If ever there was a beautiful, must-visit American town, Port Townsend, Washington has to be it.
Located at the northeastern tip of the Olympic Peninsula on the Puget Sound in Washington, Port Townsend experiences a temperate climate year-round and is best known for its Victorian architecture and coastal landscape.
The town’s popularity is not all about its charming looks either — there are so many things to do in Port Townsend, especially if you love getting outside!
Port Townsend is one of our favorite small towns to visit in all seasons, especially with kids or as a multi-generational vacation spot. It’s charming and laid-back, with constant breezes blowing off the sea and the friendliest people you’ll ever meet.
Table of Contents
At-a-Glance: Port Townsend WA
Want to skip to the good part? Here’s a bite-sized snapshot of everything you need to know to plan your trip to Port Townsend, WA:
- When to Go: Summer for camping and water-based activities. Spring and fall for fewer crowds, and September for North America’s largest wooden boat festival.
- Where to Stay: We love staying right downtown at the Palace Hotel on Water Street.
- How to get here: If you fly into Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and rent a car, it’s a two-hour drive to Port Townsend.
- How to Get Around: Port Townsend is a walkable town, and we have stayed downtown without a car. Driving makes it much easier to explore the outskirts and other spots on the Olympic Peninsula.
- Top 3 Highlights: Whale watching on the Puget Sound was a bucket list item for me. I also love hiking around Fort Worden and strolling past the beautiful Victorian homes and historic buildings in Uptown.
Our family first explored Port Townsend many years ago on a cross-country road trip, and it has been captivating us ever since.
In fact, our firstborn has since flown the coop and makes his living building and repairing wooden boats on the waterfront in Port Townsend. This means that we get to spend lots of time in our favorite west coast town!
Because this gem of a town is so near and dear to us, we thought we’d share some of our favorite things to do in Port Townsend with you.
The Best Things to Do in Port Townsend, Washington
Ready to fall in love with the cutest Victorian town on the planet?
Pack a rain jacket and join us for some of the best things to do in Port Townsend.
You’re going to love this place!
Have a Relaxing Picnic at Chetzemoka Park
No matter where we go, we love to explore parks and trails, beaches, and campgrounds. Port Townsend has so many beautiful natural areas!
Chetzemoka Park is a small waterfront park within walking distance from both uptown and downtown Port Townsend. There are botanical secrets At Chetzemoka Park that are just waiting to be discovered.
Pack a lunch and stroll through the expansive gardens of donated tropical flowers and the colorful rose promenade. You are also likely to spot deer browsing on the park’s lush grass.
Take the short trail that leads to a small rocky beach and watch the tide go in or out. You’ll likely run into dog walkers, bird watchers, and people scanning the sound for whales.
There are a few bench swings to relax on and plenty of picnic tables, too. Call me old-fashioned, but an afternoon picnic overlooking Puget Sound is also one of the most romantic things to do in Port Townsend—and it’s totally free!
Plan a Full Day and Night Adventure at Fort Worden State Park
For Port Townsend camping and hiking that’s close to downtown, you really can’t beat Fort Worden State Park. Fort Worden is a great destination for hikers, swimmers, anglers, and nature lovers. You could visit every day for a week and not tread on the same trail twice!
Camping at Fort Worden State Park in Port Townsend
At Fort Worden you can park your RV or pitch your tent very close to downtown Port Townsend, making for an affordable outdoor getaway on the water.
There are two distinct camping areas in Fort Worden State Park. The Beach Campground is the most popular (for obvious reasons), but the beach sites are quite exposed, offering little shade or privacy.
The Beach Campground is best for RVs as your rig provides protection from the elements and a bit of privacy. These beautiful campsites have awesome views of the water, and they’re within close walking distance of the Point Wilson Lighthouse and the Marine Science Center.
If you are looking for a more sheltered campsite, consider the Upper Forest Campground, which provides both shade and privacy. It is located in the southwest corner of Fort Worden, near the Chinese Gardens Lake.
25 of the 30 sites provide full hookups for RVs. The other 5 are primitive sites suitable for hikers or bikers. When camping in Port Townsend, we almost always choose the Upper Forest Campground.
Fort Worden campgrounds are open year-round, and if winter camping isn’t your thing, there is dedicated lodging inside the park as well. You can make your reservation online on the Washington State Parks website.
Insider tip: Port Townsend camping at Fort Worden State Park can be really busy in the summer. Reservations are a must in July, August, and September. You can probably get away with not making reservations during the rest of the year.
Explore the Abandoned Fort Worden Military Bunkers
When our kids were younger, one of their favorite things to do in Port Townsend was to explore the turn-of-the-century bunkers in Fort Worden State Park.
