There’s just something about coastal towns in Washington State that fascinate me. Unlike small communities of the land-locked variety, a tiny city on Puget Sound exudes an air of mysterious wonder all their own. Because people tend to flock toward the water when on vacation, these best small towns near Seattle are used to a lot of visitors and reciprocate by providing great places to eat and shop.
The best small towns in Washington State make for wonderful short road trips from Seattle, as well.
Such as it is all along the western side of Puget Sound. In this article, I will cover Gig Harbor, Port Ludlow and Port Townsend – three utterly charming small communities that each have their own brand of seaside goodness, and are among the best small towns in Washington State.
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These are a few of the best road trips around Seattle, and can easily be one and two-day trips from Seattle or be done as a separate trip. Even if Seattle did not exist, the entire Puget Sound area is gorgeous and worth exploring on its own.
These three towns can be considered a gateway to the majestic Olympic Peninsula, where Olympic National Park, a ton of exquisite beaches and rainforests reside. And for the small smattering of ‘Twilight’ fans still out there, this is where the entire story takes place.
Things to do in Gig Harbor
Take a walk along Harborview Drive. For 2 ½ miles, you can take a leisurely stroll as you meander along the harbor to Crescent Creek Park. This is where many local boat owners offer a private tour for visitors to sail Puget Sound. Landmarks such as the Fisherman Memorial, Eddon Boatyard and the Harbor History Museum await you. I really love Harborview Drive because it’s perfect for a sunset stroll.
Kayak around the harbor. Rent a kayak or opt for a lesson from the experts. For about $60 you will get a lesson on how to kayak and skirt the harbor perimeter. Canoes, paddleboats, and powerboats are also available. During whale-watching season, this is a great way to catch a sighting of whales in Puget Sound.
Where to Eat in Gig Harbor
Tides Tavern. This is my favorite down-home bar & grill and where their legendary house-made clam chowder fits the bill. Located right on the harbor, my favorite things is to dine on fish, chips and craft beer as I watch the boats drift in and out.
Things to do in Port Ludlow
From Gig Harbor, take Highway 16, then Highway 3 to Port Ludlow, crossing the Hood Canal. Officially known as “the Gateway to the Olympic Peninsula.” Kayak and other boat-type rentals are also available at the Port Ludlow Marina. Just be mindful of the tides in Puget Sound and plan accordingly.
But what I really enjoyed here were the walking trails, of which there are several! In fact, there are 260 miles of hiking trails, so grab a trail map! Choose from beach walks to forested trails with waterfalls. Check out Ludlow Falls Scenic Interpretive Trail, my favorite by far.
If you choose to stay the night in town, the Resort at Port Ludlow has a fine beach trail and is the perfect place to get a spa treatment right in the comfort of your room.
This is part of the Olympic Peninsula Cider Route. Washington state is prime apple country, and what better way to use some of those delicious red balls than to turn them into cider! Port Ludlow is part of the Olympic Peninsula Cider Route.
Where to Eat in Port Ludlow
The Fireside is open for all three meals and is the perfect farm-to-table place to get a real taste of the Pacific Northwest. Farm-to-table means only the freshest ingredients are used and grown within the area, and the restaurant is recognized by the Washington State Wine Commission. A must for foodies.
What to do in Port Townsend
Another 1/2 hour up the road is Port Townsend; it is full of history as well as a scenic port town. The big draw here is the historical downtown, with lots of interesting shops, places to grab a bite, and even a handful of underground shops (literally underground.)
Fort Worden State Park. Once a military base, now it is an outdoor museum unto itself, with colonial-style houses, an artillery museum and other relics from a by-gone era. And it’s right next to the beach
Fort Townsend Historical State Park. Here you will find Torpedo Tower, another military installation that has since been decommissioned. Today it is primarily a camping spot, with several trails all over the park in a nicely forested area.
Where to Eat in Port Townsend
Reveille at the Commons. Located right in Fort Worden State Park, this is a great historic place to grab a meal in a relaxed setting. They are open daily for breakfast and lunch (with brunch on the weekends) and open for dinner Thursdays through Saturdays. They have a farm-to-table menu that changes frequently, so you know the ingredients are top-notch.
How to Get to Small Towns in Puget Sound
From Seattle: There are two main ways – if you take the ferry from Seattle to Bainbridge Island, it is an easy drive from the island to hop on Highway 305 and then get to the “mainland” and either go north to Port Ludlow/Port Townsend or south to Gig Harbor. OR. Head south on I-5 from Seattle down through Tacoma and hop on Highway 16 to Gig Harbor (no ferries!) As you are crossing the bridge over the Inlet from West Tacoma to Gig Harbor, on a clear day the snow-peaked Olympic Mountain Range can be seen – it’s pretty cool! From there you can head north to Port Ludlow and Port Townsend.
From Portland: Go north on I-5 to Tacoma, then hop on Highway 16 to Gig Harbor.
