We’ve been living under an hour away from Port Townsend for four months now and hadn’t checked it out yet, so we decided to make a day trip with our favorite new couple friends, Emily and Aaron. This historic port may have been much bigger if the Pacific railroad had not decided to go toward Seattle instead.
Enjoying apples in many forms!
Finnriver
Our first stop was Finnriver Farm & Cidery. It’s not technically in Port Townsend, but this cute, family-friendly spot is about 15-20 minutes south of downtown Port Townsend in the small town of Chimacum. This is a great place to hit on your way up, as long as you are driving through between noon and 9:00 p.m. We weren’t the only ones who arrived at Finnriver right at noon, as their parking lot soon filled up, so this is definitely a popular place. We headed straight for the tasting bar to sign up for the first tasting of the day at 12:30 p.m. We grabbed some delicious wood-fired pizza while we waited for our tasting time, and then at 12:30 p.m. wandered over to the outdoor porch where the 40-minute guided tasting took place. We definitely recommend doing the tasting because it’s only $10, you get some history about the farm and orchard, and you get to taste some of their varieties that aren’t even offered at the tasting bar. During the tasting, we were able to try dry ciders, sweet ciders, and even a brandy mix. After the formal tasting, we did some more tasting of our own- getting a flight and some of the farm’s own cocktail creations. We then headed out back to play some bocce and cornhole before completing our drive up to Port Townsend.
Finnriver Farm & Cidery
Great family-friendly place with lots to offer!
Big backyard with bocce, bags, giant chess, etc.
Wood-fired pizza!
$10 Informational Tasting on a porch with a view!
Finnriver Farm & Cidery
Great family-friendly place with lots to offer!
Big backyard with bocce, bags, giant chess, etc.
Wood-fired pizza!
$10 Informational Tasting on a porch with a view!
Fort Worden State Park
Our next stop was Fort Worden State Park, a 433-acre area that was originally an active US Army base, then a juvenile detention facility, and now State Park. We didn’t spend a ton of time here, but we got out and walked around the north beach near an old lighthouse and drove around the rest of the grounds checking out the old military buildings, some of which are now used to host conferences. There are some trails on these grounds that might be cool to check out on a day that isn’t rainy. Like other Washington State Parks, you’ll want a Discovery Pass with you, otherwise there is a fee to enter the park.
View from the north beach of Ford Worden.
A historic lighthouse at Fort Worden State Park.
Preserved military buildings now used for conferences.
View from the north beach of Ford Worden.
A historic lighthouse at Fort Worden State Park.
Preserved military buildings now used for conferences.
Downtown Port Townsend
Because it was a rainy day, we easily found a parking spot right downtown. We stopped in Nifty Fifty’s for some shakes to-go before perusing the shops of the Port Townsend downtown strip. There were all sorts of shops from magic stores to cooking shops. We especially enjoyed a shop that sells olive oils and balsamic vinegars where you could have a tasting of each one if you wanted! There also appears to be a ferry system that takes you over to the San Juan Islands.
Downtown Port Townsend
Nifty Fifty’s Soda Fountain
We grabbed some shakes at this cute 50s’ ice cream shop!
Downtown Port Townsend
Nifty Fifty’s Soda Fountain
We grabbed some shakes at this cute 50s’ ice cream shop!
Sirens Pub
After walking around for a while, we were ready to find a place to hang out. We found Sirens Pub on the upper level of the downtown strip closest to the water. They have big windows providing views of the water, TVs to watch sports (so we watched the WSU football game since Aaron and Emily are big Cougars fans), and a pool table in their back room. We had to take some precarious shots due to the pool table area being a little cramped, but we enjoyed some drinks and appetizers at this pub for a couple hours while watching the game.
Sirens Pub in the upper level downtown
A cool vibe with a good view of the water, TVs for sports, and a pool table!
Sirens Pub in the upper level downtown
A cool vibe with a good view of the water, TVs for sports, and a pool table!
Rose Theatre
This theater was built in 1907 and they have preserved it well! They have three theaters now that play films: The Rose Theatre, the Rosebud Cinema, and the Starlight Room. We went to the exuberant Starlight Room and highly recommend it! It’s a unique movie theater in that there are only 46 seats, so be sure to buy your tickets online ahead of time. Arrive at least 45 minutes before the show time to snag your most desired spot. You’ll be surprised when you walk into the theater to find old-style fancy couches amongst ornate chandeliers with large windows revealing the Port Townsend waterfront. Throw your jacket on a couch to save your seat and then head back out to their bar area which sells creative film-inspired cocktails, movie snacks (like buttered popcorn and candy), and some small meals. When show time rolls around, you will get a live introduction to the film, the curtains will close on all the windows, and a screen will drop down. This was truly a unique movie-going experience and we would most definitely go back!
Rose Theatre’s Starlight Room
A full bar serving unique cocktails, movie snacks, and some small dishes.
All ready with our drinks and snacks, waiting for the curtains to close and movie to start!
Rose Theatre’s Starlight Room
A full bar serving unique cocktails, movie snacks, and some small dishes.
All ready with our drinks and snacks, waiting for the curtains to close and movie to start!