Port Townsend is on the Quimper Peninsula in Jefferson County across from Fort Casey outside of Coupeville on Whidbey Island. Port Townsend is a quaint Victorian town with historical Victorian architecture and lots of old-school brick and lantern-lined streets. It is a small Victorian town on the northern end of the Olympic Peninsula, while it may be small, there is plenty of things to do in Port Townsend.
How to Get to Port Townsend
In order to get to Port Townsend from Whidbey Island, you take the Coupeville Ferry. The ferry ride is around 30 minutes and is about $18 a car. The drive around takes a bit over 3 hours so the ferry is the fastest and coolest experience to get there. This is a short day trip that is easy to do, is a cheaper ferry than most and closer distance.
Ferry schedule, prices and booking here.
Things to do in Port Townsend
Fort Worden State Park & Point Wilson Lighthouse
Fort Worden is a huge state park on the tip of the peninsula. It has the best beaches in the area between North Beach and Fort Worden State Park Beach, there are miles of sand and shoreline to enjoy. There is beautiful beach camping here in the state park as well as great access for kayaking and whale watching. The forested hiking trails and two batteries are great for exploring with the preserved historical grounds left from the war. There is an old chapel as well as Alexander’s Castle a 19th century building in the park.
Hours
7am-8pm daily
Price
Free entrance as long as you have a Discover Pass to park!!! Otherwise, $2 for adults entrance and children 12 and under are free.
Better Living Through Coffee
This coffeehouse sits along the shores of Port Townsend Bay with wall-to-wall views of the surrounding islands, Cascade Range, and Mount Rainier. On a rainy day, this spot has great windows and is a warm lighted space with locally roasted coffee, kombucha, and so many delicious baked goods and some cafe dishes. There is definitely a granola grunge hippy crew here of locals. This is for sure a local haunt.
Hours
7am-6pm daily
Price
$
Thuja Boutique
This boutique sells handmade goods, vintage clothing, beautiful home decor, coffee table books, and the cutest trendy kids clothes and decor. It’s by far one of the coolest stores in Port Townsend and is one of my favorite shops in all of WA. They have beautiful ceramic cups and bowls by local artists, baskets, throw pillows, candles, oils, and skin care salves that are made with all natural ingredients. They have decorative wall art such as macrame as well as cool graphic t-shirts and beautiful modern jewelry. Their instagram is @thujastore to check out their products.
Hours
Mon, Weds, Thurs, Fri 11-5, Sat 11-6, Sun 12-5, CLOSED Tuesdays
Price
$$-$$$
Velocity Coffee
Velocity Coffee is a relaxed coffee bar on the waterfront near the Maritime Center with bay views. The coffee shop is all golden wood and modern with home baked pastries and really well known and loved coffee in Port Townsend. Velocity Coffee serves Olympia Coffee Roasting Company in their shop that you can buy as well and take home.
Hours
Open daily Mon-Sunday 6:30am-5pm
Price
$$-$$$
The Rose Theatre
Rose Theatre is a historic movie theatre from the 1907’s still screening new releases, ballet, opera & plays. There is a cafe with food & cocktails as well. Going to the Rose Theatre is not just going to a movie it is a whole small town historic experience. Before the movie, one of the staff members comes up and reads off pertinent information and background to each movie. This is different than any modern movie theater experience.
Hours
11am-7pm movies run depending on the day and schedule. See the upcoming schedule here.
Price
The box office opens 30 minutes before the first show of the day.
$10 Adults
$9 Students/Seniors
$8 Kids 12 & under
Matinees are $1 less
(Rose Membership discounts may apply)
The Palace Hotel
The Palace Hotel is an elegant step back in time that is a fun historical staple of the Victorian heritage buildings of Port Townsend. It is one of the best hotels in Port Townsend. The hotel is on the second and third floors, with a restaurant and retailers on the main level. This hotel in Port Townsend has 19 charming guest rooms and suites, each bearing the name of one of the “girls.” Each room is eclectically furnished with antiques and collectibles adding to the Victorian character of the building. Most have private baths and many have mini-kitchen facilities. With large windows and 14-foot vaulted ceilings, each guest room feels like a grand experience stepping back in time.
