19 Best Things to Do in Gig Harbor, WA

By VacationIdea Staff on June 6, 2022 - Updated

Bill Perry/stock.adobe.com

Gig Harbor is a bay on Puget Sound and a charming coastal town in Pierce County, Washington with Mount Rainier in the background. It is often called "the gateway to the Olympic Peninsula". Gig Harbor has a huge number of parks with exceptional opportunities for all kinds of recreation, and beautiful historic waterfront with boutiques and many gourmet restaurants. Harbor History Museum tells the story of the city’s maritime history. Cutts Island and Kopachuck Island are two small island that can be reached by boat only. They are mostly covered by parks and offer great hiking, diving, kayaking and canoeing.

We recommend that you call the attractions and restaurants ahead of your visit to confirm current opening times.

1.Harbor History Museum

The Harbor History Museum is a 14,500-square-foot history and maritime museum on downtown Gig Harbor's Harborview Drive, Washington. The museum offers a range of exhibits on regional history and culture. It opened to the public in this location in September 2010 and it include: an 1893 restored one-room school house; a 65-foot fishing boat, a 900-square foot library, 7,000 square feet of exhibition space and research and meeting rooms. The museum won the Washington Museum Association Award of Project Excellence for a living history program grade-school students called Midway Pioneer School Experience. The museum permanent exhibits offer professionally designed exhibitions with a range of artifacts, video kiosks, hands on exhibits and a small theatre.

4121 Harborview Dr, Gig Harbor, WA 98332, Phone: 253-858-6722

2.Cushman Trail

The Cushman Trail in Gig Harbor, Washington is a 6.2 mile paved regional trail that ranges from 12 to16 feet in width. There are several trailheads within the city. PenMet Parks trailhead has a parking lot and has extended the trail south to 14th Avenue Northwest. Cushman Trail is a popular local challenging exercise destination. It is very hilly and at some points has a 10 percent grade. That is not preventing people of all ages, on bikes or walking, to enjoy strenuous exercise. Hand rails and benches along the trail surely help. In the north, the trail runs through Wilkinson Farm Park on a raised pin pile bridge to protect the natural wetlands.

Gig Harbor, Wa

3.Sehmel Homestead Park

Sehmel Homestead Park is a 98-acre park in Gig Harbor, Washington, which includes 75 acres of conservation easement owned by Great Peninsula Conservancy. The easement protects the wetlands, pond, rolling hills, meadow and forests, which are reserved for hiking and other light activities. The park contain about four miles of scenic well-maintained trails. Outside the easement is an indoor pavilion, tennis courts, a playground, sports fields and other amenities. Sehmel Homestead Park was originally an 1885 homestead located northwest of Gig Harbor near the village of Rosedale. Today it is a thriving park, popular with kids and adults, where they can take a dog for a walk through the woods, play sports, watch birds, or enjoy one of many seasonal festival.

10123 78th Ave NW, Gig Harbor, WA 98332, Phone: 253-858-3400

4.Skansie Brothers Park

Skansie Brothers Park is one of several small waterfront parks with public docks along Harborview Drive in Gig Harbor, Washington. It covers 2.59 acres in the heart of downtown Gig Harbor. It was established in 2002 as an expansion to the Jerisich Public Dock site. Every year, the park hosts the Maritime Gig Festival, summer concert series, Holiday Tree Lighting, and many other events. Within the park are the farmers’ market, Historic Skansie Brothers House, Historic Skansie Brothers’ Netshed, a covered pavilion, a Welcome Plaza, a small grassy area, a viewing platform, picnic tables and benches and more.

3211 Harborview Dr, Gig Harbor, WA 98335, Phone: 253-851-6170

5.7 Seas Brewing

The 7 Seas Brewing in Gig Harbor, Washington, produces craft beer using quality ingredients and technical knowhow, creating beers with bold but balanced flavors. The brewery was launched in 2009 in a 1,500 sq. ft. former racquetball court near downtown Gig Harbor. Today, 7 Seas has two breweries and taprooms in Gig Harbor and Tacoma. Their beer is distributed throughout Washington State. The Gig Harbor Tap Room is a popular local gathering spot, offering a lively, family-friendly atmosphere with long communal tables. There is no kitchen, but the guests are welcome to bring their own food. The Tap Room offers 7 Seas year-round brews, seasonal issues and a rotating Tap Room Reserve Series. There is no TV, but there is a projector for showing Seahawks games.

2905 Harborview Dr, Gig Harbor, WA 98335, Phone: 253-514-8129

6.Crescent Creek Park

Crescent Creek Park, known to local residents as "City Park", is a 5.8 acre large, open air green space in Gig Harbor, Washington, with a natural creek bed and stately specimen trees. The space was originally used by Crescent Valley School as a playground. For a long time it was the only park in the city. Today, the park is a popular venue for a range of outdoor activities. It has a covered shelter, five picnic tables, four barbecues, kids’ play swings and other play structures, a trail park for bike jumping, two sand volleyball fields, a baseball field with, bleachers, a half-court basketball area, tennis courts and a large grass field. Beautiful park is a popular venue for weddings and other celebrations.