The bunkers are widespread throughout the park, but our favorites are nestled into the bluffs overlooking the Straits of San Juan de Fuca and the Puget Sound.
Take heed because these abandoned bunkers are massive, unsupervised concrete structures without any of the safety precautions or oversight you might expect in a historical landmark. Obviously, that’s what makes them so much fun to explore!
The bunkers are filled with unlit tunnels and chambers, rail-less stairways, vertical ladders, and the sense that once entered, these “catacombs” (as our kids coined them) could become labyrinths without escape. They are a treat for adventurous or imaginative souls and would make a great setting for the next big horror flick.
The Fort Worden bunkers are one of the best kid-friendly things to do in Port Townsend, provided your kids are older and aren’t afraid of heights and dark tunnels!
Visit the Point Wilson Lighthouse in Port Townsend
Point Wilson Lighthouse is located right at the entrance to the Puget Sound at Admiralty Inlet at the tip of Fort Worden State Park.
It is a vital navigational aid for ships coming and going in the area. The original lighthouse was built in 1879 and sat atop the lightkeeper’s house.
The current lighthouse and fog signal building were both constructed in 1913. It is one of 19 U.S. lighthouses still standing along the Puget Sound.
Point Wilson Lighthouse is not an official part of Fort Worden State Park, but the park provides easy access to the lighthouse grounds. It can be reached by walking along Fort Worden Beach or the park’s north shore.
Tours are offered on Saturdays from 1 to 4 p.m. from May through September.
Visit the Port Townsend Marine Science Center
Looking for more things to do in Port Townsend with kids? The beloved science center in Fort Worden State Park makes a great stop on a rainy afternoon or any time if you have kids who love the ocean.
The Marine Science Center opened in 1982 and provides hands-on explorations to teach kids and adults about the Salish Sea with touch tanks, aquariums, and even a hydrophone to listen to offshore whales.
The center is also home to one of only six fully articulated orca whale skeletons in the United States. The Marine Science Center is open on the weekends during the winter months and every day but Tuesday during the summer.
Shop at the Port Townsend Farmers Market
Located in uptown Port Townsend, the Port Townsend Farmers Market happens every Saturday year-round and is one of the best outdoor markets in Washington.
Whether you want to stroll around with a fresh cup of coffee and listen to live music or stock up on an abundance of produce, meats, cheese, and seafood, you don’t want to miss this market.
The Port Townsend Farmers Market is located on Tyler and Lawrence Streets uptown and takes place between 9 am and 2 pm between April and December. Winter hours are between 10 am and 2 pm.
Explore Downtown Port Townsend
Located on the very tip of the Olympic Peninsula, Port Townsend is a perfect combination of Victorian-era cottages, sprawling gardens, and a bustling downtown.
You will find dozens of boutiques, art galleries, and restaurants in the downtown area. There are so many cool stores to explore, and everything is just a stone’s throw from the waterfront.
I won’t go into detail about all the cool places downtown because the best way to explore those is to put on your walking shoes and start exploring for yourself!
Insider tip: If you book a room at a downtown hotel, you can explore on foot. There are plenty of things to do in Port Townsend without having to get in your car.
Our Favorite Port Townsend Restaurants in the Downtown Area
We’ve done a lot of eating in Port Townsend, and our favorite restaurants change every time we visit.
The following list includes some of our very first favorites, as well as new loves from recent visits. I know there are many, many restaurants that we haven’t had a chance to visit, so be sure to experiment and let us know what we’re missing.
Finistère: Based on our unscientific survey, 8 out of 10 locals think Finistère is the best place to go for a celebratory dinner.
During our last visit, we finally got around to trying this swanky little spot in uptown Port Townsend, and we agree that it’s swoon-worthy. From the delightfully decadent chicken liver mousse with red onion jam to the incredible salads, cocktails, and entrees, we loved every detail of our meal at Finistère. Worth every penny. Be sure to make reservations!
Waterfront Pizza: Located on Water Street in the center of town, this is not your ordinary pizza joint. Unique flavor combinations and fresh ingredients come together to create otherworldly pies that we can’t get enough of. The lines are long but believe me, the pizza is well worth the wait. We recommend ordering at the takeout window and eating outside near the water.
Khu Larb Thai. Superb, authentic Thai food can be yours without leaving the shores of the US. The Olympic Peninsula’s first Thai Restaurant has been wowing foodies for more than 25 years. No matter what you order, you’ll be delighted with the food, the service, and the ambiance.
We discovered another Thai restaurant during our last visit: Banana Leaf Thai Bistro, which is pretty awesome. Our suggestion. If you are looking for an elegant Thai meal, go with Khu Larb. For more casual fare or outdoor seating, check out Banana Leaf.
