Anacortes is a quaint seaside town located in northwestern Washington. The ferry terminal for the San Juan Islands is located here, so visitors often pop in for a quick bite. However, Anacortes is also the perfect town for a getaway or day trip; it’s less than an hour from Bellingham and just 1.5 hours from Seattle.
There are a variety of activities in Anacortes, these are the top 5 must-see things to do!
Deception Pass Bridge
While Deception Pass is not technically in Anacortes, it sits just 20 minutes south. If you are making the trip to Anacortes, I highly recommend it; it’s Washington’s most-visited state park for a reason.
The Deception Pass Bridge connects Fidalgo and Whidbey Island making for a beautiful backdrop no matter which side you’re on. If you’re looking for an adventure, there are over 3,000 acres of forest to hike through. Miles of beaches provide the perfect spot to relax and have a picnic while catching a glimpse of wildlife.
Historic Walking Tour
History buff or just have an hour to kill? This self-guided Historic Walking Tour of Anacortes will take you through the oldest building to the most prominent. While some buildings are private homes now, many of the businesses welcome visitors! This is a great map to ensure you don’t miss any of the 30 locations.
Cap Sante Park
A mix of marina streets and trails make up the 3-mile Cap Sante trail. However, if you’re just looking for views, you can easily drive up to Cap Sante Lookout. A beautiful clear-sky will provide 360° views of Anacortes!
Hike Mount Erie or Sugarloaf Mountain
There are 6 main trails within Mount Erie Park. Sugarloaf Mountain gives you excellent views of Mount Erie with a quick 2.5-mile steady incline up. There are plenty of trail extensions to make for a longer trip or take a blanket and snacks to relax at the top and enjoy the stunning views.
Grab Fresh Seafood
This little coastal town is filled with fish markets and seafood restaurants. If you’re looking for the full package then Secret Cove is the spot. The spacious outdoor seating area upstairs and downstairs and waterfront views regardless of where you sit are icing on the cake to the delicious and fresh seafood that comes out.
I always get raw oysters when I pop by here. I’ve also tried a few other things which I recommend; oyster shooters, prawn cocktail, Dungeness crab cakes, caesar salad, and clam chowder.
Looking to grab some fresh seafood for a picnic or to take back to your Airbnb? The SeaBear Specialty Seafood Market is a local favorite for fresh and frozen seafood. They offer salmon, cod, halibut, crab, and oysters to prepare at home. Pick up some crackers, a crab dip, salmon jerky, and a ready-to-eat pouch of smoked salmon or scallops for a quick snack.
Heading to Orcas Island? Check out my Weekend Getaway Guide here.
