Port Angeles is a small seaside city situated on the Olympic Peninsula along the shore of the Strait of Juan de Fuca in Washington. Tucked in the rain shadow of the steep-sided Olympic Mountains, Port Angeles is a gateway to Olympic National Park and a hub of myriad outdoor adventures. Hence, it is a must-visit place for adventure junkies! Originally named El Puerto de Nuestra Señora de Los Angeles, this beautiful town with temperate climate makes for a perfect visit at any time of the year. Wondering what can be done here? Here is a list of the most important things to do in Port Angeles. Book your flight tickets with Indian Eagle and explore this cool town on the West Coast!
Drive along Ediz Hook Road
Ediz Hook is a three-mile-long natural sandy spit that offers breathtaking views of the Port Angeles city and also the far-off Olympic Mountains on a clear day. With a number of picnic areas along the way, Ediz Hook extends into the Strait of Juan de Fuca. One of the popular things to do in Port Angeles is to take a refreshing ride along the Ediz Hook Road to the lighthouse and the Coast Guard station that mark its end. Unwind at the public beach and spot Harbor Seals, Sea Lions, Gulls, etc. Birdwatching and beachcombing are common activities done here! If you are lucky, you might even find sea glasses and other exotic stones!
Explore the Olympic National Park:
The main reason why people go to Port Angeles is that it acts as a jumping-off point for all the adventure activities and attractions in Olympic National Park. Spread across a million acres of land (nearly), 95% of this park is designated as the Olympic Wilderness. UNESCO recognized this park as an International Biosphere Reserve and a World Heritage Site. Olympic National Park features diverse ecosystems such as the glaciated Olympic Mountains, subalpine forests and wildflower meadows, old-growth temperate rain forests, and the rugged Pacific coast.
Along with stunning sights of lakes, mountains, waterfalls, forests, valleys, etc., Olympic National Park offers a bunch of recreation activities such as easy walks, biking, hiking, camping, beachcombing, boating, fishing, tide pooling, wildlife spotting, and even winter sports activities. Revel in a holiday like never before with these things to do in Port Angeles!
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A local winery tour:
Are you a wine lover boasting of a fine palate for wine? If yes, you must add up a wine tour to your list of things to do in Port Angeles. The award-winning Olympic Peninsula Wineries use classic methods in the preparation of high-quality wine, whose subtle flavor is much-liked by everyone. Many wineries like Harbinger Winery, Camaraderie Cellars, and Olympic Cellars Winery offer tours and welcome tourists to their tasting rooms. Spend a cheerful evening in the company of fresh wine, local food, friendly folks!
Port Angeles ferry ride:
One of the interesting things to do in Port Angeles is to take the ferry from downtown Port Angeles to Victoria (on Vancouver Island in British Columbia). The scenic 90-minute trip offers sweeping vistas of the Inner Harbor, Strait of Juan de Fuca, and Olympic Peninsula. Shutterbugs love to capture the surrounding beauty from the wide outer decks of the MV Coho operated by Black Ball Ferry Line. The onboard facilities include a cafeteria and duty-free shopping. Black Ball Ferry Line provides daily passenger and vehicle ferry service throughout the year.
Watch sea creatures at Feiro Marine Life Center:
Located on the Port Angeles City Pier, Feiro Marine Life Center is one of the famous attractions in Port Angeles. Here you can closely observe diverse sea life, ranging from a variety of fish, colorful sea stars, scallops, hermit crabs, sea cucumbers, anemones to the giant Pacific Octopus. The Microscope station displays whale bones and shells, whereas the Art and Science exhibit showcases ocean-life-themed murals. This Marine life Center, which is the brainchild of Arthur D. Feiro, encourages people to learn about marine life with interesting exhibits and programs.