10 Offbeat Towns to Visit in Washington
Washington, the nation’s 18th-largest and 13th-most-populous state in the Pacific Northwest region, is acclaimed for its astounding natural splendor. Boasting spectacular snow-capped Cascade Mountain ranges, rugged Pacific coastline, rolling plains, innumerable sparkling water bodies, and sweeping valleys, Washington is the perfect place to reconnect with Mother Nature. Even though big cities like Seattle, Tacoma, Vancouver, Spokane, etc., have garnered the most tourist attention for several decades, the many offbeat small towns scattered throughout the state are waiting to be discovered by holidayers. With stunning sceneries, pretty harbors, rich histories, and vibrant festivals, these Evergreen State communities will surely offer you a memorable Pacific Northwest experience.
Sequim
Located within the Olympic Mountains’ rain shadow area, this quaint coastal town in Clallam County lies along the Dungeness River. Home to 8,241 inhabitants as per the latest US Census, the downtown of this cultural mecca of the Sequim-Dungeness Valley is filled with uncountable independent boutiques, art galleries, shops selling lavender-themed goods, and award-winning restaurants. Tourists must spend time at the Sequim Museum & Arts, the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribal Center’s Northwest Native Expressions Art Gallery, and the neighboring Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge. Outdoor lovers at the “Lavender Capital of North America,” can saunter through the local berry and lavender farms, hike the Olympic Discovery Trail, tour the New Dungeness Lighthouse on the northern side of the Dungeness Spit Trail, enjoy a picnic at Carrie Blake Park, go kayaking and paddle boarding at Sequim Bay State Park, and play a round of golf at the town’s many golf courses. From May to October, shop for handmade goods, artworks, jewelry, spices & herbs, locally-produced vegetables, etc., at the Sequim Farmers & Artisans Market, and participate in annual celebrations such as the Sequim Lavender Weekend during the third weekend of July, and Sequim Irrigation Festival in May.
Friday Harbor
Christened after Joseph Poalie Friday, a native Hawaiian sheepherder, this San Juan County seat occupies the eastern side of San Juan Island and faces the San Juan Channel. Primarily linked via Washington State Ferries to the mainland, Friday Harbor is also the San Juan Islands archipelago's chief social, cultural, and commercial hub. Vacationers must walk down the thriving downtown of this tiny town and peruse the historic storefronts, Coast Salish native carvings, museums, centuries-old wood frame structures, and outstanding diners like Downriggers, the Restaurant at Friday Harbor House, Vinny’s Ristorante, and many more. Lime Kiln Point State Park, Pelindaba Lavender Farm, Whale Museum, IMA – San Juan Islands Museum of Art, San Juan County Park, San Juan Island National Historical Park, Fairweather Park at the Marina, Cattle Point Lighthouse, and San Juan Islands Sculpture Park are Friday Harbor’s must-visit attractions.
Port Townsend
Initially named “Port Townshend” by Captain George Vancouver in 1792, this seat of government of Jefferson County is situated on the Quimper Peninsula on Port Townsend Bay’s northern end, adjoining the Admiralty Inlet. A significant portion of Port Townsend’s walkable downtown and Uptown area is a part of the Port Townsend Historic District, which comprises numerous meticulously preserved Victorian-era buildings including the Jefferson County Courthouse, Capt. Enoch S. Fowler House, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, City Hall, etc. Apart from these 19th-century structures, the downtown also features multiple eclectic shops, boutiques, art galleries, and world-class eating joints. Tourists get to observe the vintage bunkers at Fort Worden State Park, shop at Port Townsend Farmers Market, enjoy a picnic at Chetzemoka Park, embark on whale-watching tours from the Port Townsend Marina, and tour the Port Townsend Marine Science Center, Port Townsend Aero Museum, Jefferson Museum of Art & History, and Point Wilson Lighthouse. The town hosts the Rhododendron Festival, Port Townsend Wooden Boat Festival, Blues & Jazz Festival, and Port Townsend Film Festival every year.
La Conner
Placed on the border of Skagit Valley and encircled by productive farmlands, the Swinomish Indian Reservation, and the Swinomish Channel, La Conner is the oldest community of Skagit County. Originally settled in May 1867 as “Swinomish” by Alonzo Low, the town was rechristened in honor of John S. Conner’s spouse Louisa Ann Conner in 1870. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the town center called “The Hill” is roughly circumscribed by the Swinomish Channel in addition to the Second, Commercial, and Morris Streets. The Museum of Northwest Art, Nasty Jacks Antiques, La Conner Rainbow Bridge, Pacific Northwest Quilt & Fiber Arts Museum, La Conner Seaside Gallery, Conner Waterfront Park, Skagit County Historical Museum, and Kukutali Preserve State Park Heritage Site, are La Conner’s popular attractions. Annually during spring, the town hosts several events as a part of the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival at the different tulip farms.
Leavenworth
Leavenworth, an adorable Bavarian-inspired alpine town in Washington’s Chelan County is located on the southeastern side of the North Cascades mountains. Originally founded as a timber community, the town slowly transformed into a ‘theme town’ owing to a civic initiative starting in the 1960s. Although the town has held onto its wide streets and huge parking lots, a majority of the downtown structures have been designed after Bavarian settlements. Adventurists can take part in swimming, canoeing, tubing, and rafting activities in the Wenatchee and Icicle rivers during the warmer months; while in the cold season, the encircling Cascades offer skiing, hiking, mountain biking, and ice climbing activities. Additionally, holidayers should visit the Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum, Leavenworth Reindeer Farm, Icicle Creek Center for the Arts, Front Street Park, Icicle Ridge Winery, Waterfront Park, and Silvara Cellars. Multiple events such as Art in the Park, Autumn Leaf Festival, Bavarian Icefest, Leavenworth Wine Walk, Oktoberfest, and Christmas Lighting Festival are held in Leavenworth every year.
