Your 48 hour itinerary on what to do and where to go in Coupeville, Washington

Coupeville is the second oldest town in the State of Washington and is situated in the heart of Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve. It is home to the historic Coupeville Wharf, unique shops, restaurants, museums, you name it. You may even recognize Coupeville as the famous filming location for the iconic movie, Practical Magic, starring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman! Many people plan trips to Coupeville during the fall season and around Halloween, drawn by the city's fun events, including Practical Magic movie nights, torchlight parades, pumpkin races, and more. In this article, you’ll find a great start to a 48-hour itinerary for your next trip to Coupeville, Washington.

DAY 1

Grab a coffee and pastry at Sunshine Drip

Start your day off in Coupeville with a tea or coffee and a delicious baked good. I had a vanilla latte and this incredible citrus bread, and Andrew had his go-to of an iced chai and a blueberry muffin. It was a little misty and foggy while we were there, but they have a huge patio area with lots of tables and chairs that I can imagine is wonderful during the spring and summer when the sun is shining and the weather is lovely.

Start your adventure at the Coupeville Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center

Whenever visiting a new city or town, I always recommend stopping by the Visitors Center for brochures on places to visit, excursions, and hearing from the incredible individuals who work there, willing to share tons of information. The Coupeville Visitors Center was absolutely lovely and located right downtown, where you’re sure to already be exploring. We were recommended numerous things to do and places to visit while in the area.

Learn all about the history of Coupeville at the Island County Historical Museum

In addition to visiting the Visitor Centers when traveling to new cities or towns, going to museums is another must. It’s a wonderful way to learn about the history of the town, the people, and much more. The Island County Historical Museum operates on a donation basis, so be sure to donate upon entering or on your way out. They also have an excellent gift shop featuring local and other unique pieces. In my opinion, museum gift shops are among the best places to shop for gifts due to their unique and diverse offerings. Overall, this museum is wonderful so take your time as you wonder through each floor and learn about what makes Coupeville so special.

Take a stroll through this local bookstore

Front Street is one of the most popular streets individuals visit because of the various shops and restaurants, including my personal favorite, Kingfisher Bookstore. We loved this bookstore so much that we visited twice and bought some of the books from the series my husband and I were both reading. Our little vacation to Coupeville was a relaxing weekend involving lots of reading, so we loved being able to pop over to this local bookshop and grab new books. The individuals working there were so helpful and knowledgeable as well, which is great as I’m just getting back into reading and loved all the suggestions.

Grab pizza and cocktails at Goldie’s and The Roost

After walking around Coupeville, stop for lunch and cocktails at Goldie’s and The Roost. Goldie’s offers delicious pizza downstairs with counter service, while upstairs is The Roost, where you’ll enjoy table service and cocktails. We opted to go upstairs and ordered a Tomato pie, which included red sauce, garlic oil, basil, and aged reggiano, along with a slice of sausage. Both were very good and tasted incredibly fresh. I believe we had some cocktails that aren’t listed on the current menu, but they were great! They typically have daily specials and happy hour deals as well, so be sure to ask about those.

Walk through the most beautiful sculpture Garden at Price Sculpture Forest

If you love nature and art, then the Price Sculpture Forest is perfect for you and a great way to get your steps in for the day, too. The Sculpture Forest is open every day of the year from 8:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. or sunset (whichever occurs earlier). Admission is free with donations gratefully accepted to keep this special Sculpture Forest beautiful.

Check into Salty Vons Waterfront Inn

Salty Vons Waterfront Inn overlooks the beautiful shores of Penn Cove on the Salish Sea, nestled on Whidbey Island. Just outside the inn is Front Street, the heart of Coupeville, making this inn's location exceptional for visitors to this charming town. Some of the best features of the inn are the unobstructed views of the wharf, Penn Cove, and Mt. Baker. We were lucky enough to have a sunny weekend where the mountain was shining over the water and truly magical. Read my full review of this lovely inn here.

Experience the most incredible dinner at The Oystercatcher

You won’t regret making reservations for dinner at The Oystercatcher, trust me. It’s a little more expensive but worth it because they’re a highly local and seasonal restaurant and scratch kitchen, which means we make everything fresh daily. We opted for the Chef’s Tasting Menu, which included a five-course meal priced at $79 per person.