3303 Vernhardson St, Gig Harbor, WA 98332, Phone: 253-853-7638

7.Kopachuck State Park

Kopachuck State Park is a 109-acre public recreation area on Kopachuck Island on Henderson Bay in Puget Sound, about six miles from Gig Harbor, Washington. The park includes more than a mile of saltwater shoreline and spectacular views of the Olympic Mountains and Puget Sound. Just a half mile from the shore of the park is Cutts Island, locally known as "Deadman's Island," accessible only by boat. Both islands are managed by the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission. The park is a popular destination for kayaking and swimming. At low tide, the steep rocky beach becomes a smooth sandbar kids love to play in. The park has two miles of scenic hiking trails, a number of kitchen shelters, 16 sheltered and 76 unsheltered picnic tables. The campground has been permanently closed

10712 56th St NW, Gig Harbor, WA 98335, Phone: 253-265-3606

8.Wet Coast Brewing

Wet Coast is one of the newest breweries in Gig Harbor, Washington. They brew a range of northwest-inspired craft ales utilizing a 3.5 barrel brewing system. Theiron-site tap room is a cozy, modern space where guests can enjoy the beers by the pint or as a flight, watch the brewing process in the production room next door and buy some beer for consumption at home. Wet Coast plans to distribute kegs to bars, restaurants and tap rooms throughout the Pacific Northwest. Every Wednesday, they will feature one of the Northwest breweries, reserving one tap for their signature beers.

6820 Kimball Dr c, Gig Harbor, WA 98335, Phone: 253-432-4966

9.Donkey Creek Park

Donkey Creek Park is a 1.3-acre natural area mostly consisting of open grassy area. A salmon-bearing stream runs through the park. There are several viewing platforms, a number of benches scattered throughout the park and a gravel hiking trail that continues under the bridge next to the Harbor History Museum. In 2009, artists Tom Torrens and Ben Isitt erected their sculpture "Ringing in the Salmon", which celebrates the annual return of salmon to Donkey Creek. There is also a fish hatchery established in since 1971 and managed by members of the Gig Harbor Commercial Fisherman's Civic Club. The area at the mouth of Donkey Creek used to be the winter village of the S'Homamish, until it was disbanded in the early 1900’.

8714 N Harborview Dr, Gig Harbor, WA 98332, Phone: 253-851-8136

10.Cutts Island State Park

Cutts Island State Park is a recreation area that covers the entire two-acre Cutts Island in Carr Inlet in Pierce County, Washington. The island is a small clay butte with a single stand of trees and a beach that appears at low tide. There are eight mooring buoys available for boaters. Visitors can enjoy beachcombing and scuba diving. The park can only be accessed by water, a perfect destination for canoeists, kayakers and stand up paddlers. There are plenty of seals on the island, which should be left alone. Cutts Island is located only half-mile offshore from Kopachuck Island and Kopachuck State Park.

Gig Harbor, WA 98335, Phone: 360-902-8844

11.Anthony's Homeport Gig Harbor

Anthony's is a Pacific Northwest-based seafood chain of restaurants that serve local catch and regional wines and beers. Anthony’s Homeport at Gig Harbor is located in the Finholm Marketplace. It has bright, modern and spacious dining room where spectacular views of the harbor and Mt. Rainer compete with the views of the open kitchen where the chef weaves his magic. The menu focuses on premium Northwest seafood, with dishes such as Northwest Seafood Celebration with grilled prawns, Dungeness crab, Pacific oysters on the half shell and ginger marinated mussels. Downstairs Shorline Room lounge is more casual and offers a lighter menu. Guests can dock their boats right in front of the restaurant.

8827 N Harborview Dr, Gig Harbor, WA 98332, Phone: 253-853-6353

12.Tides Tavern

Tides Tavern is an iconic restaurant on the Gig Harbor waterfront, located in the 1910 former general store. Established as Tides Tavern in 1973, it became a favorite local spot for waterfront dining. The dining room is cozy and rustic but the main eating space is on their massive deck. Tides offers delicious house-made food focusing on local fresh catch, but also burgers, pizzas, their famous clam chowder, original fish and chips recipe, salads, sandwiches and steaks. The full service bar has great selection of beers and wine. Guests can dock their boat right in front of the restaurant. The guests must be 21 or older to enter Tides.

2925 Harborview Dr, Gig Harbor, WA 98335, Phone: 253-858-3982

13.Blazing Onion

Located in Uptown Gig Harbor outdoor marketplace, Blazing Onion is a small regional chain of burger restaurants with a sports lounge as big as the dining area. It is a popular gathering spot, with signature craft cocktails, great Northwest craft brews, excellent selection of wines and 16 televisions to watch the ongoing game. Blazing Onion has a full menu but is famous for great gourmet burgers, with more than 25 unique burgers such as a buffalo burger, a meatloaf burger and a wild boar burger. Blazing Onion uses only high quality ingredients such as thick-cut peppered bacon, Tillamook cheese, homemade burger sauces, freshly baked buns, fresh local produce and all natural ground chuck.

