Port Townsend sits on the northeastern tip of the Olympic Peninsula. It was founded in 1851 with the plans of becoming one of the largest seaports on the west coast. This ultimately didn’t happen, however, the benefit of this is the grand Victorian buildings left behind. Many buildings from the period are still remaining. Since 1977, the Port Townsend Historic District has been considered a national landmark. Port Townsend is considered culturally as a “Victorian seaport and arts community with all the old buildings the town has a historic charm to it.”
Port Townsend is home to a thriving maritime community and beautiful historic Victorian buildings. Known for its arts and culture, this small town is the perfect blend of urban chic and abundant natural beauty. Its location in the Rainshadow of the Olympic Mountains means that it’s significantly drier than much of the surrounding community, making it a popular retreat for lovers of the great outdoors. Come explore this unique and fascinating community… you just might find the place that’s calling you home.
There’s always something happening at Port Townsend! The community is known for its fantastic cultural events, like the Port Townsend Wooden Boat Festival, the Kinetic Skulpture Race, the Rhododendron Festival, the annual Blues and Jazz Fest, the International Film Festival, the regular Farmers Market… and much more. It’s even home to R2AK, North America’s longest human-and-wind-powered race.
Port Townsend is steeped in fascinating history, from its early Native American roots to its Victorian architecture and maritime legacy, boasting two National Historic Landmark Districts. Opportunities for outdoor adventure abound, from beaches to Olympic National Park. This charming village-by-the-sea has an artistic soul, world-class culinary venues, and is the perfect place to leave ordinary behind and experience extraordinary.
Interactive Map - https://imaps.lunarcow.com/manager/imap/jefferson-county
Smithsonian:
http://enjoypt.com/port-townsend-named-a-smithsonian-2015-best-small-town-to-visit/
In April of 2015, the Smithsonian Magazine listed Port Townsend at #6 of the Top 20 Best Small Towns. The article goes on to say “This Victorian seaport town is one of the jewels of the damp-but-gorgeous Pacific Northwest, with a heavy emphasis on the locally grown, the handcrafted and the quirky (the recent opening of the farmers’ market featured a parade of a dozen goats). Alongside the highly browsable indie shops and restaurants packed with local food, visitors come to enjoy Fort Worden, a 19th-century army-base-turned-state-park that boasts a plentiful event calendar thanks to local arts organization Centrum.
The fort’s new executive chef, Lou Bair, (yes, the fort has an executive chef) will continue the emphasis on locally-sourced food, offering cooking classes and a new pub, Taps at the Guardhouse (opening in June). Aside from the bevy of learning opportunities nearby—the Port Townsend School of Woodworking, School of Wooden Boat Building, Maritime Center and Marine Science Center, to name a few—Port Townsend’s real draw is the great outdoors; it’s the gateway for Olympic National Park, a Unesco World Heritage Site, where the misty peaks and spectacular old-growth rainforests include some of the last land to be explored in the lower 48.”