Dyer House Guidebook
City/town information
Oak Harbor is a friendly small town, well situated to explore Whidbey Island and Puget Sound. There are several festivals and craft fairs from spring to fall in Oak Harbor and around the local area such as nearby Anacortes and Coupeville. Oak Harbor is surrounded by the beautiful Puget Sound, with the snow-capped Cascade Mountains to the East and Olympic Mountains to the West. Mild climates prevail, rarely getting above 80F in the summer or below 30F in the winter. Wear a good rain jacket and enjoy the outdoors all year 'round!
16 locals recommend
Oak Harbor
Oak Harbor is a friendly small town, well situated to explore Whidbey Island and Puget Sound. There are several festivals and craft fairs from spring to fall in Oak Harbor and around the local area such as nearby Anacortes and Coupeville. Oak Harbor is surrounded by the beautiful Puget Sound, with the snow-capped Cascade Mountains to the East and Olympic Mountains to the West. Mild climates prevail, rarely getting above 80F in the summer or below 30F in the winter. Wear a good rain jacket and enjoy the outdoors all year 'round!
Quaint small town on the water, famous for harvesting Penn Cove mussels. Enjoy shopping in the small shops along Front Street and along the pier. The small museum is a great place to learn the history of Whidbey Island.
82 locals recommend
Coupeville
Quaint small town on the water, famous for harvesting Penn Cove mussels. Enjoy shopping in the small shops along Front Street and along the pier. The small museum is a great place to learn the history of Whidbey Island.
Anacortes is a small town north of Oak Harbor on Fidalgo Island with several shops and restaurants along Commercial Avenue. Anacortes is where you can catch a ferry to the San Juan Islands and Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada.
71 locals recommend
Anacortes
Anacortes is a small town north of Oak Harbor on Fidalgo Island with several shops and restaurants along Commercial Avenue. Anacortes is where you can catch a ferry to the San Juan Islands and Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada.
Small town on the Skagit River on the Eastern shore of Puget Sound with some good restaurants and small stores in which to shop.
91 locals recommend
La Conner
Small town on the Skagit River on the Eastern shore of Puget Sound with some good restaurants and small stores in which to shop.
Port Townsend – Small town on the Olympic Peninsula. Great day trip option to walk on the Coupeville/Port Townsend Ferry and explore the town for an afternoon. Ferry reservations are highly recommended if taking a car on the ferry (see the Washington State Ferry System website for details). Fort Worden State Park is nearby for hiking.
218 locals recommend
Port Townsend
Port Townsend – Small town on the Olympic Peninsula. Great day trip option to walk on the Coupeville/Port Townsend Ferry and explore the town for an afternoon. Ferry reservations are highly recommended if taking a car on the ferry (see the Washington State Ferry System website for details). Fort Worden State Park is nearby for hiking.
Food scene
Good, fresh seafood. One of our favorites, and within walking distance of Dyer House.
24 locals recommend
Seabolt's Smokehouse
31640 State Rte 20Good, fresh seafood. One of our favorites, and within walking distance of Dyer House.
Gourmet burgers, and they make their own beer. A longer walk from Dyer House.
12 locals recommend
Flyers Restaurant and Brewery
32295 State Rte 20Gourmet burgers, and they make their own beer. A longer walk from Dyer House.
Long-standing Mexican restaurant in Oak Harbor. A longer walk from Dyer House. They also deliver.
6 locals recommend
El Cazador Mexican Grill & Cantina
32195 State Rte 20Long-standing Mexican restaurant in Oak Harbor. A longer walk from Dyer House. They also deliver.
Local coffee shop with drive-thru option. Two locations near Dyer House, although the Pioneer shop is closer.
14 locals recommend
Whidbey Coffee
980 SE Pioneer WayLocal coffee shop with drive-thru option. Two locations near Dyer House, although the Pioneer shop is closer.
Take-and-bake pizza with a drive thru window, or a longer walk from Dyer house. A family favorite of ours.
8 locals recommend
Papa Murphy's Take 'N' Bake Pizza
1100 SW Bowmer StTake-and-bake pizza with a drive thru window, or a longer walk from Dyer house. A family favorite of ours.
One-of-a-kind local coffee shop that roasts their own beans right there in the shop.
8 locals recommend
Honeymoon Bay Coffee Roasters, Inc.
1100 SW Bowmer StOne-of-a-kind local coffee shop that roasts their own beans right there in the shop.
Once upon a time Jumbo Burrito was our favorite food truck that expanded into a local shop. Amazing, huge burritos!