4701 Point Fosdick Dr NW, Gig Harbor, WA 98335, Phone: 253-514-6703

14.Moctezuma’s Mexican Restaurant and Tequila Bar

Moctezuma’s Mexican Restaurant & Tequila Bar has been voted the best Mexican restaurant in Washington State. The elegant, upscale dining room is beautifully decorated with authentic Mexican carved furniture, dark red walls, blazing fire and colorful original paintings on the walls. Soft lighting and magnificent bar create cozy, welcoming and romantic atmosphere. The flavors and aromas come alive from the freshest ingredients and original recipes, old and traditional as well as new and modern. The restaurant is known for its Tequila Flaming Fajitas, Molcajete Mixto and variety of authentic Mexican tacos made with freshly made tortillas. Moctezuma’s serves margaritas made with 100 percent agave tequila and with real lime juice. The bar offers more than 100 tequila and mezcal varieties for guests to try.

4628 Point Fosdick Dr NW, Gig Harbor, WA 98335, Phone: 253-851-8464

15.Massimo Bar and Grill

Massimo's Restaurant is located on the waterfront in Gig Harbor, overlooking quiet Henderson Bay. Wall-to-ceiling windows offer wonderful view of the bay from the pleasant, understated dining room. There is a cozy fire place in the sitting area. Outdoor dining space is highly coveted for al fresco dining and sunset cocktails. The menu is mostly southern Mediterranean and almost everything is made in-house. They bake their own bread, make their own sausages and pizza dough is made fresh for every order. The basket of bread is complimentary for every guest, with a small dish of fragrant olive oil. The restaurant has an extensive collection of Italian wines as well as Washington and California wines.

13802 Purdy Dr NW, Gig Harbor, WA 98332, Phone: 253-514-6237

16.McCormick Forest

Escape into some of the best that mother nature has to offer at the McCormick Forest, a 122-acre wonderland with majestic old-growth trees, spectacular wildlife, and 4 glorious miles of trails to explore. The trails, which give explorers a lovely view of McCormick Creek Canyon, can be enjoyed on foot or a bike, while some trails are open to horseback riders. Another great thing about McCormick Forest is its accessibility. There is handy parking available adjacent to the park’s entrance and great picnic areas in the middle of old growth forest for guests who want to make a whole-day’s trip out of their McCormick Forest getaway.

10301 Bujacich Road NW, Gig Harbor, Washington 98335, Phone: 253-858-3400

17.Sunrise Beach

Washington has no shortage of breathtaking outdoor spaces for groups and families to enjoy. When it comes to Gig Harbor, Sunrise Beach is one of the best places to visit. A local favorite for picnics or family gatherings, Sunrise Beach features a 6-acre beachfront, 82 acres of scenic land, and 2 miles of trails and paths just waiting to be explored. Apart from activities that can be enjoyed on land, Sunrise Beach is also the perfect place to access a beloved scuba diving destination in the state. Good for the soul and the eyes, a visit to Sunrise Beach gives visitors incredible views of Vashon Island, Mount Ranier, and the Puget Sounds.

10015 Sunrise Beach Drive NW, Gig Harbor, Washington 98335, Phone: 253-858-3400

18.Chalet in the Woods

What could be more therapeutic than shopping in an enchanting setting? At the Chalet in the Woods, visitors can browse through and shop for breathtakingly beautiful European items such as Scandinavian tableware and clothing from St. James (France), and Oleana (Norway). Previous visitors will attest to the fact that a trip to Chalet in the Woods is more than just a retail trip, it’s a restorative experience as the store is set in on 12 tranquil acres of gardens, pasture, and woodlands. Service at the chalet is also spectacular as the owner makes sure that each guest is comfortable while shopping through an offering of coffee and baked goods.

9406 74th Avenue NW, Gig Harbor, Washington, Phone: 253-851-8678

19.Heritage Distilling Company

The driving force behind the Heritage Distilling Company is the passion that it pours into every single spirit that they craft. Founded by Jennifer and Justin Stiefel, the Heritage Distilling Company, or HDS for short, is inarguably amongst the best of the nation’s premier craft distilleries, and it’s also one of the West Coast’s largest. They make a tantalizing array of spirits such as rums, whiskeys, vodkas, gins, and aquavits, and they do so by using as many of the local ingredients that Washington has to offer. Visitors to the distillery can look forward to one of HDC’s many award-winning programs, or simply stop by the tasting room to sample the best the company’s spirits.

3118 Harborview Drive, Gig Harbor, Washington 98335, Phone: 253-514-8120