Liberty Bay. The whole trip from Seattle to Poulsbo takes about an hour and a half in a car.
If you don’t have a car, it is possible to get to Poulsbo via bus although it will take longer. You can walk onto the Seattle-Bainbridge Ferry and then take a bus from Bainbridge Island to Poulsbo.
Where to stay in Poulsbo
There are plenty of lodging options in Poulsbo. Hotel Scandi is a boutique hotel in a historic building with just nine guest rooms. It is located centrally in the downtown area, “steps from the waterfront and the town’s historic charm.” This is a great spot to stay if you’re looking for a cozy room with Scandinavian style.
There is also the Nordic Hill Manor: a large, castle-like guest house on the outskirts of Poulsbo that includes a movie theater, chef’s kitchen, and hot tub.
What to do in Poulsbo
Poulsbo is a great place to visit if you want to explore the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest. It’s a convenient launching pad for the Kitsap and Olympic Peninsulas, and there’s plenty of outdoorsy activities to be had in the near vicinity as well. You can go mountain biking on the trails, rent kayaks and paddle boards to take out on Liberty Bay, or go for a hike in Kitsap Memorial State Park, which is a mere 15-minute drive from Poulsbo. You could also just take a stroll along the boardwalk at Muriel Iverson Williams Waterfront Park and enjoy a view of the Olympic Mountains.
Need a break from the outdoors? You can shop at charming boutiques and antique stores in downtown Poulsbo. The town also has fun events every month such as barn dances, free waterfront concerts in the summer, an ongoing Norwegian pancake breakfast event on the first Sunday of every month, and the Poulsbo art walk on every second Saturday.
You can also learn about the history and natural beauty of the area by exploring local museums like the Poulsbo Maritime Museum and Heritage Museum, the SEA Discovery Center, and the nearby Suquamish Museum.
Hungry? You’ll find classic Norwegian and European fare at eateries like Sluys Poulsbo Bakery and Tizley’s Europub. Poulsbo is also home to some excellent craft breweries. You can’t miss Valhöll Brewing, which has a family-friendly taproom with views and Viking-inspired brews.
Special annual events in Poulsbo
Washington’s “Little Norway” often comes alive with traditional Nordic celebrations throughout the year. Here are a few of the most exciting annual events in Poulsbo to mark on your calendar as you start to plan your visit:
May: Poulsbo’s largest annual event is Viking Fest in May. The town gathers to celebrate Norway’s Constitution Day with a parade, street fair, carnival, music, and dancing.
June: Poulsbo’s annual Midtsommer Fest has a Nordic market, folk dancing, flower-crown making, live music, Norwegian food, and more.
August: The annual Poulsbo Arts Festival at Muriel Iverson Waterfront Park always occurs over the third weekend of August. You can shop for all kinds of local handcrafted arts, crafts, and goods.
December: Poulsbo kicks off the holiday season at the start of every December with Julefest, a traditional Norwegian celebration with Norwegian street food, a Nordic market with gifts for sale, a Lucia Bride arriving in a Viking boat, and a bonfire.