Don’t Write off Oak Harbor Just Yet, Here’s 20 Things to Do

1. Blue Fox Drive In

The Blue Fox Drive-In is one of six remaining drive-ins in Washington. It’s a beloved local spot that’s been around since 1959, offering a nostalgic movie-watching experience. 

The lot holds up to 280 cars where you can watch new-release films on the big outdoor screen from the comfort of your own car or pickup bed. The price is insanely cheap plus it includes double feature films.

You’ll want to arrive early during the summer or for big blockbuster releases to secure a spot (like 3-4hrs early!).

They have activities to keep you entertained like a large arcade, go-kart track, beer garden, and a snack bar that serves their famous handcut curly fries. 

Camping overnight is allowed for a fee if you’re too tired to drive home.

See what’s currently playing.

3. Deception Pass State Park

Deception Pass is a strait separating Whidbey Island from Fidalgo Island and is Washington’s most visited state park. 

One of the most iconic landmarks on Whidbey Island is the Deception Pass Bridge.  Completed in 1935, this green bridge connects Whidbey Island and Fidalgo Island. 

Day trippers don’t pass up on walking the length of the bridge, enjoying the steep drop to the water below, often a vibrant blue-green color on sunny days (and I always keep an eye out for orcas).

Within the park gates, you’ll find:

• Cranberry Lake: A popular spot for fishing and swimming.
• 900-Year-Old Douglas Fir: Follow the interpretive trail that leads to this ancient tree.
• Amphitheater: Outdoor live performances during the summer months.
• Beach Access: Stroll along the shoreline enjoying the views of the Salish Sea.
• Hiking Trails: Explore a network of trails that wind through lush forests.

Discovery Pass required

4. Chris’ Bakery

Chris’ Bakery gets its own feature because it’s a historic staple in Oak Harbor as it’s been around since 1943 and still run by the same family!

The bakery offers a large variety of donuts, cookies, and pastries all with special flavors of the month, as well as different kinds of fresh breads.  They also do a decent job serving espresso using Fidalgo coffee from Burlington.

There are a few tables inside to sit and enjoy your treats, but most people take them to-go.

Sidenote: Donuts are my kryptonite and I have high standards. For as much as Chris’ Bakery donuts are hyped, I always feel a little disappointed afterwards, like there’s something missing flavor-wise in their dough. HOWEVER, they do a phenomenal job with their unique monthly flavors using real ingredients.

🍩You Might Also Like: The Underground Donut Tour in Seattle

The Farm Stand

The Farm Stand, also known as K&R Farms, is more of a roadside market rather than a working farm, so think curated white-label pantry goods and limited supplies of fresh produce sourced from local Washington farmers. Their highway board will keep you posted on what’s in season and in stock.

What most people come for is their impressive selection of over 30 flavors of Tillamook ice cream, served in freshly made waffle cones, which you can smell from the road as you’re driving by with your windows down.

They also have Hawaiian shave ice, with over 20 syrup flavors that you can mix and match.

With plenty of picnic tables and lawn games on-site, the Farm Stand makes for a comfortable and glorified rest-stop as you’re visiting the island.

If you come in the fall, there’ll be more things to do like exploring their sunflower field, picking out a pumpkin from their “pumpkin patch”, and multiple opportunities for autumn photo-ops.

Whidbey Island Farm & Market 

Whidbey Island Farm & Market is a cute stop for purchasing local produce, meats, and other products. 

Set inside a converted cow barn, the market has a cozy setup where you can grab a coffee from their espresso bar, which serves locally roasted beans, or choose a scoop from over 30 flavors of Lopez Island Creamery ice cream. Each summer they have a challenge for those who want to try every flavor throughout the season.

They offer cuts of their own pasture-raised beef and pork, as well as fresh vegetables and fruits from Washington farmers. In the fall, you can even buy corn cobs grown in the fields right there (I can never get enough of their delicious, sweet corn!).

The farm is best known for its family-friendly events, like Cornfest, and fun fall activities like their corn maze and climbable hay pyramid.

