The waters surrounding Port Townsend are called “the American Serengeti,” with some of the highest concentration of whales and dolphins and sea life anywhere in the world — including our totem species, the orca. Go whale watching with Puget Sound Express (half and full-day tours available) and then visit the Port Townsend Marine Science Center to learn more about whales before catching a movie at the historic Rose Theatre.

Historic Jail, Plus Ice Cream and Hot Dogs

You’ve landed at Port Townsend in the 1880s, what do you see? If only these streets and ghost murals could talk. Take a stroll through Port Townsend’s Downtown or Uptown with Guides from the Jefferson County Museum of Art and History and see through the eyes of a foul-mouthed sailor or a Victorian lady. Explore the Museum’s jail, and then grab some scratch-made ice cream from Elevated Ice Cream, and grab some scrumptious hot dogs across the street at Dogs A Foot (March-Oct).

Via nearly 12 miles of forest and beach trails, explore the hidden gun emplacements and defense batteries left over from the Fort’s WWI & WWII-era role defending the Puget Sound from potential enemy invaders. While there, check out the bunkers where the Fort’s ‘Triangle of Fire’ guns used to be housed. Bike rentals are available either on the beach at Fort Worden, or at these downtown locations:

The Broken Spoke: 360-379-1295
Williwaw Cycles: 360-379-8809
PT Cyclery: 360-385-6470
The ReCyclery: 360-643-1755
Velo Cats Collective: 360-344-2448

The Larry Scott Trail starts in Port Townsend and travels 7.3 miles South and West towards Four Corners where it ends at Milo Curry Trailhead. The Larry Scott Trail is part of the Olympic Discovery Trail and the Pacific Northwest Trail. The Larry Scott Trails is beautifully constructed and is available for non-motorized transportation and recreational purposes including walking, bicycling, wheeling, and horseback riding. When you are done, pop on over to Wilderbee Farm for a relaxing time sipping mead or petting sheep.

Whether visiting on a weekend, or mid-week, 2 days is a fantastic length of time to experience Port Townsend with the family.

Day One: Larry Scott Trail, Lunch at Blue Moose, Afternoon Whale Watching

The first part of the day involves hiking or cycling the the Larry Scott Trail – a waterfront and forested 7.3 mile trail that starts at the Port of Port Townsend’s Boat Haven. The trail is part of the Olympic Discovery Trail and the Pacific Northwest Trail. The Larry Scott Trails is beautifully constructed and is available for non-motorized transportation and recreational purposes including walking, bicycling, wheeling, and horseback riding. Back at the Boat Haven, make your way to the Blue Moose Cafe for lunch. This is a busy, local favorite! In the afternoon, discover why Port Townsend is quite possibly the best place in the country to see whales on a Puget Sound Express whale watching tour.

Day Two: Fort Worden, Marine Science, and History

Originally designed as a military base to protect Puget Sound, Fort Worden evolved into an iconic and cherished state park. The fort – featuring 100 historic structures – spans two miles of saltwater shoreline with views of the Olympic and Cascade Mountains, and the San Juan Islands. It is now a center for lifelong learning, which adds to the opportunities to explore with your family.

Via nearly 12 miles of forest and beach trails, explore the hidden gun emplacements and defense batteries left over from the Fort’s WWI & WWII-era role defending the Puget Sound from potential enemy invaders. While there, check out the bunkers where the Fort’s ‘Triangle of Fire’ guns used to be housed. Kayak rentals are available with Olympic Tours on the beach at Fort Worden. Bike rentals available at these in-town locations:

The Broken Spoke: 360-379-1295
Williwaw Cycles: 360-379-8809
PT Cyclery: 360-385-6470
The ReCyclery: 360-643-1755
Velo Cats Collective: 360-344-2448

For lunch, visit Cablehouse Canteen or Taps at the Guardhouse on the Fort campus. The Fort Worden eateries feature seasonal fare and offer regionally-crafted brews, ciders, spirits and wines for a uniquely Pacific Northwest culinary experience.

After lunch explore the nearshore habitats of the Salish Sea in the Port Townsend Marine Science Center‘s museum View plankton through a microscope! See a fully-articulated orca skeleton! Help with feedings on Saturday afternoons through the summer season. (Note hours vary by season.)

Round out your visit to Fort Worden with a visit to the Puget Sound Coast Artillery Museum. Fort Worden is one of three forts comprising the Triangle of Fire which controlled ship access to Puget Sound. Construction at Fort Worden started in 1898 with the first guns manned in 1902 and the majority of the structures on the Fort predate WWI. The Puget Sound Coast Artillery Museum was established in 1976 to preserve and interpret Coast Artillery history with special emphasis on the Harbor Defenses of Puget Sound as they existed and functioned from the late 1800s to the end of World War II. The Museum also has exhibits showing the History of Fort Worden from it’s beginnings in 1897 through it’s use as a military base, a State Diagnostic and Treatment Center for adolescents, and finally as one of the premier State Parks in Washington.

Whether visiting on a weekend, or mid-week, 2 days is a fantastic length of time to experience Port Townsend with the family.

Day One: Downtown Strolling and Shopping

You’ve landed at Port Townsend in the 1880s, what do you see? If only these streets and ghost murals could talk. Take a stroll through Port Townsend’s Downtown or Uptown with Guides from the Jefferson County Museum of Art and History and see through the eyes of a foul-mouthed sailor or a Victorian lady. Explore the Museum’s jail, and then head across the street to Nifty Fifty’s, a 1950s-style soda fountain and burger joint.