Westport
Set on the southernmost Point Chehalis peninsula at the mouth of Grays Harbor, Westport is a teeny beach town in Grays Harbor County roughly 2 hours southwest of Seattle. With around 18 miles of pristine sandy beaches, Westport offers beach enthusiasts swimming, sunbathing, sightseeing, surfing, crabbing, and kit flying opportunities. Considered the biggest marina on the Pacific Northwest’s outer coast, the Westport Marina houses a massive commercial fleet besides a large number of recreational charter fishing vessels. Travelers must take a stroll on Main Street and purchase from the wonderful boutiques, grab fresh, lip-smacking seafood served by local restaurants, explore the town’s mind-boggling state parks: Seashore Conservation Area State Park, Twin Harbors State Park, and Grayland Beach State Park, and climb atop the Grays Harbor Lighthouse to get an all-encompassing view of the Pacific Ocean and abutting areas.
Stehekin
Stehekin, a tiny unincorporated Chelan County town located at the northern edge of Lake Chelan and immediately south of North Cascades National Park, forms a part of the Wenatchee-East Wenatchee Metropolitan Statistical Area. Accessible only by passenger ferries, private boats, floatplanes, or by hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, Stehekin, located within Lake Chelan National Recreation Area, has a population of approx 100 permanent residents, which increases during summers, when thousands of vacationers visit the town. Year-round, the town entices adventure seekers and photographers to tour Stehekin’s interesting sites like the Buckner Homestead Historic District, the Stehekin Pastry Company, the 312-foot-tall Rainbow Falls, the National Park Service cabin at High Bridge, Stehekin Schoolhouse, “The House That Jack Built,” Golden West Visitor Center, and Harlequin Bridge.
Winthrop
A charming Old West town in Okanogan County, Winthrop is situated in the Methow Valley to the north of Twisp and east of Mazama. Having a population of less than 500 residents, this haven for wanderlusts exudes an authentic American Old West charm with its uniquely styled buildings, fantastic boutiques, antique boardwalks, luxurious to home-like bed & breakfasts, eateries, and multiple outdoor recreations. Although an all-season vacation destination, Winthrop is well-known for boasting North America’s most expansive network of cross-country ski trails, with over 120 miles of groomed trails. Every year, the town hosts annual events like the Methow Valley Chamber Music Festival, Wild West Historic Celebration, Winthrop Rhythm & Blues Festival, Winthrop Balloon Roundup, ‘49er Days Parade & Celebration, Vintage Wheels Car Show, Christmas Kickoff Festival, etc.
Gig Harbor
This picturesque community is located on the Kitsap Peninsula in Pierce County along Puget Sound’s Gig Harbor Bay across the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. Affectionately dubbed “the Maritime City” and celebrated for its maritime heritage, the town’s historic waterfront is known for its boutiques, fine dining, lodging, and easy access to various state and city parks like the Kopachuck State Park, Sehmel Homestead Park, Donkey Creek Park, and Crescent Creek Park. History buffs are especially drawn to the Harbor History Museum near the Donkey Creek Park, and the Skansie Brothers House at the Skansie Brothers Park. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy a ride on the Gig Harbor Gondola, hike the Cushman Trail, and witness unparalleled panoramas from the Finholm View and Bogue Viewing Platform.
Poulsbo
Nicknamed “Little Norway” and called “Poulsbo” after the early settler Iver Brynildsen Moe’s Norway hometown, this serene waterfront town is situated at the northern extremity of Liberty Bay on the Kitsap Peninsula in Washington’s Kitsap County. Initially settled by the indigenous Squamish people as a fishing village, the town later became home to several Norwegian and Scandinavian immigrants. Famed for its Viking roots, Poulsbo’s Front Street is packed with antique shops, coastal-lifestyle boutiques, retail stores, art galleries, cafes, coffee shops, cozy pubs, and top-class eateries like Sluys Poulsbo Bakery, Mora Iced Creamery, Poulsbohemian Coffeehouse, Valhöll Brewing, Boehm’s Chocolates, etc. Poulsbo’s noteworthy points of interest include the First Lutheran Church, a 12-foot-tall Norseman Statue, the 40-acre Fish Park along the Dogfish Creek estuary, the Maritime Museum & Tourist Visitor Center, Poulsbo Historical Society & Museum, Sea Discovery Center & Aquarium, Kitsap Memorial State Park, Central Market - Poulsbo, and Muriel Iverson Williams Waterfront Park. Merrymakers can partake in the town’s annual Scandinavian-inspired Julefest celebration by the Poulsbo Sons of Norway Vikings.
From the incredibly beautiful lavender fields of Sequim to the distinctive Scandinavian culture of Poulsbo, the countless offbeat Washington towns have something for every visitor. So, whether you are an adventure fanatic, a curious heritage buff, a cultural aficionado, or someone looking to unwind away from buzzing metropolises, do plan your next vacay to these offbeat towns in the Evergreen State.
