Langley is Cute as Heck – Here’s 12 Things to Do There
If you’re daytripping to Whidbey Island, Washington chances are you’re taking the Mukilteo ferry and heading straight to Langley. It’s a quintessential, artsy seaside town with easy touristy shops to browse, good restaurants to eat, and quirky things to find.
As a Whidbey Island local, Langley isn’t exactly in my backyard. It’s on the south end of the island and I’m up north, so I don’t get down there as often as I’d like.
But when I do make the trip, I’m doing the things listed here and always have a good time.
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1. Whidbey Island Kayakers
Whidbey Island Kayaking is the island’s go-to paddling company. They offer kayak and paddleboard rentals, plus group and private tours, so you have options to at your own pace or have someone show you around.
If you’re looking for a guided option, their two-hour Langley Loop tour launches right out of South Whidbey Harbor. It’s beginner-friendly, so no experience needed, and they set you up with tandem kayaks.
The guides are local Whidbey Island peeps who know their stuff about wildlife, geology, and local history.
As you paddle around listening to them you’ll be looking out for seals, eagles, blue herons, and if you’re really lucky, a grey whale.
2. Shopping
What else does one do on a day trip to a colorful little seaside town but pop into quaint boutique shops?
There’s all kinds of stores in Langley that sell jewelry, imported goods, chocolates, apothecaries, pet supplies, and ocean-themed household goods. You know, your typical impulse buys.
The Star Store is fun because it feels like an old mercantile with clothes and kitchen tools on one side and a grocery store on the other side.
Langley Village is a faux village shopping area with a cobbly walkway and old fashioned storefronts. However, I feel like whenever I visit, half the shops are always closed. You just gotta wander through it all and see what’s open.
I never miss an opportunity to pop into Good Cheer Thrift Shop. It’s pretty big and once in a while I’ll find something useful to buy.
3. Phone Booths
Ok, I’m old enough to remember public phone booths lol! While they are practically nonexistent anymore, Langley has some around town that are still working!
And they’re free. No quarters needed.
But there’s a catch: they only make local Langley calls.
And while it’s fun to pretend you’re back in the 1990s, keep in mind it’s the 2020s and you’d be lucky for any business to even pick up the phone on the other end.
4. Coffee at Dawn
My favorite coffee shop on the island is Coffee at Dawn, purely because of its ambience.
I always refer to it as the coffee-in-the-woods. It’s set in a forest in the middle of nowhere, with no signage from the highway, so it’s like finding a magical secret in the woods.
Indoor seating has a lodge-y feel with skylights letting in a ton of natural light. And on warm summer days, it’s peaceful sitting outside under the trees.
They serve Mukilteo Roasters coffee (roasted next door) with a creative coffee menu like the Golden Sun Masala Latte or Urfa Chili Cocoa Latte.
If you’re hungry, there are tempting pretty pastries on display or you can order a full on brunch plate.
5. Seawall Park
Seawall Park is a short but nice path below the town where you can stroll with views looking out across the water towards Camano Island and the North Cascades.
At low tide, expect to see kids playing in the sands looking for shells and sealife.
Keep your eyes peeled for whales too! There’s a bell to ring at the top of the stairs if you see them to alert the town!
I follow Whidbey Island Whale Facebook group to keep tabs on when and where the whales are.
6. Whidbey Mushroom Tours
If you’re into the whole foraging thing or looking for a unique island activity, Whidbey Mushroom Tours runs public and private group tours.
Travis knows all-things-‘shrooms and begins the tour with a presentation about them, including foraging tips, and an on-hand display of mushrooms.
Then, everyone drives themselves to a nearby forest spot Travis has already scouted out ahead of time. I appreciate that he does this so you aren’t wondering aimlessly through the woods hoping you find fungi; he already knows where they are.
As you’re hiking, you’ll be learning what to look for with each mushroom type and realizing there’s so many varieties hiding in plain sight. You’ll probably even find some edible ones to take home and cook for dinner.
7. Adult Bevies
I do love me good alcoholic samplings and Langley has your pick of beers, wines, and spirits.
For beer, Double Bluff Brewing is a right in the heart of downtown Langley with a wide variety of brews from Ales, to IPAs, to Porters, to Belgian Saison. They’ve got a nice outdoor garden patio, live music weekly, a Hawaiian food truck in the back.
If you’re into cider, Misfit Cider Co. has a small tasting room in Langley Village. Besides classic and dry flavors, they’ve also got unique ones made with Carolina Reaper pepper (the 2nd hottest pepper in the world), Cara Cara Orange, and hops.
For wine, Ott & Hunter Wines has a convenient tasting room right in downtown Langley with water views by day and the occasional live music at night. They focus mostly on Rhone grapes from eastern Washington. Spoiled Dog Winery is more of a peaceful getaway set among the family’s farm and vineyard, just outside of town.
If you’re planning to explore the northern end of Whidbey Island, Oak Harbor also has a good brewery and wine bar to check out.
8. Langley Whale Center
The Langley Whale Center is half free museum and half oceanic gift shop.
Whales are no stranger to Langley, especially the gray whales that are often seen feeding March-May and the Southern Resident orcas that pass through in the fall and winter.
Whale skulls and baleens are on display, maps where whales have been recently sited are on the walls, and there’s plenty of informational plaques and artifacts to learn all-things whales.
There’s a cute, quiet room in the back for toddlers to chillax and color whale pages while watching a whale movie.
9. Art Galleries & Studios
Artists abound in Langley and you can admire their work in galleries and studios to support local craftsmen and buy one-of-a-kind pieces for your home.
10. Theatre
Langley is not only a visual arts town, but also a known performing arts town.
Conan O’Brien’s wife even debuted a play she wrote a few years ago at the Whidbey Island Center for the Arts. (He had autographed a trash can behind Langley City Hall, but sadly it’s no longer visible).
Check schedules for plays at:
11. Skein & Stipple
Skein & Stipple is everything I expect in a speakeasy: it’s a legit yarn store by day, cocktail bar by night.
A “check-in” host stands in front of a back door of the yarn store before letting you in through to the bar room.
There, the room is cozy and moody with the bartender in a vest and arm garters behind the beautiful wooden bar. I could almost imagine ladies in flapper dresses walking around.
The drinks are good and they offer a good array of mocktails too.
12. Yearly Events
Langley keeps itself busy with special events throughout the year and it gets hard keeping track of them all.
Here’s some of the annual festivities to look into:
- Whidbey Island Film Festival – Jan
- Langley Mystery Weekend – Feb
- Welcome the Whales – Apr
- Whidbey Adventure Swim – Jun
- Whidbey Island Fair – Jul
- Island Shakespeare Festival – Jul/Aug
- Woodpalooza – Aug
- Langley Street Dance – Aug
- Djangofest NW – Sept
- Soup Box Derby – Sept
- LittleBIG Fest – Dec
- Holly Jolly Parade – Dec
While you could spend a whole day in Langley, you might want to look at spending a whole weekend on the island to make the trip more worth it!
