Worth Leaving Town For: Coupeville
Header photo // Christopher Bragg
Do you ever feel like jumping in the car for a scenic day trip? It's a great way to break out of your routine as long as you remember a few things. Car snacks are always a good idea, and you should pick some up while filling up at the gas station. The passenger should be the DJ so the driver can concentrate. And if you really want to get away, take a ferry. Whidbey Island has a lot of great options, but my favorite is Coupeville. It's a quaint and quirky tiny town with unbelievable views, fantastic shopping, and world-class food that I make a point to enjoy at least once a year.
Even if you haven't been there, you may have seen it before without even realizing it. I found the movie Practical Magic in a box of tapes on the street 15 years ago and loved the quaint New England scenery. Turns out that was Coupeville, painted a shabby-chic shade of white by the film crew, who painted everything back the way it was before they left. For a more recent look, check out season 7, episode 11 of My Lottery Dream Home on HGTV. (Read more about the couple who won via the South Whidbey Record.)
Coupeville is remote and small enough that you'll probably find street parking anywhere you go. The best spot is Front Street, the main drag downtown. It's the closest to the water, and if you decide to explore uphill, you can stroll back down to the car when you're done. Plus you'll be close to food, which you'll probably want when you get there. For great burgers, seafood, and pasta with a killer view, check out Front Street Grill. If you'd rather shoot some pool in a dark dive, Toby's Tavern up the street has an impressive menu, too.
Front Street's full of salons, shops, and boutiques, so you can spend as much time as you want buying gifts or getting a massage and mani-pedi. My favorite store there is A Touch of Dutch, where you can get wooden shoes, slippers shaped like wooden shoes, and an amazing assortment of candy, treats, and baking supplies. They have over 90 kinds of licorice alone! It's a small shop, but highly organized and packed tightly with delights.
By now you might want to find a nice walk and view so you have something to do or at least look at while you eat a bag of stroopwafel. For a nice 5.6 mile hike, head over to the Ebey's Landing trail. It requires a Discover Pass, so if you'd like to check out the view for free, head up the hill to Sunnyside Cemetery.
If you'd like dinner before you head home, stop by The Oystercatcher Thursdays-Sundays for a very special dinner. It's my favorite restaurant anywhere because they use modern techniques and memorable presentations to create meals that surprise and delight. You know a restaurant is special when you find the same servers working there year after year, and I recognized almost everyone during our annual New Year's Eve dinner with them.
Whether it's your first time or you go all the time, Coupeville is always a great day trip. You may find yourself planning the next one before you've even arrived back home.
Christopher Bragg works from home in Everett and loves walking, swimming, and cats. You can find him all over town, but only if you keep weird hours and avoid crowds like he does.
