Shopping
A walk down Bay Street on Port Orchard’s waterfront reveals a cluster of shops, restaurants, and experiences that are perfect for spending a few hours with family, or friends, or enjoying a little solo time. The Port Orchard waterfront isn’t glitzy or ostentatious but it does have great locals and tons of heart. Plus, you can find almost anything you need in our beautiful, historical downtown.
Dine
The Port Orchard Waterfront has eatery options that range from a fancy affair for the 21+ crowd to friendly dining experiences for the whole family. Just a short walkabout Bay Street and you’ll discover hand-ground sirloin burgers, sourdough pizzas, vegan donuts, hand-crafted ice cream, and so much more!
Where to Stay
Whether you’re visiting for a weekend getaway or staying a little longer, downtown Port Orchard offers a range of comfortable places to rest and recharge. From cozy inns to convenient lodging close to the waterfront, these stays provide an easy home base for exploring the area.
Experience & Membership Orgs
Downtown Port Orchard is home to a variety of experiences and membership organizations that bring people together and celebrate community life, making it a place where traditions grow, ideas are shared, and community truly comes to life.
Services
A stroll through downtown Port Orchard reveals a wide mix of services that support everyday life and special moments alike. From essential stops like banks and professional offices to places focused on wellness, relaxation, and personal care, these locally rooted businesses keep the community running.
Markets
port orchard Farmers market
The Port Orchard Farmers Market was founded in 1978 and is the longest-running farmers market on the Kitsap Peninsula. The Farmers Market runs from April-October every year in the marina parking, near the waterfront gazebo.
Port Orchard Public Market
A large underwater mural splashes across the outer wall of the market, making it a prime location for visitors to take a group photo or an iconic selfie. Inside the market, you’ll find a handful of small, family-owned businesses like Salmonberry Books and Mallory’s Custom Framing. There is also a giant chess board on the floor and life-size pieces (if you’re the size of a preschooler). The market plays host to several family-friendly activations each year like the scarecrow and gingerbread house competitions that are open to the public.
the local market
The Local Pop Up Market is where community and creativity meet. Makers and small businesses from around the Pacific Northwest get to showcase their wares and quality goods all around Revival & Josephine’s Mercantile, (701 & 702 Bay Street).
*2025 dates coming soon…
Theater
Western Washington Center for the Arts
WWCA is a not-for-profit organization and has called the Port Orchard waterfront home since 2002. The theater is a 74-seat venue for live theater operating out of an historic building, built in 1918. Their mission is to present, preserve, and promote the arts, especially the theater arts.
Polaris Theater
The oldest theater house on the Kitsap Peninsula has a renewed vision and a new name. No longer simply a cinema, the Polaris Theater will be a single-stage performance space that can also accommodate live music, special events, theatrical performances, lectures, workshops, AND movies. They are currently aiming to re-open their doors in 2026.
Museums + Library
Kitsap Regional Library
Port Orchard’s public library service began in 1924 and in 1964 joined the Kitsap Regional Library system. The Port Orchard branch provides classes for all ages, including toddlers, teens, and adults, and more community services then we can count! They are also home to the Port Orchard Friends of the Library, a volunteer, nonprofit group that raises funds for library maintenance and programs through used book sales and fundraising events.
Sidney art gallery & museum
Dedicated to preserving local history and promoting artists and fine art, the Sidney Museum and Arts Association promotes private and public interest in the history of Port Orchard and surrounding areas. In addition, it encourages interest in many art mediums, with a special focus on the works of Puget Sound and Northwest artists.
Veterans Living History Museum
A ton of military history is packed into a small, quaint space right next to the candy shop. Every item is an original and has a story of its own. Historians, veterans, and families are all welcome.
log cabin museum
Log Cabin Museum, built in 1914, features changing exhibits of home life in South Kitsap during the past 100 years and tells the ongoing story of the resident mannequin family, the Orchards. Log Cabin is open on Saturdays from 11 am to 3 pm May - September and by appointment. Make sure to watch for special Santa visits in December too!
Waterways
kitsap transit foot ferries
A uniquely Kitsap experience, riding the foot ferry between Bremerton and Port Orchard is a fun, affordable, and low-key way to explore these two waterfront communities. If you're lucky enough, you may even catch a ride on the 'Floating Museum' - the historic Carlisle II, the last of the 'Mosquito Fleet' foot ferries that once crisscrossed the Puget Sound.
port orchard Marina
Located on the pristine waters of Puget Sound, the Port Orchard Marina (operated by the Port of Bremerton) delivers easy access to boating locations ranging from Olympia to the San Juan Islands and beyond! Both monthly moorage customers and slips for our visiting boaters are available.
Recreation
pedestrian pathway
Connecting the micro-communities along the waterfront, the pathway offers pristine views of Sinclair Inlet, Bremerton, ferry traffic, and wildlife habitats while you travel on foot or wheel from one pocket park or business to another.
waterfront park + Gazebo
Owned and operated by the Port of Bremerton, the waterfront park sits just outside the marina near the middle of the pedestrian pathway. It’s a great stopping point to dip your toes in the sand, paddle away on a SUP or kayak, or skip some rocks. Your kids will love making new friends at Mary Ann Huntington Children's Park - or the ‘spinning park’ as the locals call it - while parents can sit and enjoy watching the local foot ferries and the larger Seattle boats cross Sinclair Inlet.
boat launch
Located across the street from city hall, the public boat launch is operated by the Port of Bremerton, where more information can be found: Recreation · Port of Bremerton.
Ha Tu Ba Di Totem
The iconic totem pole stands before the Marina and Foot Ferry dock, welcoming waterway passengers to Port Orchard. Carved by Frank Smith a member of the Makah Tribe in 1989 as a tribute to Gerald Grosso, a longtime Port Orchard community member, civic leader, and journalist, who became involved with the Makah Tribe through his reporting on archeological digs and preservation of artifacts.
South Kitsap Community Events Center
Coming soon…
Investing in our community takes time, but we know that all of our hard work, vision, and determination will pay dividends once we have a waterfront space where everyone can gather to recreate, learn, and celebrate.
The SKCEC will be the new home to our Port Orchard Library, plus it will include additional event and gathering spaces for public use.
Learn more at imagineportorchard.com
Individual Supporting Allies
Beyond the amazing businesses and organizations that support our Port Orchard Waterfront, we also thank the individuals who have chosen to be a part of our community.