VERDICT: We gave 4 out of 5 tickets and here’s why!
This guide forms part of our complete USA Travel Guide, featuring scenic road trips, iconic destinations, practical travel advice and honest first-hand travel experiences from across the United States.
Day 1: Historic Bridges, Sea Lions & Astoria’s Waterfront ✅
Day 2: Haystack Rock, Puffins & Oregon’s Most Beautiful Beach ✅
Day 3: Shipwrecks, Cheese & Portland’s Weird Side ✅
Day 4: Volcanoes, Forests & The Mountain That Changed America ✅
Day 5: Small-Town Charm, Ferries & The Journey Home
Classic pub favourites, cold drinks and small-town hospitality on beautiful Hood Canal
The Model T Pub & Eatery, aka “The Model T”, is a dive-bar style gastropub right on Hood Canal in Hoodsport. It’s been serving Hoodsport & the surrounding area for over 40 years!
It’s a classic small-town bar + family-friendly restaurant. There were TVs for the World Cup, 11 rotating beer/cider taps, and a menu of a good selection of pub food.
Locals rave about the pressure-fried broasted chicken and jos; people call it “the best fried chicken around”. (Cooked in a pressure fryer; crispy and moist) They’re also known for burgers, like the “Model T Burger,” seafood baskets, clam strips, sandwiches, and bar appetizers like jalapeño poppers.
I had the clam strips, Mr. MRT had fish & chips & we both cracked a nice cold Corona, as it was ‘roasting’ hot out.
The service was quick & friendly and the chef who cooked everything, did so out of a teeny open kitchen & managed it well.
It seemed there were half locals & half visitors when we were there & everyone seems happy with their food & the service.
The Model T Pub & Eatery in Hoodsport, Washington, was renamed from “Jimmy’s Joint” to the Model T in 1983. The name draws inspiration from the classic Ford Model T. It also embraced a vintage automotive motif, later expanding into an outdoor dining space dubbed “Tin Lizzie” (a classic moniker for weathered, vintage Ford Model Ts).
▶︎ Popular Menu Items at The Model T Pub & Eatery
The Model T has earned a loyal following for its hearty pub meals and generous portions. Some of the most popular menu items include:
- Pressure-fried Broasted Chicken
- Broasted Chicken & Jojos
- Model T Burger
- Fish & Chips
- Clam Strips
- Seafood Basket
- Chicken Burgers
- Clubhouse Sandwich
- French Dip
- Jalapeño Poppers
- Onion Rings
- Nachos
- Local draft beer
- Rotating craft beer and cider taps
- Domestic and imported beer
⛴️ Driving to the Bremerton Ferry: Our Next Destination
We planned to drive north in the morning, after Hoodsport, back to Canada, and the drive to the Bremerton Ferry Terminal was a scenic journey following Hood Canal before turning east toward Puget Sound.
Distance from Hoodsport: Approximately 62 miles (100 km)
Driving Time: About 1 hour 25 minutes
From Bremerton, the Washington State Ferry sails directly across Puget Sound to Seattle.
Bremerton – Seattle Ferry
- Crossing Time: Approximately 60 minutes
- Destination: Seattle Waterfront (Pier 52 / Colman Dock)
- Operator: Washington State Ferries
- Reservations: Not required for most passenger vehicles (arrive early during busy travel periods)
- Highlights: Spectacular views of Puget Sound, the Seattle skyline, Mount Rainier (on clear days), naval shipyards and passing marine wildlife including seals and occasionally porpoises.
For anyone returning to British Columbia via Interstate 5, this ferry provides a relaxing and scenic alternative to driving around the southern end of Puget Sound.
Visitor Tip
If you’re travelling during summer weekends or holiday periods, allow extra time before boarding the Bremerton–Seattle ferry. Sailing queues can become busy, especially during the afternoon and evening, but the spectacular views across Puget Sound make the crossing a memorable part of any Pacific Northwest road trip.
Top 5 Restaurants In The Region
1. The Bistro by Stottle Winery
An excellent choice for Pacific Northwest cuisine paired with local Washington wines.
