Port Townsend is a city full of amazing ways to experience maritime heritage. From sailing trips on wooden boats, to historic military forts with gun embattlements, to Tribal libraries with stories and artifacts, there’s no lack of maritime activities from which to choose. These are our picks for the 10 best ways to experience the diverse nautical history and seafaring traditions of this bustling port city.
Explore the Northwest Maritime Welcome Center
Open Sunday-Thursday, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm, and Friday-Saturday, 10:00 am – 6:00 pm | 431 Water Street, Port Townsend
This brand-new space is the gateway to exploring the many activities hosted by Northwest Maritime in Port Townsend. While you’re there, be sure to find a free Maritime Washington National Heritage Area sticker, follow the footprints to the open boat shop, or visit their state-of-the-art (and all-ages!) Ship Simulator to learn what it’s like to be the captain of a ship steering into port. If you’re a local resident, you can even check out a book from their extensive library on the upper floor!
Northwest Maritime works hard to preserve access to maritime traditions by organizing the Wooden Boat Festival, hosting a variety of regattas throughout the year, publishing the 48° North magazine, operating the Swan Hotel, and many other projects.
Pro tip: If you visit during the Wooden Boat Festival, you’ll find hundreds of incredible wooden boats, special panels, new films, exhibits, and so much more. Year round, Point Hudson is a marina and RV park, so it can be a great way to stay in Port Townsend!
“Beyond the feast for the eyes of hundreds of wooden boats from around the world, the festival is a showcase of skilled marine trades workers and artisans from Port Townsend and beyond, incredible food, hands-on activities for all ages, and a variety of music going strong all three days.”
Tour the Sailboats at Point Hudson
Open dawn until dusk, seven days a week | Port Townsend
Originally home to the S’Klallam people, the Point Hudson peninsula became the site of a Catholic mission, shipyard, sawmill, and icehouse in the 19th century. In the 1930s, the U.S. government built an immigration and quarantine center on the site. Later, Point Hudson was built out as a military installation. Today, the point is home to maritime-related trades and industry, a boatyard, RV campsites, and historic vessels (including the schooner Martha and the National Historic Landmark schooner Adventuress). Simply walking through the marinas and around the point will be a tour of boating through centuries of history. Recently, the marina completed a $12 million renovation that included the replacement of protective jetties, just in time for the Wooden Boat Festival, one of the longest-standing wooden boat festivals in the United States.
Visit the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe Library
Open Monday-Friday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm, and Saturday, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm | 1070 Old Blyn Highway, Sequim
Just uphill from the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe headquarters, this gorgeous library is built in the style of a longhouse and features views of Sequim Bay from the tall windows in the reading area. The library displays video presentations in the theater and hosts a variety of artifacts and interpretive exhibits that help educate visitors about the S’Klallam people and other inhabitants of the Olympic Peninsula since time immemorial. Specializing in Native American authors and topics, the library is open to everyone to visit, and local residents can set up an account to check out materials.
Find Living Maritime Heritage at the Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding
Open campus tours begin at 3:30 pm on the first Friday of every month | 42 North Water Street, Port Hadlock
At the Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding, students can study techniques of wood cutting, steaming, bending, and joining that make the tradition of boatbuilding as much an art as a science. The school’s impressive campus, which is a recent Valerie Sivinski fund grantee includes the Ajax Café, recently awarded a Backing Historic Small Restaurants grant by the National Trust for Historic Preservation; two workshops for different areas of study; a boat launch; and more. Many graduates of the school find work in the nearby boatyards.
Explore the Hidden Histories of Port Townsend
In addition to more than 30 restaurant options, Port Townsend features both historic uptown and downtown districts. A great way to explore these is with the Hidden History Walking Tour, which features 13 different sites throughout town that describe how fire, fresh water, smuggling, women, and many other factors shaped Port Townsend into such an incredible place, even before white settlers arrived. The Hidden Histories Tour is a collaboration between the Port Townsend Main Street Program, the Jefferson County Historical Society, Olympic Peninsula Steam, and the City of Port Townsend, and following the tour will bring you to the Tyler Street Stairs that connect the Uptown and Downtown districts. The stairs can be a great way to both get some exercise and see the city from a unique perspective.
