21 Things To Do On Vashon Island (Ultimate Guide)

Vashon Island is one of our favorite islands near Seattle. It’s right across the water from West Seattle, but it feels like a world away. I’ve visited Vashon dozens of times over the years. Beach walks are my favorite thing to do, but there’s tons of stuff to do inland as well! In this article, I’m sharing 26 things to do on Vashon. I’ll share my best recommendations for activities, beaches, parks, restaurants, and more!

Best Things to Do on Vashon 

One of the best things to do while on the island is visit one of the numerous parks and beaches. Visiting at low tide can be especially fun, as there’s always a lot to discover on the sand. One of our best recommendations is to check the tide schedule to see what the tides will be like for your visit.

1. Go Kayaking at Jensen Point (Burton Acres Park)

Jensen Point is a beautiful place to enjoy all Vashon Island has to offer. The park is located on a small point on the island. Across from the park you will see Maury Island. The water surrounding the park is part of the Maury Island Aquatic Reserve. The park has a boat launch and picnic tables.

Vashon Adventures is located at the Jensen Point boathouse, which is where you can go to rent kayaks and stand up paddle boards. They have rentals for two hours, four hours, or a full day. Please note that the boathouse is open seasonally and reservations are required. You can make same-day reservations, but they ask that you give at least 30 minutes notice. They offer classes and guided tours as well. (There’s even a moonlit after-hours tour!)

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2. Try Perry at Nashi Orchards Tasting Room

Ever try perry? It’s kind of like cider (which is made from apples). Perry is made through a similar process but from pears. Nashi Orchards produces both pears and apples, so you can try both at their tasting room. At their orchard, they grow Asian pears, European pears, and heirloom apples. One of their current drink offers, the Island Harvest Perry, is made from pears 100% grown on Vashon Island. The Alcohol By Volume (ABV) of this perry is 6.7%. At the time of this writing, reservations are preferred for their tasting room. 

Looking for a hotel on the island? I recommend the Lodges on Vashon!

3. Find the Tree that Swallowed a Bike

The Old Bicycle in the Tree is a Vashon Island legend. Decades ago, a young kid accidentally left their bike leaning against a tree. Over time, the tree actually grew around it and lifted it into the air! Today, the bicycle is completely engulfed by the tree’s trunk. The bike is located near downtown Vashon Island. There’s a small trail that leads into the woods.

I remember first seeing this bike when I was a young kid. My aunt and uncle took us to see the bike in the tree, and it was so unusual that the memory has stuck with me decades later!

Interestingly, there’s another bike in a tree at Vashon Island that’s more recent. (That one is located by the bike shop.) But to see the one of local myths for yourself, head to the one in the forest.

4. Explore the Island by E-Bike

At Vashon Adventures, you can rent E-bikes to explore the island. E-bikes use pedal assist so you can go further at an easier pace. You can even rent longtail bikes, which are suitable for kids to ride with their parents.

They also offer two tours. The Guided E-Bike Tour will take you around the island during 2.5 hours. Your guide will share important points of interest as well as some historical background. The Island Flavors Tour will take you to local farm stands and finally to La Biondo Farm, where your guide (who also happens to be a chef), will make some incredible food for you. 

5. Visit the Lighthouse at Point Robinson

The Point Robinson Lighthouse is truly charming, and is one of the more iconic photo opportunities on the island. The lighthouse is located on the east side of Maury Island. From the lighthouse, you can see the East Passage, the city of Tacoma, and Mount Rainier. Currently, due to covid, there are no lighthouse tours on Sundays. (Hopefully this will change as the pandemic improves.) There is a gift shop that is open seasonally on weekends. 

The lighthouse has been in operation since 1885, and it has been fully automated since 1978. The park contains a sandy beach, a saltwater marsh, and woodlands. There are some picnic tables and walking trails. You can even stay at the lighthouse property. (Read further under our section Where to Stay for more details!)

6. Go to Lisabuela Park

This park is located on the west side of Vashon Island. The park is 5.5 acres and contains shoreline overlooking Colvos Passage. The park was named after a postmaster’s daughters (Eliza and Buelah). 

7. Visit Fern Cove

This secluded cove has a .3 mile lightly-trafficked trail to the beach. The trail has a short boardwalk. When you reach the cove, you’ll also see a historic landmark: The Smith-Baldwin (Belle Baldwin) House and Carriage House. The home was built in 1912 and was occupied by Washington State’s first female physician, Belle Baldwin. The landmark now serves as a rental home. (See our section on Where to Stay for more details!)

8. Check Out Frog Holler Forest

Frog Holler Forest contains 2.6 miles of trails. The park is named for the ruckus the tree frogs make during mating season. The park is located inland, so there are no beaches here. Instead, you’ll enjoy a (mostly quiet) walk through the forest.

9. Visit an Art Gallery

Vashon Island is home to many artists and galleries. Raven’s Nest focuses on Northwest Native Art. In the downtown area, you’ll see lots of cute shops featuring works by local artists. Be sure to visit Vashon Center for the Arts to view their gallery and look at their events schedule. 

10. Go to KVI Beach

KVI is one of the best beaches on Vashon Island and is one of the only sandy beaches. (It was voted Best Place to Build a Sandcastle.) It’s also a place where bonfires are permitted. (Just be sure to read best safety and conservation practices to protect this beach.)

