Explore the Town of Coupeville
On the shores of Penn Cove sits the working maritime town of Coupeville. Named for Captain Thomas Coupe, a visitor to this community can take a walking tour of the historic downtown, find a treasure at one of the many local shops, visit the Island County Museum and learn about the Indigenous People and the settlers, or explore dining options from fine dining to casual - nearly all feature world famous Penn Cove Mussels. There is plenty of parking just off Alexander Street next to the library and a short walk to downtown Coupeville. Explore Coupeville, one of the oldest towns in the state of Washington!
5 Things to do in the Historic Maritime town of Coupeville:
Visit the Island County Museum and learn about the history of Island County. Take a photo in the Alexander Blockhouse~
Get an ice cream cone and stroll down the wharf. If you spot a whale in Penn Cove, ring the bell and let everyone know~
Talk a Walking Tour of Historic Coupeville and learn about this historic maritime community. Pick up a map and guide at the Chamber or the Museum~
Have you tried Penn Cove Mussels? Then dine at one of the many waterfront dining establishments for a taste~
Visit and shop at one of the longest running Farmers Markets in Washington - the Coupeville Farmers Market has lots to offer during their growing & selling season~
Coupeville Chamber of Commerce
The official Visitor Center for Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve is at the Coupeville Chamber of Commerce. Get oriented to the Reserve to start your adventure – the Chamber has maps, visitor guides and friendly volunteers to help you on your journey.
The Chamber will also provide you with information on where to stay, where to eat and where to shop throughout Central Whidbey Island and the Reserve. Pick up a Junior Ranger book for kids of all ages and get your NPS Passport stamped!
FREE Public parking is available next to the Coupeville Library, just off Alexander Street. From here, take a short walk to downtown Coupeville and stop at the Chamber’s Visitor Center!
Along Front Street - Downtown Coupeville
Island County Historical Museum - Downtown Coupeville
Island County Historical Society & Museum:
Embracing the Past, Engaging the Present and Enriching the Future
Heritage Tourism Starts at the Island County Historical Museum - a gem in the heart of downtown Coupeville. Visitors will learn about the historical significance of Central Whidbey Island and Island County - from the long, rich history of the Indigenous People, to the exploration by Capt. George Vancouver and the pioneers who settled on this land, as well as the natural history of the area. Research local history and meet the experts with a visit to the Janet Enzman archives. Explore your roots to the community with expert help from the Archive and Research Center. Walking Tour Guides, Maps, and more information on Coupeville are available at the front desk – and don’t forget to get your NPS Passport stamped!
The museum is open seven days a week, from 10am to 4pm Monday through Saturday, 11am to 4pm on Sunday. The Archives are open by appointment. Find the museum at 908 Alexander St., Coupeville, WA 98249 or visit IslandHistory.org or call for more information at 360.678.3310.
Historic Coupeville Wharf
and the Port of Coupeville
No trip to Coupeville is complete without a stroll down the long dock to the Coupeville Wharf. Built in 1905, the wharf served as a storage facility for grain and for transportation of goods to and from the island as well as ferry service from the “Mosquito Fleet.”
Sitting above Penn Cove, visitors will find marine exhibits as well as coffee and food. You can rent a kayak for a more up close view of Penn Cove and maybe catch site of one of the orca that frequently visit in the Spring. If you’re sailing into Coupeville for a visit, the Port of Coupeville dock offers space to tie up or gas up, and invites you to get your land legs back!
Photo courtesy of Kristen Griffin
Coupeville Historic Waterfront Association
The mission of the Coupeville Historic Waterfront Association is to strengthen, promote and maintain the successful historic downtown district - along Front Street and Coveland Street.
Coupeville Historic Waterfront Association is a certified Washington State Main Street entity and the “historic catchment” of the Coupeville Historic Waterfront Association, as designated by the Washington State Department of Archeology and Historic Preservation’s Main Street Program, covers the historic downtown commercial section of Coupeville, along Front and Coveland Streets.
Walking Tour of Historic Coupeville
No visit to Coupeville is complete without taking the Walking Tour of Historic Coupeville. A comprehensive, easy to follow map will guide you on your walk through the town with historic anecdotes on some of the colorful characters and buildings – some that date before Washington became a state. Make the tour as long or as short as you wish and stop and shop as you go.
The Self-Guided Walking Tour Guide provides a map to properties and a little bit of history on each of the 65 historic locations. Guides are available at the Island County Historical Museum and at the Coupeville Chamber of Commerce.
(Note: Please be respectful of private property as you take this fascinating tour of one of the oldest towns in the state.)
Photo Courtesy of Island County Historical Society