Built in 1907 on then sparsely settled Whidbey Island, Captain Whidbey Inn has an incredibly rustic personality that stands apart from 21-century cool. New owners have purchased the inn and plan to give it a gentle “refresh.” The plan is to keep all the charm, yet make the 21-century traveler feel as comfortable as if the inn were only recently built.
Jack Penland lives on Whidbey Island with his wife, Diane. Even though they’ve lived here for more than 20 years, they keep finding new adventures, places to explore, and food to try.
The center is your chance to learn about small boats and even rent one for a few hours or the day.
Why preserve the past? Because it helps us tell the stories of who we are today.
The story of the PBY-5A Catalina and how it transformed Oak Harbor into a WWII Navy Seaplane Base is a fascinating tale, and one that’s exemplified by “Gigi,” a PBY-5A Catalina that first came to Oak Harbor in 1943 and now sits on display in the city.
Fort Casey is one-third of the “Triangle of Fire,” which guarded Puget Sound from invasion. It’s now a state park, conference center, and inn.
Art of all kinds have been in the DNA of Whidbey and Camano Islands for thousands of years.
Art here is not a passive experience. There are art schools with classes year-round and pop-up workshops offered by galleries.