6. Pacific Northwest Naval Air Museum

Originally established as the PBY Memorial Foundation, the Pacific Northwest Naval Air Museum showcases interactive exhibits and historical artifacts regarding the PBY Catalina, a Patrol Bomber aircraft from WWII.

Experience what it was like to operate a WWII machine gun inside a PBY gun turret. You can also try wearing some night vision goggles to search a terrain table in complete darkness, simulating the task of spotting potential enemy personnel and equipment.

There are two flight simulators that you can try your hand at piloting either a PBY or the latest jet fighter. 

The star of the museum is “GiGi,” an actual PBY-5A aircraft that you can go inside, along with various pieces of ground equipment and military vehicles.

7. Shopping Pioneer Way

Pioneer Way is the shopping strip of Oak Harbor lined with quirky, small businesses on a one-way street. There’s a tea shop, a crafter’s market, antique shops, a cookie bakery, an art supply store, but…

My favorite shops on Pioneer Way are:

• PNW Vibes – fun and unique Washington and Whidbey Island souvenirs
• Your Sister’s Closet – consignment shop with a good selection of handpicked items
• A Vintage Affair – antique shop that used to mask as my dealer for Disney figurines

Unfortunately, this street doesn’t receive the same kind of love and tourist traffic that Coupeville or Langley does.

There are some attractive art sculptures along the sidewalk, including the mermaid that people dress in warm attire during the winter months.

The city of Oak Harbor throws events all year round, filling Pioneer Way with vendor tents, food carts, and live music. 

8. Coffee Shops

If you know me, coffee shops are an attraction all on their own and Oak Harbor has a few to choose from, some better than others.

My favorite coffee shop in Oak Harbor is Honeymoon Bay Coffee Roasters. They roast in small batches and the roasting machine is the first thing you notice when you walk in. The service is fast, and I appreciate that they use coffee ice for their iced lattes. Be sure to try their shaken espresso!

Whidbey Coffee has two locations in town, both with drive-thrus. They offer a quality similar to Starbucks, which I find to be more commercial tasting, but their shops are set up with the best sitting areas to catch up with friends.

Tucked away in a bright red house just off of Pioneer Ave, Appleseed Coffee is an intimate coffee shop that’s definitely a hidden gem. They roast their own beans and do a great, carefully prepared pour over.

☕ Read More on Whidbey Island Coffee Shops

9. Windjammer Park

Windjammer Park is a large, waterfront park in town that’s actually quite pleasant to visit. 

The park features:

• Walking Trails: Paved trails wind through the park for leisurely strolls or jogging, including a boardwalk connecting to Flintstone Park. There’s also a reading trail to read a story as you walk. 
• Playgrounds: Bailey’s Playground has ship-themed playset with slides, swings, and climbing structures. In the summer there is a shipwreck themed splash pad. 
• Picnic Areas: the park has several tables, shelters, and plenty of green grass for picnics and games. 
• Beach Access: Stroll the beach lined with driftwood, keeping an eye out for harbor seals, jumping fish, and an array of birds. There’s also a pond fed by the ocean that the kids will spend hours wading in.
• Events and Festivals: Throughout the year, Windjammer Park serves as a venue for community events and festivals, including the popular Sounds of Summer Concert Series.

10. Oak Bowl

Enjoy family-friendly bowling with 12 lanes available for hourly rentals. Be sure to reserve your lane online in advance, as spots tend to sell out a few days ahead.

While you’re there, order their famous garlic knots from Mario’s Pizza. 

Kids can stay entertained in the small arcade corner while adults unwind in the sports lounge.

11. Whidbey Playhouse

Catch a live theatrical performance at the Whidbey Playhouse, a community theatre run by local volunteers. 

Performances run throughout the year in this small auditorium that holds about 120 seats.

See what’s currently showing here.

Sidenote: I love a good community production as I’m a vocal performance major myself, however, I do want to advise that they are working with small-town talent and I’ve been disappointed by the quality in the shows I’ve seen here. Just fair warning.

