Phylicia StitzelPicture this: You’re standing on a ferry deck, salty breeze in your hair, kids wide-eyed watching seagulls swoop and maybe (just maybe) spotting a whale tail in the distance. You’re not dreaming — you’re heading to the San Juan Islands with Kids! Friday Harbor with kids, the heart of the San Juan Islands and one of the most family-friendly getaways in the Pacific Northwest if you’re looking for a marine escape.
Whether your crew is into marine life, hands-on museums, good eats, or just finding the best place to watch the sunset while munching ice cream, Friday Harbor delivers. Here’s your ideal family weekend san juan islands itinerary, packed with memorable moments, energy-burning activities, and just enough chill time for the grown-ups to sneak in a glass of wine or beer.
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FRIDAY: Ferry Fun + Exploring Downtown Friday Harbor
Depart Anacortes on the Washington State Ferry
This is not your average commute, friends. The ferry ride is an experience in itself! Kids love watching for porpoises, ferries gliding by, and you might even spot a whale before you hit the island. The ferry transit isn’t always a direct line, which makes it a bit of a longer of a commute but if you’re blessed with a sunny sky – you won’t mind the extra time on the ferry.
Welcome to the San Juan Islands!
Just getting off the ferry, you’ll feel how special the San Juan Islands really are. The “Hallmark” style main street – which is named Spring Street with historical buildings leading up the hill after going around the roundabout and green poking out of every available corner of the street.
Explore Friday Harbor on Foot
Once you dock, park that car and wander through the heart of this friendly seaside town. What I suggest is to park your car at the hotel you’re staying at and then head out on foot. Most parking around the island waterfront has limited parking and only for two hours at a time. Best plan is to park at your hotel:
Best places in town to check out:
- 🐋 CWR Orca Survey Outreach & Education Center – Real-time whale research + hands-on learning = win. You can also do a VR experience, educational videos and lessons from local experts.
- 📚 Griffin Bay Bookstore – A cozy local shop for storytime and souvenir browsing.
- 🧂 San Juan Island Sea Salt – See how this local business creates solar-evaporated sea salt is made and grab a pouch for your next family popcorn night. They have more snacks to enjoy – not just salt.
- 🎨 San Juan Islands Museum of Art – Beautiful, bite-sized exhibits perfect for short attention spans.
- 🐳 The Whale Museum – A must-visit. Kids love the whale skeletons, and enjoying an interactive museum where you can encourage your kids to touch everything.
- 🧼 Salty at Heart Apothecary – Locally made soaps and skincare. Bonus: it smells amazing inside.
- 🏖️ Jackson Beach – Let the kids burn off steam collecting shells and skipping rocks.
Check-in at Earthbox Inn & Spa
Drop the bags and do a happy dance — you made it! This chic, family-friendly hotel is centrally located, has a heated indoor pool, and plenty of space to unwind. (Did I mention the pool?) This hotel was the MOST ideal base camp for a family weekend San Juan Islands.
Dinner at San Juan Island Brewing Co.
🍻 Giant pretzels, local brews for the grown-ups, and a relaxed vibe perfect for a post-travel wind-down. Let the kids run around the grassy lawn while you chat and nosh. The local beers are fantastic – but if you use this itinerary NOT on a weekend, beware that triva night is on Thursday nights.
SATURDAY: Orcas, Parks, and a Whale of an Adventure
Morning at San Juan Island National Historical Park – American Camp
Stretch those legs with a walk through this gorgeous national park. You’ll see wild coastal views, historic buildings, and maybe a fox or two trotting across the prairie. Great for a stroller-friendly hike or a game of “who can spot the most rabbits.”
Visit Lime Kiln Point State Park
Known as the “Whale Watch Park,” this is one of the best spots in the world to see orcas from land. There’s a lighthouse, easy trails, and binoculars to borrow. Definitely pack a picnic and take your time here.
Classic Whale Watch Tour with San Juan Safaris
Ready for a real-deal ocean adventure? Book an afternoon tour with San Juan Safaris, which offers comfortable boats, indoor seating, and naturalists who keep kids entertained with fun marine facts. Be on the lookout for orcas, humpbacks, sea lions, and maybe even a puffin if you’re lucky.
Parent tip: Bring snacks, water, and layers — island weather is a fickle friend.
Dinner Option: Casual Pizza or Picnic Night
After a day of salty sea air and sea creature sightings, keep it simple with a pizza night at Van Go’s Pizza or take some grab-and-go from Spring Street Deli and have a chill dinner back at the hotel.
Sunday: Sculpture Walks + Beach Time + Farewell FerryMorning Stroll + Brunch
Start your day with brunch at Salty Fox Coffee, where parents can refuel on espresso and kids get muffins bigger than their faces.
Take a relaxing walk along the Waterfront Trail, where you can spot otters and boats while your toddler practices their rock-collecting skills. (Spoiler: All of them are treasures.)
Sculpture Park Stop:
If you have time before your ferry, head to the San Juan Islands Sculpture Park (about 15 minutes north of town). It’s stroller-accessible, full of massive art installations, and perfect for a kiddo-led nature walk that feels more like play than sightseeing.
Heading Home:
Board the ferry with tired kids, full hearts, and phones full of photos. Bonus points if someone falls asleep before you hit Anacortes – for my trip to San Juan Islands with kids both of my kids passed out.
A Little History of Friday Harbor: The Island Town with a Whale-Sized Past
Before it became a beloved weekend escape filled with ferry rides and farmers’ markets, Friday Harbor was a quiet fishing village with a surprising amount of drama for such a chill place.
The town was named in the 1850s after a Hawaiian shepherd named “Friday” who worked for the Hudson’s Bay Company and lived along the harbor. (Yes, that Friday. And yes, your kids might think it’s very cool that the town is named after a person and not the day of the week.)
In 1859, San Juan Island became the center of the famously strange “Pig War” between the U.S. and Britain. The whole thing kicked off when an American farmer shot a British pig rooting through his garden, and both countries brought in troops ready to throw down. The result? A standoff with zero human casualties and one very unlucky pig. Eventually, the U.S. was awarded the islands, and the peace-loving spirit stuck around.
By the late 1800s, Friday Harbor became the official county seat and a hub for fishing, farming, and — fun fact — lime production (not the fruit, the rock). These days, the town is all about marine conservation, small-town charm, and ferry-waving visitors like you.
Quick Tips for Friday Harbor with Kids:
- Book your ferry EARLY – especially if you’re taking a car. You don’t want to be stuck on the mainland, being on the stand by list is NOT how you want to kick off your weekend.
- Pack layers – even in summer, mornings and evenings can be chilly. Plus the weather can change quickly.
- Everything’s close by – you can easily go car-free if you stay in town. If you decide to not
- Go slow – the island pace is relaxed, and your itinerary can be, too. Enjoy wandering through the shops with your kids. Grab a coffee, and slow down. That is the joy of an island escape – the isolation
