I am heading down to Gig Harbor this Saturday to see some friends that I haven’t seen in more than 20 years! Yes, I grew up in that beautiful little village, and even though we didn’t live on the water, I could walk to a view. I may be a bit biased, but it really is one of the prettiest locales around, and that’s saying something when you live in the Northwest!
Jay and I visited Gig Harbor for a weekend a couple of years ago and everyone in the town was so friendly. The place has grown up a bit, but the actual harbor is much the same. Well, okay, there are improvements in the addition of several upscale restaurants, a town museum that displays the history and maritime activity, and interesting work being done in the boatshop.
We stayed at the Maritime Inn, right on Harborview Drive across from the docks. It was really pleasant and made it easy for us to walk everywhere in the actual town, which provided a bit of exercise that we needed in-between all the food we enjoyed. Who can resist eating a lot when the well-known Tides Tavern, a local icon for at 40 years, serves the freshest crab cakes available, along with a menu of pizza, sandwiches, and seafood fresh from the boats of the local fishermen?
My friends and I are meeting at the Tides, by the way. It’s the best place around and has a great dock that extends over the harbor, giving you a killer view as you eat.
To be fair, there are other restaurants of note in the harbor – Anthony’s Homeport is a choice that never disappoints and I’ve heard great things about Brix. We went to JW Restaurant, which hadn’t been open for long, and were charmed by the gourmet hometown mix of the menu. It’s family-owned and operated, and I recommend it – but you have to reserve ahead because it’s cozy and popular (another good sign).
We lunched at The Green House Restaurant, which is located in a beautiful outdoor mall on Point Fosdick Drive (up the hill and across the highway from the harbor, but not that far and worth the trip). It’s menu is trendy and the chef owns the place as well (my lunch is shown in the left photo above).
If you plan on visiting Gig Harbor – and you really should – include a boat ride while you’re there. You can rent kayaks at the boatshop or put your own boat in the water. Jay and I took a two-hour cruise on Destiny Harbor Tours, which leaves from the dock below Anthony’s. The driver and owner, Tom Drohan, is a wealth of information. He took us out past the Narrows Bridge and told us a lot more than I ever knew about the area I grew up in.
Whether you like to shop, walk, look out on a beautiful view, eat, boat, or do all of the above, Gig Harbor is a great weekend getaway spot. Enjoy!
Photos by Elizabeth Griffin or courtesy of Gig Harbor Tourism.