# Langley (Washington)

Langley is a small waterfront town on Whidbey Island in the northern Puget Sound of Washington State. It's charming historic downtown, bustling with galleries, is a popular spot for whale sightings.

## Understand

Langley is located on the south end of Whidbey Island, overlooking the Saratoga Passage towards Camano Island. It is the third largest incorporated area on Whidbey. Langley was founded in the 1800s by Jacob Anthes, and was named for J.W. Langley of Seattle. In 1902, Mr. Anthes built a logger bunkhouse that is still standing in the downtown core and serves as a museum. Langley was incorporated on February 26, 1913.

## Get in
### By car

Langley is several miles north of State Route 525 (WA-525).
* From Clinton (and the ferry terminal to Mukilteo), turn north onto Langley Rd.
* From Freeland and the rest of Whidbey Island, turn north onto Bayview Rd.

### By public transit

* Island Transit, ☏ +1 360-678-7771. Scheduled bus services on Whidbey Island and Camano Island. Service on Whidbey Island includes to Clinton, Coupeville, Freeland, Greenbank, Langley, Oak Harbor with off island connections to Anacortes. Service on Camano Island includes off island connections to Everett and Mount Vernon. Free. (updated Jun 2023)

### By shuttle

* Whidbey SeaTac Shuttle, ☏ +1 360-679-4003. Provides transportation service between communities on Whidbey and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

## Get around
### By taxi

* The Rock Taxi Cab, ☏ +1 360-914-3250. (updated Jun 2023)

## See

Langley is a tourist destination and many businesses promote themselves in tourist pamphlets. Langley is home to a 1930s-era movie theatre, a grocery store of the same vintage, and several restaurants.
* 48.04049-122.40961 Langley Whale Center, 105 Anthes Ave, ☏ +1 360-331-3543, toll-free: +1 866-672-2638, info@orcanetwork.org. The Whale Center gives visitors a chance to learn more about the endangered Southern Resident orcas who visit the area each fall/winter, and about the North Puget Sound Gray Whales, a small, unique population of 10-12 Gray whales who find sustenance in the waters of Saratoga Passage and Possession Sound every March-May. Free. (updated Mar 2025)

## Do

* 48.0119-122.41271 Island Shakespeare Festival (ISF), 5476 Maxwelton Rd (driving north on highway 525, from the ferry, take a right onto Maxwelton Road), ☏ +1 360-331-2939, islandshakespearefestival@gmail.com. Island Shakespeare Festival is a professional regional repertory theater company, and offers free outdoor performances of Shakespeare's plays, and other classical works, during the summer. The summer season runs Thursday-Sunday from July to mid September, with up to three plays in repertory at the height of the season. Free. (updated Oct 2015)
* Mystery Weekend. Last weekend in February. A fake newspaper story is run in the South Whidbey Record or a fake newspaper can be purchased from the Visitor & Information Center, detailing the persons involved. The players are instructed to search every store for a box of cards, with a clue to the Murder mystery game printed on each card. Various locals play the parts of characters in the story, and players are invited to question them for information. The players who believe they have solved the game may submit their solutions and enter into a drawing of prizes. (updated Mar 2025)
* Choochokam. Weekend after July 4. The city closes most of First St and Anthes Ave south to Third St. Artists from around the Northwest showcase their art, while local musicians perform on a downtown stage. (updated Mar 2025)
* 48.03273-122.402692 Whidbey Island Fair, 819 Camano Ave, ☏ +1 360-221-4677. Third weekend in August. This is one of the biggest community gatherings of the year. The fair has such a local impact, that Island Transit will run special shuttles between Langley and the Clinton Ferry, as well as shuttles between Oak Harbor and Langley, and extra ferry trips on the Clinton to Mukilteo run routinely at several hours. (updated Mar 2025)
* Djangofest NW. September. This five-day festival celebrates the gypsy jazz style of Django Reinhardt, and featues workshops, concerts, and impromptu jam sessions around town. (updated Mar 2025)

## Buy

1st St and 2nd St are lined with art galleries and boutique craft shops.

## Eat

* 48.0397-122.407231 Ikaika Grill, 121 Second St (Behind Double Bluff Brewing). Permanent food truck serving delicious fish and chips and Hawaiian-inspired fare. (updated Mar 2025)