Port Townsend, Washington
Port Townsend is a city of 10,438 people in Jefferson County, Washington, founded in April 24, 1851.
Why visit Port Townsend
Townapedia lists 31 museums and landmarks, 27 parks and trails, 65 places to eat, 18 places to stay and 12 attractions in and around town.
Highlights include Point Wilson Light, Rose Theatre, Port Townsend Historic District and Capt. Enoch S. Fowler House.
August is the warmest month, with average highs of 73°F; February lows average 38°F.
Weather in Port Townsend
Forecast from the National Weather Service. Full forecast
About Port Townsend
Port Townsend is a city on the Quimper Peninsula in Jefferson County, Washington, United States. The population was 10,148 at the 2020 United States Census. It is the county seat of, and the only incorporated city in, Jefferson County.
From the Wikipedia article Port Townsend, Washington (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Things to do12
Point Wilson Light
Lighthouse · National Register of Historic Places · 2.2 mi
Lighthouse in Washington, United States
Collinwood Farm Produce Stand
Farm and orchard · 0.6 mi
1210 F Street, Port Townsend
Museums and landmarks31
Port Townsend Historic District
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.3 mi
Historic district in Washington state, USA
Capt. Enoch S. Fowler House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.4 mi
Building in Washington, United States
Fort Worden
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.6 mi
Former Army installation in Washington state, USA
Jefferson County Courthouse
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.2 mi
Courthouse in Port Townsend, Washington
Rothschild House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.5 mi
Building in Port Townsend, Washington, United States
United States Post Office-Port Townsend Main
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.3 mi
Building in Washington, United States
Dr. Jacob C. House HOUSE 1900
Monument and historic site · 1.4 mi
336 Jefferson Street
19 more on the map.
Parks, trails and playgrounds27
Port Townsend Golf Park
Golf course · 0.7 mi
1948 Blaine Stret, Port Townsend
Mo-Su 08:00-18:00
15 more on the map.
Restaurants and cafes65
Elevated Ice Cream
Cafe · Ice Cream, Chocolate · 1.6 mi
627 Water Street, Port Townsend
Mo-Su 12:00-20:00
LA COCINA
Restaurant · Mexican · 1.5 mi
221 Taylor Street, Port Townsend
Mo-Tu 11:00-20:00; Fr-Su 11:00-20:00
Waterfront Pizza
Restaurant · Pizza · 1.5 mi
953 Water Street
Mo-Th,Su 12:00-19:00; Fr-Sa 12:00-22:00; PH closed
Sirens
Bar and pub · 1.6 mi
823 Water Street, Port Townsend
Mo-We,Su 12:00-22:00; Th-Sa 12:00-24:00; PH closed
Banana Leaf Thai Bistro
Restaurant · 1.6 mi
609 Washington Street, Port Townsend
Mo-Tu,Th-Fr 11:00-15:00,16:00-20:30; Sa-Su 11:00-20:30
53 more on the map.
History
The bay was originally named "Port Townshend" by Captain George Vancouver in 1792, for his friend the Marquis of Townshend. It was immediately recognized as a good safe harbor, although strong south winds and poor holding ground often make small-craft anchorage problematic off the town's waterfront.
The official founding of the American city of the same name took place on April 24, 1851. Indian tribes located in what is now Jefferson County in the mid-19th century included the Chimakum (or Chemakum), Hoh (a group of the Quileute), Klallam (or Clallam), Quinault, and Twana (the Kilcid band — Anglicized as "Quilcene").
Port Townsend is called the "City of Dreams" because of the early speculation that the city would be the largest harbor on the west coast of the United States. Guarding the gate of Puget Sound, it would become known by its other nickname, the "Key City," a title that remains to this day.
By the late 19th century, Port Townsend was a well-known seaport, very active and banking on the future. Many homes and buildings were built during that time, with most of the architecture ornate Victorian. During this period, in 1888, the Port Townsend Police Department was established.
