A Weekend Guide to Vashon Island, WA

Guide to Things to do in Vashon Island : Perfect day trip from Seattle

I am doing a series on instagram where i am visiting 25 towns in PNW before the end of 2025. We visited Vashon island earlier in June and fell in love. So this had to be Town #2 in my series: 25 Cute Towns to Visit Before the End of 2025! Just a short ferry ride from Seattle, Vashon Island is a peaceful, picturesque destination that feels like a world away. With charming bakeries, cideries, farm stands, coastal views, and quirky finds, this island is the perfect weekend escape if you’re craving nature, great food, and a slower pace.

If you’re looking for the perfect day trip or weekend itinerary, this post has everything: coffee spots, beaches, yummy mango lassi, llama , pizza, cider tastings, and more. Here’s your detailed guide to spending a perfect weekend on Vashon Island.

How to Get to Vashon Island:

From Seattle: Take the Fauntleroy–Vashon ferry (approx. 20 min). You can walk on, bike on, or drive your car onto the ferry. We recommend bringing a car so you can explore the island freely.

From Tacoma: Catch the Point Defiance–Tahlequah ferry. It’s a bit less crowded and connects to the south end of the island.

Where to Stay on Vashon Island

The Lodges on Vashon – We stayed here for our weekend in Vashon and loved it. The Lodges on Vashon was truly a gem just 30 minutes from Seattle, and it actually feels like an escape. These modern, design-forward cabins are tucked into a quiet property just steps from downtown. From cozy mornings with coffee to wine nights by the fire pit, it’s exactly the kind of reset you didn’t know you needed. A peaceful, stylish stay that makes slowing down feel effortless.Sleek, modern cabins tucked into a quiet property just steps from downtown. Private patios, outdoor showers, and fire pits make it a design-lover’s dream.

Things to do in Vashon Island –

Coffee/Bakery & Sweets

Little Cup Coffee – Minimal, bright, and friendly. Try their seasonal specials and enjoy the calm vibe.
Snapdragon Bakery – A Vashon classic. Known for giant cinnamon rolls, cardamom buns, savory pastries.
Vashon Island Baking Company – A smaller spot with standout croissants and fresh-baked breads. Grab a few to-go for snacking later.
Glass Bottle Creamery – Loved the ice cream here. A perfect treat for a hot summer day

Farm Stand Hopping + Saturday farmers Market

One of Vashon’s most charming features? The honor-system farm stands and local markets dotted throughout the island. Bring cash/venmo and a cooler — you’ll want to stock up. This was our favorite part of the island and we tried to visit as many farms as we could. You can check out the entire map on this website and whether these farm stands are seasonal or all year round – https://www.vigavashon.org/farm-stand-map

Venison Valley Farm – Don’t miss the mango lassi on this stand! This farm also sells milk, chocolate milk, butter (we had to get some) and you can also see the farm animals.

Forest Garden Farm – We picked up the freshest strawberries here. Their seasonal fruit stand is a must-stop for juicy summer snacking.

Plum Forest Farm – A peaceful stop for seasonal produce and flowers. They often have unique jams, herbal teas, and a sweet little shed stand that’s worth a peek.

Fruits des Vignes Farm – Seasonal roadside stand known for fresh, juicy strawberries during peak summer. They also had plants to shop.

Flora Hill Farm – A local favorite for handmade popsicles in creative seasonal flavors like lemon-basil and berry-lavender. You can find this on your way to the lighthouse.

Vashon Farmers Market (Saturdays, April–October) – Located at Vashon Village. Shop local produce, island-grown flowers, handmade goods, and enjoy food trucks or live music.

