Facebook
X
Pinterest
Copy Link
Located right in the middle of North Kitsap, Poulsbo’s small town charm, mixed with its proximity to so much, makes it a desirable place to live. Here are some things to keep in mind if you are thinking of moving to Poulsbo or the surrounding areas.
Many adventures are within reach
Poulsbo is conveniently located at the gateway to the Olympic Peninsula. As Windermere Broker Marisa Robba says, “Our proximity to the Olympic Mountains is second to none.” You can easily explore beautiful places like Olympic National Park, which is home to rainforests, mountains, and waterfalls. Historic Port Townsend and sunny Sequim lie just across the Hood Canal bridge, the third-longest floating bridge in the world. To visit Seattle, you can catch a ferry from Bainbridge Island or Bremerton, or walk onto Kingston’s fast ferry.
There are countless recreation options
Poulsbo itself may only be a bit more than five square miles, but there’s much to be explored, especially when it comes to spending time in the great outdoors. Windermere Broker Bridget Young from the Kimmel & Young team shared, “For those who value an active lifestyle, the proximity to three downtown marinas and numerous world class trail systems makes our area suitable for everything from hiking and mountain biking to kayaking and boating. There are so many options to choose from. There is truly something for everyone.”
In Poulsbo you’ll find 16 parks, totaling 137 acres of land. These parks range from playgrounds and picnic areas to trails, sport courts, and a community P-patch garden. The newest park, Rotary Morrow Community Park opened on April 19th, and Raab Park will celebrate the opening of the new Play For All accessible playground on May 10th.
Local shops like Infinity Cyclery and Sasquatch Cycle Works are great places to find cycling and mountain bike gear. There are plenty of nearby trails to enjoy including the Port Gamble Forest Heritage Park and Poulsbo Pump Track. Both of these were created in partnership with the Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance. Additionally, Poulsbo Rotary’s annual Viking Tour features three courses, ranging from 17 to 57 miles, and a brew fest at the finish line at Muriel Iverson Waterfront Park.
If you’d rather be in the water, you can rent kayaks or paddle boards from Olympic Outdoor Center at the Port of Poulsbo (during the summer months). Alternatively, bring your own kayak or paddle board and drop in at Oyster Plant Park or the boat launch downtown. The Kitsap Peninsula Water Trails connect Poulsbo with many other areas via an extensive water trail system.
For pickleball lovers, head to Pickleball Kingdom. It recently opened in Poulsbo and features 12 indoor courts. Said to be the fastest growing sport in the country, pickleball was originally started in neighboring Bainbridge Island.
Poulsbo hosts many fun festivals and events
No matter the season, you are bound to find exciting activities and events to check out in Poulsbo. There is a growing arts and music scene, including the Poulsbo Blues & Jazz Festival, affectionately known as the PB&J. You can enjoy monthly art walks on the second Saturday of each month in Historic Downtown Poulsbo as well as the Poulsbo Kid’s Book Festival, and the Poulsbo Film Festival. Additionally, local breweries and wine bars frequently host live music, dance lessons, craft nights, and trivia events.
Longtime community favorites, the Jewel Box Theater, and Kitsap Children’s Musical Theater delight audiences with their many performances throughout the year. You can catch a performance of “The Importance of Being Earnest” at the Jewel Box through May 11th. Or, purchase tickets for “The Wizard of Oz” with performances running from June 12th – 29th.
Historic Downtown Poulsbo boasts dozens of locally-owned shops, restaurants, bakeries, breweries, and more. The Poulsbo Farmers Market has the longest season of all Kitsap farmers markets, running Saturdays from April to December, annually.
There are strong Nordic ties
Poulsbo is known as “Little Norway” and “The Viking City.” Founded in the 1880s by Norwegian immigrant Jørgen Eliason, many other Scandanavians from the midwest were also drawn to the area because of how similar it was to their homeland’s mountains and fjords. From the large Viking statue welcoming you to town, to the oversized viking ship and Uff-Da murals, you’ll find Nordic touches around every corner. The largest annual event, Poulsbo Viking Fest, takes place the third weekend in May every year, a nod to Syttende mai, Norway’s Constitution Day on May 17th. Approximately 30,000 people attend over the three days of festivities.
The Poulsbo Sons of Norway lodge has one of the largest memberships of all Sons of Norway lodges in the world. It’s also home to the largest group of Vikings. If you spend much time in Poulsbo, you’re sure to see these fur-clad folks posing for photos or handing out candy. During the holiday season, there’s a Nordic craft market and Julefest.
Windermere Broker Lora Benson, who is on the Poulsbo Historical Society board, believes that “the preservation and education of Poulsbo’s rich and diverse history have contributed to making Poulsbo such a special place now and will continue to well into the future.”
Learn more about Poulsbo’s history, and check out our Kitsap Events Guide. And, if you’re in need of a highly-rated, local real estate agent who knows Kitsap County’s market, our experts are happy to assist.
