One Night in Poulsbo and the World's Your Oyster

Poulsbo Washington is my favorite local getaway. Poulsbo offers something for everyone, it really does.

 My getaway weekend went a little something like this…

 After a scenic ferry ride to Bainbridge Island from Seattle, and a 6 mile drive down Highway 305. I cross the Agate Pass Bridge and immediately to my left is the Suquamish Clearwater Hotel and Casino

http://www.clearwatercasino.com/casino/.

This is Kitsap counties largest casino and the only North Kitsap casino with an adjoining luxury hotel.

 
I have some time to kill before I head to Poulsbo. I think I will try my luck in the casino and if I win big I’ll hit the gift shop for some really fun and garish cocktail bling.                                                                                               Photo courtesy of Clearwater Casino.com 

One Hour Later…

Back in the car with a free hot chocolate and a couple of sparklers on my fingers, I continue down Highway 305 towards the Norwegian town of Poulsbo, but before I hit the shops I want to check into my mini suite at the quaint and charming Poulsbo Inn
 

It’s cute, friendly and conveniently located, plus they give you really good chocolate chip cookies when you check in. The Poulsbo Inn is a great place to stay if you’re not making the Clearwater Casino your only destination. From here you can do it all and see it all.

http://www.poulsboinn.com/                                                                                      Photos courtesy of Poulsbo Inn.com 

Now that I’m all checked in and refreshed, I’m going to bundle up and take a short scenic walk down the hill to fabulous downtown Poulsbo. All of the shops are on one main drag so walking is no problem for almost anyone. My first stop is Maple Grove Cottage. I love this clothing store. The owner has a taste for funky, flashy retro chic, that reflects throughout the whole store. Whether you are shopping for coats, shoes, jewelry or handbags (The Cottage as I call it) will have you standing out from the crowd and looking sophisticated and sexy for your day out in Little Norway.

 

Now that I feel confident in my look, it’s time to get my browsing on. I’m going to pop into Kitsap Mosaics. I would love to get a group together for a day of making beautiful mosaics. They have a fantastic selection and no studio fee. I like that. Then it’s off to Saison’s Boutique. This shop has everything that is delicate and decorative. It’s perfect for your seasonal needs. Across the way from Saison’s is Liberty Bay Books. These guys are seriously helpful and friendly. They have a great selection of the latest best sellers and series novels, and they love to chat about what you are reading or direct to a new and exciting read based on your favorite books.

All of this looking around has me ready for a tall caramel macchiato from Hot Shots Java. This is where the locals congregate (Unless they are between 21 and 35, then they are at downtown Poulsbo’s only tattoo parlor, Thor’s Hammer ha ha ) the inside of Hot Shots is very artsy and cozy. It’s also a great place to find out what’s going on in town. Poulsbo has a plethora of events year round and they are always posted at Hot Shots, or check the Poulsbo Chamber of Commerce website ttp://www.poulsbochamber.com/annual_festivals.htm.

There is still so much to see and do. I have to go across the street after I finish my coffee and go into the Marina Market. They have the largest selection of Haribo candies I have ever seen! Not to mention tons of other cookies and candies from all over the world as well as a large selection of chocolate liquor candies, yummy. Oh and they do have real food as well, good news if you come in by boat and need supplies. I am going to take a quick run through Bad Blanche’s they have amazing deals on costume jewelry. As if I need more, right?

    
 
 
I'm feeling peckish and even though every restaurant in Poulsbo has it’s merits, I’m going to choose Tizley's Europub because I can sit outside up on their deck and take in the scenic Poulsbo main street as I’m having my afternoon cocktail, delightful!

Well it’s already late afternoon and I haven’t even visited half of my favorite shops, because they are ALL my favorite, and I just don’t have the time but you will if you get an early start and keep in mind, ferries are mostly always crowded so get there early. No sense in spending your precious weekend at the ferry dock frustrated and bored.

After a wonderful afternoon in downtown Poulsbo I’m going to make one last stop at the famous Sluys Bakery and buy a few goodies for tomorrow morning
 (If I can wait that long).

    It’s time to wind my way back up the hill to the Poulsbo Inn. There is a rather scenic church and cemetery on the way for those who like to tiptoe among the tombstones, If not the sidewalk will suffice. On my walk back I pass 2 Mexican restaurant right next to each other, Las Cabos Grill and Jalisco. I hear good things about both places. It’s a curios thing to see two Mexican restaurants right next to each other. Still good to know for later, being that they are right across the street from my hotel.

Back in my cozy but spacious room I unwind before getting ready to be picked up for a night out at the Point Casino in Kingston, WA with my girls. “The Point” as I call it is a 10 mile drive but well worth it.

The Point is a smaller property then the Clearwater, It doesn’t have a hotel yet, but I believe they will in the next few years, which will be great and I’ll tell you why. Even though The Point is a much smaller casino then the Clearwater, it has a lot of potential and if very focused on entertaining their guests with activities, especially in the summer time. In the past they have had many events where they have set up an outdoor bar, and had BBQ and bands. It’s really fun!  They have also turned the main showroom into an indoor beach party, trucking in sand and everything. I haven’t seen that with my own eyes yet but I hope to this summer

.http://www.the-point-casino.com/

The Boom Room lounge is a hoot. It would be a perfect place to see your favorite performer. It’s just the right size with a stage and dance floor and those fantastic over sized booths. They also have a very reasonably priced café for snacks and a full service restaurant. Oh and lots of really fun games to play. I can’t guarantee you will walk out a winner but I can guarantee that you will be planning your next visit on the ride home.

Well as the evening wears on we want to get closer to out hotel but also make one more stop.

Back to downtown Poulsbo, our destination, the Portside Pub.
They have a really rocking
house band on the weekends, and they have a full bar. It’s a fine stop for late night partying when everything else is closed and you don’t feel like being in a casino anymore. It’s located on the water, very local and not far from the hotel.
 

Yawn back to the room for TV and Mexican food….

The next morning I check out and wave goodbye to my favorite local motel.

 I meet the girls at the Clearwater for a Bloody Mary breakfast buffet and maybe one last 20.00 on my favorite game Rich Little Piggy’s.  I cash in my winnings and head back to the ferry to wait in line, a smile on my lips thinking about what a great weekend getaway I had in Poulsbo.