To get the most out of your scenic drive, plan on a bit of zigzagging, with some time spent on the main route that runs along the length of the island, State Route 525. That road intersects with and turns into State Route 20 in the vicinity of Keystone.

After your arrival at the ferry terminal, wet your whistle at Whidbey Island Winery, a small and friendly farmhouse-style spot that makes a variety of interesting reds—including a Lemberger and a Whidbey-sourced Pinot Noir—whites and a port. From here, head back along Langley Road to SR 525 to find Bayview Farm and Garden, a beautiful nursery with an in-house café and a human-size chessboard on the grounds.

From the nursery, get back on SR 525 for a short stretch to Double Bluff Road and turn left to arrive at Double Bluff Beach, a spot that will have particular appeal to anyone traveling with a dog. One end of the beach is off-leash paradise for your pup, and the other is packed with colorful kiteboarders bobbing and drifting in the air over the water.

Historic Captain Whidbey Inn is a great resting spot. Photograph by Captain Whidbey.

Back on the road, head toward Coupeville. The tree-lined drive is serene, and as you near Coupeville, the landscape opens up. Watch for several pumpkin patches that are open during October, including Sherman’s Pioneer Farm, on South Ebey Road, a popular patch that features a trolley ride on Fridays and Saturdays.

A bit farther on is Coupeville, a gem situated on Penn Cove and the home turf of those locally famous mussels. Get them—and pork belly, and much more—at The Oystercatcher, a cozy dining spot with some tasty fare. If you prefer your shellfish by the pot-full, paired with a local pint (here, that’s Toby’s Parrot red ale), go to laid-back Toby’s Tavern, a building that started as a mercantile in 1890. There are plenty of shops to browse and water views to take in here, but if you’re in town on a Saturday, visit the Coupeville Farmers Market (which runs through October), where you can find produce, fish and locally made products, such as North Whidbey Farm’s decadent cajeta (caramel sauce made from goat milk).

The Oystercatcher’s broiled Stellar Bay oyster with hazelnut butter and bacon jam. Photograph by Sara Hansen.

Coupeville is part of the larger Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve, a historic farming area that includes Fort Casey Historical State Park, a 999-acre park that’s more than 100 years old and features a vintage lighthouse and underground bunkers; and Fort Ebey State Park, 461 acres of windswept prairie majesty with bluff views that will knock your socks off. There’s 25 miles of biking and hiking trails to explore—which probably means you’ll have to come back.

Or, you can extend your visit with a cozy overnight stay at nearby Captain Whidbey Inn, whose new owners are working to update the historic property. The next day, complete your trip up the island by heading farther north to Deception Pass State Park and Rosario Beach, continuing east on State Route 20 until you hit Interstate 5. From there, you can return to Seattle, sans ferry, in about an hour and a half.

Rent a kayak at the historic Coupeville Wharf

Getting there

Take I-5 to Mukilteo—about a 40-minute drive north from Seattle—where you’ll catch a Washington state ferry to Whidbey Island.

Don’t miss

Coupeville does Halloween right throughout the month of October with a variety of activities, including a Scarey-Crow Trail, a Weary Bones Rest Stop Graveyard, a haunted barn and a Halloween Torchlight Parade (coupevillechamber.com).

Scenic drive staff favorites



“My road trips are always based around food, which is why I just love Chuckanut Drive, along the coast south of Bellingham. I pick up bread and cookies at Breadfarm in Bow, stop at Samish Bay Cheese and always end at Taylor Shellfish. It’s a quick-enough jaunt for half a day and equal parts gorgeous and delicious.” Chelsea Lin dining and lifestyle editor

Coordinates

What to do

Bayview Farm and Garden, Langley, 2780 Marshview Ave.; 360.321.6789

Coupeville Farmers Market, Coupeville, 788 NW Alexander St

Double Bluff Beach, Freeland, S Double Bluff Road

Fort Casey Historical State Park, Coupeville, 1280 Engle Road; 360.678.4519

Fort Ebey State Park, Coupeville, 400 Hill Valley Dr; 360.678.4636

Sherman’s Pioneer Farm, Coupeville, 46 S Ebey Road; 360.678.4675

Whidbey Island Winery, Langley, 5237 Langley Road; 360.221.2040

Where to eat

The Oystercatcher, Coupeville, 901 Grace St. NW; 360.678.0683

Toby’s Tavern, Coupeville, 8 NW Front Street; 360.678.4222

Where to stay

Captain Whidbey Inn, Coupeville, 2072 Captain Whidbey Inn Road; 360.678.4097