Hillbottom Pie. How is it possible for Port Townsend to sustain two amazing pizza shops? Every single thing we’ve ordered from Hillbottom Pie has been amazing—soup, pizza, dessert—everything! Get the marionberry pie if they have it!
Elevated Ice Cream. Swiss Orange Chocolate, Blind Love, and Marionberry were our favorite flavors, but there are dozens and dozens to choose from. They’re all original, all homemade, and all delicious. No matter how full your belly is from all that Thai food and pizza, do not skip the ice cream!
Hanazono Asian Noodle Shop. Although Hanazono has been open since 2005, we visited for the first time last year. This small place is perfect for a quick lunch. It features affordable, delicious, organic food, much of which is sourced from local sources. My son, who works in Port Townsend, says that Hanazona is habit-forming. We definitely agree!
Better Living Through Coffee is the best small-town coffee shop I’ve ever been to and a strong contender for my favorite coffee shop of all time. It has a lot going for it. The location is in the heart of downtown Port Townsend and right on the waterfront, so you can drink your coffee and watch the boats go by.
The coffee is fresh, hot, and strong. They use the pour-over method for all of their coffee, and it doesn’t sit around for even one second. If you are looking for a special coffee drink, do yourself a favor and order the Caffe Arancia (coffee with cocoa powder, orange peel, and vanilla) or the Caffe Chetzemocha (coffee, cocoa, chile peppers, and spices).
Pourhouse. Got a hankering for a cold brew with a waterfront view? Head to Pourhouse on the beach. They’ve got 12 beers on tap and more than 200 varieties in cans/bottles.
Enjoy the Port Townsend Wooden Boat Festival
In 2019, we timed our visit to coincide with the Port Townsend Wooden Boat Festival (September 6 – 18, 2024).
The festival happens each year in early September and features three days of activities, workshops, boat tours, music, and more.
There are more than 300 wooden boats packed into the Port Townsend Marina, and the town is overrun with boat enthusiasts, sailors, and woodworkers.
We had been hearing about the festival for years and were thrilled to be there to experience it in person. If you are planning a visit to Port Townsend and are interested in boats and maritime history, you owe it to yourself to check out this fabulous festival.
My only word of caution is to make your reservations early. Lodging fills up quickly for this world-famous event.
Stroll Uptown Port Townsend and Check out the Historic Victorian Houses
The Victorian homes of Port Townsend were built uptown starting in the 1880s when the town was a contender for hosting the main railroad terminus for the Pacific Northwest.
While Seattle was eventually chosen as the railroad hub, Port Townsend was left with dozens of fabulous homes that survive to this day.
The Victorian homes are primarily located uptown, and while most are private residences, you can stroll the streets and view the homes from the outside.
For lovely photos and an overview of many of the Victorian homes in Port Townsend, check out Dave’s Victorian House site. It’s a great resource.
When meandering around Uptown Port Townsend, look for the friendly deer that wander the streets and eat the gardens of the locals. Love ’em or hate ’em, the Port Townsend deer are part of the fabric of uptown life, and they’re really cute!
The other thing you’ll notice about Uptown is the Little Free Libraries! Thanks to the well-stocked libraries on every street corner, they’re everywhere, and we never ran out of awesome reading material.
While strolling Uptown, be sure to stop into Pane d’Amore for delightful baked goods and Aldrich’s Market for gourmet groceries. This unique market is Washington’s oldest grocery store (established in 1895).
Go Whale Watching from the Port Townsend Marina
Whale watching for orcas has been on my bucket list for a long time, so I was so excited to embark on a whale-watching tour in the Puget Sound last September.
We set sail one early morning with the Puget Sound Express, which has been offering nature tours and whale-watching excursions in the Salish Sea for more than 40 years.
We spent the whole day on the water, with a short stop in Friday Harbor for lunch.
On our trip, we saw lots of wildlife, including many Southern Resident orcas, a tufted puffin, and seals and sea lions. I will never forget it! This full-day excursion was a splurge for us, but whale sightings were guaranteed, and it was an amazing experience.
Read Next: Go Whale Watching on the Puget Sound in Washington
How to Get to Port Townsend, Washington
Port Townsend is located on the northeastern tip of the Olympic Peninsula, just two hours or so from Seattle. After flying into Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac), you can either rent a car or embark on a hodgepodge of different types of transportation to get to your destination.
You don’t need a car to get around Port Townsend, especially if you’re staying at a downtown hotel. The area is very walkable, with all the major sites and attractions within it. However, if you are planning on road-tripping to Olympic National Park, a rental car will be very helpful.
If you don’t want to rent a car, you can take the Light Rail from Sea-Tac to Pioneer Square Station, walk two blocks to the ferry terminal, and hop on a ferry to Bainbridge Island.
