Gig Harbor (Wash.) Visitors Guide 2018

with rough, hand-hewn fir were used by
local fishermen to store nets and fishing
gear. As the town grew, many netsheds
disappeared. Today, only 17 netsheds
along the western shoreline remain, but
Gig Harbor Bay still boasts the largest
inventory of historic netsheds on the
Puget Sound. These structures are best
viewed from the water. Stop by the
Skansie Visitor & Interpretive Center to
pick up a netshed map or visit Ancich
Waterfront Park to view a rehabilitated
netshed (open mid to late 2018).
Gig Harbor was recipient of the 2017
Great Neighborhoods Award by the
Washington Chapter of the American
Planning Association of Washington. This
award highlights improvements the city
has made in parks such
as the Welcome Plaza
at Skansie Park and
water access at the
Ancich Waterfront
Park, activities
for visitors such
as the Waterfront
Farmers Market,
Waterfront Walking
Tour and the Get
Around Gig Harbor
Trolley. Last year the
City of Gig Harbor Welcome Plaza
won the Project of at Skansie Park
the Year Award from
the Washington state
chapter of the American Public Works
Association for the Cushman Trail. The
Cushman Trail is a recreation lovers
dream. It provides Gig Harbor with over
seven miles of trail system and includes
viewing outlooks, rock walls, seating
areas, restrooms and benches.
Gig Harbor is located 23 miles from
Seattle via the Bremerton ferry and 15
miles from downtown Tacoma. Seattle
Tacoma International Airport is 45
minutes away, and Portland International
is three and a half hours. Tacoma
Narrows Airport is located in Gig Harbor.
Whatever your desires may be, Gig
Harbor has you covered. We encourage
you to take your time and explore the
entire peninsula area.
Other stops not to miss
Grab a bite: The world-famous Tides Tavern on the
waterfront or the newly-opened Table 47 at Olympic
Towne Center. Gig Harbor hosts a handful of great
eateries, many with award-winning menus and chefs!
Raise a glass: Heritage Distilling is the first and only
craft distillery in the country to offer individuals the
opportunity to legally be involved in the making of their
own small batch distilled spirits. Other watering holes
include 7 Seas Brewing, Wet Coast Brewing, Gig Harbor
Brewing and Olalla Valley Vineyard in Olalla.
Harbor WildWatch: This 501(c)(3) is dedicated to
helping visitors and residents become more aware about
our interesting ecosystem. Visit the laboratory at the
Skansie Visitor & Interpretive Center.
Arts alive: We are a great art destination with beautiful
galleries, several art events and festivals throughout the
year and two great performing arts companies, as well
as summer concerts in the park.
Sleep on the water: Don’t own a boat? Don’t fret. Sleep
on one at Pleasurecraft Houseboats or the Fleet Suites
at the Gig Harbor Marina.
Gardens galore: Beyond the Gig Harbor Garden Tour
gardens (June 23-24), there are amazing venues with
beautiful gardens and unique accommodations that are
available to the public for weddings, romantic getaways
and events.
Take a walk: Gig Harbor is famous for its self-guided
walking tour with great stories about historic homes
and businesses. Pick up a guide at the Skansie Visitor &
Interpretive Center.
Walk the bridge: A park sits below the double spans
of the Tacoma Narrows Bridges and provides visitors a
great viewing area to watch the bridges rise out of the
water.
Step back in time: Gig Harbor BoatShop and Eddon
Boat Park provide classic boat rentals during the summer
months. Rent several rowboats and one very special
vintage electric launch at reasonable hourly rates.
Grab a kayak: Gig Harbor and the Key Peninsula
provides a marine trial system around the south Puget
Sound. See page 53 for information about the Kitsap
Water Trails. Grab a glimpse of the city’s canoe & kayak
team, five-time national champions.
Learn about history: The city’s heritage is unique and
a treasure we are trying to protect. Heritage markers
along the waterfront identify 18 sites of significance.
Visit an historic schoolhouse: The state-of-the-art
Harbor History Museum offers a chance for folks to
create opportunities to experience the history of the
Gig Harbor Peninsula, including the 1893 Midway
Schoolhouse and the 65-foot purse seine, Shenandoah.
The Skansie netshed: The historic shed is home to the
Skansie Netshed Foundation, a not-for-profit 501(c)(3)
organization, that was a place of work and refuge for
Croatian brothers Anton and Vince, and the crew of the
commercial purse seine boat, Avalon.
2018-19 GIG HARBOR VISITORS GUIDE | GIGHARBORGUIDE.COM 7