Seattle's Top 10 : Islands & Historic Towns

Bainbridge Island

The ferry ride to Winslow on Bainbridge Island should be mandatory for tourists who want an inspiring view of the Seattle skyline. A stroll from the terminal to Winslow’s quaint waterfront shops and cafés has its own rewards.

• 590 Winslow Way E

• 206 842 3700

Vashon Island

Vashon’s gentle, two-lane roads make it a favorite destination for both bicyclists and motorcyclists looking for a quick and unique getaway to the countryside. Board the Fauntleroy Ferry in West Seattle to discover the island’s huge estates, arts and craft galleries, berry and llama farms, and a subculture of 1960s-style progressives.

Whidbey Island

As the longest island in the western contiguous United States, Whidbey Island’s ample waterfront real estate makes it vacation-home central. The island’s five state parks, historic forts, and tiny seaside villages attract weekend crowds. It is also the perfect location for the area’s largest US Navy air base. Their sign reads, “Pardon our noise, it’s the sound of freedom”.

San Juan Islands

In the far northwest of Washington state lies the San Juan archipelago, comprising 700 islands of which only 177 have names. Ferries sail from Anacortes to the four largest islands – Lopez, Shaw, San Juan, and Orcas. Lopez is great for cycling. Hilly Orcas offers breathtaking views from atop Mt. Constitution. At 2,409 ft (734 m), it provides the best viewpoint of the area’s stunning geographical features. San Juan, with the largest town (Friday Harbor) is best for walk-on passengers. Be sure to check out the Whale Museum if you visit. Shaw Island does not offer visitor facilities.

Tacoma

Founded as a sawmill town in the 1860s, Tacoma is known for its historic buildings and strong architectural symbols, which includes the 1893 Italianate tower of Old City Hall. The impressive Chihuly Bridge of Glass links the Museum of Glass to downtown Tacoma and the imaginative Washington State History Museum. Explore the small but impressive Tacoma Art Museum, and Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium, highlighting a Pacific Rim theme.

Leavenworth

In an effort to revive the dying logging town, civic leaders came up with the German theme in the 1970s. The town with its Bavarian-styled architecture now bustles with festivals, art shows, and summer theater productions. Another popular attraction is the Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum.

Olympia

Washington’s state capital has a rich past, historic buildings, and a thriving youth culture. Highlights include the State Capitol Campus, with grounds designed by the Olmsted Brothers in 1928, Evergreen State University, a farmers’ market, and the surrounding mostly rural Thurston County.

• 103 14th Ave SW

Roslyn

The model for Cicely, Alaska, in the television show, Northern Exposure, Roslyn has its own history unrelated to the quirky profiles offered in Hollywood’s depiction. In this mining boomtown, late-19th century coal companies imported workers of various nationalities, as is evident from the tombs in the cemetery, grouped as they are in 26 ‘segregated’ areas. Roslyn is on the National Historic Register.

Port Townsend

This idyllic seaport, on the northeast tip of the Olympic Peninsula, attracts artists and musicians. Known for its Victorian architecture, key sights include Jefferson County Historical Society, Ann Starrett Mansion, Fire Bell Tower, and Fort Worden State Park. The small town has a bustling waterfront with shops, cafés, restaurants, and a ferry terminal.

Victoria, BC

Catch a ferry or seaplane to British Columbia’s provincial capital, Victoria. Established as a Hudson’s Bay Company fur-trading post in 1843, it has become a favorite destination for Anglophiles who queue up at the grand Fairmont Empress Hotel for traditional tea and cakes. Other attractions include the Inner Harbour, the Royal British Columbia Museum, and Butchart Gardens – an amazing collection of flora planted in a sprawling former quarry.