Port Townsend
Around Port Townsend
Photo: Joe Mabel · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Town and around · Washington · 33k people
Port Townsend
“City of Dreams”, “Victorian Seaport”
Where the mountains meet the sea, and history sails on.
Salish Sea TealBrick Red
Welcome to Port Townsend, where the sea meets Victorian charm. Stroll the historic downtown, catch a ferry to Victoria, and soak up the creative energy of this quirky maritime town. We're glad you're here.
Clubs for Port Townsend
No clubs for Port Townsend yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Port Townsend. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Port Townsend. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Fort Worden State Park Historic military fort with beaches, trails, and arts programs.
- Historic Victorian downtown Well-preserved 19th-century architecture and shops.
- Point Wilson Lighthouse Active lighthouse at the entrance to Admiralty Inlet.
- Port Townsend Bay Protected bay popular for sailing and kayaking.
- Chetzemoka Park Waterfront park with gardens and views.
- Port Townsend Marine Science Center Public aquarium and marine education center.
- Outdoors Hiking the trails at Fort Worden
- Outdoors Kayaking in Port Townsend Bay
- With kids Explore the forts and bunkers at Fort Worden
- With kids Visit the Port Townsend Marine Science Center
- Evenings Catch a show at the Key City Public Theatre
- Evenings Watch a movie at the Rose Theatre
- Locals love Waterfront promenades
- Locals love Art galleries and studios
Through the year
- Wooden Boat Festival September Celebrates wooden boats with displays, races, and maritime crafts.
- Port Townsend Film Festival September Independent and classic films screened in historic venues.
- Jazz Port Townsend July Weekend of jazz performances and workshops at Fort Worden.
- Kinetic Sculpture Race May Human-powered art vehicles race through town and water.
- Jefferson County Fair August County fair with livestock, food, and local entertainment.
Mild maritime climate with cool, wet winters and warm, dry summers. Best time to be out is June through September. Best: June through September
Talk like a local
- “PT”
- Short for Port Townsend.
- “the Fort”
- Fort Worden State Park.
- “the Peninsula”
- Olympic Peninsula.
- “the Strait”
- Strait of Juan de Fuca.
Getaways
- Victoria, BC Take the ferry to Canada's capital.
- Port Angeles Gateway to Olympic National Park.
- Seattle Big-city attractions and culture.
- Oak Harbor Explore Whidbey Island.
Local flavour
Rooting for Seattle Seahawks, Seattle Mariners, Seattle Sounders FC, Seattle Kraken, Seattle Storm
Eat and drink
- Dungeness crab Locally harvested, often served fresh or in crab cakes.
- Olympic oysters Small, briny oysters from nearby waters, served raw or grilled.
- Salmon Wild-caught Pacific salmon, often grilled or smoked.
- Fish and chips A staple at local pubs and waterfront eateries, often with halibut.
Where people go
- Historic Victorian downtown A National Historic District with preserved 19th-century buildings, art galleries, and boutiques.
- Fort Worden State Park A former military fort with beaches, trails, and the iconic Point Wilson Lighthouse.
- Point Wilson Lighthouse
- Port Townsend Bay A protected bay ideal for sailing, kayaking, and watching marine life.
- Olympic Peninsula forests Old-growth forests and trails just outside town, offering lush greenery and mountain views.
Heritage and traditions
Port Townsend is proud of its Victorian seaport charm, vibrant arts scene, and deep maritime heritage, where history and creativity meet the sea.
This time of year in Port Townsend
- Whale watching Spring and fall Spring and fall migrations pass by the strait.
- Port Townsend Farmers Market Saturdays, May–October Weekly market with local produce, crafts, and live music.
Say it like a local: “How's the tide?” — a friendly greeting, often with a nod to the maritime setting
Festivals
- Victorian Festival March Celebrates the town's Victorian heritage with costumes and tea.
- Jazz Port Townsend September Weekend of jazz performances and workshops in intimate venues.
- Port Townsend Film Festival September Independent films shown in historic theaters and outdoor venues.
- Port Townsend Farmers Market Saturdays, May–October Weekly market with local produce, crafts, and live music.
- Kinetic Sculpture Race May Human-powered art vehicles race through town and water.
- Port Townsend Wooden Boat Festival September Showcases wooden boats, maritime skills, and waterfront fun.
Landmarks with a story
- Fort Worden State Park Turn-of-the-century coastal defense fort with bunkers and beaches.
- Point Wilson Lighthouse Active lighthouse guiding ships since 1879.
- Chetzemoka Park Named for a S'Klallam chief, park with views of the bay.
- Port Townsend Historic District Victorian-era buildings along Water and Lawrence streets.
- Jefferson County Historical Society Museum Local history exhibits in a former city hall.
- Port Townsend Marine Science Center Educational center on the waterfront with touch tanks.
Food traditions
- Dungeness crab boils Fresh crab boiled with local beer and spices, often on the beach.
- Olympic oyster roasts Oysters grilled over open fire at community gatherings.
- Salmon bakes Alder-smoked salmon cooked on cedar planks at summer events.
- Fish and chips by the bay Classic seaside meal with local rockfish and hand-cut fries.
Music and arts
- Maritime music scene Sea shanties and folk songs performed at festivals and pubs.
- Victorian heritage crafts Quilting, lace-making, and period costuming at local events.
A little history
- 1851 Port Townsend founded as a customs port of entry
- 1880s Boom era with Victorian architecture, earning nickname 'City of Dreams'
- 1902 Fort Worden built as part of coastal defense system
- 1983 Kinetic Sculpture Race began as an art event
- 1977 Wooden Boat Festival started to celebrate maritime heritage
- Game day High school football on Friday nights
- Game day Sailing regattas
- Outdoors Walking the bluffs at Fort Worden
- Outdoors Kayaking in Port Townsend Bay
Locals speak with a relaxed Pacific Northwest accent, often dropping the 'g' in '-ing' words, and sprinkle in maritime terms like 'tide' and 'fetch'.
Only here
- The Kinetic Sculpture Race ends with a water crossing.
- Fort Worden has underground bunkers open for exploration.
- The town has more Victorian buildings per capita than most US cities.
- You can see orcas from the ferry to Whidbey Island.
New here? A few tips
- Bring rain gear; it's wetter than Seattle.
- Learn to say 'Port Townsend' with a silent 'w'.
- Take the ferry to Whidbey Island for a quick getaway.
- Join a beach cleanup to meet neighbors.
- Check the tide tables before walking the beach.
Make this page better
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Nearby
Every areaOak HarborWashingtonIsland calm, Pacific Northwest soulSkagit ValleyWashingtonWhere tulips bloom and tides turn.Port AngelesWashingtonWhere rainforest meets the seaSan Juan IslandsWashingtonWhere the Salish Sea meets the sky.VictoriaBritish ColumbiaWhere the ocean whispers and gardens bloom.Bremerton–SilverdaleWashingtonSmall towns, big waterSeattleWashingtonMisty mornings, bold coffee, and mountain silhouettes.BellinghamWashingtonWhere the mountains meet the sea, and the coffee is always fresh.
Port Townsend, WA. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.