6 locals recommend
Jumbo Burrito
31780 State Rte 20Once upon a time Jumbo Burrito was our favorite food truck that expanded into a local shop. Amazing, huge burritos!
Mai Thai Restaurant
91 Northeast Midway BoulevardA new, good Thai restaurant.
Tokyo Stop Teriyaki
910 Northeast Midway BoulevardFast-ish Japanese food with some of the world's best egg rolls.
1-2-3 Thai Food
31595 State Rte 20Always a good choice for Thai food.
Amazing local bakery in Oak Harbor. Try their donuts! Order a cake for your special event. We once asked for a "Taskmaster" cake based on a British comedy show we found on YouTube, giving them little info, and they nailed it. Longer walk from Dyer House.
Chris' Bakery
1025 Northeast 7th AvenueAmazing local bakery in Oak Harbor. Try their donuts! Order a cake for your special event. We once asked for a "Taskmaster" cake based on a British comedy show we found on YouTube, giving them little info, and they nailed it. Longer walk from Dyer House.
Delicious Mexican food in a Western European decor (previous restaurant), but it works! On the North side of Oak Harbor.
The Mill at The Kasteel
33505 State Route 20Delicious Mexican food in a Western European decor (previous restaurant), but it works! On the North side of Oak Harbor.
Expensive but well worth it. Amazing food by a talented chef. Easy walk from Dyer House.
22 locals recommend
Frasers Gourmet Hideaway
1191 SE Dock StExpensive but well worth it. Amazing food by a talented chef. Easy walk from Dyer House.
Greek food with a hillbilly flair. Gyros always sound good. Longer walk from Dyer House.
AB's Hillbilly Gyros
32760 State Rte 20Greek food with a hillbilly flair. Gyros always sound good. Longer walk from Dyer House.
rustica cafe - wine bar - kitchen
670 SE Pioneer WayFine Italian food. Short walk from Dyer House.
Local candy store in downtown Oak Harbor. Stop in and grab a treat whilst shopping in the local shops. Short walk from Dyer House.
Popsies
851 SE Pioneer WayLocal candy store in downtown Oak Harbor. Stop in and grab a treat whilst shopping in the local shops. Short walk from Dyer House.
Upscale Chinese food on the North side of Oak Harbor. They also deliver.
38 locals recommend
China City
1804 Scott RdUpscale Chinese food on the North side of Oak Harbor. They also deliver.
Our favorite place to get ice cream on Whidbey Island. They also have a very small produce section. Sometimes they have you-pick strawberries, and this is where we always get our pumpkins in the Fall (while also doing the corn maze and hayride).
7 locals recommend
K R Farms The Stand
36699 State Rte 20Our favorite place to get ice cream on Whidbey Island. They also have a very small produce section. Sometimes they have you-pick strawberries, and this is where we always get our pumpkins in the Fall (while also doing the corn maze and hayride).
The Tipsy Jellyfish
791 Southeast Fidalgo AvenueNew wine bar that is a short walk away. One of our new favorites!
Penn Cove Taproom
780 SE Bayshore DrGreat place to grab a craft beer. Short walk from Dyer House.
Gordon's Fusion Cuisine
103 Northwest Coveland StreetDelicious food at a new restaurant in downtown Coupeville.
Front Street Grill
20 Front St NWGreat food on the Coupeville waterfront.
One of my favorite places to get Penn Cove Mussels and a Toby's Parrot Red brew. Great location on the Coupeville waterfront.
40 locals recommend
Toby's Tavern
8 Front St NEOne of my favorite places to get Penn Cove Mussels and a Toby's Parrot Red brew. Great location on the Coupeville waterfront.
Hale's Kitchen
32185 State Route 20New restaurant in town for Southern comfort food. Check it out!
Mad Batter Bakehouse
800 Southeast Pioneer WayNew bakery in Downtown Oak Harbor.
Sunshine Drip Coffee Lounge
306 N Main StFun local coffee shop in Coupeville.
Wine shop, pie shop, and cheese/souvenir shops on the South side of Whidbey Island in Greenbank.
62 locals recommend
Greenbank Farm
765 Wonn RdWine shop, pie shop, and cheese/souvenir shops on the South side of Whidbey Island in Greenbank.
Sightseeing
A fun little museum in Coupeville presenting the history of Whidbey Island.
11 locals recommend
Island county Historical society Museum
908 NW Alexander StA fun little museum in Coupeville presenting the history of Whidbey Island.
A great little museum in Oak Harbor presenting the history of city, and the influence of the U.S. Navy since 1942.
