“Washington’s Maritime Village”
Gig Harbor, Washington is both a picturesque bay and the name of our friendly community. Nestled just a few miles west of Tacoma by way of the Narrows Bridge, the town is considered the gateway to the Kitsap and Olympic Peninsula. Whatever you fancy, we have it in Gig Harbor, named one of Smithsonian Magazines Top Five Small Towns for culture, heritage and charm. Welcome to the crown jewel of the Puget Sound, beautiful Gig Harbor, Washington.
The quaint, small town is surrounded by the harbor and thickets of sailboats rimmed with tall Pines, and a beautiful backdrop of the Olympic Mountains. The town with a population of 7,200 has lately been rediscovered by outlanders from Tacoma and Seattle in search of still relatively affordable waterfront property. Chain stores have sprung up and old fishing docks have yielded to fancy powerboats and yachts. Day-trippers come for gourmet restaurants with Washington State wines, for nautical novelties and for gallery walks held on the first Saturday of the month – voted one of five Top Art Walks by Sunset Magazine!
Gig Harbor’s maritime heritage is evident by its waterfront location, and is carried over into a variety of events in the community year round. On any given summer weekend there’s likely to be a chowder cook-off, a quilt show or a festival celebrating boats, gardens or wine; vendors at the farmers market offer mandolin lessons along with strawberries and grass-fed beef. The town center is Skansie Brothers Park, where the city is restoring one of 17 historic net sheds that line the waterfront. On open-air film nights folks pile on blankets spread across the lawn to watch a maritime classic movie or enjoy outdoor concerts in the warm summer evenings.
There are many things to do in Gig Harbor, including boating, golfing, wine tasting, indulging in waterfront dining and beaches, plenty of outdoor recreation, and just enjoying the slower paced way of life.
Learn more by viewing our Lifestyle Video all about Gig Harbor on our home page.
Come for a visit, and stay for a lifetime!
~Thelma