Serene Waterfront Inn in the Heart of Gig Harbor

On the Waterfront Inn’s 1,500-square-foot wooden deck, you can sip coffee and get an unimpeded view of sailboats and ducks cruising past in Gig Harbor, Washington. The inn, constructed from a circa-1918 fisherman's house, is the only lodging directly on the water in tiny Gig Harbor. Right out the front door, you'll also be able to walk to the quaint shops and local restaurants nearby; Smithsonian magazine named Gig Harbor one of the "20 Best Small Towns in America."

Most rooms at the Waterfront Inn feature a river-rock gas fireplace and a jacuzzi tub, and all have private entrances. Each of the nautically named rooms has a distinct personality, too. The Crow's Nest stands 20 feet from the water's edge and has a private patio. Meanwhile, The Lookout room has a vaulted ceiling and is done up in cool white linens.

In the morning, you can use an included coupon to get breakfast at a local restaurant. By day, feel free to grab one of the Waterfront Inn's kayaks and go for a paddle on Gig Harbor, named the top harbor by Coastal Living.

Gig Harbor, Washington: Historical Fishing Town with Quaint Downtown Shops and Wineries

Gig Harbor, located on a bay of Puget Sound about 45 minutes southwest of Seattle and between the Olympic and Cascade mountain ranges, has traditionally been a boat-building town and fishing hub. You can learn more about the history of the seafaring community at the Harbor History Museum, where a 65-foot fishing vessel is on display and personal stories and artifacts give visitors a glimpse of what life in Gig Harbor used to be like. Scores of commercial fishing boats gather the first weekend in June during the Maritime Gig Festival for the annual Blessing of the Fleet ceremony.

These days, people come in droves to appreciate the town's lovely vistas of Mount Rainier, as well as the antique shops, art galleries, and upscale boutiques along Gig Harbor's historical downtown streets. The area is also well known for its wineries, most of which have tasting rooms and tours available to the public.

Read the Fine Print for important info on travel dates and other restrictions.