A Mother’s Day Getaway to Remember
Just over an hour north of Seattle lies a place that feels like a world away—calm, creative, and perfect for reconnecting with loved ones. Recently, my mom and I met up for a mini “mom and me” adventure on Camano Island to celebrate an early Mother’s Day. She lives in Vancouver, BC, and I’m in Seattle, so it was the perfect halfway point. We were also joined by our tiniest family member—Scout, my five-pound Yorkie Poo—who happily trotted along for the journey. Camano Island is known for its natural beauty, welcoming community, and, most importantly for this trip—its vibrant art scene. My mom took up painting during the pandemic and is preparing for her first art show this summer, so Camano’s mix of galleries, studios, and nature felt like the perfect setting for our getaway. We were kindly hosted by Whidbey and Camano Islands Tourism, and our weekend couldn’t have been more memorable.
Studio Tour on Camano Island – A Perfect Mother’s Day Weekend Event
If you’re looking for a unique Mother’s Day experience, the Camano Island Studio Tour is something truly special. This self-guided tour runs May 9–11 (Friday– Sunday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.) with an encore weekend on May 17–18, offering even more opportunities to explore the island’s creative side. (This event has passed for 2025, but keep it in mind for an escape in 2026!)
Over 30 local artists open their studios and creative spaces to the public, giving visitors a rare chance to see the process behind the work—from ceramics and fiber art to painting, sculpture, photography, and woodworking. Whether your mom is an art collector, a casual admirer, or a budding artist herself, this tour makes for a delightful day out (or even a weekend away).
Tip: You can find maps and artist details at camanoarts.org/studio-tour/tour-map. The site also lets you filter by medium, so you can plan around your favorites.
Hidden Gem: Matzke Fine Art Gallery and Sculpture Park
While not all galleries are part of the Studio Tour, one stop you absolutely shouldn’t miss—Mother’s Day weekend or not—is the Matzke Fine Art Gallery and Sculpture Park. Tucked down a forested road, this magical spot almost had us turning around (it felt like we were driving straight into the wilderness!), but soon beautiful sculptures emerged among the trees, and we knew we were in for something special.
The gallery reminded us of the sculpture garden we visited in Hakone, Japan— intimate, peaceful, and full of discovery. Matzke is open Friday–Sunday, and I recommend checking their website before visiting to confirm hours. They also host Raku pottery workshops, which I’ve added to my future must-do list. It would make an incredible Mother’s Day gift or bonding experience.
Charming Farm Stands & Tasty Finds
Camano Island is dotted with charming farm stands, and they’re worth exploring in between gallery visits. Kristoferson Farm had the largest selection—think jams, cheeses, and friendly service—while Black Dog Harvest offered handmade soaps and the promise of seasonal produce and flowers soon. And then there’s Shoebox Baking Company, whose cookie variety (and prices) blew me away. Perfect snack fuel for our weekend wanderings.
Camano Commons – The Island’s Heartbeat
One of the biggest reasons I wanted to visit Camano was the adorable market area known as Camano Commons. It’s a lively hub where food, art, and community all meet. We started our morning with coffee and pastries, where we discovered the “cragel” (a croissant-bagel. hybrid that I now dream about) and at Baked Café we picked up a cinnamon loaf that was basically a cinnamon bun in bread form.
You could spend all day at Camano Commons. Upstairs at Baked is a cozy space for creative time or coffee catchups, and outside there’s a sunny lawn perfect for ice cream, peoplewatching, or lounging with your pup (yes, it’s dog-friendly!). We grabbed food from Tapped Camano—a delicious salad and warm pretzels with cheese—and took it back to our Airbnb for a cozy evening meal.
Easy Takeout & Sunset Views
We had originally planned to eat at Blue Heron Kitchen & Bar, which looks incredible, but with Scout in tow, we opted for takeout from Camano Thai instead. It was perfect— we ate while watching the sunset from our Airbnb and then rushed down to the beach to catch the final glimmers of light. That golden hour view? Magical.
Our Home Base – A Cozy, Beachfront Airbnb
There aren’t many traditional hotels on Camano Island (though Camano Island Inn looks super comfy), but the island is full of cozy Airbnb options. We stayed in a clean, well-appointed place with beach access, kayaks, and a hot tub. The weather was a little breezy, so we didn’t kayak this time—but knowing we could made the whole stay feel like a proper vacation. It was wonderfully pup-friendly too, which made our stay even more special.
Exploring the Outdoors – Parks, Beaches & More
We spent a good chunk of our trip wandering around Cama Beach State Park, sipping coffee and enjoying pastries from the Cama Beach Café. (If you’re deciding between the cinnamon bun or the scone, don’t make me choose—they were both fantastic.) A Discover Pass, which costs just $35 for the year, gave us access to the park and many others in Washington State.
Another favorite spot was English Boom Park, a peaceful trail with beautiful marsh views and beachcombing opportunities. And we definitely want to go back to spend more time at the sculpture garden by the “Gateway to Camano Island” sign—there’s a giant playground nearby, and we only had about 10 minutes there this time.
A Mother’s Day Idea to Remember
This trip with my mom and Scout was such a memorable escape—part art adventure, part nature retreat, and part cozy food tour. It’s a wonderful reminder that you don’t have to travel far for something meaningful. Camano
Island offers that perfect blend of inspiration and relaxation, especially for Mother’s Day.
So yes, it’s close enough to Seattle to make it a day trip—but if you want to explore the art studios, beach parks, and foodie gems, I recommend staying at least one night. Trust me, your mom will love it.
Terumi Pong is a Seattle-based family travel writer and mom of twin teenage boys. She’s always on the hunt for good coffee, local makers, and greener ways to live. You can also find her adventuring with Scout, her 5-pound Yorkie Poo.
