SEATTLE CITY GUIDE: LANGLEY, WHIDBEY ISLAND

One of the very best things about living in the Seattle-Tacoma area is having easy access to the San Juan Islands. Growing up my parents would take us to explore different islands each summer and now with our own kids, we’ve tried to continue the tradition. One of the places we visit the most is Whidbey Island where our friends have a little beach house and are always playing host. During our annual group trip this past summer, we decided to go a little early and enjoy dinner and the town as a fam before joining several other families for playtime on the beach.

While I was organizing our giant folder of images from summer to print into chatbooks, I found some of my favorite photos from an evening we spent in Langley on Whidbey Island and wanted to make sure they made their way into a blog post too. Wether you’re local or planning a visit, I hope this gives you some ideas. I know they make me want to hop on a ferry and go exploring — even on a rainy day!

Our album cover :) No musical talent necessary.

FOOD |

We enjoyed dinner at Spyhop Public House. Very yummy and easy with kids! Would love to try The Braeburn for brunch and Prima Bistro for dinner next time and have heard great things about Pickles Deli. And Sprinklz Ice Cream is always a good idea. Commons Coffee & Books is a great spot to grab coffee or ice cream and let the kids play (see sandbox and ice cream sign pics below).

There are several other restaurants in town and some just a little ways off the beaten path like Spoiled Dog Winery that would be fun for a date night! You honestly couldn’t go wrong!

DO |

Lots of “art” in Langley, according to this sign, lol. We didn’t do a ton of shopping or looking at art but all you have to do is stroll along and peek into storefronts to find fun treasures. There’s a pretty cool blown glass shop across from the Commons and I’ve always wanted to go to the Bayview Farmer’s Market (april-october) on a Saturday. If you walk through town to Boy & Dog Park there’s a fun little spot to hangout, look across the water and hike down stairs to the beach. It’s gorgeous aaaaand there’s a pizza place right next-door.

Like I mentioned, we usually hunker down at our friends house when we’re in the area so if you need any other ideas, this is a great resource.

That Tilly! She loves to hang and lean and drape and be all in your personal space. I honestly think it’s how her overactive brain, thoughts and feelings find calm — through touchy-feely awkwardness — and I’m totally the same, (ha!) so it works for us.

No idea. Probably trying to embarrass my kids, lol.

Hey Griff! Also known as the only human being in our family able to hold a grudge (or tantrum) for longer than 10 minutes. And it really stirs up my codependency issues that I’ve tried to let go of over the last couple years… I have always hated when people are sad/upset/bummed (middle child probs) but have a much better success rate when the mood passes quickly, lol. With griff I just end up breaking out into hives while he sorts stuff out. He literally stayed a few yards ahead of us or behind us up until the last 10 minutes of our outing.

And all we did was take the chaos outside the restaurant (a v. small restaurant where he could see us from inside) while Griff was in the bathroom and his feelings were super hurt when we weren’t all waiting at the table for him. Poor guy. Obviously got the impression that we had forgotten him (where’s a cry face emoji when you need it!?). I’m sorry G!

I know you’re seeing more of my kids than the actual town (some pretty views are coming!) but look at that scrunchie on her ankle! Ah! Love it! All about the scrunchies over here.

Practicing their very best lift!

Ha! Tilly is solid. I swear she’s made of iron. So is Oz for that matter. Always way heavier than they look.

Progress… he’s holding my thumb while we talk about what we would order if the ice cream shop was open :)

Not to be outdone… Poppy’s turn!

Light as a feather.

BEST big brother.

Still got it!

Still in his feelings…. (do you see him?)

…but there is literally no escaping us, Griff! Ha!

Boy & Dog Park… such a pretty spot!

Ok G. We get it.

BABE!!!!

My kids have a thing for putting “boogers” in the noses of statues.

OH, it also happened to be Poppy’s Birthday weekend while we were there! Gotta love destination Birthdays :) Trying to plan one for myself this month, lol.