After you’ve had a great time in the village of Leavenworth and the Wild West town of Winthrop, there’s another place in the Evergreen State you’ve got to explore. Located on the Kitsap Peninsula, Poulsbo, Washington is a charming Norwegian town with just less than 10,000 residents. Between the picturesque storefronts, numerous shops, and ideal location near the bay, a trip out here is quite heavenly. Here are 10 of the many reasons why you should mark a trip to this unique “Viking town” in Washington on your calendar:

1. The historic town is full of culture.
KenRury/TripAdvisor
Poulsbo is a quaint small town that maintains a Scandinavian theme as a reminder of the city's early immigrants. It was named after a Norwegian village, and until World War II, most of the residents even spoke Norwegian as their primary language. From the storefronts to the Viking-themed events, you'll be able to see the community's roots all over.
2. It's a perfect place to spend a weekend vacation.
sea-turtle / Flickr
Between the unique attractions and wide range of lodging options, it's no wonder this small town is a popular destination to visit. To get to this waterfront town, it's only a short drive over the Hood Canal Bridge, Tacoma Narrows Bridge, or by Highway 3. You can also catch a ferry ride from Seattle, or if you have a boat, there's a marina with 130 guest slips available.
3. Their picturesque downtown has tons of thriving shops.
Edmund Lowe Photography/Getty
You can browse through all kinds of businesses along Front Street, many of which have Norwegian storefronts and names like Nordic Maid or Thor’s Hammer. There are also a number of fantastic restaurants to check out, as well as clothing stores, cafes, bookstores, art galleries, and a fascinating Marine Science Center.
4. The beautiful town is located right along Liberty Bay.
Gene Bisbee/Flickr
City of Poulsbo
Being right by the water, the town is a popular boating and fishing destination. While you're in the area, you can go for a relaxing stroll along the boardwalk near the Liberty Bay Marina and enjoy stunning views of the inlet.
5. There are scenic parks and trails to explore everywhere.
Alex Tucker/GoogleMaps
The city is home to 15 parks total, including the popular Waterfront Park where you can often catch a breathtaking view of the Olympic mountains. You can also find plenty of trails and loops over at Poulsbo's Fish Park!

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6. Your taste buds will explode when you try Sluys' Bakery.
daveraley/Flickr
Jenna Rose Robbins
The whole world can love and appreciate Poulsbo Bread, made locally in this famous bakery. They're not just great at making bread though! There are dozens of other Nordic baked goods that you'll be tempted to try too, like cinnamon rolls, donuts, scones and more.
7. If you love beer, there's even a Viking-themed brewery that you can check out.
arekeweled/GoogleMaps
Valhöll Brewing makes award-winning micro-brews that are definitely worth a taste while you're in town. They also fill growlers and offer a great view of Liberty Bay, located not far from Waterfront Park on 3rd Ave NE.
8. There are amazing Scandinavian murals to admire all over town.
Ken Rury/TripAdvisor
Even better, this vibrant work of art in particular is painted on the side of Boehm’s Chocolates! In addition, there's another remarkable mural just outside of the Bakery Cafe downtown with an elaborate "Velkommen To Poulsbo" design.
9. Where else in Washington will you be able to find an annual Viking Fest?
Tyneisha Breaux/GoogleMaps
In the month of May, you can put on a horned helmet and have a great time at this three-day event! It features parades, bands, craft booths, awesome Viking costumes and more. It's just one of the many things to do in Poulsbo, Washington!
10. It's incredibly charming to visit all year!
Visit Poulsbo/Facebook
No matter what season it is, you'll be able to find something new and exciting going on in this town. Aside from their Viking Events in May, there are plenty of other festivals and events happening all throughout the year, from Easter traditions to a Lighted Boat Parade. You'll never be bored in the "Little Norway on the Fjord"!

Have you been to this lovely small town on the Kitsap Peninsula? Where else in Poulsbo, Washington would you recommend visiting?

Can’t get enough of Washington state’s charming Scandinavian culture? We got you covered! Head to this unique café and museum in Ballard for an extra dose of Viking-style festivities.

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Poulsbo, WA 98370, USA