From Bainbridge Island, catch the Kitsap Transit bus to Poulsbo and then transfer to the Jefferson Transit bus to the Port Townsend park-and-ride. From there, it’s a mile to downtown Port Townsend. You can hoof it or hop on the Jefferson Transit downtown shuttle.
See? You’ve just taken a plane, train, ferry, and bus to get from Seattle to Port Townsend. Now you’re ready for a long siesta!
Where to Stay in Port Townsend WA
There are many options for your Port Townsend lodging, depending on how much you want to spend (of course) and where you want to be.
The downtown area has some lovely hotels that are within walking distance of everything. Uptown Port Townsend is more residential and quiet, with a few nice vacation rentals that would be perfect for families.
We have stayed in vacation rentals in the past, but short-term rental restrictions are in place to ease the housing crisis for locals who are being priced out of the market.
Here are a few of the places we’ve stayed at in Port Townsend that we can recommend:
The Palace Hotel – Downtown Port Townsend
The best way to enjoy all the amazing things to do in Port Townsend is to stay right downtown. You really can’t beat the locally owned Palace Hotel. This charming downtown hotel features antiques in all the rooms, and the views of the water from several of the rooms are incomparable!
Many are dog-friendly, and some even have full kitchens.
We love that the Palace Hotel is within walking distance of the downtown shops, restaurants, and coffee shops, and parking is free.
During our most recent visit, we stayed on the third floor in a room with a kitchen so that we could cook some of our meals. I’ll admit that walking up three flights of stairs multiple times a day was a workout, especially the day after we hiked Mount Storm King.
As long as you don’t mind doing the stairs, the Palace Hotel is delightful, and you really can’t beat the location!
The Swan Hotel – Downtown Hotel Near the Water
You can’t beat the location of the Swan Hotel, which features a fitness center, shared lounge, garden, and free WiFi throughout the property. The spot we stayed in last included a beautiful private patio with a garden view.
Amenities include a small workstation/desk, a flat-screen TV, a bathroom, and an electric tea kettle. Some rooms have a kitchenette that includes a fridge, oven, and microwave.
From the Swan Hotel, you are just a stone’s throw from the marina and within easy walking distance of shops and restaurants.
What are your favorite things to do in Port Townsend WA? We’d love to hear your suggestions in the comments below!
Want to learn more about this beautiful part of the world? Here are a few more of our favorite PNW posts:
- Olympic National Park: The Sol Duc Valley
- Camping and Hiking in North Cascades National Park
- A Walk Through the Quinault Rainforest
- Marymere Falls in Olympic National Park
- Hike Mount Storm King in Olympic National Park
Follow us on social media!
Tara Schatz is a freelance writer and travel blogger with a passion for outdoor adventures. She is the co-author of AMC’s Best Day Hikes in Vermont and currently blogs at Back Road Ramblers and Vermont Explored, where she shares travel tips, adventure destinations, and vacation ideas for the wanderer in everyone.
Jen
Friday 5th of July 2024
My favorite place to eat in Port Townsend is Courtyard Cafe. They have great sandwiches, soups and pie. My favorite hotel is Waterstreet Hotel, although I think they have a new name. They are right on the water with some of the rooms having great water views. You get some amazing sunrises there.
Irich Photography
Monday 18th of December 2023
Nice place to visit
Troy D Oestreich
Friday 30th of December 2022
When is the "Punk Weekend"?
Tara Schatz
Friday 30th of December 2022
No idea. Sorry.
Willis Rogers
Saturday 3rd of September 2022
Is there an Episcopal Church in Port Townsend ?
Kirk
Monday 26th of September 2022
@Willis Rogers, Yes, St. Paul's Episcopal Church on Jefferson St. just uphill from the waterfront. They frequently host chamber music performances, and provide space for Jewish services in their building.
Tara Schatz
Sunday 4th of September 2022
I'm not sure about that, Willis. Sorry!
Vicki Abrahamson
Sunday 10th of April 2022
May is a nice time to visit PT also it hosts the Rhododendron Festival which is 3 days of parades & carnival games, rides & wonderful foods. When I grew up there we had a Kiddies parade on Thursday, Pet parade Friday & a 2 hour long Saturday parade which hosted school bands from all over Washington, the normal parade entrants, Seafair Pirates, & anyone who wanted to participate could enter. I Believe it started down in Fort Warden past the Golf Course to Uptown Lawrence street & ended at the Memorial field downtown.
Loved your review of my hometown, it is still a quiet, quaint town to raise a family & retire to.
Tara Schatz
Sunday 10th of April 2022
Thanks for the tip about visiting in May. I hope we get to the Rhododendron Festival one of these years!