Port Townsend is a vacation destination and a hub to other fascinating places. Famous for its splendid Victorian architecture and waterfront setting on the Strait of Juan de Fuca, you can spend a day or a month here exploring our one-of-a-kind shops, 50+ restaurants, and cozy lodgings in our “City of Dreams.” You can spend the night in a Victorian mansion, a beach cottage or a restored Victorian Hotel. The 440+ acre Fort Worden State Park, located only two miles from Downtown Port Townsend, offers a range of lodgings—from officers’ housing to camping. The Port of Port Townsend welcomes 40,000 overnight guests each year who arrive by water. Take a walk through our two Landmark Historic Districts—in Uptown and Downtown Port Townsend. Port Townsend’s brimming calendar of events makes it an exciting year-round getaway—from the largest wooden boat festival on the West Coast in September to quaint Victorian Holidays, crazy Kinetic sculpture races, and culinary tours, there’s always a reason to come again.
The ghost murals may have faded since Victorian times, but the rainbows haven’t. Our seaport town, founded in 1851, is surrounded by mountains and steeped in history. “P.T.” (population 9,100) is home to dozens of one-of-a kind shops and galleries, 50+ restaurants and friendly lodgings to fit every taste. Port Townsend is rich in arts and culture and has a colorful year-round calendar of events Uptown and Downtown.
Mingle with locals, sample local food and drink, explore the outdoors and take in the nightlife. Enjoy our walkable historic districts where deer go window shopping at dawn and eagles fly overhead. Don’t forget your camera.
Bike and Hike Port Townsend!
Port Townsend has many biking trails and roads for you to explore. Didn’t bring your bike? No problem, you can rent one from the Broken Spoke on Water Street right in the Downtown Historic District. Click here for the City of Port Townsend Walking & Bicycling Guide Map.
Larry Scott Trail: A popular 14-mile mixed use, out and back trail for walkers, bikes, and horses. This trail offers good surfaces and restrooms making it a good choice for most levels of cyclists and walkers.
Fort Worden
You’ll find low-traffic roads and great trails for bikes and walkers at Fort Worden State Park. You can park at North Beach and take a scenic trail to historic defense batteries, or there’s parking inside the park close to historic buildings and within walking or cycling distance to batteries. Click here to view and download Fort Worden Trail Maps.
Get out on the Water!
Bring your kayak or paddleboard and enjoy a great water perspective of Port Townsend. You’ll find convenient locations for launching downtown near the Northwest Maritime Center, at Point Hudson Marina, or out at Fort Worden. It’s great fun to paddle around Point Hudson and along the shoreline toward Fort Worden, or in the opposite direction for snapshots of our historic downtown buildings.
Whale Watching Adventures! Puget Sound Express offers Full Day and Half Day whale watching excursions. They also offer 3 hour “Puffin cruises” for birdwatchers. Visit their website for rates and availability.
Camping! Camp right in town at Point Hudson Marina and RV Park or out at Fort Worden State Park for scenic views and outdoor adventures. Other great camping areas nearby are Fort Townsend and Fort Flagler.
Getting Here
If you are visiting from the Seattle area, Port Townsend is accessible by the Washington State Ferries from Seattle and Edmonds as well as State Route 16 from Tacoma. These routes will bring you to the Olympic Peninsula via the Hood Canal Bridge, the world’s longest floating bridge over salt water. Be prepared for scenic beauty ahead.
Highway 101 circles the Peninsula and gives access to both eastern and western Jefferson County. If you are traveling from the north, Washington State Ferries connect with State Route 20 on Whidbey Island; Port Townsend is accessible from the Coupeville ferry dock via the Washington State Ferries. It is a 30-minute crossing. You can also visit the San Juan Islands from Port Townsend aboard the Glacier Spirit–visit Puget Sound Express to find out more.