Things to Do in Port Townsend: Top Sights and Original 3, 5 & 7-Day Itineraries
Port Townsend is a Victorian seaport at the northeast tip of Washington's Olympic Peninsula, with brick storefronts on Water Street, wooden boats in the harbor and the old gun batteries of Fort Worden. It makes a relaxed base for Olympic National Park and the San Juan Islands.
This guide covers the best things to do in Port Townsend, 3, 5 and 7-day plans with Fort Worden, Hurricane Ridge, Dungeness Spit and Whidbey Island, plus what to eat and where to stay.
Top things to see in Port Townsend
Water Street
Victorian brick buildings and shops.
Fort Worden
Batteries, beaches and a lighthouse.
Point Wilson Lighthouse
Where the strait meets Admiralty Inlet.
Northwest Maritime Center
Wooden-boat heritage.
Uptown
Mansions and a Saturday market.
Chetzemoka Park
Gardens above the water.
Fort Flagler
Quiet beaches on Marrowstone Island.
Rose Theatre
A restored 1907 cinema.
Port Townsend in 3 days: an original itinerary
1Day 1 · Downtown waterfront
Walk Water Street past its 1880s brick buildings, visit the Jefferson Museum of Art and History in the old city hall and watch the boatbuilders at the Northwest Maritime Center. Have lunch on the waterfront. In the afternoon climb the Haller Fountain steps to uptown for Victorian mansions and Chetzemoka Park. Have dinner and a film at the Rose Theatre.
2Day 2 · Fort Worden
Spend the day at Fort Worden State Park, exploring the concrete batteries on Artillery Hill, the parade ground where An Officer and a Gentleman was filmed and the Marine Science Center on the pier. Picnic on the beach. In the afternoon walk the sand to Point Wilson Lighthouse and look for seals and otters. Return to town for seafood.
3Day 3 · On the water
Join a whale-watching trip toward the San Juan Islands to look for orcas, humpbacks and puffins near Protection Island, or rent a kayak in the bay. Have lunch on board or at the marina. Spend the afternoon at the Saturday farmers market uptown or tasting local cider at one of the nearby farms.
Port Townsend in 5 days
Follow the 3-day plan above, then add these two days:
4Day 4 · Marrowstone Island
Drive to Fort Flagler on Marrowstone Island for empty beaches, more gun batteries and views of Mount Rainier and Mount Baker. Stop at the general store in Nordland for lunch, and visit the cider makers of Chimacum on the way back to Port Townsend.
5Day 5 · Hurricane Ridge
Drive ninety minutes to Port Angeles and up to Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park for alpine meadows and a wall of peaks. Hike the Hurricane Hill trail, picnic at the top and stop at Lake Crescent or in Sequim on the return.
Port Townsend in 7 days
With a full week, keep days 1 to 5 and finish with:
6Day 6 · Sequim and Dungeness
Head to Sequim for lavender farms, in bloom in July, and walk part of the five-mile Dungeness Spit toward its lighthouse. Have Dungeness crab for lunch. In the afternoon visit the wildlife refuge overlook and return for a quiet evening.
7Day 7 · Last day
Have a last coffee on the waterfront, browse the bookshops and buy local cider or sea salt, then have a farewell lunch. Seattle is about two hours away by car and ferry via Bainbridge Island or Kingston.
What to do in Port Townsend on a weekend
For a weekend in Port Townsend, combine Water Street, uptown and a day at Fort Worden.
Add a whale watch with a third day.
What to do in Port Townsend in the evening
Evenings bring live music in old saloons, a film at the Rose Theatre, sunset at Point Wilson and unhurried dinners.
Festivals fill the calendar in summer.
Port Townsend for couples
Couples will enjoy a Victorian inn, sunset at the lighthouse and a cider tasting in Chimacum.
Port Townsend with kids
With kids, explore the Fort Worden bunkers with a flashlight, the Marine Science Center, the beaches and a whale watch.
What to eat in Port Townsend
Dungeness crab
Sweet local crab.
Oysters
From Hood Canal.
Salmon
Grilled or smoked.
Cider
From Chimacum farms.
Ice cream
Made downtown.
Where to stay in Port Townsend: best areas
Downtown
Historic hotels.
Uptown
Victorian B&Bs.
Fort Worden
Officers' houses.
Port Hadlock
Quieter marina stays.
What to do in Port Townsend when it rains
On rainy days, visit the Jefferson Museum, the Marine Science Center, the Rose Theatre, bookshops or the Coast Artillery Museum.
How much does a trip to Port Townsend cost?
Expect $150–300 per night, $15–30 for lunch and about $120 for a whale watch; state parks need a Discover Pass.
Practical tips for Port Townsend
Best time to visit
May to September.
Getting around
On foot in town, by car and ferry beyond.
Our practical tips
- Buy a Discover Pass.
- Reserve ferries in summer.
- Bring layers.
- Carry a flashlight for bunkers.
- Check festival dates.
- Book whale watches ahead.
Mistakes to avoid
- Arriving without a ferry reservation.
- Underestimating wind at the point.
- Festival weekends without a room.
- Rushing Olympic National Park.
Frequently asked questions
What is there to do in Port Townsend?
Walk the Victorian waterfront, explore Fort Worden and go whale watching.
How many days do you need?
Two days, a week with the peninsula.
How do you get there from Seattle?
By ferry and car in about two hours.
When is the Wooden Boat Festival?
Early September each year.