This is one of the most budget hotels in Port Townsend ranging from $79-$119 a night. It is on the main street within close walking distance of everything you need, coffee, restaurants, shops, and the harbor. You can see the rooms and learn more about the hotel here.
Price
Deluxe Rooms – Winter rates from $79.00/Summer from $119*
Superior Rooms – Winter rates from $109/Summer rates from $179*
Detached Bathrooms – Winter rates from $69.00/Summer rates from $109*
Conservatory Coastal Home Store
Conservatory Coastal Home store is a seaside inspired and curated lifestyle. There is such an eclectic mix in the store of bohemian, modern aesthetic, and vintage rustic nautical decor. Their gallery has high with vaulted ceilings, gorgeous brick, and huge windows, making it look like a photography set rather than a home decor store. This is a really cool store with big interesting coffee table books, journals, and other smaller home knick-knacks as well, in addition to amazing furniture and decor. .
Hours
Open 11am-5pm daily
Price
$$$
Owl Sprit Cafe
Owl Spirit Cafe is an artistic bohemian lair serving sandwiches, salads, & other eclectic cafe dishes, served in an airy space in a warm creative and artistic atmosphere. They serve vegetarian dishes as well as Vegan Buddha bowls that are one of their most popular dishes. Find their full menu here.
Hours
Open 11am-8pm daily, closed Sundays
Price
$$
Other Things to do in Port Townsend
Port Townsend Boutiques
Port Townsend is filled with many boutiques, book stores, and art galleries. The community is filled with creatives and there are lots of unique places to window shop. Quicker Mercantile Company is a great outdoor goods store that has great deals including wool socks, hiking boots, running shoes, hiking, and camping gear including quality brands like Patagonia, Columbia, and more. They had great deals at the mercantile and all your outdoor adventure needs. It is a great spot to grab new gear at a discounted rate.
The Spice & Tea Exchange is a great spot for tea lovers with so many exotic teas from all over to peruse and try. Thuja is a modern trendy home decor, vintage clothing & curated kids collection. Northwest Man has amazing quality flannels, Pendleton wool blankets, beard balms, and other man-care products of all kinds for the northwest man. Joglo is a bohemian eastern home decor store with amazing baskets. Insatiable is a book store that collects books of interest and antiques.
Insatiables Bookstore
This is a used bookstore and antique store that has some of the oldest book collections as well as more modern material. It is a collectors book shop and is interesting to see the historical books they have. There is also Imprint Book store and William James Bookseller that are more modern bookstores downtown to check out.
Hours
12pm-3pm daily, closed Tuesdays
Price
$-$$
Dimick Lighthouse
This lighthouse is on Water street nearby Kah Tai Lagoon Park, which is a museum now. This historical lighthouse is fun to stop by and see as you ride bikes through Port Townsend. This is a private family residence and so there is no entrance unless you have a personal connection. This is a fun “landmark,” to visit on a walk or bike ride in the city.
Port Townsend Farmer’s Market
The Port Townsend farmer’s market is on Tyler Street across from the community center. They serve fresh local produce, plants, succulents, beautiful flowers, home baked bread and other bakers and goods, live music, food vendors, Gypsy coffee, and local artists selling their art. This is a cool market that is a must when visiting town.
Hours
Open 9am-2pm Saturdays
Port Townsend Brewing Company
Propolis Brewing is the other downtown brewery in town besides Port Townsend Brewing Co, which is the original Brewing company. Propolis is a trendy vintage bohemian vibe with lots of indoor plants, handing fabric and lanterns inside. This is the most bohemian brewery I have ever seen. There is vintage furniture and cool modern live edge wood, and a piano. This is the coolest spot that further showcases the artistic bohemian gypsy style of the local crew.
Hours
Open 2pm-8pm Mon-Fri, 12pm-8pm Sat&Sun
Price
$$-$$$
