Five Reasons Why a Seattle to Port Townsend Day Trip Adds Up to Fun

When the State pulled several ferries out of use on November 20^th, just before the holiday season, it was bad news for Whidbey Island businesses. When a passenger-only ferry was moved to provide service in the short term, this opened the doors for a fun day trip and a unique holiday excursion. The trip cost is minimal only $6.70 round trip. Parking costs about $12 for the day. Taking a bus from many of the local downtown areas will save you parking costs. Seniors (65 and older) get discounts. This opportunity will only last until Jan 6^th. If you go, expect gorgeous scenery, great food in some really stylish restaurants, reduced price shopping, fun activities, and food for the mind in the form of museums and history.

Reason One: Gorgeous Scenery

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The ferry departs from Seattle Pier 50 every three hours. We took the 8:30 ferry and arrived downtown Port Townsend at 9:00. See my links section to access the schedule. The ferry captain kept us amazed as he dodged debris in the sound and kept to his schedule with skill. When we arrived at the pier, the sun broke out over the Olympic Mountains with their fresh dusting of snow. Five minutes out in the sound and we had great opportunities to get pictures of the Seattle waterfront. Seabirds are back for the season and you should expect to see Pigeon Guillemot, Cormorant, Golden eye, Western Grebe. Port Townsend is historic and picturesque.

Reason Two: Great Food with Unique Pizzazz

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We ran into one of the locals and she advised us to try Sirens, upstairs from the stairs beside the barbershop. We had good food. Friends ate hot clam chowder with toasted bread while I dined on steak, a garden salad with oranges, candied pecans and craisins, and oven baked fries. My husband had a chicken guacamole sandwich and an oyster shooter. Other restaurants in town include a fifties style diner, a seafood restaurant, a hamburger shop, pizza place (this was very popular) and several coffee shops. There’s probably more but with the new vista, it was hard to pay attention.

Reason Three: Good Prices on Shopping

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Many items in town are marked ½ priced. I bought the nicest fleece active shirt I’ve ever seen for $30. Shopping opportunities include antiques, a puzzle shop, many art galleries, clothing especially fancy hand sewn jackets, a rock store, rare books, books, and more. I splurged at an Indian art store and bought an card, silver markers and several historical postcards. We walked up the path to “Uptown” and found several mores shops open.

Reason Four: Fun Activities

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I had the most fun just seeing town. The waterfront in Port Townsend is lined with fishing piers, many with pictures and stories about the town’s history. I learned about eating barnacles-see if you can find the sign. There’s a jungle gym for the children next to the poet’s garden where you can find flowers still in bloom. Man-made tide pools and driftwood augmented by artists entice on the beaches. There are two marinas that are fun places to see birds and take boat photographs. Visit the town fountain and climb up to see older Victorian residences, churches and really old trees, many decorated with holiday ornaments.

Reason Five: Facts to Exercise the Brain

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I saved the best for last. I missed my chance to see the Jefferson County Historical museum having spent too much time at the Northwest Maritime Wooden Center looking through the books on sailing, boat building, and history. They have many boats in dry dockage and Dwarf Boats has wooden boat kits for sale and in the process of being built. Along the many wharfs you’ll find many placards about the history of this town.

We watched visitors leave after spending several days at the many bed and breakfasts in the area, pulling their luggage off and on the ferry with ease. Taking your bicycle along will net you opportunities to get further afield.

Reference:

• www.porttownsend.com/