26 Things to Do on Vashon Island (Full Guide)
Last Updated on March 12, 2024 by Kelly
Vashon Island is one of our favorite islands near Seattle. It’s right across the water from West Seattle, but it feels like a world away. I’ve visited Vashon dozens of times over the years. Beach walks are my favorite thing to do, but there’s tons of stuff to do inland as well! In this article, I’m sharing 26 things to do on Vashon. I’ll share my best recommendations for activities, beaches, parks, restaurants, and more!
Best Things to Do on Vashon
One of the best things to do while on the island is visit one of the numerous parks and beaches. Visiting at low tide can be especially fun, as there’s always a lot to discover on the sand. One of our best recommendations is to check the tide schedule to see what the tides will be like for your visit.
1. Go Kayaking at Jensen Point (Burton Acres Park)
Jensen Point is a beautiful place to enjoy all Vashon Island has to offer. The park is located on a small point on the island. Across from the park you will see Maury Island. The water surrounding the park is part of the Maury Island Aquatic Reserve. The park has a boat launch and picnic tables.
Vashon Adventures is located at the Jensen Point boathouse, which is where you can go to rent kayaks and stand up paddle boards. They have rentals for two hours, four hours, or a full day. Please note that the boathouse is open seasonally and reservations are required. You can make same-day reservations, but they ask that you give at least 30 minutes notice. They offer classes and guided tours as well. (There’s even a moonlit after-hours tour!)
2. Try Perry at Nashi Orchards Tasting Room
Ever try perry? It’s kind of like cider (which is made from apples). Perry is made through a similar process but from pears. Nashi Orchards produces both pears and apples, so you can try both at their tasting room. At their orchard, they grow Asian pears, European pears, and heirloom apples. One of their current drink offers, the Island Harvest Perry, is made from pears 100% grown on Vashon Island. The Alcohol By Volume (ABV) of this perry is 6.7%. At the time of this writing, reservations are preferred for their tasting room.
3. Find the Tree that Swallowed a Bike
The Old Bicycle in the Tree is a Vashon Island legend. Decades ago, a young kid accidentally left their bike leaning against a tree. Over time, the tree actually grew around it and lifted it into the air! Today, the bicycle is completely engulfed by the tree’s trunk. The bike is located near downtown Vashon Island. There’s a small trail that leads into the woods.
I remember first seeing this bike when I was a young kid. My aunt and uncle took us to see the bike in the tree, and it was so unusual that the memory has stuck with me decades later!
Interestingly, there’s another bike in a tree at Vashon Island that’s more recent. (That one is located by the bike shop.) But to see the one of local myths for yourself, head to the one in the forest.
4. Explore the Island by E-Bike
At Vashon Adventures, you can rent E-bikes to explore the island. E-bikes use pedal assist so you can go further at an easier pace. You can even rent longtail bikes, which are suitable for kids to ride with their parents.
They also offer two tours. The Guided E-Bike Tour will take you around the island during 2.5 hours. Your guide will share important points of interest as well as some historical background. The Island Flavors Tour will take you to local farm stands and finally to La Biondo Farm, where your guide (who also happens to be a chef), will make some incredible food for you.
5. Visit the Lighthouse at Point Robinson
The Point Robinson Lighthouse is truly charming, and is one of the more iconic photo opportunities on the island. The lighthouse is located on the east side of Maury Island. From the lighthouse, you can see the East Passage, the city of Tacoma, and Mount Rainier. Currently, due to covid, there are no lighthouse tours on Sundays. (Hopefully this will change as the pandemic improves.) There is a gift shop that is open seasonally on weekends.
The lighthouse has been in operation since 1885, and it has been fully automated since 1978. The park contains a sandy beach, a saltwater marsh, and woodlands. There are some picnic tables and walking trails. You can even stay at the lighthouse property. (Read further under our section Where to Stay for more details!)
6. Go to Lisabuela Park
This park is located on the west side of Vashon Island. The park is 5.5 acres and contains shoreline overlooking Colvos Passage. The park was named after a postmaster’s daughters (Eliza and Buelah).
