Port Townsend bills itself as Washington's "Victorian Seaport and Arts Community," and the label is fully deserved. Founded in 1851, Port Townsend was one of the area's leading port cities — significantly more important at the time than poor competitors like Seattle and Tacoma. But when the Northern Pacific Railroad terminated its transcontinental line in Tacoma rather than in Port Townsend as anticipated, the city's commercial fortunes waned, leaving behind a quaint small town whose architecture recalls its glory days.

Not that Port Townsend has stood still: in the twenty-first century, it is a major center for the arts, maritime heritage, culinary tourism and culture. With a variety of lodging options for any taste and budget, a vibrant, walkable downtown, a full calendar of festivals and events, and a stunning natural setting at the confluence of Puget Sound and the Strait of Juan de Fuca, Port Townsend rewards repeated and frequent visits.

For more information on Port Townsend, visit the official Port Townsend Tourism Web Site