2. El Sarape Mexican Restaurant
A long-time local favourite serving generous portions of authentic Mexican dishes.
3. Ritz Burger
A classic roadside diner known for burgers, milkshakes and nostalgic charm.
4. Miako Teriyaki
Popular for fresh teriyaki, sushi and Japanese-inspired dishes.
5. River’s Edge Restaurant
Casual American dining offering seafood, steaks and comfort food.Find them at: 4611 Tumwater Valley Golf Course, Tumwater.
Did You Know?
- Urraco Coffee Co began in Shelton and continues to roast all of its coffee beans locally, giving customers some of the freshest coffee available in the region.
- Shelton sits on the southern edge of Hood Canal, one of only a few fjords in the continental United States.
- The surrounding Mason County is famous for oyster farming, shellfish harvesting, hiking, kayaking and easy access to Olympic National Forest, making Shelton a popular stop for travellers exploring western Washington.
About Shelton, Washington
Shelton is the county seat of Mason County, located at the southern end of Hood Canal, about 30 minutes west of Olympia. Once known primarily for its timber industry, Shelton has evolved into a popular gateway for visitors exploring the Olympic Peninsula, Hood Canal and Olympic National Forest.
Today, the community blends historic downtown charm with outdoor recreation, boutique shops, local cafés and access to some of Washington State’s best hiking, kayaking, fishing and shellfish harvesting. Its relaxed pace and friendly atmosphere make it an ideal stop for road trippers travelling between Seattle, Hood Canal and the Pacific Coast.
🏡 Read the full feature on Robinhood Village Resort
USA Road Trip | Day 4: Robin Hood Village Resort Review | Hidden Gem on Hood Canal 🌲
Getting To Robinhood Village Resort
Driving Distances to Robin Hood Village Resort
- From Portland, Oregon: 145 miles (233 km) – approximately 2 hours 20 minutes via I-5 North and WA-106.
- From Seattle, Washington: 78 miles (126 km) – approximately 1 hour 35 minutes (or enjoy the scenic Seattle–Bremerton ferry followed by a 27-mile drive).
- From Castle Rock, Washington: 114 miles (183 km) – approximately 2 hours via I-5 North, US-101 and WA-106.
- From Astoria, Oregon: 175 miles (282 km) – approximately 3 hours 15 minutes, following US-101 north through the scenic Olympic Peninsula.
Did You Know?
- Hood Canal isn’t actually a canal. It’s a naturally formed fjord carved by glaciers during the last Ice Age, making it one of the few fjords in the contiguous United States.
- Robin Hood Village Resort dates back to 1934 and was inspired by the original The Adventures of Robin Hood film through its founder, Hollywood set designer Don Beckman.
- Hood Canal is famous for shellfish. The cool, nutrient-rich waters produce some of Washington State’s best oysters, clams and Dungeness crab, making the area a favourite destination for seafood lovers.
Continue Exploring Washington and Attractions
- Alderbrook Resort & Spa: A luxury waterfront resort featuring fine dining, spa treatments, marina access and beautiful Hood Canal views.
- Olympic National Forest: Thousands of kilometres of hiking trails, waterfalls, old-growth forests and scenic mountain drives begin just minutes away.
- Potlatch State Park: A peaceful waterfront park popular for kayaking, beach walks, shellfish harvesting and wildlife viewing.
- Lake Cushman: One of western Washington’s most beautiful lakes, offering boating, swimming, hiking and access to Staircase in Olympic National Park.
- Theler Wetlands Belfair Nature Preserve: Boardwalks, birdwatching, estuary habitats and easy walking trails make this an excellent stop for nature lovers.
Nearby Attractions
Planning Your Trip?
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With every trip, we offer feedback to travel companies along with honest views for you, the reader. We rate adventures on a scale of one to five tickets, judged on quality, service, memorability, and price. A perfect ‘Ticket Rating’ of a five-ticket score means the experience was flawless and we’d eagerly return. Your desire to go back is the ultimate measure of a trip’s worth. Exclusive to My Return Ticket.