7. Visit Fern Cove
This secluded cove has a .3 mile lightly-trafficked trail to the beach. The trail has a short boardwalk. When you reach the cove, you’ll also see a historic landmark: The Smith-Baldwin (Belle Baldwin) House and Carriage House. The home was built in 1912 and was occupied by Washington State’s first female physician, Belle Baldwin. The landmark now serves as a rental home. (See our section on Where to Stay for more details!)
8. Check Out Frog Holler Forest
Frog Holler Forest contains 2.6 miles of trails. The park is named for the ruckus the tree frogs make during mating season. The park is located inland, so there are no beaches here. Instead, you’ll enjoy a (mostly quiet) walk through the forest.
9. Visit an Art Gallery
Vashon Island is home to many artists and galleries. Raven’s Nest focuses on Northwest Native Art. In the downtown area, you’ll see lots of cute shops featuring works by local artists. Be sure to visit Vashon Center for the Arts to view their gallery and look at their events schedule.
10. Go to KVI Beach
KVI is one of the best beaches on Vashon Island and is one of the only sandy beaches. (It was voted Best Place to Build a Sandcastle.) It’s also a place where bonfires are permitted. (Just be sure to read best safety and conservation practices to protect this beach.)
11. Visit a Lavender Farm
Lavender Hill Farm is opened seasonly and is a beautiful place to visit to see rows and rows of lavender. (Be sure to check out their website for opening dates.) They are typically open mid-June through July. They have a mailing list you can subscribe to so that you stay updated on their schedule. While at the farm, you can make lavender wreathes and harvest u-cut lavender. There is no fee to visit the farm and they have over 20 different types of lavender varieties. At their store, they sell lavender essential oil (which they distill themselves), soap, and dried lavender sachets. For food, they sell lavender DRY soda and McTavish lavender shortbread. If you’d like to do a formal photo shoot, you can reserve a time for a fee.
12. Go Shopping
Vashon Island has a number of unique shops. Giraffe is a store that sells ethically-sourced home goods. (You can’t miss it because of the giant giraffe sculpture outside the shop!)
The Country Store and Farm has been a staple on Vashon Island for over 50 years. Have fun exploring their general store and nursery.
One of my favorite things to do while traveling is visit the local bookstore. The Vashon Bookshop is an independently owned bookshop. They host literary events and have a book-of-the-week list if you’re needing an idea for a good book.
Kronos is a gift shop that has beautiful beadwork jewelry, crystals and stones, and more.
Treasure Island Antique Store is the place to go for antiquing.
13. Go Golfing
If you like to golf, head to the Vashon Island Golf & Country Club. There is a 9-hole golf course, a swimming pool during the summer months, and a court that is open year-round for racquet sports.
14. Visit the Vashon Heritage Museum
The Vashon Heritage Museum is located in an old building built in 1907 that served as a church and a children’s center. It is dedicated to preserving the island’s cultural and environmental history. It’s a great place to visit to get a sense of Vashon Island’s history to provide context for your visit.
15. Head to a Winery
One of our favorite things to do while traveling is try the local wines. Luckily, Vashon Island has several wineries that produce excellent wines.
Palouse Winery has been named as Best Puget Sound Winery and is currently open by appointment only. Also check out Maury Island Winery. Their vineyards are located on the estate, and their wines are made from their own grapes. They are open for private tastings (by appointment) Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.
16. Visit a Brewery
There are two breweries that are worth visiting on Vashon Island, one of which is Camp Colvos Brewing. Be sure to order a pastie with your beer! They also offer monthly subscription boxes which are a great gift idea. Another option is Vashon Brewing Community Pub. Grab a pint and enjoy their craft beers.
17. Indulge in a Spa Visit
The Burton Inn & Spa offers a full spa menu. In addition to massages, they also have an infrared sauna that you can purchase as an add-on to your visit.
