Oak Harbour
Travel
Contributed by :SeattleIndian Staff
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The small waterfront town of Oak Harbor is one of the most prominent attractions of Northwest. Its community is mainly made up of Irish and Dutch settlers who settled here in the 1850''''s and 1890's respectively. Since the establishment of the Naval Air Station by the U.S. Navy in 1941 the region began to witness a healthy economic growth. Today, the community here has grown from a mere 600 to almost 20,000 because of this growth.
People love to celebrate in Oak Harbor and this is evident from the number of celebrations that are organized here every year. One such popular event is the annual Holland Happening celebration that is held in April. As a run up to this event the town is painted in green during March while tulips are used to decorate it. The Irish handles the painting whereas the flower decoration is done by the Dutch.
Again on the 4th of July Oak Harbor witnesses patriotic celebrations as flags soar from every nook and corner. In the same month an annual yachting regatta called the Whidbey Island Race Week is held which is considered to be one among the top 20 of the world.
As you visit the old downtown here which is the pioneer commercial hub, you get to see Oak Harbor's old heritage buildings, parks, marinas, and beaches. Here you get the opportunity to feast your eyes on the Cascade Range and the Olympic Mountains.
Things to do in Oak Harbor: -
If adventure is game for you then Oak Harbor has got the variety to let you unleash your adrenaline. Take your pick from adventure, sports and leisure activities like boat tours, hikes, scuba diving, golf, drive-in theater, shopping in exclusive boutiques or antique shops and many more. In fact in Oak Harbor a day is not enough to quench your thirst.
If you love outdoors then there are numerous parks, fantastic trail systems, and many other activities. For avid golfers there are three area golf courses and if you prefer walking or hiking there are endless shores and wooded trails. The aquatically inclined can take a dip in the indoor as well as outdoor pools.
The Oak Harbor Marina and the Cornet Bay Marina offers great boating opportunities for those who prefer boating. Annual regattas, races and summer sailing events are organized by the Oak Harbor Yacht club with the Whidbey Island Race Week being the most popular of the lot. Visitors can also take boat tours around the Deception Pass area, sightseeing tours or whale watching tours in Anacortes which is just nearby.
For those with a penchant for arts there are artist's studios in North Whidbey Island that display masterpieces of painting, sculpture, glass art etc. Other creations include textiles, furniture and photography. Oak Harbor communities are die hard patrons of theater and music.
If you go there for shopping then you can be sure that you won't get disappointed. There are harbor-side shops, restaurants, coffee shops, and stores that sell everything from grocery to toiletries to medicines to kites. The entire North Whidbey area is dotted with nurseries selling garden stuff, stands selling local produces and gift shops. In Oak Harbor there is always something for everyone.
Website: www.oakharborchamber.com
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