Life in Port Townsend: Victorian Village on the Water
Whether you’re seeking a relaxing spot to retire or a quiet place to raise a family, Port Townsend offers a lifestyle to meet your needs. Quintessential Northwest landscapes meet history here. Bluffs and sandy shorelines blend with the sea as ferry boats glide by in the fog. Throughout town, Victorian-era buildings offer a rich, colorful nod to the seaport’s roots. It’s easy to see why nearly 10,000 Washingtonians call PT home and thousands more visit each year.
Custom Homes in Port Townsend
Port Townsend is growing in popularity, but there are still lots to be had, whether you want water-front, water-view, an in-town lot, or private acreage. Many of the lots are sloped, so look to your Estes Builders team for help navigating a Geotech report. Estes can also assist with Jefferson County’s unique regulations for building and septic installation.
Here are just a few of the highlights of owning a home in Port Townsend:
Family Friendly
With its small-town feel and endless activities, your kids will stay busy in Port Townsend.
- Don helmets and head to the town’s state-of-the-art skate park.
- The Port Townsend Marine Science Center provides education on conservation of the marine environment via an on-pier aquarium and a museum
- Saturdays are a bustle of activity at the Port Townsend Farmer’s Market, which features more than 70 vendors each week offering fresh produce, cheese, baked goods, crafts, and more.
- Feast your eyes on the eclectic collection of human-powered vehicles—fashioned with everything from bicycle parts to duct tape—entered in the annual Kinetic Skulpture Race.
Outdoor Activities
Adventure awaits along the beaches and in the water. Among the experiences to enjoy:
- Like the rest of Port Townsend, Fort Worden State Park combines history and landscape. Stroll amid turn-of-the-century army barracks, made famous in the film “An Officer and a Gentleman,” and the check out the rocky beaches and Point Wilson lighthouse.
- Beachcombers rejoice at Port Townsend’s Glass Beach, which lives up to its name with beautiful beach glass as far as the eye can see.
- Catch the historic Point Wilson Lighthouse at a fresh angle via kayaks, which can be rented on the beach at Fort Worden State Park.
History & Culture
On any day of the week, it’s easy to take a stroll through town to see Port Townsend’s famous Victorian homes. Plus, there are ample opportunities to take in local theater and art.
- On Thursdays throughout the summer, enjoy Concerts on the Dock at Pope Marine Dock.
- Port Townsend is home to several art galleries, and they come alive during Art Walk the first Saturday of each month.
- The Northwest Maritime Center offers education and inspiration while celebrating maritime culture. And don’t miss the famed Wooden Boat Festival each September.
Entertainment
For such a small town, Port Townsend isn’t lacking in things to do, both simple and grand.
- Dubbed “A film lover’s block party celebrating great films and filmmakers,” the Port Townsend Film Festival hosts more than 90 films each September in seven walkable venues, plus nighttime street celebrations.
- The Thing festival descends on Fort Worden State Park in August for a multi-disciplinary event featuring music, arts, comedy, and more.
- Head to Main Street for cute shops and plenty of restaurants, from pubs to pizza.
Ready to experience Port Townsend living for yourself? Connect with us for a free consultation.
Sunrise Photo: Copyright Dale Simonson
Point Wilson Lighthouse Photo: Copyright Tom Collins
Main Street Photo: Copyright Kristina D.C. Hoeppner
Main Street Photo: Copyright Kristina D.C. Hoeppner