Revisiting Gig Harbor and Beyond: Part 1

Kevin Kulesza
Jul 24, 2024
2 min read

Our second trip to Gig Harbor proved to be just as delightful as the first, even if it was a bit chillier and rainier in June than we had anticipated. Here’s a recap of our adventures, familiar favorites, and some new discoveries. This is the first part of a two-part series, so stay tuned for more of our escapades!

Sun Outdoors - Gig Harbor

We loved the location and our RV site at Sun Outdoors so much last year that we booked it again. This time, we were able to get my sister, Marie, a spot nearby. Most of the time, we had the entire row to ourselves, which was fantastic. With Beauty (our RV) being fully equipped, we didn’t use the park’s facilities, but Marie did. Her take: “For the price, I expected the facilities to be cleaner and better maintained. Maybe it’s because it wasn’t peak season yet.” Despite this, she enjoyed the location and walking into town to grab a bite and explore.

Tides Tavern

We made Tides Tavern our first stop upon arriving in town. Located right on the harbor, it offers beautiful views of sailboats and homes. The food didn’t disappoint either. My sister raved about the Tides Crab BL(A)T, and it lived up to the hype once again.

Devoted Kiss Cafe

A quaint cafe in historic downtown Gig Harbor, just a 20-minute walk from Sun Outdoors. With only four small outdoor tables, Devoted Kiss Cafe offers a lovely view of the harbor. The atmosphere and service were great, making it a delightful spot for a casual meal.

Mount Rainier

While Marie was off on an Alaskan cruise for the first week, we took a day trip to Mount Rainier. Despite the dreary weather, we made the best of it. The drive was beautiful, and we experienced the transition from rain to snow as we ascended. It was too cold and rainy for hiking, but the Visitors Center and the historic Paradise Inn, which remains as charming as it did in the early 1900s, were well worth the visit.

Olympic National Park

We also took a weekend trip to the Quinault Rain Forest, located in Olympic National Park. Since it’s over 200 miles from Gig Harbor, we stayed overnight at the Quinault Beach Resort and Casino in Ocean City. The dinner at the on-site restaurant was fantastic, with blue cheese mussels, wedge salads, and perfectly cooked steaks.

The next morning, we had a hearty breakfast at Our Place in Ocean Shores. It’s a counter-order hometown restaurant with large portions and great food. After breakfast, we took the Beast (our jeep) to the beach for a photo shoot before heading to the rain forest. The day was spent hiking and enjoying the incredible weather. The waterfalls and landscapes were some of the most picturesque we’ve ever seen.