Visit the Port Townsend Foundry for a Marine Souvenir
Open Monday-Friday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm, for short visits. Longer tours and metal pouring available to see by appointment | 251 Otto Street, Port Townsend
At the Port Townsend Foundry, a little bit of maritime history is poured into solid form every day. Solid bars of copper and tin become the bronze parts needed on board both ancient wooden boats and modern Navy vessels. The Port Townsend Foundry’s extensive library of wooden forms, knowledge of specific metal formulations, and aerospace-grade accuracy means that they are a unique resource for sailors across the globe. Stop in during your visit to Port Townsend to come away with a souvenir deck plate, bolt, cleat, or crank.
Pro tip: Reach out ahead of your visit to schedule a time to watch parts being made and look around the rest of the foundry! You can even ask for a list of local vessels that include Port Townsend Foundry parts aboard for a scavenger hunt during the rest of your visit.
Visit the Jefferson County Museum of Art and History
Open Thursday-Sunday, 11:00 am – 4:00 pm | 540 Water Street, Port Townsend
With artifacts from horse-drawn hearses to the tools necessary for wooden boatbuilding and even a jail from 1892, there’s always something new to explore at this museum and gallery. Be sure to check downstairs to see a photo exhibit by Jeremy Johnson about the working waterfronts of Port Townsend. The “New Jefferson Museum of Art & History” is coming soon, so check back in for updated exhibits and spaces, with even more rotating exhibits thanks to support from the community and partners.
Take to the Water Aboard a Wooden Boat
Port Townsend is a sailing town, and there are few better ways to see the city than from the gently rocking deck of a wooden boat. Luckily, there are many ways to get aboard one:
Sail Port Townsend is a sailing charter and sailing school that works to make the water more accessible to everyone. Available for day sails with small groups of people and backed by the Good Day Guarantee, you’re sure to have a great time.
Built in 1907, the Schooner Martha is the West Coast’s oldest working sailing vessel. Reach out 60+ days ahead of your visit to book for larger groups!
The Adventuress is a century-old National Historic Landmark tall ship and serves the community as Washington’s first On-The-Water Outdoor School. With plenty of public sails throughout the summer and options for private programs and events, there’s something for everyone aboard the Adventuress, even large groups.
Note: Check the Schedule at a Glance to find out when and where the Adventuress is in Port Townsend.
Visit a Historic Fort
Summer: 6:30 am – dusk, Winter: 8:00 am – dusk | 200 Battery Way East, Port Townsend or 10541 Flagler Road, Nordland
There are two incredible options to explore the military history of this important entrance to Puget Sound. Both Fort Flager Historical State Park and Fort Worden Historical State Park feature beaches with scenic views of Whidbey Island and many of the original structures used in the early 1900s. From gun batteries and officers’ quarters to more modern amenities like concert spaces, art exhibits, and museums, a visit to Port Townsend wouldn’t be complete without a tour of some of the incredible historic spaces that once protected Washington State.
Pro tip: Both Fort Worden and Fort Flagler offer camping areas, picnic spaces, and moorage, so there is no limit to the experiences you can have with a visit. Camping spots fill up fast, so book early!
Explore Underwater at the Port Townsend Marine Science Center
Summer: Thursday-Monday, 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm; Fall-Spring: Friday-Sunday, 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm | 532 Battery Way, Port Townsend
With a mission of inspiring the conservation of the Salish Sea, the Port Townsend Marine Science Center welcomes people to discover and delight in the biodiversity of the local marine environment. See the diverse habitat exhibits of the aquarium, where you can meet rockfish, abalone, and giant pink sea stars, or explore the journey of an orca named Hope at the nearby museum. You can even spot a puffin on a birdwatching cruise or help at a beach clean-up to preserve this important place.
Note: The aquarium has closed permanently, and the museum is undergoing remodeling with a planned re-opening in 2025. Instead, consider visiting the Gallery in downtown Port Townsend, or attend a public program.
