Without our history, what will we all be? Why not take a vacation to someplace that has it all, both history and fun? Plan your trip already with this guide of things to do in Bremerton.
It is a fascinating city with a rich culture and history associated with the US Navy.
William Bremer, who saw the potential in the area, planned to establish a town.
In 1891, the perseverance of William Bremer created the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, a well-equipped facility serving the U.S. Pacific Fleet.
The city is also home to the destroyer USS Turner Joy, which was essential in increasing US involvement in the Vietnam War.
Although the city is closely associated with the military, it offers picturesque attractions for recreation and entertainment.
You can attend a show, enjoy outdoor activities perfect for the whole family, taste delicious food, etc.
Discover this city’s wonders by reading our list of the top things to do in Bremerton below.
Fun Things to Do in Bremerton
1. Spend Some Time at Harborside Fountain Park
Harborside Fountain Park is a beautiful park near the Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, Washington.
The park is frequented by locals and tourists who want to get some fresh air or enjoy a fun, relaxed family day out.
Opened in 2007 and covering an area of approximately 2.5 acres, Harborside Fountain Park consists of five large fountains.
Harborside is the perfect place to rest and relax after a trip to the shipyard.
It is located near the popular Puget Sound Naval Shipyard.
This park also includes an outdoor seating area where you can have refreshments and just enjoy the beautiful view around you.
2. Go Shopping at Bremerton Community Farmers Market
The Farmers Market facilitates access to fresh and healthy food and helps local farmers sell their goods.
The Bremerton Community Farmers Market is held under the trees along Evergreen Rotary Park Beach every Thursday evening from May through October.
Many people gather at the market to socialize, buy fresh food and meet new people; the farmers market also hosts lots of fun events like the Kids Market Bucks Club and market chef demonstrations.
The Bremerton Community Farmers Market is the perfect place for shopping and entertainment in Bremerton, Washington.
3. Go on a Ferry Ride from Seattle to Bremerton
The Bremerton Ferry departs from Pier 52 on the Seattle Waterfront and travels west along Elliot Bay, past Bainbridge Island, and then through the calmer waters of Sinclair Inlet.
The pedestrian-only ferry to Bremerton is much faster and takes 30 minutes. If you want to take your car, the drive takes 60 minutes.
This can be helpful if you want to explore some other great towns near Bremerton, such as Port Gamble, Winslow, Port Townsend, and Poulsbo.
The Bremerton Ferry docks right in front of Harborside Fountain Park and the Puget Sound Navy Museum.
They are great tours aboard the ferry from Seattle to Bremerton, including million-dollar waterfront properties along Sinclair Inlet.
The snow-capped south and north peaks of The Brothers are visible in Olympic National Park beyond the Bremerton waterfront.
Things to Do in Bremerton at Night
1. Grab a Snack at Brother Don’s
Brother Don’s is a family-owned and operated restaurant and bar that has been in business since the late 1970s.
The restaurant offers beautiful views of Oyster Bay and has a lively atmosphere.
Brother Don’s Restaurant and Bar hosts weekly performances by local singers and bands.
Music and entertainment in the restaurant are mixed with various genres, from classic country to rock and blues.
The menu also offers a variety of tasty dishes such as steaks, pizza, burgers, salads, sandwiches, and many more.
Brother Don’s Restaurant and Bar is another great place to dine and drink in Bremerton.
2. See a Movie at Admiral Theatre
The Admiral Theater is another beautiful venue in Bremerton; this theater offers great musical entertainment.
The theater was founded in 1942; it was a movie house then; in 2017, after the necessary reconstruction, the theater was fully established in the 20th century.
The theater presents over 100 different annual entertainment shows, including about 60 professional shows, 50 community shows, and a two-week summer camp for children.
On their website, you can view the shows that will be presented and book tickets online.
The Admiral Theater is a great place to entertain family and friends in Bremerton, Washington.
