Local guide

Things to Do in Gig Harbor

What is there to do in Gig Harbor, WA? Walk the downtown waterfront, paddle the harbor by kayak, tour the free Harbor History Museum, and work through the parks. The whole town sits 15 minutes from Olalla and is very walkable.

The postcard town 15 minutes up the road, done the local way.

Written by Assaf, the Olalla Bay editor. Updated October 2026.

The case for basing in Olalla

Every Gig Harbor guide assumes you sleep in Gig Harbor. The alternative is 15 minutes away: stay in Olalla, on a quiet private beach with kayaks at the door, and day-trip into town for the waterfront, the food, and the parks.

You get the town without the parking hunt, and you come home to glassy water and no crowds. The house sleeps ten, so it works for the whole group. Book direct and make Gig Harbor the day trip, not the destination.

On the water

The harbor is best from the water. Deadmans Island Kayak + SUP is delivery-based with no storefront: they bring the boats to the water. Call 425-765-8278; reservation only. See our kayaking guide for routes and timing.

Narrows Park has a non-motorized boat launch under the Tacoma Narrows Bridge: 1502 Lucille Pkwy NW, free, 7am to dusk. It is also a Cascadia Marine Trail site.

The Gig Harbor Lighthouse sits on the sand spit at the harbor entrance with no public land access. See it from a kayak, or admire it from Old Ferry Landing across the water.

The waterfront walk

This is the walk, and it is free. Start at Skansie Brothers Park (3211 Harborview Dr, daily 5am to 10pm), follow the Harborview Drive waterfront past the historic netshed to the Bogue Viewing Platform (8763 N Harborview Dr, a free mini-park), and finish at Old Ferry Landing (2700 Harborview Dr) for the 180-degree view of the sand spit, Colvos Passage, and Mount Rainier. The whole town is very walkable; one to two hours covers it.

Harbor History Museum

4121 Harborview Dr, 253-858-6722. Open Wednesday through Saturday, 11am to 4pm. Admission is currently free. Maritime and peninsula history, the restored 1893 Midway Schoolhouse, and the 65-foot purse seiner Shenandoah. The single best rainy-day stop in town.

Parks and beaches

Kopachuck State Park (10712 56th St NW, 253-265-3606) is open daily, dawn to dusk, day use only. A mile of saltwater shoreline, 2 miles of forest trails, tide pools, and a boat launch to Cutts Island. It reopened in August 2025 after a full renovation. Dogs on leash. A Discover Pass may be required for day visits; check parks.wa.gov before you go.

Narrows Park (1502 Lucille Pkwy NW) is free, 7am to dusk: 34 acres under the bridge with 1,315 feet of beach and a gazebo overlook. Dogs on leash.

Eat and drink

Gig Harbor eats well. Netshed No. 9 (3313 Harborview Dr, 253-858-7175) does breakfast and lunch Thursday through Monday, 8am to 2pm. Tides Tavern (2925 Harborview Dr, 253-858-3982) is the waterfront institution, 21 and over. The 7 Seas Brewing taproom (2905 Harborview Dr, 253-514-8129) has the fire-pit patio. The full verified list is in our Where to Eat in Gig Harbor guide, and the vegetarian and vegan guide covers the meat-free options.

Rainy-day backups

The Harbor History Museum (Wed to Sat, 11am to 4pm, free) is the anchor. Java and Clay Cafe (3210 Harborview Dr, 253-851-3277) is a paint-your-own pottery studio and coffee lounge; confirm hours before visiting. AR Workshop (3208 Tarabochia St, 253-844-3041) runs craft classes on a variable schedule; check arworkshop.com/gigharbor for the class calendar.

Gig Harbor in winter

Winter is a good season here. The tree lighting at Skansie Park comes in early December and is free. The lighted boat parade runs along the waterfront in December, also free, plus the lighted car parade (December 20), Santa photos at Donkey Creek Park, and the harbor holiday lights contest. Event dates are annual, so confirm the current year's schedule before visiting. Netshed No. 9 keeps its waterfront deck open year round with heaters and blankets for cold-month dining.

Free things to do

Skansie Brothers Park, the Bogue Viewing Platform, Old Ferry Landing, Narrows Park, Kopachuck day use, and the Harbor History Museum (currently free). A full free day in Gig Harbor is easy.

Dog-friendly

Narrows Park and Kopachuck State Park both welcome leashed dogs, with beach and trail miles to cover. Pair the trip with Bandix Dog Park back in Olalla; see Things to Do in Olalla for that.

Where to watch the sunset

Kopachuck State Park faces west over Henderson Bay toward the Olympics: the best sunset in town. Runner-up: Old Ferry Landing, for Rainier and the harbor in the same frame.

Getting here from Olalla

15 minutes by car up Harborview Drive and Olalla Valley Road. No ferry needed. Parking downtown fills on summer weekends; the parks never do.

Find it on the map

Downtown Gig Harbor and the parks, in one view.

Questions people ask

How many days do you need in Gig Harbor?

One full day covers the waterfront, a park, and dinner. Two lets you slow down.

Is Gig Harbor worth visiting in winter?

Yes. Tree lighting, lighted boat parade, empty trails, and heated waterfront decks.

What is free to do in Gig Harbor?

The waterfront walk, three parks, and the history museum (currently free).

Can you see the Gig Harbor Lighthouse up close?

Only from the water. It has no public land access; kayak to it or view it from Old Ferry Landing.

Where do locals eat in Gig Harbor?

Netshed No. 9 for breakfast, Tides Tavern for the harbor-view deck, and 7 Seas Brewing for the fire-pit patio. The full list is in our Where to Eat in Gig Harbor guide.

Is Gig Harbor dog friendly?

Leashed dogs are welcome at Narrows Park and Kopachuck State Park.

What is the best sunset spot?

Kopachuck State Park, west-facing over Henderson Bay.

Should I stay in Gig Harbor or nearby?

Stay in Olalla, 15 minutes away on a quiet private beach, and day-trip into town for the waterfront, the food, and the parks. You get the town without the parking hunt.