From the History section of Port Townsend, Washington on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where to stay18
Blue Gull Inn Bed & Breakfast
Motel and hotel · 1.2 mi
1310 Clay Street, Port Townsend
Churches and places of worship10
St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Church · Episcopal · National Register of Historic Places · 1.4 mi
1020 Jefferson Street, Port Townsend
First Baptist Church
Church · Baptist · 1.2 mi
1202 Lawrence Street, Port Townsend
Grace Lutheran Church
Church · Lutheran · 0.8 mi
1120 Walker Street, Port Townsend
Trinity United Methodist Church
Church · Methodist · 1.4 mi
609 Taylor Street, Port Townsend
Unity Spiritual Enrichement Center
Place of worship · 0.7 mi
3918 San Juan Avenue, Port Townsend
Shopping27
Gas and EV charging3
Schools, colleges and libraries8
Healthcare5
Sheridan Building
Clinic and pharmacy · 1.0 mi
915 Sheridan Street, Port Townsend
Townsend Building
Clinic and pharmacy · 1.0 mi
934 Sheridan Street, Port Townsend
Watership Building
Clinic and pharmacy · 1.0 mi
1010 Sheridan Street, Port Townsend
Map of Port Townsend
206 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.
Climate by month
Monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Snow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 46°F | 38°F | 2.2 in | 0.0 in |
| Feb | 49°F | 38°F | 1.6 in | 0.2 in |
| Mar | 52°F | 40°F | 1.9 in | 0.0 in |
| Apr | 58°F | 43°F | 1.5 in | 0.0 in |
| May | 63°F | 47°F | 1.5 in | 0.0 in |
| Jun | 68°F | 51°F | 1.4 in | 0.0 in |
| Jul | 73°F | 53°F | 0.7 in | 0.0 in |
| Aug | 73°F | 54°F | 0.5 in | 0.0 in |
| Sep | 68°F | 51°F | 1.1 in | 0.0 in |
| Oct | 58°F | 46°F | 1.6 in | 0.0 in |
| Nov | 50°F | 41°F | 2.4 in | 0.0 in |
| Dec | 45°F | 38°F | 2.6 in | 0.4 in |
U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 for Port Townsend Hcn (1 mi away), NOAA NCEI.
People and cost of living
American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020-2024, U.S. Census Bureau. Estimates have margins of error, larger for small towns.
Disaster history
Jefferson County has had 21 federal disaster declarations since 2000, most often for severe storms.
- 2026-04-07: Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides (Flood)
- 2025-12-12: Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides (Flood)
- 2024-04-28: Severe Winter Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides (Severe Storm)
- 2023-01-12: Severe Winter Storm, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides (Severe Storm)
- 2022-03-29: Severe Winter Storms, Snowstorms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding (Flood)
- 2022-01-05: Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides (Flood)
OpenFEMA disaster declarations summaries.
Getting there and nearby towns
Jefferson County International Airport (TWD) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 5 miles away.
- Oak Harbor 14 mi northeast, about 22 min by car
- Camano 15 mi east, about 24 min by car
- Mukilteo 26 mi southeast, about 43 min by car
- Anacortes 26 mi north, about 43 min by car
- Picnic Point 28 mi southeast, about 45 min by car
- Marysville 29 mi east, about 47 min by car
- Edmonds 29 mi southeast, about 47 min by car
- Everett 30 mi east, about 48 min by car
- Mount Vernon 30 mi northeast, about 48 min by car
- Lynnwood 30 mi southeast, about 49 min by car
Drive times are estimates from straight-line distance, not routes.
Local news
Headlines from INDB, the NEMICO news database.
Reviews, tips and questions
Loading what members have shared...
Sources and licences
- NCES EDGE (Public domain): public schools
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 (Public domain): climate by month
- OpenFEMA (Public domain): disaster declarations
- OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0): places, airports, map data
- U.S. Census Bureau (Public domain): population, income, housing, education, commute
- Wikidata (CC0 1.0): elevation, founding date, time zone, website, landmarks and historic places
- Wikimedia Commons (see each image): photos
- Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0): overview and history text
Photo credits
- Looking west to Port Townsend, brewbooks, CC BY-SA 2.0
- St Paul's Church Port Townsend, Adbar, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Barthrop House, Port Townsend, Wendy Cutler from Vancouver, Canada, CC BY 2.0
- Jefferson County Courthouse (Port Townsend, Murderbike, Public domain
- Captain Enoch Fowler House, unknown HABS photographer, Public domain
- Port Townsend Post Office, Murderbike, Public domain
- Pt Townsend, WA lighthouse 01, Joe Mabel, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Pt Townsend, WA Ft. Worden buildings 01, Joe Mabel, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Rothschild House, Ben Cody, Public domain
- Fort Worden - Officers Row 03, Joe Mabel, CC BY-SA 3.0
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