One of only three Victorian seaports in the US on the National Register of Historic Places, Port Townsend is a living museum of 1880s brick storefronts and ornate mansions — with wild beaches and whale-watching just up the road.
Small cruise ships dock directly at Union Wharf right in the heart of downtown — no tender, no transfer.
💡 Pro move: Uber and Lyft are virtually nonexistent here. If you need a car, book Peninsula Taxi in advance. All Jefferson Transit buses within Port Townsend are currently fare-free.
Only small expedition and coastal cruise ships call at Port Townsend; the Port Commission caps dockings at 40 per year.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| American Cruise Lines | Union Wharf, downtown📍 | Docked |
| UnCruise Adventures | Union Wharf, downtown📍 | Docked |
| Lindblad Expeditions | Union Wharf or Point Hudson Marina📍 | Docked |
Fort Worden, Victorian architecture walks, and whale-watching are the headline draws — most are easily self-guided.
A 433-acre former Army base built starting in 1897, famous as the filming location of An Officer and a Gentleman. Explore concrete artillery bunkers, the Point Wilson Lighthouse, the Puget Sound Coast Artillery Museum, and long driftwood beaches.
Find Fort Worden tours →Water Street's 1880s Romanesque brick blocks and the residential uptown bluff hold one of America's finest collections of intact Victorian architecture. Pick up a self-guided map at the visitor center or join a summer walking tour from the Jefferson Museum.
Find walking tour options →Housed in the stunning 1892 City Hall on Water Street, this museum covers Port Townsend's Victorian boom, Native Klallam history, timber era, and the Klondike gold rush. The original jail cells in the basement are a highlight.
Book museum tickets →The Salish Sea around Port Townsend is prime territory for orcas, humpbacks, gray and minke whales, plus seals and sea lions. Several local operators run half-day trips timed around ship calls.
Find whale watching tours →Where the Strait of Juan de Fuca meets Puget Sound — a dramatic, windswept beach with views of Mount Baker, Whidbey Island, and heavy shipping traffic. The 1914 lighthouse is still active.
Find Fort Worden tours →Port Townsend punches well above its size for food. Hit Sirens Pub for fish and chips with harbor views, Doc's Marina Grill at Point Hudson for clam chowder, and any bar for local Olympic Peninsula craft cider (Finnriver, Alpenfire).
Explore dining options →The flat downtown waterfront and the bluff uptown are the two natural walk circuits — both rewarding, both easy to navigate.
Start at Union Wharf and head north along Water Street through the historic commercial district. Turn up Taylor Street and climb the wooden Taylor Street Stairs to the bluff. Explore Uptown's Victorian mansions and the 1890 Fire Bell Tower — the last remaining wooden fire bell tower in the US. Loop back via Washington Street.
A pleasant flat stroll north from Union Wharf along the waterfront to Point Hudson Marina — home of the Wooden Boat Foundation, where you can watch world-class wooden yachts being built and restored. Doc's Marina Grill here is ideal for a waterside lunch.
Climate normals for Port Townsend, Washington, USA (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainy Days | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 45°F / 7°C | 38°F / 3°C | 17 | 7:56 AM | 4:45 PM |
| Feb | 45°F / 7°C | 37°F / 3°C | 16 | 7:17 AM | 5:33 PM |
| Mar | 50°F / 10°C | 39°F / 4°C | 16 | 7:23 AM | 7:16 PM |
| Apr | 54°F / 12°C | 43°F / 6°C | 15 | 6:20 AM | 8:01 PM |
| May | 61°F / 16°C | 49°F / 9°C | 11 | 5:31 AM | 8:43 PM |
| Jun | 65°F / 18°C | 53°F / 12°C | 12 | 5:10 AM | 9:12 PM |
| Jul | 70°F / 21°C | 57°F / 14°C | 7 | 5:27 AM | 9:06 PM |
| Aug | 71°F / 22°C | 59°F / 15°C | 7 | 6:06 AM | 8:23 PM |
| Sep | 65°F / 18°C | 54°F / 12°C | 11 | 6:48 AM | 7:22 PM |
| Oct | 57°F / 14°C | 49°F / 9°C | 14 | 7:31 AM | 6:21 PM |
| Nov | 49°F / 9°C | 42°F / 6°C | 17 | 7:18 AM | 4:32 PM |
| Dec | 44°F / 7°C | 38°F / 3°C | 18 | 7:55 AM | 4:17 PM |
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)
Upcoming cruises that call at Port Townsend, Washington, USA. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.
Itineraries and prices change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking. Some links are affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.