Nicknamed ‘Little Norway’, Poulsbo offers small town American charm with a unique Norwegian feel. Norway’s King Harald and Queen Sonja even visited Poulsbo in 1995. You’re sure to find a few Norwegians trying out this little version of home. Buy a beer for a fellow tourist and ask them where they’re from. Grab a pint of craft beer and chat with locals about the surrounding areas, their possible Scandinavian roots, or the Poulsbo craft beer scene. Local breweries include Slippery Pig Brewing, Rainy Daze Brewing, Sound Brewing, and the Viking inspired and well-named Valholl Brewing. Poulsbo also clings to the Scandinavian tradition of making and drinking beer. The Poulsbo waterfront may not be the Arctic Circle complete with Northern Lights and the midnight sun but you’ll still find Norwegian tranquility, beauty, and peace. Follow the walkway north past the Sons of Norway Hall and enjoy the oceanside boardwalk. Watch the boat traffic make its way in and out of the Poulsbo Marina or catch a glimpse of the many seabirds which frequent the area. Where are you at Joey Chestnut? WaterfrontĪ few steps from downtown takes you to the Muriel Iverson Williams Waterfront Park on the edge of scenic Liberty Bay. If that’s not enough to satisfy your desire for that Scandinavian delicacy of salted gelatinous whitefish, Poulsbo hosts a lutefisk eating contest every May. It may not be as easy to get your lutefisk fix as you might think, but there are frequent lutefisk dinners put on by the church and the local Sons of Norway branch. Sit by the ocean and enjoy a seafood feast fit for a Viking. King Harald Vei, Iverson Street, and Jensen Way lead you to the many pubs and restaurants that Poulsbo, Washington offers. The side streets and paths also hold on dearly to their Norwegian history with traditional Scandinavian names. What kind of town could claim to have Scandinavian roots and not be mired in coffee and freshly baked bread? Poulsbo does it right leaving you feeling like you’ve had that little taste of Norway that you traveled oh so not far for. The ‘European feel’ is palpable with the brightly-colored and freshly painted storefronts, the slow paced car traffic exuding “excuse me” to the many pedestrians, and large wall murals of Viking Ships and “Velkommen til Poulsbo.” Bakeries, coffee shops, and unique gift shops line the street as they should. Nowhere is the charm of Poulsbo more notable than in the city’s downtown Front Street. Poulsbo offers a history, community feel, and identity that many a place would envy. With its natural beauty, small town charm, and increasing development it’s not difficult to see why. Poulsbo boasts a population just over 10,000 people (according to the City of Poulsbo website). Today, the people of Poulsbo continue to embrace the town’s Scandinavian history and offer visitors a unique travel experience in America’s Pacific Northwest. The town of Poulsbo was settled by a number of Norwegian immigrants in the 1880’s because they found the area similar to the small fjords, shorelines, and waterways found in their native land. Poulsbo, Washington, located on Liberty Bay, 21 miles northwest of Seattle, offers a taste of Norwegian heritage and some Viking warrior culture. cutting your costs and travel time while still satisfying that lutefisk craving you’ve been having. ![]() ![]() Oslo, the country’s capital, is also frequently mentioned when lists of the world’s most expensive cities come out - though, it’s hardly the first thing you’ll read in a Travel Norway brochure or on a Tour Norway website.įortunately, there’s a way to enjoy a little Norwegian culture in small town U.S.A. The winters can be cold and the snow calls a large part of this country its permanent home. However, while many travelers dream of Norway, it’s a long journey, especially if you’re hoping to visit resident polar bears, frolic with reindeer, or catch some rays in the middle of the night. ![]() Norway contains all the beauty and poetry that any would-be traveler could think of. Most are fluent in English and eager to tell you about the small northern country they call home. The Norwegian people welcome visitors and are generous with their time, hospitality, and food. Norway the land where the midnight sun hits the vast mountains rising directly from the seashore as the Northern Lights dance and the reindeer sleep, surely dreaming of games and going down in history.
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