18. Go for a Hike
One of the best things to do while in the Pacific Northwest is hike. An easy trail is to Fern Cove (.3 miles). Another easy hike is the Vashon Island Fisher Pond Hike. This is a one-mile loop with a pond at the center of it. The Vashon Island Grinder Loop Hike is a 2.4 mile forested loop with 219 feet of elevation gain. The Burton Acres Loop is a 1.3 mile loop with 104 feet of elevation gain.
19. Visit Dockton Park
Dockton Park is a 23 acre park with a swimming beach and an interpretive trail. The park was recently renovated with plans for more improvements in the upcoming year. One of the highlights of the renovation is a new dock which allows light to pass through it. This helps the local habitat. There’s also a new playground being built.
20. Visit Maury Island Marine Park
Maury Island Marine Park has views of the mountain and many Pacific Madrone trees. You might even see herons or eagles during your visit. This park has over a mile of shoreline and is a must-see while you’re on the island. There’s also over three miles of trails at this park.
21. Watch a Movie at the Vashon Theatre
The Vashon Theatre was built in 1947 and maintains much of the original look and feel of that era. The theatre hosts the Vashon Island Film Festival, and during the summer they also offer a Night Light Drive In.
22. Have a Tasting at Dragon’s Head Cider
Dragon’s Head Cider is open daily for bottles of cider, and on the weekends is open for tastings. Their hard ciders are made from local apples and pears. If you make a reservation for a tasting, you’ll be seated right next to their picturesque orchard.
23. Hike at Shinglemill Creek
The Shinglemill Creek Preserve trail is a 3-mile hike that will take you around Vashon’s second-largest creek. The preserve is a total of 168 acres.
24. Visit the Mukai Farm and Garden
The Mukai Farm and Garden is a historical farm located on Vashon Island. The farm was founded in 1926 as a strawberry farm by the Mukai family. Currently, it’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The farm is free and open to the public. When you visit, you can check out the restored heritage home, the Japanese Garden, and the barreling plant. The farm focuses on celebrating Japanese American heritage.
25. Inspiration Point
A small turnout will give you access to Inspiration Point. There’s a scenic viewpoint and picnic area that is nearly an acre in size. You’ll have a view of the harbor and, on a clear day, Mount Rainier.
26. Vashon Island Troll
A giant troll was recently constructed on Vashon Island out of all-natural materials as part of an art installation. The troll, named Oscar the Bird King, was constructed in 2023 by Danish artist Thomas Dambo. You can find it at Point Robinson. The troll is part of an art project titled “Northwest Trolls: Way of the Bird King.” There are several other trolls located across the Pacific Northwest. The trolls will be on display for at least three years.
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Best Restaurants
There are a lot of really great places to eat on Vashon Island. Here’s our list below:
Bramble House | $$$
The menu at Bramble House changes frequently because the dishes are inspired by seasonal ingredients. On Sunday’s they focus their menu on Lia’s Chicken Shack.
Earthen Bistro | $$$
If you’re looking for a fine dining experience on Vashon Island, check out Earthen Bistro. The restaurant offers a prix-fixe tasting menu several nights a week.
Island Queen | $$
This family burger joint is popular. They specialize in burgers, fries, and ice cream. Basically all of our favorite things!
May Kitchen + Bar | $$
This is where you go to get Thai cuisine on Vashon Island. Their menu is incredible and this is a very popular restaurant. Currently they are open for takeout only.
The Hardware Store Restaurant | $$
On weekend mornings, head here for an excellent brunch. But whatever time you choose to visit, they have a really solid menu. This is one of the island’s most popular restaurants.
Glass Bottle Creamery | $$
This the place to go for ice cream while on the island! The Glass Bottle Creamery rotates a selection of eight flavors. They also sell some truly beautiful ice cream cakes.
Vashon Island Baking Company | $$
The Vashon Island Baking Company creates some truly delicious pastries and cakes. Their baked items are made from scratch using fresh ingredients.
