How to Find Hotels in Port Townsend, Washington

Port Townsend, Washington, bustled in the mid-19th century with the anticipation of becoming the largest port in the West. Beautiful Victorian houses were built and the area thrived. Fortunes change, however, and Port Townsend saw its heyday end. Today, however, it's a perfect tourist destination.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Credit card for making reservations
• Map of the Olympic Peninsula and map of Port Townsend
• Computer with Internet access

Choose Your Accommodations in Port Townsend

1. Book accommodations in Port Townsend by calling the Port Townsend Visitor Information Center at [phone] or visiting their Web site (see Resources below).

2. Get to see the inside of one of the town's gorgeous Victorians by staying at one of the town's more than half-dozen Victorian inns and hotels.

3. Keep it cheap by staying in the town's one hostel. Vacationing in Port Townsend is not particularly cheap as goods must travel a long and awkward route. A hostel stay will keep your budget under control.

4. Stay in a castle. The magnificent Manresa Castle, finished in 1892 by a prominent local businessman, was the town's most opulent residence. Its 30 rooms now serve as a hotel.

Know Your Destination

5. Look back in time in Port Townsend, Washington. Since the late 19th and early 20th centuries saw the town shrink to a mere skeleton of its former glory, many Victorian-era houses and buildings were simply left standing. Today most have been lovingly restored and offer a great glimpse into the past.

6. Come for the jazz. Port Townsend has made a name for itself for its summertime Jazz Workshop, which includes a weeks' worth of famous jazz musicians playing the town's intimate clubs.

7. Stay for the art. Port Townsend bills itself as an arts community, which is evidenced by the two artists' collectives and numerous galleries in town. A monthly Gallery Walk has become a popular event for tourists and locals alike.

Get to and Around Port Townsend

8. Take the car. Port Townsend is accessible by car from the Olympic Peninsula, or by ferry from Keystone on Whidbey Island.

9. Ditch the car. It's actually possible to fly into the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and, via bus and ferry, arrive at Port Townsend without a car.

10. Walk or bike around. Port Townsend is small and easy to walk or cycle. In fact, parking is tough downtown, so traveling by foot or two wheels is a more practical option.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't arrive in Port Townsend assuming you'll find accommodations. Its unique location on the tip of the Olympic Peninsula means that the next accommodations are not nearby. Always book ahead here.