What is Whidbey Island?
Whidbey Island is a large island in Puget Sound, northwest of Seattle, Washington. About 55 miles long, it has forests, beaches, farmland, and charming towns like Langley, Coupeville, and Oak Harbor. Whidbey Island is widely associated with the 1998 film Practical Magic, which fans believe inspired the movie’s enchanting coastal setting. Its misty shores, cozy towns, and mystical vibe mirror the magical feel of the Owens sisters’ world. This connection has made Whidbey a popular destination for fans, making it a perfect day trip from Seattle during the fall season.
Where is Whidbey Island?
Whidbey Island is in Island County, Washington. Below are distances from nearby cities you may be visiting from:
- Seattle, WA
- Distance: ~35 miles (56 km)
- Drive Time: ~1.5 to 2 hours (including ferry from Mukilteo)
- Everett, WA
- Distance: ~20 miles (32 km)
- Drive Time: ~1 to 1.5 hours (including ferry from Mukilteo)
- Tacoma, WA
- Distance: ~120 miles (193 km)
- Drive Time: ~2 to 2.5 hours
When to Visit Whidbey Island?
You can technically visit Whidbey Island, year-round, but to get the Practical Magic experience, I’d recommend visiting during September or October. Of course, if you’re not much of a Practical Magic fan, Whidbey Island is beautiful during the summertime as well!
The best time to visit depends on the experience you’re after. Spring (April–May) brings wildflowers, mild weather, and fewer crowds, while summer (June–August) offers long, sunny days perfect for beaches, kayaking, and festivals, though it’s also the busiest season. Fall (September–October) has crisp air, autumn colors, and a vibrant harvest scene, and winter (November–March) offers cozy escapes, storm-watching, and quiet beaches.
What to Know Before Visiting Whidbey Island
Visiting Whidbey Island in Washington can be a peaceful and scenic escape year-round, but a little planning can make your trip even smoother. Here are key things to know:
Weekends can get busy, especially in the summer
While Whidbey Island is laid-back, it’s also a popular weekend getaway for Seattle-area locals, especially during summer and holiday weekends. Expect ferry lines to be long and some small towns (like Langley and Coupeville) to feel bustling by mid-day. If you’re planning a weekend trip, try to catch an early ferry and make reservations where you can. Restaurants, accommodations, and activities often fill up fast.
You can skip the ferry and go by car
Most visitors take the ferry from Mukilteo to Clinton (on the south end of the island), but you can also drive from the north via Deception Pass Bridge. The scenic bridge route adds a bit of time (about 30min-1 hour) but lets you explore more of the island. Plus, you can skip waiting for the ferry! Ferry reservations aren’t available on the Mukilteo route, so if you’re going by ferry, plan for possible delays during peak travel times.
Don’t skip the other towns
Whidbey Island is made up of several small towns, each with its own personality. Langley is artsy and walkable, Coupeville is historic and coastal, and Oak Harbor is the largest with more amenities. Coupeville is the town associated with Practical Magic, FYI! If you’re doing a day trip, you should be able to visit at least one other city. We stopped by Langley on our way back to Seattle and got home by around 8pm.
Weather can shift quickly, so bring layers
Even in summer, Whidbey Island can get breezy and cool, especially near the water or in the evenings. Bring layers even on warm days!
What to Do/See in Whidbey Island
Whidbey Island can easily be a day trip from Seattle, and there are 3 distinct towns you can visit:
Langley
Known as the “Village by the Sea,” Langley is a charming artsy town perfect for strolling, boutique shopping, and ocean views. Visit local galleries, enjoy a wine tasting, or grab a coffee and watch for whales from Seawall Park. Don’t miss the Langley Whale Center for family-friendly learning.
Coupeville
Coupeville, the second-oldest town in Washington, sits right on Penn Cove and is full of historic charm. Stroll down the waterfront to see familiar sights from Practical Magic — parts of the movie were filmed here! Explore the quaint shops, eat fresh Penn Cove mussels, and visit the Island County Historical Museum. The nearby Ebey’s Landing trail offers stunning bluffside hikes with views of the Sound.
Oak Harbor
The largest town on the island, Oak Harbor offers more amenities, casual dining, and access to beautiful parks like Windjammer and Joseph Whidbey State Park. It’s a great base for exploring the north end and nearby Deception Pass State Park, one of the most photographed natural spots in the state, with iconic bridges, rugged beaches, and forested trails.
Coupeville – Practical Magic Movie Locations
Boardwalk
It’s hard to miss this stunning boardwalk when visiting Coupeville. In Practical Magic, the boardwalk-like area of Coupeville appears most clearly during a scene where Sally, after rejecting Gary’s advances, walks home along the path adjacent to the Island County Historical Museum. The iconic wharf and Main Street waterfront also appear in the background during other scenes.
Apothecary “Verbena Botanicals” – Molka Xete
4 Front St NW, Coupeville, WA 98239, USA
Sally’s apothecary Verbena Botanicals in Practical Magic is now a Mexican restaurant, where you can actually eat! We didn’t go inside but just took a quick photo from the front. Even after watching the film before visiting, it wasn’t super obvious that this was her apothecary. Many of the shots in the movie are from inside or from different angles, plus the storefront has now been redone. Still, this was definitely a filming location and cool to see in real life!
Sally’s apothecary Verbena Botanicals in the 1988 film Practical Magic
Enjoy the Witchy Atmosphere
The Crow’s Roost – 902b Grace St NW, Coupeville, WA 98239, United States
Honestly, while a lot of Practical Magic was filmed in Coupeville, practically none of the original movie set is still there. For what is still there has been painted over or changed enough that it isn’t immediately obvious that it was featured in the movie. Many of the scenes we saw in Practical Magic don’t exist in Coupeville, including the gorgeous Owens Family house that we see in the movie (did you know the house was just a facade?). The film’s iconic Owens family house was actually constructed on San Juan Island and then dismantled once filming wrapped.
That being said, some stores in Coupeville play up the Practical Magic theme, and you can visit a few stores that play into it all. The Crow’s Roost was an adorable shop that does a great job playing into the witchy theme of it all and is worth a visit to add to the Practical Magic atmosphere.
Catch & Fry – Toby’s Tavern
8 Front St NW, Coupeville, WA 98239, United States
Just next door, Toby’s Tavern was reimagined as “The Catch and Fry,” with a fabricated two-story façade erected for the movie’s aesthetic. We ate here as well, and the food was pretty good! The tavern has a nice cozy feel to it and makes for a great lunch stop when visiting Coupeville.