I’ve experienced numerous tasting menus at various price points, and this truly felt like a steal at $79 per person due to the food and portion sizes. We were absolutely stuffed when we left the restaurant, and everything was fabulous. The Chef’s Tasting Menu changes daily, and they keep it somewhat secret, which was fun because we never knew what was going to come out. They do inquire about any allergies, so don’t worry about that, but if you’re a foodie, this is a dream!

DAY 2

Grab some fresh bread and pastries from Little Red Hen Bakery

Stop by Little Red Hen Bakery for fresh and delicious pastries and bread! I highly recommend getting there early because this place is popular; it is SO GOOD, and they definitely will sell out! We opted for a loaf of bread, a scone, and a cookie for our breakfast one day before heading to a local coffee shop, and I still dream about this bread.

Try a coffee flight from Crabby Coffee next door

Just steps away from Salty Vons Waterfront Inn is Crabby Coffee. They have a great patio to chill on during a nice day to enjoy coffee and breakfast, which I highly recommend taking advantage of. My FAVORITE part about Crabby Coffee was that they had coffee flights — which I’ve heard of but never experienced before. There was an overwhelming list of items to choose from, but I ended up with some recommendations as well as some I chose. They were all delicious but definitely on the sweeter side with all the syrups and sauces, so if that’s your thing, you’ll love them. For reference, I usually drink cappuccinos or vanilla lattes with 1-2 pumps of syrup. My husband had his go to of an iced chai and said it was great so overall, I highly encourage you to stop by and grab a coffee or flight and breakfast.

Explore Fort Ebey State Park and take in the views

After a morning of bread and coffee flights, head over to Fort Ebey State Park to walk along the ocean, hike a little bit, and learn about what makes this state park so special. The park's concrete gun emplacements and underground rooms are great for exploration, but are a little dark, so be sure to have a flashlight or a phone light. Regarding park admission, it’s $10 for a day pass or included if you have the Washington Discovery pass.

Learn about the history of the area at Fort Casey State Park

While you’re out exploring Fort Ebey State Park, be sure to visit Fort Casey State Park, which is about 12 minutes away. Step back in time at Fort Casey Historical State Park, where historic military batteries and a 1903 lighthouse are waiting to be explored. I’ve been there a couple of times, and each visit reveals something new I hadn’t discovered before. You’ll see people taking in the stunning views, flying kites, fishing, or exploring the beach.

Stop by Molka Xete for some delicious tacos

If you’re looking for some authentic Mexican street tacos, then stop by Molka Xete! We’re originally from Texas and grew up with Tex-Mex and authentic Mexican cuisine, and have honestly missed that since living in Washington. Molka Xete is absolutely wonderful! We opted for the carnitas, carne asada, and al pastor tacos with their spicy beans, and oh my gosh, so good. We are already planning trips back to Coupeville for this restaurant alone because of their tacos. While you’re there, be sure to get some of their housemade chips and salsa, you won’t regret it.

Check into Captain Whidbey for the evening and explore the grounds

Check into the historical Captain Whidbey Hotel that’s been around since 1907. Captain Whidbey fosters a sense of romance, a longing for adventure, and a communion with the natural world. This hotel is a home away from home right on the water, nestled in Ebey’s Landing National Historic Reserve. You’ll truly feel as though you’ve escaped with the vast property to walk around, a lovely restaurant, comfy rooms, etc. We found numerous spots on the property to relax and read, and then took advantage of the sauna, which my husband loved!

End the evening with an incredible dinner at The Restaurant at Captain Whidbey

Dinner at The Restaurant at Captain Whidbey Hotel is a must and a great way to end a lovely vacation in Coupeville. I’ve dined here twice now, and both times I had a wonderful experience with the service and the food overall. The restaurant offers a cabin chic vibe with moody lighting and velvet chairs, along with innovative cocktails and courses that delight your taste buds. The charcuterie board was especially unique, featuring items I’ve never had on a board before, such as beet-pickled eggs, which were so good! I highly recommend the short rib, which fell apart and was my favorite item of the night.