We just returned from a random weekend in Port Townsend, which is a small coastal town on the northeast tip of the Olympic Peninsula in Washington. It was a last-minute trip and we didn’t plan anything (including booking a place to stay). We just hopped in our car and drove! What we founded was an incredible community that was welcoming, relaxing and a lot of fun. Here is our list of ten reasons to visit Port Townsend (in no particular order):

It’s Close to Seattle

It doesn’t take long to get to Port Townsend. The trek is less than two hours from downtown Seattle. The trip includes an easy (and fun) 30 minute ferry ride from Seattle to Bainbridge Island. From there, Port Townsend is only about a 45 mile drive.

Peace and Quiet

While Port Townsend is easy to get to, it is still far enough from the city that you really feel away from it all. If you’re looking for a fast pace weekend trip in the heart of a big city, then Port Townsend probably is not for you. But, if you’re looking to relax then this is a great option.

Port Townsend Beaches

One of our favorite things to do is just roam around and explore with no plan. The beaches surrounding Port Townsend are a great place to do just that. We spent several hours walking around, playing in the sand, watching the tide and having fun in the sun.

Wildlife

The wildlife in Port Townsend is incredible! Not only are there dozens of birds flying above you at any given time, but there are also lots of different sea creatures. It didn’t take us long to spot some seals and sea otters while exploring the beaches. A highlight of our trip was going on a whale watching tour. We spent four hours on the water and encountered several different gray whales. It was out of this world!

Movie Theater

The Rose Theater, located downtown Port Townsend, is not your typical theater. Before every movie starts, a staff member introduces the film with a brief background and biography. While they play recent releases, the theater gives you an entire experience.

Tsunami Route

Since Port Townsend is a coastal town there is a possibility for a tsunami. That means there are several signs along the beach and city streets that direct people to higher ground. While there was no threat of a tsunami while we were there, we thought it would be fun to follow the sings and see where they take us. It was a great way to explore the less traveled streets of the town.

Port Townsend Sunsets

Nothing beats a sunset overlooking water, especially if that water is located in the Pacific Northwest. We enjoyed a sunset while sitting on the beach the first night we were there, and then sipped on beers on the back deck of Siren’s Pub while the sun went down on our second night. Both sunsets were spectacular!

Port Townsend Beer

Port Townsend is home to one of the oldest breweries in the region. The original Port Townsend Brewing Co. opened shop in 1905. When Washington State passed the prohibition initiative, the brewery was forced to close in 1916. In 1997, the brewery opened again. Today, they brew more than 12 delicious ales.

Port Townsend Food

There are so many restaurants in Port Townsend!  Whether you’re looking to grab some homemade pizza, Asian cuisine, or a fancy dinner, Port Townsend offers them all (and many more). We checked out Silverwater Cafe, Fountain Cafe (our favorite), Siren’s Pub and Tyler Street Cafe.

Palace Hotel

This is by far one of the most unique hotels we’ve ever experienced. A stay at the Palace Hotel is worth a trip to Port Townsend by itself. This old hotel, located in downtown, used to be a brothel in the early 1900s. The rooms are named after the different girls who worked the brothel and are decorated with beautiful antique furniture and décor.

We could have named our top 30 reasons to visit Port Townsend, but we didn’t want to overwhelm you. We’re already planning our next trip to PT (what the locals call it), including a visit to the Mt. Townsend Creamery and renting kayaks for a day. We can’t wait to go back and add to our already long list of reasons to visit Port Townsend.

Have you ever visited Port Townsend? What did you think? We’d love to hear from you.Leave a comment below or connect with us on TwitterFacebook and Instagram. Don’t forget to also check out Seattle Bloggers for more on great things to do in the city!

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