One Day in Port Townsend: 10 Best Things To Do

Welcome to Port Townsend. A quaint, artsy town filled with history, surrounded by water, and filled with many activities to keep you occupied.

While a visit to Port Townsend can be completed in a few hours, this little town has a lot to offer, including walking through downtown to see the historic buildings, visiting the Union Wharf Whale, taking a whale watching tour, or hiking or biking the Chetzemoka Trail. So it’s easy to stay for a day or two and enjoy the slow pace of life here.

I’ve been traveling to the Olympic Peninsula for years, and Port Townsend is by far my favorite town in the area. It is a bit of a detour from Highway 101, but well worth it. In this article, I’ll give you a variety of activities to choose from so you can enjoy your time in Port Townsend.

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Getting To and Around Port Townsend

Port Townsend is tucked away in the northeasternmost point of the Olympic Peninsula. It is located a little over an hour away from Port Angeles or two and a half hours away from the SeaTac Airport. You’ll follow Highway 101 until you see a turn-off for Highway 19 or Highway 20. Both of these will take you to Port Townsend.

Once you arrive in Port Townsend, navigating around is fairly easy. Most of the shops and things to see are on Water Street, at the very tip of the peninsula. While the town is walkable and parking is easy to find, there is a free shuttle that runs along the town and also takes you to some of the other places mentioned here, like spots along the Chetzemoka trail.

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1. Wander Down Water Street

Water Street is the heart and soul of Port Townsend. Situated right along the water, you get glimpses of the ocean through alleyways between the shops. Its historic buildings and Victorian-style houses will have you feeling like you just walked back in time.

The shops on Water Street will leave you feeling artistic and inspired. Port Townsend is known for its artistic flair, with many art galleries along the strip and eclectic gift shops. I could probably spend the whole day just window shopping here.

2. Go For a Walk Around Point Hudson

Port Hudson is located at the east end of Water Street in Port Townsend. Point Hudson is a marina for many boats, including the iconic wooden boats of the area.

Take a walk down the jetty to try and spot some marine life. There is a rock reef below the jetty with thousands of creatures living in the water. You might also be able to spot transient orcas and gray whales.

3. Northwest Maritime Welcome Center

Located near Point Hudson, the Northwest Maritime Welcome Center is a must-visit in Port Townsend! Inside the welcome center, you’ll find exhibits teaching you about the original traditions and history of Port Townsend and why this town is so important. You’ll learn more about the Race to Alaska and other boat races in the area.

The Northwest Maritime Welcome Center also offers workshops and lectures with boat builders. There is an awesome gift shop here too, with a unique selection and some gear for purchase.

4. Visit the Union Wharf Whale

Situated off Water Street is the Union Wharf. A small walkway leads you to a platform over the water, housing the skeleton of a 42-foot gray whale, named Gunther.

Gunther was found washed up on shore in Port Townsend in 2019. Nearby residents got permission to clean up the whale and prepare it for display. After 4 years of preparing the skeleton, it was finally put on display in 2023.

5. Whale Watching

With Port Townsend being the gateway to the Puget Sound, it is a prime location to go whale watching. The ideal time for whale watching is April through October. You can either take a whale watching tour or try to spot them yourself off the shore.

The ideal spot to find whales in Port Townsend is from the Port Townsend Science Center in Fort Worden State Park. They installed a hydrophone listening station at the pier for researchers to use. This hydrophone picks up the sounds of whales communicating and broadcasts them on a speaker at the pier. From here, you have the chance to see gray whales, humpbacks, and seals.

If a whale watching tour sounds more exciting to you, the leading tour company in the area is the Puget Sound Express. They offer full-day, half-day, and 3-day guaranteed whale watching tours. Each tour has an option to add a lunch since you’ll be on the boat for a minimum of 3-4 hours. On the tour, you have a chance to see orcas, humpbacks, and minke whales.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: I wouldn’t save this excursion for the last day of your visit, because guaranteed doesn’t mean you get your money back, but that you can take another tour to try again.

6. Visit the Historic Fire Bell Tower

While you’re walking around town, you’ll notice a bell tower standing tall above you on the hillside. This 75-foot wooden structure was designed in 1890 to warn the town about nearby fires. There was a series of codes they would ring on the bell to tell the community where and how severe the fire was. Everyone would rally to go fight the blaze.

It didn’t take long before telephone poles and wires were set up around town, replacing the bell as a fire alarm. It is now considered a historical marker and has been restored several times. It is the last remaining wooden fire bell tower in the country.

7. Walk, Bike, or Drive the Chetzemoka Trail

The Chetzemoka Trail is a loop that consists of 18 interpretive signs teaching you about the history between the European settlers and the S’Kallam leader known as Chetzemoka. The trail can be divided into a 3-mile, 6-mile, or 12-mile loop reaching from North Beach to Fort Worden.

The trail takes you to a series of historical places like the city’s first park, the cemetery, North Beach, and Point Wilson. I love learning about Native groups and their history, so this was a fascinating trail to do. There is a map that you can download online. I picked up a physical map at the Northwest Maritime Center.

8. Take the Ferry

There is a direct ferry from Port Townsend to Coupeville on Whidbey Island. Coupeville is the second-oldest town in Washington State, filled with colorful houses and history. The ferry ride to Coupeville is only 35 minutes, and there is no need to have a car. Making this an awesome excursion on your visit to Port Townsend.

