Heading to the little Washington town of Port Townsend? I’ve pulled together the best things to do in Port Townsend, including the places I’d put at the top of my list, along with a few practical tips to make planning your visit a whole lot easier.
Port Townsend is one of those Washington towns where you can see a lot without feeling like you need to spend your entire day racing from one attraction to the next. The historic seaport is filled with Victorian buildings, independent shops, maritime history, beaches, art, good food, and Fort Worden, all with the Olympic Peninsula right outside town.
I only had about 24 hours in town on my way to Olympic National Park, and that was enough to get a wonderful introduction, although I think two or three days would give you a much more relaxed experience.
Short on Time? Here Are My Top Planning Tips for Port Townsend.
Where I Stayed & Recommend
- Palace Hotel Port Townsend ($$$), Where I stayed, a charming Victorian hotel downtown.
- The Swan Hotel ($$$), a casual option for staying right in town.
- The Bishop Hotel ($$$), a convenient downtown stay.
Things to Do
- Sunset and Wildlife Kayak Tour, Paddle the waterfront as the sun goes down.
- Bioluminescence Kayak Tour: Port Townsend, WA, See glowing bioluminescence after dark.
Helpful Guides to Plan Your Trip
If you’re planning a larger Olympic Peninsula adventure, start with my 4-Day Roadtrip: Seattle to Olympic National Park for a practical route that includes Port Townsend, Olympic National Park, and Port Angeles. If you’re focusing just on this charming town, my 24-Hours in Port Townsend itinerary will help you make the most of a shorter visit.
What to Do in Port Townsend, Washington
Explore the Abandoned Military Bunkers at Fort Worden
Fort Worden is one of those places where you can spend an hour exploring or accidentally turn it into half a day. The former military installation sits on more than 400 acres at the edge of Port Townsend Bay, and its history is still very much part of the landscape. Construction began in the late 1890s, and the fort was activated in 1902 as part of the coastal defense system protecting the entrance to Puget Sound. Today, you can wander around the old batteries and concrete military structures scattered across Artillery Hill, some of which are tucked into the hillside and surprisingly easy to miss.
Visit the Port Townsend Marine Science Center
If you’re curious about what is happening beneath the beautiful waters surrounding Port Townsend, the Port Townsend Marine Science Center is worth adding to your itinerary. The nonprofit focuses on conservation and education around the Salish Sea, with its renovated exhibit and aquarium located at Fort Worden. The exhibits explore the marine ecosystem, human impacts such as climate change, and what we can do to protect the waters around us.
I wouldn’t plan your entire day around it, but it’s an easy addition when you’re at Fort Worden.
Check Out the Historic Victorian Houses
While many visitors stick to the waterfront and historic downtown, I highly recommend heading uphill into Port Townsend’s Uptown neighborhood. This quieter part of town is home to some of the most beautiful Victorian homes in Washington, and it’s worth taking your time to walk rather than simply driving through. Two of the standouts are Starrett House, known for its ornate architecture and distinctive tower, and Rothschild House, one of the state’s oldest preserved family homes.
You don’t need a formal tour to enjoy this part of town. Simply wander the streets, look up, and admire the architecture from the public sidewalk. If you’d like to actually step inside a historic home, Rothschild House offers that opportunity when it’s open. Just remember that many of the gorgeous Victorian houses are private residences, so admire them from the sidewalk rather than treating someone’s front yard like a museum.
Go Whale Watching
If you’ve ever wanted to see whales in the wild, Port Townsend is a pretty fantastic place to try. Its location at the meeting point of the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Puget Sound makes it a convenient departure point for whale-watching excursions, with seasonal tours looking for orcas, humpback whales, gray whales, minke whales, and other wildlife. I recommend booking with Puget Sound Express which generally last several hours (so plan on making this a significant part of your day rather than a quick sightseeing stop).
Pop Into Aldrich’s Market
Aldrich’s Market is the kind of place I love finding in a small town because it’s more than just a grocery store. It first opened in 1895 and has been a fixture of Port Townsend’s Uptown neighborhood for more than a century. After a devastating fire destroyed the building in 2003, the community rallied behind the business, and Aldrich’s reopened in 2005. Today you’ll find everyday groceries mixed with specialty foods, wine, a deli, fresh-squeezed orange juice, coffee, and sushi.