3. Have a Picnic at Kiwanis Park
Kiwanis Park is the perfect place for families and tourists who want to have sports activities or enjoy the great outdoors in Bremerton, Washington.
The park has a standard football/soccer pitch where you can show off your sporting skills and have fun.
Kiwanis Park also has a playground for children who can enjoy fun games in this playground.
Hiking or walking the park’s trails will also help you relax in a soothing environment and enjoy the fresh air.
Kiwanis Park also has seating areas where you can relax or bring food, making it a picnic spot.
Kiwanis Park is filled with various fun activities for family and friends.
Things to Do in Bremerton For Couples
1. Try Your Skills at Gold Mountain Golf Club
The golf course has two main strike courses that will test your skills; The original 18-hole Cascade course is a medium-sized walking course with beautiful views and was opened in 1971.
The other is the Olympic course, which opened in 1996 and has hosted many golf championships since then.
The golf course is a somewhat more difficult and challenging course.
The Gold Mountain Golf Club also teaches, offering lessons for children and adults and a well-stocked pro shop and restaurant.
2. Watch a Movie at Bremerton Community Theater
Bremerton Community Theater is one of Washington’s oldest performing arts groups.
The theater began as a small drama program founded at the end of World War II as a source of happiness and hope for the community.
Bremerton Community Theater is the perfect place to enjoy a show in Bremerton; Shows you can see at the theater include The Wizard of Oz, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and classic Shakespeare plays.
It is a historic theater with many attractive features and performances; one of the best places to be entertained in Bremerton is its community theater.
3. Visit Elandan Garden
The Elanda Garden is a work of art specially designed to bring out the best in every plant.
The waterfront skyline of Elandan Garden consists of small, detailed branches of various bonsai waving to themselves.
Elandan garden is beautified with colorful flowers, leaves, and stones placed in the best possible way.
Elandan Garden is the perfect place for you if you want a peaceful environment in nature.
Things to Do in Bremerton For Kids
1. Take Them to Bremerton Ice Center
Bremerton Ice center is a popular destination for hockey and figure skating fans in Bremerton.
This center offers fun for professionals and intrigue for beginners; they offer lessons in town for beginners and others who want to learn.
In addition to private skating, public skating courses are also available on the ice skating center’s calendar.
Bremerton Ice Center also has a snack bar where you can get various food and drinks if you get hungry.
This center offers a variety of programs, such as public lessons, freestyle figure skating lessons, youth and adult ice hockey leagues, birthday parties, learn-to-skate, hockey development programs, private rentals, and broomball.
The Bremerton Ice Center also hosts events such as retirement and re-enlistment ceremonies, Gender Reveal occasions, and weddings.
Bremerton Ice Center is the place to be in town to have a good time with friends and family.
2. Let Them Have Fun at Aurora Valentinetti Puppet Museum
This is one of Bremerton’s more unusual attractions. This museum offers visitors, especially those with families, outdoor entertainment.
The Puppet Museum is open all year round and is very affordable; guests are shown unique exhibits and past puppet collections, with each puppet having a different style than the next.
The Aurora Valentinetti Puppet Museum also offers complete tours, especially for visitors of a certain age (preschool age); they have a large separate playground where children can play with puppets.
This museum also has a gift shop for all your puppet souvenirs.
3. Visit Bug and Reptile Museum and Nature Gift Shop
This is a family-friendly attraction that is free for everyone in Bremerton.
The museum has more than 15 exhibits suitable for children to explore and a massive collection of bugs of different sizes and shapes.
Many exhibits are preserved under glass, but some beetles and reptiles are kept in the museum; you can study them and learn about them.
Some small bugs can also be seen under a microscope at the Bug and Reptile Museum and Nature Gift Shop.
The gift shop also has all the buggy souvenirs you could need; this museum is an exciting place to visit in Bremerton.
Indoor Activities to Do in Bremerton For Adults
1. Grab a Meal at Family Pancake House
Family Pancake House has been in business since 1963 with several locations throughout Washington State and is one of Bremerton’s most popular family restaurants.
