Port Townsend Travel Guide

  1. Port Townsend

The city of Port Townsend sits in Jefferson County, Washington and is enclosed by the stunning natural scenery on the northeast corner of the Olympic Peninsula. Renowned for Victorian buildings dating from its late 19th century glory days, Port Townsend declares itself to be a haven for artists and offers visitors a number of annual cultural events. Various outdoor leisure activities round out the region’s possibilities.

With Port Townsend Bay on one side and the Olympic Mountains on the other, Port Townsend is an exceptional location for recreational opportunities. In town, several easily accessible city parks invite you for picnics, play or relaxation, while Olympic National Forest and Olympic National Park are only a short distance away.

The city’s mixture of architectural and natural beauty draws artists and outdoor enthusiasts alike. Visitors can enjoy cultural events, maritime activities or gourmet cuisine in this picturesque historical Victorian seaport. No matter whether you like shopping for antiques, listening to some jazz, kayaking along the waterfront or just strolling through the historic Uptown and Downtown districts, Port Townsend has something to offer for everyone.

Highlights

Fort Worden State Park: this park features a 30-acre lake and a gun bunker as well as four different museums and a fully functioning conference center. Recreational options include beach camping, a boat launch, a marine science center and Blackberries Restaurant.

Jefferson County Historical Society: runs a fascinating museum with interesting artifacts ranging from buffalo skins to two-necked harp guitars.

Chetzemoka Park: the 10-acre park comprises a rose garden, playground and several picnic areas and is a great afternoon spot for family fun or romance.

Olympic National Park: the heart of this park is wilderness. It is a primeval refuge for an eye-catching diversity of plants and animals amidst rain forest valleys and ocean beaches.

Olympic National Forest: this area covers the extensions of the Olympic Mountains and encloses much of Olympic National Park offering a great variety of recreation opportunities and activities.