Shop & Stroll the Victorian Downtown
Give yourself some time to simply wander Port Townsend’s Victorian downtown because the walking is part of the attraction. The historic Water Street district is lined with locally owned shops, galleries, restaurants, and beautifully preserved buildings, and you won’t find the big-box stores or cookie-cutter chains that can make some tourist towns feel interchangeable. A few shops I’d put on your radar are Lively Olive Tasting Bar, especially if you like food and bringing home edible souvenirs, Conservatory Coastal Home for coastal-inspired décor and gifts, and Imprint Bookstore, one of the best independent bookstores in Washington and a particularly good stop if you’re a book lover.
Spend Some Time at Chetzemoka Park
Chetzemoka Park is a good stop when you need a break from sightseeing but don’t necessarily want to go back to the hotel. The 6.53-acre waterfront park has views across Port Townsend Bay and plenty of space to enjoy the scenery. Here you can enjoy scenic waterfront views, walk down to the beach and explore manicured gardens.
Wine Tasting at Port Townsend Vineyards
Yes, you can go wine tasting in Port Townsend, and I was very happy to discover that. Port Townsend Vineyards has a tasting room at the southern entrance to town where you can sample locally made wines, order flights or glasses, and enjoy light bites. There is also Vintage by Port Townsend Vineyards right downtown on Water Street, which makes it particularly easy to work into a day of sightseeing.
I especially liked this in the late afternoon when you can listen to live music on their pation while enjoying your glass of wine.
See Bell Tower Park
Bell Tower Park is tiny, so don’t expect to spend an hour here. But it’s worth the quick peek because the historic fire bell tower has an interesting story and offers a nice view over downtown. Built in 1890, the wooden tower was used to alert residents to fires, with the bell signaling the location and severity of a blaze. It now stands as a preserved historic monument and scenic viewpoint above the downtown district.
Visit the Jefferson Museum of Art + History
If you want to understand more about Port Townsend beyond its pretty Victorian buildings, spend some time at the Jefferson Museum of Art + History downtown. The museum combines art and history with exhibitions focused on the stories and creativity of Jefferson County. It’s a useful stop for putting some context behind the historic buildings and neighborhoods you’ll see while walking around town.
I think this is particularly worthwhile for first-time visitors because it gives you a better understanding of how Port Townsend became the town you’re seeing today.
Catch a Show at the Rose Theatre
If your visit happens to line up with a movie or event, consider spending an evening at the Rose Theatre, right in historic downtown. Originally opened as a Vaudeville playhouse in 1907, the theater has had quite the life, transitioning over the years from live performances to silent films, talkies, and Technicolor before even becoming a shoe repair shop and junk store. Thankfully, it was restored in 1992 with help from community volunteers, donors, and investors, and today it has grown from its original single auditorium into three unique screens.
The Rose also hosts the annual Port Townsend Film Festival and regularly showcases independent films, dance, music, opera, and theater.
Traveling Soon? Use my Favorite Resources for Booking Your Trip!
Book Your Flight
Expedia is my favorite flight search engine, because it checks dozens of airlines so you can easily find the best fare deals. You can also select ‘Watch Prices’ to get an email alert when the prices change.
Book Your Accommodations
I use both Booking.com and Expedia for hotels, because each offers a couple different hotel choices and I like to compare the reviews on each one. If you have a group or are looking for more of a home atmosphere, head over to VRBO or AirBNB that has houses, apartments and even just a room for rent in every price range.
Book Your Rental Car
If love the freedom to explore like I do, driving from place to place is the best option! I always book with RentalCars.com (it’s part of booking.com) for the best prices and top brand options.
Book Some Fun Tours!
Viator and Get Your Guide are my go-to search engines for cool bucket list experiences! Each one can have different tours, so check both—why limit yourself, right?
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel can be unpredictable. Whether it’s a last-minute cancellation, an injury, or (ugh) theft, things happen. That’s why I recommend never leaving the country without travel insurance. Here are my faves: Safety Wing and World Nomads.
Get Packing & Travel Essentials Ready
Check out the Bucket List Journey Amazon Store to find all my favorite travel essentials. Everything from Packing cubes, to travel adapters and toiletry containers to walking shoes.
Flying International?
Get Cell Data Before You Arrive: I recommend using airalo for international travel. Also, book an airport transfer in advance (I use Kiwi Taxi). Lastly, check travel.state.gov for visa requirements and safety information.
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