10 Best Things to Do in Port Orchard, WA

By VI Staff on May 29, 2019

Port Orchard is a small city in Kitsap County, Washington just a few miles from West Seattle. South Kitsap County is a thriving collection of small towns with many opportunities for dining, shopping, browsing art galleries and museums. Impressive views of the Olympic Mountains and pristine waterfront, make Port Orchard a picturesque town with a strong military heritage. Port Orchard is found on Sinclair Inlet and has many marinas and boating opportunities.

1.Manchester State Park

Manchester State Park is a gateway to the Puget Sound from the Kitsap Peninsula. The park is home to a former torpedo warehouse, and visitors to the park can still see a concrete casement used for firing triggers to military underwater torpedoes. The original fort was built in the early 1900s to protect the Bremerton Shipyards and was used as an underwater minefield during World War II. There are more than two miles trails and a beautiful, saltwater shoreline spanning 3,400 feet. Visitors to the beach can enjoy swimming, kayaking, and diving. A large campground with 35 camping sites and shower houses is available with limited RV hookups.

7767 E. Hilldale Road, Port Orchard, Washington, 98366, Phone: 360-871-4065

2.Long Lake Park

Visitors to Long Lake State Park will enjoy outdoor activities such as fishing, volleyball, picnicking, swimming, and boating. A baseball field is also located at the park and restrooms are available near the parking lot along with life jacket kiosks. A community building with a kitchen, private bathrooms, and seating for 70 is available for rent and the perfect place for family reunions, weddings, birthday parties, and other private events. Long Lake Park is only open during daylight hours and spans 27 acres.

5100 Long Lake Road SE, Port Orchard Washington, 98366

3.Howe Farm Park

Howe Farm Park is a historic farm with walking trails and an off-leash dog park covering 83 acres in the South District of Port Orchard. Parts of the historic Howe and McPherson family homesteads remain including a formidable barn that is still structurally sound. A restoration project began in 2015, and the farm roads, as well as outdoor structures, were improved and original materials salvage during rebuilding. Visitors can look forward to future improvements, including more picnic shelters, trails, and additional restrooms. These projects are funded through Local Parks grants.

Long Lake Road SE, Port Orchard, Washington, 98366

4.Sidney Gallery and Museum

The Sidney Gallery and Museum is a National and State Historic Site built as a Masonic lodge in the late 19th century and remains one of the few fraternity halls left in Port Orchard from the time. Taking several years to finish, the two-story hall was completed in 1908 and was used by the masons until 1956 when it became an Eagles Lodge, and then was purchased by the Sidney Museum and Arts Association in 1972. The museum features exhibits showcasing the history of early Kitsap County and includes replications of a general store, doctor’s office, school room, and hardware store.

202 Sidney Avenue, Port Orchard, Washington, 98366, Phone: 360-876-3693

5.Log Cabin Museum

The Log Cabin Museum is owned by the Sidney Gallery and Museum. The cabin was constructed in 1914 by a Civil War veteran and retired Indian Agent. The cabin was left vacant for a time, and in 1970 Port Orchard city officials condemned the building. The Sidney Museum purchased the property, saving it from demolition, and began work on restoration. Today, visitors can visit the family of mannequins that live in the cabin, affectionately called “The Orchard Family,” to see how life would have been during the turn of the 20th century. The cabin is open seasonally from May through September.

416 Sidney Avenue, Port Orchard, Washington, Phone: 360-876-3693

6.Home Made Cafe

The Home Made Café serves breakfast and lunch from the old “purple church.” Their menu features made from scratch dishes without high fructose corn syrup and the owners live at the café turned church as well. There are only 11 tables available, and reservations are highly recommended. Home Made café also offers catering and has seasonal dinners on Thursday and Fridays in addition to their breakfast and lunch hours. The traditional breakfast menu features biscuits and gravy made from scratch daily, breakfast sandwiches, and corned beef hash among many other dishes, while lunch embraces comfort food, soups, and salads.

537 Dekalb Street, Port Orchard, Washington, 98366, Phone: 360-908-5026

7.Bay Street Bistro

Italian and Mediterranean flavors are married with traditional Northwest dishes at Bay Street Bistro where the atmosphere is intimate, and service is unrivaled. The exceptional dining experience is provided in a casual and warm setting, with rustic features and decorated with local artworks. Ceiling fans and a lovely gas fireplace help create the cozy ambiance that has helped Bay Street Bistro earn several recognitions including Best Seafood, Best Italian, Best Romantic Spot, and others. Entrees are accompanied by seasonal vegetables and potatoes, and the restaurant is only open for dinner.

834 Bay Street, Port Orchard, Washington, 98366, Phone: 360-602-0310

8.Clubhouse Restaurant and Bar at McCormick Woods

The Clubhouse Restaurant and Bar is a favorite restaurant featuring floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the pristine ninth green of the golf club. During the summer, guests can dine on the outdoor patio with views of North Lake during an intimate dinner for two. Larger tables to accompany families and groups are available in the main dining room. The American food menu at Clubhouse serves everything from pizza to burgers, steaks, and seafood. All dishes are made with fresh, seasonal ingredients and American raised beef. The full-service wine menu is the most extensive in the Puget Sound.

5155 McCormick Woods Dr. SW, Port Orchard, Washington, 98367, Phone: 360-895-0142

9.Cosmo’s Ristorante and Delicatessen

Cosmo’s is an Italian restaurant serving brunch, lunch, and dinner. The chefs appreciate fresh foods, fine ingredients, and a love of food. They are dedicated to reducing the carbon footprint of the restaurant and try to keep as much waste out of landfills as possible. Cosmo’s is all about the customer experience and uplifting every person that steps foot into the restaurant. They are known for their traditional and rustic Italian dishes, fresh seafood, and high-quality ingredients.

1621 SE Lund Ave, Port Orchard, Washington, 98367, Phone: 360-895-3138

10.Everybody’s American Cookhouse and Sports Theater

Everybody’s American Cookhouse and Sports Theater is a homestyle restaurant focused on comfort food from the Pacific Northwest. An elegant lounge is connected to the dining room where guests can enjoy local microbrews, wine, beer, and cocktails in the Sports Theater. The in-house bakery at the cookhouse provides desserts to-go, and the restaurant is decorated by art from local artists and artisans. The produce at the Cookhouse is grown at Kitsap Helpline Nursery to guarantee the freshest produce.

4215 Mile Hill Drive, Port Orchard, Washington, 98366, Phone: 360-443-2979