12. Adult Bevies

The only brewery in town, Wicked Teuton, focuses on various ales and serves some of the best beer I’ve had in the state. They have different family-friendly events like trivia, paint n sips, and karaoke throughout the week and if you’re hungry you can order from Esteban’s Mexican Restaurant next door and bring it over.

For the wine-o’s, The Tipsy Jellyfish is an airy wine bar with bottles from the around the world, as well as some beers and cocktails. They have a decent sized food menu and host weekly events like karaoke and trivia.

13. Tossin’ Axes

Head to Tossin’ Axes to…toss some axes! 

They use projection targets so you have different targets to aim for and varied games to play.

Book a lane with up to 6 players. If you don’t book all 6 spots, you might have to share with other axe throwers. Reservations HIGHLY recommended. 

They also have a large collection of pinball machines and other arcade games to keep the fun going. And once a month they host a casual trivia night.

14. Roller Barn

The historic Roller Barn has been hosting skaters since 1950 and definitely feels like a blast from the past with its low ceiling and wood paneled walls. 

They offer open skate times that welcome all ages as well as reserved times for 21+ when alcohol is available for purchase.

There is a small arcade section as well.

The Roller Barn hosts the Twisted Barn haunted house during Halloween time.

During the winter, indoor pickleball is held on the skate floor. 

15. Book Rack

The Book Rack is more than just a bookstore. Think Barnes & Nobles meets nerdy game store meets. 

Besides books they have an extensive puzzle and boardgames section as well as Warhammer supplies.

They have a large game room where you can try board games before you buy or where they hold game tournaments.

They have a good sized cafe that serves Mukilteo coffee and eats.

And something super unique (imo) is they have 20 gashaphons imported from Japan.

Weekly book events include:

• Silent Book Club
• Story Time

Weekly game events include:

• Magic the Gathering
• Lorcana League
• Dungeons & Dragons

16. Hiking

You might be surprised to know that Oak Harbor and the area has a good amount of hiking to be found. Obviously it’s not gonna be strenuous mountain hiking, but definitely nice strolls through some nature.

• Dugualla State Park – several miles of trails through the forest, with over a mile of riding the shoreline.
• Joseph Whidbey State Park – a small trail system through varied terrain including forests, wetlands, and fields
• Strawberry Point Preserve – loop trail is just under 2 miles through forest and meadow 
• Hoypus Point South Trails – 5 mile loop with varied braided trails in between

17. Whidbey Island Sculpture Experience

The Whidbey Island Sculpture Experience features beautiful grounds with over 70 fascinating sculptures by artists from around the world. Explore barefoot trails and find benches throughout the property to sit and enjoy the art and surrounding nature.

Situated on a 10-acre, privately-owned property, it is a continual work in progress, so each time you visit you’ll find something new.

It’s open by appointment only, but I was able to see it during the Oak Harbor Garden Club’s annual Tour & Tea event.

18. Beaches

Whidbey Island is an island so there will obviously be some pretty epic PNW beaches to wander, each one offering different views and treasures to find.

• Ala Spit County Park
• Monroe Landing
• West Beach County Park
• Hastie Lake County Park
• Mariner’s Cove County Park

19. Squatchy’s

Conveniently next to the entrance for Deception Pass National Park, Squatchy’s is a Bigfoot themed gift shop.

This beautiful log cabin has two large rooms full of all your Whidbey Island souvenir needs, with of course, Sasquatch items. You’ll also find camping gear and rows of salt water taffy jars.

They have a $1 cotton candy “vending” machine that makes it fresh to-order.

Get a selfie with the 9ft tall stuffed Sasquatch inside or the 12ft carved wooden one outside.

20. Golf

Surprisingly, there are 3 golf courses in and around Oak Harbor.

• Whidbey Golf Club – 18 holes; semi-private; driving range
• Gallery Golf Course – 18 holes; public; driving range
• Deception Pass Golf Center – 9 holes; public; disc golf, mini golf, simulator, small driving range 

Most people will pass up on Oak Harbor unless they are spending a weekend on the Whidbey Island. Now you know some things that might be worth stopping for!