This family-run restaurant is known for its very friendly service and high-quality food, with the crepes clearly being the stars of the show.
The menu offers a variety of classic comfort foods and American dishes, pies, steaks, sandwiches, etc.
It serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with pancakes available at any time of the day.
2. Explore the USS Turner Joy Museum Ship
This is a remarkable vessel and one of Bremerton’s most popular tourist attractions.
The USS Turner Joy was commissioned in 1958 and spent many years at sea before decommissioning.
After the store was decommissioned, it was renovated and turned into a unique maritime museum for the Navy.
Guided tours of the ship are allowed, and guests can also explore the various decks and cabins on this historic ship; the guide will also answer any questions you may have.
A tour of the historic ship USS Turner Joy takes visitors back in time to explore the history of the United States Navy.
3. Watch a Performance at Kitsap Forest Theater
The Kitsap Forest Theater is unique, and visitors should prepare to be entertained; this theater is located near downtown Bremerton, Washington.
The Kitsap Forest Theater was founded in 1928, making it one of the oldest forest theaters in the United States.
The Kitsap Forest Theater is surrounded by a beautiful Rhododendron Preserve that covers over one hundred acres of land.
The Kitsap Forest Theater is a magical place where visitors can experience beautiful performances in both summer and spring.
The Kitsap Forest Theater also has nearby glamping and camping options and hosts summer camps.
Overall, this is the perfect place for an amazing experience in Bremerton, Washington.
Romantic Things to Do in Bremerton
1. Grab a Bite at Family Pancake House
This is a popular restaurant in Bremerton; the restaurant has been in the city since 1963 and has several locations throughout Washington.
The restaurant is a family business known for its excellent service and delicious, quality food.
As the name of the restaurant suggests, their crepes are their most popular dish, and they also offer great varieties such as pies, sandwiches, steaks, pasta, salads, seafood, and various meat dishes.
They also have a children’s menu, and the restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
2. Take a Walk Together at the Purple Scent Lavender Farm
This is a popular destination for tourists or visitors in Bremerton; this is a full lavender farm that sells all things lavender.
Examples of products sold at Purple Scent Lavender Farm include lavender buds, lavender-scented body products, dried lavender, and many more.
The lavender flowers start blooming in the summer, and this is when the farm is open; they also offer farm tours and U-Pick.
Purple Scent Lavender Farm is open to guests of all ages, and guests can also walk through the lavender fields and pick flowers.
The Purple Scent Lavender Farm also has a boutique that sells all lavender products; Due to the beautiful scenery, weddings are also held there.
Purple Scent Lavender Farm is another fun and informative place in Bremerton.
3. Visit Albers Marcovina Vista Gardens
Albers Marcovina Vista Gardens began as a residence for John Albers and his wife and later became a lush garden. John Albers’s wife’s name was Santico Marcovina.
This garden contains a variety of unique plants, divided into 15 divided areas, each beautiful and special in its own way.
These areas have a specific name, and the plants are usually related; for example, Primo Giardino, which features excellent horticultural plants, or Mittsu No Shima, which uses Japanese maples and conifers.
Free Things to Do in Bremerton
1. Go for a Walk at Illahee State Park
This is an 82-acre park located in eastern Bremerton; this park is a nice place to visit with family and friends.
Illahee State Park has a lot of facilities and outdoor activities like hiking, water sports, geocaching, paragliding, boating, metal detecting, and more.
The park also has beautiful views and beautiful, unique native plants. This state park is another perfect destination for fun in Bremerton.
2. Explore Bremerton Boardwalk
The Bremerton Boardwalk is a nice place to be in the hustle and bustle of the city, and it also offers a beautiful view of the boats and Puget Sound.
The Boardwalk is spectacular as you will see tall, incredible metal structures along the Broadwalk.
Some parts of the wide walk feature historic statues. Shops and restaurants are also available near the Bremerton Broadwalk as well.
