You can’t beat the view from Manchester, a tiny Kitsap Peninsula village located on the western shore of Puget Sound across from Seattle.

A popular destination for families, campers, cyclists and boaters, the community has an inviting waterfront picnic area, public beach access and two floating docks for short-term moorage. There’s also a popular local restaurant with some of the best fish and chips around.

Here are five reasons you should plan a Manchester getaway:

  • Manchester State Park – This gem of a park has 3,400 feet of saltwater shoreline on Rich Passage and looks out toward Bainbridge Island. There are 35 tent camping spaces and 15 spaces with utility hookups. The park has a fascinating history as part of the Puget Sound coastal defense system and several structures from that era survive. Be sure to explore the brick torpedo storehouse that now serves as a picnic shelter and events venue.
  • Manchester Grill – This family-friendly café serves comfort food with a view of Puget Sound and the Seattle skyline. Located just two blocks from the boat ramp and public dock, the restaurant is known for hearty breakfasts, hand-cut rib-eye steaks, halibut and chips, and a Friday night prime rib special. The covered porch is a popular summer stop for boaters and cyclists.
  • Easy access by boat to Blake and Bainbridge Islands – Manchester is an important stop on the Kitsap Peninsula National Water Trails and a great place to launch a boat or kayak. Explore Puget Sound or visit the two nearby islands. Bainbridge Island has a wealth of restaurants, shops and activities. Blake Island is a marine state park and camping area that can only be reached by water. The Port of Manchester maintains an elevated boat launch and tow-vehicle parking area, which costs $7 a day.
  • Flat cycling terrain – The 37.5-mile Manchester Loop is one of the flattest rides on the Kitsap Peninsula. You’ll enjoy stunning water views and rural scenery. See our new bike map for more info.
  • Pomeroy Park, the Seattle skyline and abundant wildlife – Manchester’s waterfront has recently been renovated and the result is a charming picnic area with stunning views. When you explore the public beach, be sure to look for sea anemones, sea stars, sea otters, sea lions and bald eagles. If you’re lucky, you might even see an orca.

You can get to Manchester via the highway or nearby Southworth ferry. Lodging accommodations include the Comfort Inn on the Bay in downtown Port Orchard. Check our website for more information.