Explore a stunning city to the north of Puget Sound called Poulsbo, also known as Little Norway. It is one of my favorite places in Washington, thanks to its scenic surroundings, great food, and wildlife that are spotted quite easily. If you ask me to describe this place in three words, it would be picturesque, vibrant, and tranquil.
We went on a day tour to this Viking village from Seattle and explored every nook and corner of the city. Keep reading this post, as I am about to share the best places to see and do in Poulsbo.
How to reach Poulsbo?
Poulsbo is a quaint city on Liberty Bay in north Puget Sound and connected well via public transit from Seattle. We took the Washington State ferry from Pier 52 to Bainbridge Island and boarded bus 390 to reach downtown Poulsbo. The bus operates Monday to Saturday between Bainbridge Island and Poulsbo and takes just 40 minutes. The journey is hassle-free and takes just $14 per person to reach Poulsbo.
History of Poulsbo
The city of Poulsbo was a tiny fishing village inhabited by the Suquamish tribe. However, the tribe members relocated to Port Madison Indian Reservation after signing the Point Elliott Treaty. Later in the 1880s, a Norwegian immigrant named Jørgen Eliason founded the city of Poulsbo because the landscape resembled his native land and was rich in resources. The newly established city attracted other Scandinavians in the US, especially those from the midwest who moved to Poulsbo for greener pastures.
Things we did in Poulsbo
We spent most of our time at the Historic Downtown exploring the cafes, art galleries, and museums. Here are a list of things we did and some locations and eateries we highly recommend visiting.
Farmers Market
April to December | Saturday 10 AM to 2 PM | 18901 8th Ave NE (Highway 305 & Hostmark St Stop)
We started our day at Poulsbo Farmers Market, an open-air market selling fresh produce and artisan items. The vibe was comforting, and we loved exploring the booths. Things we bought from the Farmers Market:
- Grammie’s Plum Jam from Holloway Farms booth for $15 (80 oz) – The jam was so fresh and delicious that we couldn’t resist buying it.
- A bunch of freshly harvested beetroots ($5) and cranberries ($2.50) from Gregory Farms – we couldn’t have got a better deal.
- Pupusas from Argensal (2 for $8) – Pupusas were so fresh and cheesy. I am officially declaring this as my favorite snack.
Historic Downtown
Next, we headed to the Historic Downtown. It is the most vibrant and touristy spot in Poulsbo, filled with European-themed cafes and art galleries. We first stopped by the Liberty Bay Bookstore, one of the key attractions in the city. It is the oldest bookstore in north Kitsap county and has a good collection of Nordic Noir. Apart from their impressive collection of books, the Viking-themed decor stole our hearts.
Next, we headed to the Port of Poulsbo, a waterfront area used for recreational and commercial purposes. The water here is calm and full of marine life. You can literally spot jellyfish, schools of fish, clams, and other marine animals from the dock without making much effort.
The waterfront has several fine dining restaurants, the Marine Science Center, and waterfront trails. We walked the boardwalk on Liberty Bay while catching a glimpse of the ducks and birds.
From the waterfront, we headed straight to the Maritime Museum, where we learnt about boats and also saw some amazing boats on display.
Stores and galleries in downtown Poulsbo
Next, we explored several antique shops and artist co-op galleries. Some of our favorite galleries are:
- Abigail’s Artful Abode – is a vintage boho-themed store with a mix of everything, from fashion to home decor. It was hard to get out of the store empty-handed.
- Red Plantation Marketplace – is another vintage marketplace along the waterfront, selling home decor, clothes, and personal care. The collection is incredible and will make you want to buy everything.
- Cat’s Meow – is an antique store across Sluys bakery selling unique and quirky antiques. They have a shelf full of cat statues perfect for cat lovers and a stunning collection of broaches.
- Verksted Gallery – is one of the oldest cooperative art galleries in Washington state, established by Mary Heffner and Elizabeth Haney in 1987. The gallery has a brilliant collection of artwork, from stunning photography to glassblowing work to quirky terrariums.
- Nordiska – is a Scandanavian-themed store specializing in housewares, kitchenwares, and gifts. I loved the jackets and woolen accessories and the printed kitchenware.
Eateries in the historic downtown
Lastly, we visited top restaurants and cafes in Poulsbo to satisfy our bellies with delicious European delicacies. Here is a list of restaurants and cafes we explored.
- Sluys Poulsbo Bakery – Sluys is a Poulsbo institution, a family-owned bakery that has been delighting locals and visitors alike for over 50 years. We waited in line for over 15 minutes to enter this award-winning bakery, but it was so worth it! We got their Fattigman cookie, the Rosette (a Norwegian deep-fried cookie), their signature Danish, and a layered dessert called a Krispie. We also grabbed a loaf of their legendary Poulsbo bread.
- Valhöll Brewing: This is where modern-day Vikings come to rest after spending the day exploring everything Poulsbo has to offer. We had their seasonal cream ale called The Cream of the Crop. It was buttery smooth and delicious. We sipped this beer while relaxing in their outdoor seating and taking in views of Liberty Bay.
- Boehms: Chocolate lovers of the world, beware! You might find yourself leaving the store with several pounds of candy. But with a big smile on your face. Enter this wonderland and be greeted with a wafting aroma of gourmet chocolate. We got several of their liqueur-based and regular truffles and their signature chocolate-covered ice cream bar. The ice cream bar was the best we have had so far. All thanks to a thick heavenly chocolate and nut layer.
- Tizley’s: is a cozy German/European-themed gastropub serving brats, currywurst, and Nordic-style fare. We had a bowl of their steaming ‘Drunken Sausage’ in beer broth and the Squiggy’s Trough Bucket, which was a generous serving of their egg pasta, Rotkohl drowned in their Jaeger gravy.
Before heading to Seattle, we stopped by the waterfront one last time to catch the stunning sunset. We took bus 344 from the bus stop next to Mora’s creamery, which took us back to Bainbridge Ferry Terminal. Overall, we loved the vibe of Poulsbo and would surely be back to check out the remaining restaurants and galleries.