The Vashon Island Coffee Roasterie | $$
Housed in a building that was built over 120 years ago, the Vashon Island Coffee Roasterie sells excellent coffee and has an organic cafe.
Burton Coffee Stand | $
This charming coffee stand is located on the southeast portion of Vashon Island in Burton. The coffee stand sells drip coffee, lattes, mochas, and Italian sodas.
The Ruby Brink | $$
This bar and butcher shop makes amazing craft cocktails and has some of the best meat dishes on the island.
Gravy | $$$
Led by a husband and wife team, Gravy focuses on American food with French and Southern influences.
Zamorana | $$
This Mexican restaurant makes tacos, burritos, and tortas. You can even find horchata here.
O Sole Mio | $$
Did you know you can find New York style pizza on Vashon Island? O Sole Mio is the place to go. You can buy pizza by the pie or by the slice.
Recommended Hotels
There are a lot of lodging options on Vashon Island. Whether you’re looking for a quaint guesthouse or a historical cabin, there’s something for everyone!
Keeper’s Quarters at Point Robinson Lighthouse
Ever want to stay at a lighthouse? The Keeper’s Quarters at the Point Robinson Lighthouse is open for vacation rentals. The Keeper’s Quarters has three bedrooms and two bathrooms. The Point Robinson Lighthouse is one of the most iconic places on Vashon Island, and you’ll be able to have access to it long after everyone else goes home for the day.
Belle Baldwin House
The Historic 1912 Smith-Baldwin (Belle Baldwin) House and Carriage House in Fern Cove is also open for vacation rentals. The home is registered as a State Historic Landmark by the King County Landmarks & Heritage Commission. Belle Baldwin was Washington State’s first female physician. The house has three bedrooms and one bathroom. The gas fireplace is perfect for a cozy evening.
Lavender Hill Farm
Another great place to stay is the Lavender Hill Farmhouse. It’s perfect for larger groups because the farmhouse has five bedrooms and three bathrooms. The farmhouse has water views and is close to the lavender garden. If you have a smaller party, consider staying at Betty’s Studio. The studio is light and air and also has water views.
Vashon Inn
The Vashon Inn is a boutique hotel is located in downtown Vashon. Their units have one bedroom and a full kitchen. They have three different suites to choose from.
Burton Inn and Spa
The Burton Inn and Spa is located near Burton Acres Park and Jensen Point. They have a couple of rooms to choose from, and there is a spa right on site.
Lodges on Vashon
The Lodges on Vashon is one of the nicest places to stay on the island. (In our opinion.) Each unit is a separate 570-square-foot lodge. They have a lot of amenities, with many of the lodges featuring deep soaking tubs with locally made bath salts. Even their soap and coffee are sourced locally from Vashon Island. The lodges have in-floor radiant heat, a gas fireplace, and a french press. Each lodge is beautifully designed, combining rustic with modern features. In addition to each individual lodge, there are also several communal spaces: the Geodesic Domes, the Cottage, and the Public House & Pavilion.
Camping on Vashon Island
May through October, you can rent campsites at Maury Island Marine Park. There are seven tent campsites and they all overlook the water. There are picnic shelters and a port-a-potty.
The AYH Ranch and Campground is a western-themed campground that’s open seasonally. They have fire-pit teepees, teepees, and lots of tent camping sites. They also have a main house and large cabin for rent as well.
Hotel in West Seattle
If you prefer to stay off the island, but near the Fauntleroy Ferry Terminal, we recommend the Grove West Seattle Inn. It’s only about 3 miles from the ferry.
About Vashon Island
Vashon Island is 80.8 square miles in size. There are a little over 10,000 residents living on the island, although during the summer months there are more visitors on the island due to tourism.
On the east side of Vashon Island is Maury Island, which is technically connected to Vashon Island through an isthmus (a narrow strip of land). The isthmus was built by residents in 1913. Prior to that time, Maury Island was only connected to Vashon Island periodically during low tide. This post will cover activities on both islands since they are connected, after all!
| Island hopping? See our full guide to Bainbridge Island as well! (Easily accessible from Seattle!) |
Events on Vashon Island
Farmers Market
The Vashon Farmers Market is open April through October on Saturdays. The market contains everything from fresh produce, to handmade soaps, to fresh-baked pastries. It’s definitely worth visiting if you are at Vashon Island on a weekend!
