Overview
Clinton is a small town on the southern tip of Whidbey Island, in the northern Puget Sound of Washington State. Its ferry dock makes it a popular gateway for exploring the rest of the island.
2 things to do · 7 places to eat · 2 bars & cafés · 1 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Clinton
Dave Mackie Memorial Park
Located beside the water, it includes portions of Maxwelton Beach. This is perhaps the best beach in Clinton, with sandy beaches and shallow water for summer swimming. The water will not be tropical but on a hot July day…
Maxwelton 4th of July Parade
Visitors from all over the Puget Sound come to enjoy an old-fashioned family parade complete with domestic animals dressed in their best red, white and blue. There are sack races and pie eating contests and it's all set …
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Sep. Summer highs reach about 78°F; winter lows dip to about 37°F. Wettest: Nov and Jan. (climate data from nearby Seattle)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- PAE Seattle Paine Field International Airport, Everett — 6 mi away. Directions
- BFI King County International Airport - Boeing Field, Seattle — 31 mi away. Directions
- SEA Seattle–Tacoma International Airport, Seattle — 37 mi away (major hub). Directions
Washington State Ferries (WSF) operates the Mukilteo / Clinton route, connecting Whidbey Island to the Puget Sound mainland and the Seattle metro area.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Dave Mackie Memorial Park
- Lunch The Shrimp Shack at Cozy's
- Afternoon Maxwelton 4th of July Parade
- Dinner Island Nosh
- Evening Southern Cross Espresso
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
By ferry
Washington State Ferries (WSF) operates the Mukilteo / Clinton route, connecting Whidbey Island to the Puget Sound mainland and the Seattle metro area.
Fares are one-way for vehicles, and round-trip for passengers. Fares are calculated based on sailing time and season, type and length of vehicle and the amount and ages of passengers. For example, fares during a summer weekend in 2025 are:
- $13.90 for a standard 14-22 ft car and its driver
- $6.25 for additional adult passengers and walk-ons from Mukilteo (free from Clinton)
- $1.00 for each ride-on bicycle from Mukilteo, in addition to the passenger fare (free from Clinton)
This run is popular with commuters as well as weekend vacationers. There may be a wait of a few hours for vehicles during peak times.
By car
State Route 525 (WA-525) approaches from the north via Oak Harbor and Coupeville. It crosses into Mukilteo via Ferry and continues south from Mukilteo to the I-5/I-405 junction in Lynnwood.
By public transit
Place Island Transit
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.
- Bus route 1 connects the ferry terminal with Oak Harbor through Freeland, Greenbank, Coupeville, and points in between along SR-525 & 20. This route operates weekday only throughout the day.
- Bus route 58 Local connection from the ferry terminal down to Scatchet Head via Bailey's Corner at the south end of town. This route operate Monday to Friday, traveling both directions during the morning rush and evening rush hour
- Bus route 60 Local connection to Freeland on SR-525 with a detour up into Langley. Weekday service only.
- "Clinton Commuter" operates a weekday only shuttle up the hill from the ferry terminal, to the Clinton P&R, and the Humphrey Road P&R.
By shuttle bus
Place Whidbey SeaTac Shuttle
Provides transportation service between communities on Whidbey and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
Get around
By taxi
See
If you are in Clinton, you are most likely passing through to other destinations on Whidbey Island. If you're waiting for the ferry, there is a small park for families to have a picnic by the beach and wait out the long line. If you're staying for longer, find a comfortable place to watch the ferries come and go.
Do
Do Dave Mackie Memorial Park
Located beside the water, it includes portions of Maxwelton Beach. This is perhaps the best beach in Clinton, with sandy beaches and shallow water for summer swimming. The water will not be tropical but on a hot July day it is warm enough to cool down from the heat.
Do Maxwelton 4th of July Parade
Visitors from all over the Puget Sound come to enjoy an old-fashioned family parade complete with domestic animals dressed in their best red, white and blue. There are sack races and pie eating contests and it's all set on the beautiful beach front. If you decide to make the trek to Whidbey for this event, you must arrive early to find a parking spot and to walk in. You are also welcome to participate in the parade, just arrive an hour early!
Buy
Clinton is a mostly residential town so most shops are services for island residents. You may find a couple artist studios intermixed with the video and grocery stores.
Eat
Eat The Shrimp Shack at Cozy's
Serves American fare
Eat Island Nosh
Serves noodle dishes from different regions
Eat Dairy Queen
The only fast food chain on the south end of Whidbey.
Eat HongKong Garden
An American Chinese restaurant and bar.
Eat Pickle's Deli
A highly awarded sandwich shop.
Eat Whidbey Island Bagel Factory
Drink
Drink Southern Cross Espresso
Coffee stand.
Drink Whidbey Coffee
Coffee stand.
- The Top at HongKong Garden is the late night bar, they do karaoke on Friday nights.
- Cozy's is the town's local bar, locals go there to socialize and play a round of pool.
Sleep
Bed and breakfasts are the most common form of lodging.
Nearby
Langley
City / town · 10 listings · 5 mi away
Mukilteo
City / town · 16 listings · 5 mi away
Everett
City / town · 42 listings · 7 mi away
Freeland
City / town · 4 listings · 9 mi away
Hansville
City / town · 18 listings · 10 mi away
Marysville
City / town · 11 listings · 11 mi away
Lynnwood
City / town · 10 listings · 11 mi away
Edmonds
City / town · 26 listings · 12 mi away
My experience
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