Llama Farm Visit

Vashon Llamas – A unique and unforgettable experience—spend time with friendly, elderly llamas at Vashon Llamas farm, just a short ride from the ferry. You can pet and feed the llamas, learn about weaving their fiber, and even enjoy an evening Llama Happy Hour with BYOB (wine or cider!) while the llamas settle in for the night 

Farm Visits (about 1 hour, ~$15 per family) include llama schooling and petting sessions vashonllamas.com.
Llama Happy Hour (around 2 hrs) pairs llama interaction with sunset wine on site vashonllamas.com.
Appointments are required for all visits

Explore Downtown area & Taste Local Cider

Downtown Vashon is small but full of personality. Take your time popping into shops before heading out for a cider tasting or if you enjoy beers i recomend stopping at Camp Colvos Brewing

Some shops you should checkout

Giraffe – Curated gifts, ceramics, and sustainable goods.
Vashon Bookshop – A cozy, indie bookstore that feels like a hug.
VARSA – Vashon’s beloved vintage and resale shop
Standard goods
Herban Bloom
Side Stack Records

Cider Time:

Dragon’s Head Cider – Located on a quiet property surrounded by orchards. Their dry, heirloom ciders are perfect for sipping under a tree.
Nashi Orchards – Known for their perry (pear cider) and gorgeous tasting area.
Pop Pop Bottle Shop

Food Recommendations

Our Picks:

Camp Colvos Brewing – A laid-back spot with great beer and light bites. We relaxed outside with a couple of beers, and it was the perfect way to unwind after a day of exploring.
Lunetta’s Wood-Fired Pizza – Our favorite meal on the island! Everything we tried — from the pizza and pasta to the dessert — was absolutely on point.
The Ruby Brink – A butcher shop meets seasonal bistro. Cozy ambiance, excellent cocktails, and locally sourced ingredients. We highly recommend stopping by for brunch or dinner — both were delicious.

Favorite Beaches & Sunset Spots:

KVI Beach : KVI Beach is one of Vashon’s best-kept secrets — a wide, driftwood-lined shoreline that feels like your own private slice of the island. Tucked away on the island’s southeast side, it offers panoramic views of Puget Sound and, on clear days, stunning glimpses of Mount Rainier rising in the distance.

We parked along the quiet road and followed the short trail down through the trees. The beach opens up suddenly, and you’re greeted with a long, open stretch of sand and rock that’s rarely crowded — perfect for a peaceful beach walk or a lazy afternoon with a book.

What we loved most about KVI is how unhurried and local it felt. It’s not overly developed or busy, and there’s a sort of untouched beauty to it.

Point Robinson Lighthouse + Oscar the Bird King Troll :

If you’re headed to Point Robinson Lighthouse, make sure to first visit Oscar the Bird King, a majestic, larger-than-life troll tucked into the forest just above the shoreline. Created by Danish artist Thomas Dambo as part of the Northwest Trolls: Way of the Bird King project, Oscar is crafted entirely from reclaimed wood and driftwood. He sits on a throne surrounded by birdhouses, watching quietly over the island with wise eyes and a twisted branch crown. The troll is an easy 2-minute walk from the upper parking lot at Point Robinson Park and absolutely worth the detour.

After meeting Oscar, continue your walk down to Point Robinson Lighthouse — a peaceful beachside escape where driftwood lines the shore, ferries drift by in the distance, and Mount Rainier often peeks through the clouds. The lighthouse itself, built in 1915, still operates today and gives the area a nostalgic maritime charm.

We brought snacks and a blanket and spent the afternoon watching tidepools and soaking in the views. If you’re lucky with timing, the light during golden hour is unreal.

This is a perfect stop for: A scenic, easy walk and picnic, Golden hour photography

📍 Tip: Grab a handmade popsicle from Flora Hill Farm on your way — it’s just down the road and perfect for your walk to the beach.

🕰️ Best Time to Visit: Sunset is especially dreamy, but mornings are quieter. Go during the week if you want to avoid the small weekend crowds.

More Nature & Trails

Shinglemill Creek Preserve – A peaceful trail through the forest that eventually leads to Fern Cove (a lovely shoreline spot). Great for a shaded walk.
Fisher Pond Preserve – Super tranquil and off the radar. A short walk with birdwatching opportunities and a peaceful view over the water.
Dockton Park & Dockton Forest – Dockton Park is perfect for a beach picnic or kayaking, while the forest nearby offers quiet wooded trails for a longer hike.
Maury Island Marine Park – A peaceful mix of forest trails and shoreline for a sunset hike.