9. Attend a Festival

The Race to Alaska

The Race to Alaska is a 750-mile race from Port Townsend to Ketchikan, Alaska. The only rule is that you have to use a self-propelled boat. So, no motors allowed. The race can last anywhere from 4 days to several weeks. Usually, hundreds of boats take off with only about half making it to the finish line. The waters throughout this voyage can be very treacherous, making it a hard feat. The starting date each year is different and is planned around the best weather conditions. The first person or group to arrive gets a reward of $10,000. Second place gets a set of steak knives.

The day before the race begins, there is a block party in Port Townsend. They have live music, food vendors, and a tattoo shop set up. Yes, tattoos. It’s a tradition to get that year’s race day logo tattooed. The sponsors of the race actually pay for the first fifteen tattoos, so you could get a free tattoo. Everything about this race is in good fun, and if you want a chuckle, read the FAQ page on their website.

Wooden Boat Festival

Every year in September, Port Townsend hosts the largest Wooden Boat Festival in the United States. Thousands of people come to Port Townsend just to attend this festival. It lasts three days with boating workshops and over 100 presentations. You get to hear the stories of people who have made sailing their entire lives. There are vendors, food, live music, and a beer garden. This is a ticketed event, so check out the website for more information.

Even if you are unable to attend the festival, Port Townsend is known for the wooden boats docked in the marina year-round.

Music Themed Festivals.

• Concerts on the Dock: Every Thursday in July and August, local bands take the stage at Pope Marine Park to host a night of dancing and fun.
• Centrum’s Jazz Port Townsend: This event is a mixture of Jazz workshops and live performances. It’s the longest-running summer Jazz Festival in Washington.
• The Olympic Music Festival: Every weekend throughout August. This festival focuses on classical music instruments.

10. Grab a Bite to Eat or a Sweet Treat

• Owl Spirit Cafe is a popular lunch spot in Port Townsend. They specialize in vegan dishes or organic and grass-fed meat options. They serve a variety of items like Buddha bowls, sandwiches, taco salads, and burritos. They have limited hours, only being open 11-5 most days.
• Blue Moose Cafe was voted the best breakfast in Port Townsend by locals. They are serving breakfast burritos, omelets, eggs, plus some other specialty items.
• Bayview Restaurant: Located right on the water’s edge, Bayview Restaurant is a picturesque place to dine. They are open all day, serving up breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Many of their entrees feature seafood, which is a must-try while you’re on the coast.
• Bishop Block Bottle Shop and Garden is a beautiful setting to enjoy brunch, live music, and happy hour. With a courtyard that sometimes transforms into a dance floor.
• Elevated Ice Cream is serving up sweet treats to help you cool down. Elevated Ice Cream serves its handmade ice cream, chocolates, and candies. Everything is made in small batches to ensure freshness. They’ve been serving Port Townsend for over 40 years.

You can find more of our restaurant recommendations all over Olympic in our article Where to Eat In and Around Olympic National Park.

Where to Stay

Hotels and Cabins

• The Swan Hotel (book here): Sitting right off of Water Street, The Swan Hotel gives you ease of access to the heart of Port Townsend. They offer rooms in their main hotel, cottages for rent, and even a penthouse suite that can accommodate up to 8 guests. Ammenities include free wifi, jetted tubs in the private cottages, and dogs are allowed.
• The Monarch Hotel (book here): Located in a historic building built in 1889, this unique hotel is filled with a rich history. This hotel offers many types of accommodations, with some having a view of the bay area. They have preserved the original Victorian theme of the town, so it’s not the typical modern hotel that you’d find elsewhere.
• The Bishop Hotel (book here): This charming historic hotel has been renovated to give it a modern twist. The rooms are luxurious, and each one includes a fireplace. This is also the home of the Bottle Shop, a cozy eatery and bar with an outdoor patio.

RV Parks and Camping

• Port Hudson Marina and RV Park: This RV park houses 46 full hook-up sites. They are located at the marina, just steps away from Point Hudson. Many sites are located right on the bay, offering incredible views of the local islands and sealife.
• Fort Townsend Historical State Park Camping: This campground offers a variety of camping options from hike-in sites to full hook-up sites. They do require reservations. The amenities include flush toilets, drinking water, and a ~$5 dump station.
• Fort Woden Historical State Park: There are two campgrounds here, the Beach Campground and the Upper Forest Campground. The Beach Campground offers beachfront parking with full hook-ups, while the Upper Forest Campground is in a forest setting with partial hook-ups. This campground offers flush toilets, showers, and drinking water. There is also a boat ramp here and miles of trails to hike.

FIND OUT: Best Places to Camp In and Around Olympic National Park

Know Before You Go

• While the summers are mostly warm and sunny, visiting in the fall and winter brings cold, rainy days. I suggest bringing a rain jacket and sturdy boots for your visit.
• While Port Townsend is a lively place to spend the day, most of the restaurants and shops close by 8:00 pm. Be prepared to have earlier dinners during your visit. It’s also common for restaurants to only be open for a few hours a day, so check out their schedules before planning your meals.

If you’re looking for a fun, artsy town to stop in on your visit to the Olympic Peninsula, Port Townsend is the perfect place. One visit to this town will leave you feeling inspired and well-rested. With a lively music scene, historic buildings, and delicious restaurants, Port Townsend offers a little bit of something for everyone.

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What Else Do I Need to Know?

Most travelers want to visit the most popular sites and still avoid the crowds. We created a step-by-step itinerary so you can visit the best places at the right times.