The Bremerton Boardwalk offers a nice opportunity to enjoy some nice outdoor activities in the city.
3. Take a Stroll Along Green Mountain
Green Mountain is located inside the Green Mountain State Forest, around downtown Bremerton. This is another popular tourist attraction in the city.
Many locals also visit this place for its peaceful and quiet atmosphere and beautiful views.
Green Mountain is 1,639 feet high, making it the second highest point on the Kitsap Peninsula.
The round trip over the mountain is about five miles for hikers, not a challenging walk.
Green Mountain is also family and pet-friendly; this mountain is a beautiful place in Bremerton and should be a perfect destination for outdoor fun.
Cheap Things to Do in Bremerton
1. Grab a Meal at Horse and Cow Pub and Grill
This is another favorite in town, located in the heart of Bremerton.
This is a historic pub and grill from the 1950s; this pub attracts locals and visitors alike and is loved by the maritime community.
The Horse and Cow Pub and Grill is decorated with a nautical theme; this place has various maritime artifacts and decorations.
This place offers everything a regular pub and grill does, including tacos, chicken wings, burgers, and much more.
2. Take a Drive on Manette Bridge
This is one of the impressive landmarks in Bremerton. The bridge spans the Port Washington Narrows and connects Bremerton to Manette.
The bridge has an interesting history dating back to the 1930s; the bridge is located about 82 feet above the river.
Before the Manette Bridge was built, the only means of transportation between Bremerton and Manette was a ferry ride.
The Manette Bridge was once a toll bridge but is now free of charge. This unique architectural structure is a great place to visit and one of the best things to do in Bremerton.
3. Grab a Bottle at Silver City Brewery
Silver City Brewery is one of the best breweries in the Pacific Northwest.
Silver City Brewery is a locally owned and operated business established in 1966; its beers are popular in restaurants and bars throughout Washington State.
The Bremerton branch of the brewery offers full guided tours of the facility and tastings of rare and unique beers.
A taproom is also available at the facility; the taproom also hosts special events. Silver City Brewery is a great place for fun and education in Bremerton, Washington.
Cool Places to Visit in Bremerton
1. Puget Sound Naval Museum
The Puget Sound Maritime Museum is another place to learn more about Bremerton’s naval history.
This maritime museum is where visitors can learn about the maritime origins of the entire Pacific Northwest region.
This self-guided museum features many wonderful historical exhibits on maritime history.
The Puget Sound Maritime Museum makes learning about naval history easy with many photographs, exhibits, and artifacts on display.
Puget Sound Maritime Museum is free and open to the general public every day of the year, and the museum offers a gift shop and a special area dedicated to children.
The Puget Sound Maritime Museum is a great place to learn about Bremerton’s maritime history.
2. Lions Park
This is another sports park in Bremerton, Washington, where you can find various sports equipment and types of equipment.
The park also functions as a nature reserve, and other fun activities can be done there.
Sports activities that can be done in this park are basketball, softball, tennis, boating, and more.
Lions Park has a nice tennis court and a boat ramp on site for people who want to get closer to the water.
Lions Park is open all day, meaning you can have 24/7 fun every day. It is a beautiful park full of sports activities in Bremerton.
3. Kitsap Conference Centre
The Kitsap Conference Center is one of the best event venues in Bremerton, Washington.
This event center measures about 17,000 square feet and can accommodate approximately 700 guests.
The Kitsap Conference Center also offers a beautiful view of Sinclair Inlet directly from its location.
This center hosts all kinds of events, from weddings to meetings and many more; the Event Center also offers you the ability to thoroughly plan your event.
The center offers culinary, technology, and event planning services for events.
The Kitsap Convention Center is a unique event center located in Bremerton, Washington.
Conclusion
Bremerton is full of different options and activities; the city has beautiful places, people, and really fun activities that create fun and memorable experiences for visitors.
Start planning your trip to Bremerton and pin this checklist of things to do in Bremerton as you explore these fun attractions and activities.