Strawberry Festival
The Strawberry Festival is an annual event in July that celebrates all things strawberry. There are multiple vendors, a parade, and live music.
Activities Near Vashon Island
If you’re headed to Vashon Island from West Seattle, you may want to first stop at Lincoln Park. (This is one of my favorite parks in Seattle.) The park is 135 acres and located right next to the Fauntleroy Terminal. You’ll have excellent views of Vashon Island right across the water.
How to Get to Vashon Island by Ferry
The only way to reach Vashon Island is by ferry. The ferry ride is a quintessential Washington State experience. During summer weekends, it’s not unusual to see ferry wait times that are multiple hours long. I always get nervous about visiting on a summer weekend because of how long the ferry times can be, so I prefer to visit on a weekday or during an off-peak time.
The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) shares essential information about the Vashon Island ferry. You’ll definitely want to check the ferry schedule ahead of your trip.
We recommend that you look at the wait times in advance of your trip (similar day and departing time) so that you get a sense of the wait times for when you intend to travel. If possible, we recommend that you plan your trip for an off-peak time, then you won’t have to wait as long.
To get to the Vashon Island ferry, head to the Fauntleroy Terminal in West Seattle. (Please note that the Fauntleroy terminal also has ferries leading to Southworth. When you reach the ticket booth, you’ll need to specify that you are traveling to Vashon Island.)
Some important things to know about the Vashon Island ferry:
- You don’t need reservations (Like you do for some other WA State ferries)
- You can sit inside or stand on the front or back deck
- It’s very windy when out on the deck
- There are restrooms on the ferry
- There’s food available on the ferry
- The price to take the ferry is round-trip fare (You don’t need to pay again when you leave the island)
- If you are bringing an RV or large truck, please check the WSDOT website for specific guidance (Some restrictions during low tide when the ramp grade is not suitable)
- Do not cut the ferry line (If you accidentally drive past the start of the ferry line, which is easy to do if there’s a long wait and the line is backed up, circle around to reach the end of the line. Do not attempt to cut in line, because you are likely to get fined. As of this writing, it’s a $139 fine to cut the ferry line.)
- If there isn’t a line for the ferry, make sure that you arrive at least 15 minutes prior to sailing.
The ferry ride is approximately 20 minutes from Fauntleroy to Vashon. If you travel via Southworth, it is closer to 45 minutes long.
If you don’t want to bring a vehicle, you can walk on the ferry for a cheaper price. We only recommend doing this, though, if you have a plan for transportation once you are on the island. (For example, if you have a friend picking you up on the other side.)
There are some ride share services (like Uber) available on the island, but we have read that they are not very dependable. There aren’t many drivers on the island, so it’s probably not the most reliable plan.
There is public transportation on the island, so you can check the bus schedule in advance of your visit. Depending on what you want to see on Vashon Island, it could be feasible to take the bus. We think the best way to explore this island is with a car.
It’s definitely possible to visit Vashon Island as a day trip from Seattle. We have done many day trips from Seattle to Vashon Island. We recommend starting your day early to make the most of exploring the island!
Summary
I’ve visited Vashon Island more times than I can count, and I always look forward to visiting this island. I’ve visited Vashon Island during spring, summer, fall, and winter, and I can personally attest that Vashon Island is beautiful year-round. I love that it is a quiet island with a small-town feel. When we visit, we enjoy walking along the beach and enjoying the quiet trails. We hope you enjoyed this post covering things to do on Vashon Island! It’s one of our favorite escapes from Seattle.
Disclaimer: We always strive for content accuracy. Since the time of publishing, travel-related information regarding pricing, schedules, and hours may have changed. Please look up such information directly from each vendor or institution for the most current information.
