Port Townsend
In the late 19th century, Port Townsend was one of the busiest seaports in the Pacific Northwest, and many Victorian mansions are beautifully preserved. At the end of the point, Fort Worden was built as a military base to protect Puget Sound - today the fort is a state park. Kids will want to stop into Elevated Ice Cream for locally made ice cream, with seasonal berries and flavors.
Fort Worden State Park
-
Port Townsend Marine Science Center
- Be sure to visit this charming center to find out about the sea creatures of Puget Sound. Aquarium and touch tanks have colorful anemones, spot shrimps, sea urchins, ochre sea stars, different kinds of crabs, sea cucumbers, fish, live abalone. Very colorful, an opalescent nudibranch (bright orange and blue), and we watched barnacles waving their feathery feet as they gather plankton to eat.
In summer the center is open all week, closed on Tuesdays. Other seasons, Friday, Saturday, Sunday only.
Beaches and biking
- Next to the Marine Science Center is a long sandy beach with plenty of driftwood, families and kids running around on a summer's day. Bring a picnic.
Rent bikes to explore the park (biking and hiking trail map available at Fort Worden Visitor Center or
map online
.)
Coast Artillery Museum
- On a bad weather day, stop into this museum to see a varied collection of World War II equipment, not only American, but also Japanese, German and British. Plenty of ships models and videos showing how artillery worked, including a "disappearing gun."
Pope Marine Park
-
In downtown Port Townsend on Water St., this is a grassy park with a small playground and picnic tables. Along Water St. you'll find ice cream, cold drinks, and lunch.