11 locals recommend
PBY Memorial Foundation PBY-Naval Air Museum
270 SE Pioneer WayA great little museum in Oak Harbor presenting the history of city, and the influence of the U.S. Navy since 1942.
The most visited state park in Washington for good reason. Enjoy the beaches, hikes, and views of and from the bridge. Sometimes you can see seals playing in the currents, or whales swimming past.
278 locals recommend
Deception Pass State Park
41229 State Route 20The most visited state park in Washington for good reason. Enjoy the beaches, hikes, and views of and from the bridge. Sometimes you can see seals playing in the currents, or whales swimming past.
Walk the extensive gun mounts of this old U.S. Fort and enjoy the beautiful views of Puget Sound and the Cascade Mountains.
72 locals recommend
Fort Casey State Park
1280 Engle RdWalk the extensive gun mounts of this old U.S. Fort and enjoy the beautiful views of Puget Sound and the Cascade Mountains.
Many hiking trails and a great place to mountain bike. Have a picnic and fly kites below the old fort gun mounts while enjoying beautiful views of Puget Sound and the Cascade Mountains.
49 locals recommend
Fort Ebey State Park
400 Hill Valley DrMany hiking trails and a great place to mountain bike. Have a picnic and fly kites below the old fort gun mounts while enjoying beautiful views of Puget Sound and the Cascade Mountains.
The Roller Barn is an Oak Harbor classic! Enjoy skating in one of the longest standing buildings on the Island.
Roller Barn
98 NE Barron DrThe Roller Barn is an Oak Harbor classic! Enjoy skating in one of the longest standing buildings on the Island.
A family favorite! Tune in to 88.7 FM, grab dinner at the drive in, and enjoy two or three feature films, depending on the season. Dress warmly, even in the summer. They also have go karts, an arcade, and the Back Lot beer garden.
40 locals recommend
Blue Fox Drive-In Theatre
1403 N Monroe Landing RdA family favorite! Tune in to 88.7 FM, grab dinner at the drive in, and enjoy two or three feature films, depending on the season. Dress warmly, even in the summer. They also have go karts, an arcade, and the Back Lot beer garden.
Windjammer Park, formerly known as City Beach, is a great place for a stroll along the water on the beach. Offers a lagoon for swimming, playground, ball parks, and a weekly farmer's market. Also the place where many festivals in Oak Harbor are centered. Short walk from Dyer House.
10 locals recommend
Windjammer Park
1600 SW Beeksma DrWindjammer Park, formerly known as City Beach, is a great place for a stroll along the water on the beach. Offers a lagoon for swimming, playground, ball parks, and a weekly farmer's market. Also the place where many festivals in Oak Harbor are centered. Short walk from Dyer House.
Well off the beaten path. Good forest hiking down to the Puget Sound, although there is not much parking available.
Dugualla State Park
799 E Sleeper RdWell off the beaten path. Good forest hiking down to the Puget Sound, although there is not much parking available.
On the Fidalgo Island-side of Deception Pass State Park. See local sea life at the tide pools. Sometimes one can see porpoises, orcas, and the occasional gray whale. Connects by a half-mile trail to nearby Bowman Bay.
19 locals recommend
Rosario Beach
On the Fidalgo Island-side of Deception Pass State Park. See local sea life at the tide pools. Sometimes one can see porpoises, orcas, and the occasional gray whale. Connects by a half-mile trail to nearby Bowman Bay.
On the Fidalgo Island-side of Deception Pass State Park. Wide beach, hiking, fishing and other outdoor activities. Connects by a half-mile trail to Rosario Beach.
14 locals recommend
Bowman Bay, Deception Pass State Park
4402 Bowman Bay RdOn the Fidalgo Island-side of Deception Pass State Park. Wide beach, hiking, fishing and other outdoor activities. Connects by a half-mile trail to Rosario Beach.
Good hiking and mountain biking trails. Drive, hike, or bike to the top for an amazing view of Whidbey Island!
64 locals recommend
Mt Erie Park
Good hiking and mountain biking trails. Drive, hike, or bike to the top for an amazing view of Whidbey Island!
Traveler advice
What to pack
Wear good walking shoes and enjoy the many local hikes.
Always bring a jacket or sweatshirt. It will cool off at night, even in the summer.
Getting around
State Park Pass / Fees
Washington State Parks required either a day pass (about $11.50) or an annual pass (about $35) for parking. Each pass is good for one vehicle and all of the occupants.
Book before you go
Outdoor Adventures
There are several companies in the area that do whale-watching tours, fishing outings, and other outdoor adventures.