11. Visit a Lavender Farm

Lavender Hill Farm is opened seasonly and is a beautiful place to visit to see rows and rows of lavender. (Be sure to check out their website for opening dates.) They are typically open mid-June through July. They have a mailing list you can subscribe to so that you stay updated on their schedule. While at the farm, you can make lavender wreathes and harvest u-cut lavender. There is no fee to visit the farm and they have over 20 different types of lavender varieties. At their store, they sell lavender essential oil (which they distill themselves), soap, and dried lavender sachets. For food, they sell lavender DRY soda and McTavish lavender shortbread. If you’d like to do a formal photo shoot, you can reserve a time for a fee. 

12. Go Shopping

Vashon Island has a number of unique shops. Giraffe is a store that sells ethically-sourced home goods. (You can’t miss it because of the giant giraffe sculpture outside the shop!)

The Country Store and Farm has been a staple on Vashon Island for over 50 years. Have fun exploring their general store and nursery. 

One of my favorite things to do while traveling is visit the local bookstore. The Vashon Bookshop is an independently owned bookshop. They host literary events and have a book-of-the-week list if you’re needing an idea for a good book.

Kronos is a gift shop that has beautiful beadwork jewelry, crystals and stones, and more. 

Treasure Island Antique Store is the place to go for antiquing. 

13. Go Golfing

If you like to golf, head to the Vashon Island Golf & Country Club. There is a 9-hole golf course, a swimming pool during the summer months, and a court that is open year-round for racquet sports.

14. Visit the Vashon Heritage Museum

The Vashon Heritage Museum is located in an old building built in 1907 that served as a church and a children’s center. It is dedicated to preserving the island’s cultural and environmental history. It’s a great place to visit to get a sense of Vashon Island’s history to provide context for your visit.

15. Head to a Winery

One of our favorite things to do while traveling is try the local wines. Luckily, Vashon Island has several wineries that produce excellent wines. 

Palouse Winery has been named as Best Puget Sound Winery and is currently open by appointment only. Also check out Maury Island Winery. Their vineyards are located on the estate, and their wines are made from their own grapes. They are open for private tastings (by appointment) Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.

16. Visit a Brewery

There are two breweries that are worth visiting on Vashon Island, one of which is Camp Colvos Brewing. Be sure to order a pastie with your beer! They also offer monthly subscription boxes which are a great gift idea. Another option is Vashon Brewing Community Pub. Grab a pint and enjoy their craft beers.

17. Indulge in a Spa Visit

The Burton Inn & Spa offers a full spa menu. In addition to massages, they also have an infrared sauna that you can purchase as an add-on to your visit. 

18. Go for a Hike

One of the best things to do while in the Pacific Northwest is hike. An easy trail is to Fern Cove (.3 miles). Another easy hike is the Vashon Island Fisher Pond Hike. This is a one-mile loop with a pond at the center of it. The Vashon Island Grinder Loop Hike is a 2.4 mile forested loop with 219 feet of elevation gain. The Burton Acres Loop is a 1.3 mile loop with 104 feet of elevation gain. 

19. Visit Dockton Park

Dockton Park is a 23 acre park with a swimming beach and an interpretive trail. The park was recently renovated with plans for more improvements in the upcoming year. One of the highlights of the renovation is a new dock which allows light to pass through it. This helps the local habitat. There’s also a new playground being built. 

20. Visit Maury Island Marine Park

Maury Island Marine Park has views of the mountain and many Pacific Madrone trees. You might even see herons or eagles during your visit. This park has over a mile of shoreline and is a must-see while you’re on the island. There’s also over three miles of trails at this park. 

21. Watch a Movie at the Vashon Theatre

The Vashon Theatre was built in 1947 and maintains much of the original look and feel of that era. The theatre hosts the Vashon Island Film Festival, and during the summer they also offer a Night Light Drive In. 

22. Have a Tasting at Dragon’s Head Cider

Dragon’s Head Cider is open daily for bottles of cider, and on the weekends is open for tastings. Their hard ciders are made from local apples and pears. If you make a reservation for a tasting, you’ll be seated right next to their picturesque orchard.  

23. Hike at Shinglemill Creek 

The Shinglemill Creek Preserve trail is a 3-mile hike that will take you around Vashon’s second-largest creek. The preserve is a total of 168 acres.

24. Visit the Mukai Farm and Garden

The Mukai Farm and Garden is a historical farm located on Vashon Island. The farm was founded in 1926 as a strawberry farm by the Mukai family. Currently, it’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The farm is free and open to the public. When you visit, you can check out the restored heritage home, the Japanese Garden, and the barreling plant. The farm focuses on celebrating Japanese American heritage.

25. Inspiration Point

A small turnout will give you access to Inspiration Point. There’s a scenic viewpoint and picnic area that is nearly an acre in size. You’ll have a view of the harbor and, on a clear day, Mount Rainier.

26. Vashon Island Troll

A giant troll was recently constructed on Vashon Island out of all-natural materials as part of an art installation. The troll, named Oscar the Bird King, was constructed in 2023 by Danish artist Thomas Dambo. You can find it at Point Robinson. The troll is part of an art project titled “Northwest Trolls: Way of the Bird King.” There are several other trolls located across the Pacific Northwest. The trolls will be on display for at least three years.