Looking for the perfect fall getaway from Seattle? One small town in Washington stands out as a fall foliage-viewing destination. Travel + Leisure just released their list of the 19 best small towns in the U.S. for viewing fall foliage. Included on this list is a historic waterfront town that is only two hours from Seattle: Port Townsend, WA.
Read on for everything you need to know about visiting Port Townsend this fall!
Where is Port Townsend?
Port Townsend is a small waterfront city in Washington state that sits on the northeast tip of the Olympic Peninsula. As of 2020 the population was around 10,000. Port Townsend is known and loved for its waterfront location, stunning mountain views, and charming 19th-century Victorian buildings.
How do you get there from Seattle?
From downtown Seattle, you can easily reach Port Townsend by driving onto the Seattle/Bainbridge Island Ferry and then making the rest of the trip via car. It takes about two hours total. You can view this ferry’s schedule on the WSDOT website.
When is the best time to go to see fall foliage?
The best time to visit Port Townsend to see fall foliage is between mid-September and late October. The leaves will be at peak fall vibrancy during these weeks. This is also a more relaxing time of year to visit because Port Townsend’s summer tourist crowd will be gone.
What is there to do in Port Townsend?
Travel + Leisure highlighted Fort Worden Historical State Park and the Point Wilson Lighthouse as two must-see attractions in Port Townsend. You can also use Port Townsend as a home base for exploring the fall scenery of the Olympic Peninsula, such as the Hoh Rainforest, Crescent Lake, and Hurricane Ridge (all found within the Olympic National Park). And if you’re in downtown Port Townsend on October 31, be sure to join the annual Halloween costume parade!