10 Things to Do in Anacortes That Aren't the Ferry Terminal

1. Hike the Anacortes Community Forest Lands

2,800 acres of trails right inside city limits. You can hike from Heart Lake to Mount Erie in an afternoon without getting in your car. One of the most underrated public land assets in Western Washington.

2. Cap Sante Overlook

Drive or hike to the top of Cap Sante for one of the best 360-degree views in the Pacific Northwest. Fidalgo Bay below, the Cascades to the east, the San Juans to the west. Locals come here for sunrise. Visitors come once and then tell everyone.

3. Kayak Washington Park

Washington Park sits on the western tip of Fidalgo Island with a loop road, picnic areas, and direct water access. Rent a kayak and paddle the shoreline, or watch the ferries from the rocky beaches. Free to enter.

4. Old Town Commercial Avenue

Skip the chain restaurants. Commercial Avenue has local coffee, wine bars, and the kind of restaurant where the owner knows your name by your third visit. Walk the murals. Browse the shops.

5. Tommy Thompson Trail

A flat, paved trail along the water connecting downtown to the ferry terminal. Great for bikes, strollers, and dogs. The views of Fidalgo Bay on a clear morning are worth the early alarm.

6. Padilla Bay National Estuarine Reserve

Just south of Anacortes, Padilla Bay is one of the largest eelgrass beds in the country and a serious destination for birders. Flat, easy walking with big views across the bay toward the Cascades.

7. Deception Pass State Park

Twenty minutes south. Deception Pass Bridge, old-growth forest, beaches, and campgrounds. One of the most-visited state parks in Washington. Go on a weekday if you can.

8. Fresh Seafood from the Docks

Anacortes is a working fishing port. During season, you can buy fresh Dungeness crab, salmon, and halibut directly from the boats. Ask a local where to go — the best sources aren't always obvious.

9. The Farmers Market

Saturday mornings, spring through fall. Fresh seafood, local produce, handmade goods. Don't miss it.

10. Sunset from Skyline

Drive up into the Skyline neighborhood around sunset and find a pullout with a western view. When the sky goes orange over the San Juans and boat lights start showing in the marina below, it's hard to argue there's a better place to live in Western Washington.

Ready to explore Anacortes real estate? Text DiAnn Sager at 360-770-7139 — she knows this town inside and out.