Anacortes Washington Tourism

Anacortes is the crown jewel of Fidalgo Island, easternmost of the San Juan Islands and jump-point of the world-renowned archipelago.

Fidalgo, the “drive-to” island, is accessible by bridges from the mainland to the east and from Whidbey Island to the south. It is also home to the Washington State Ferry terminal, serving the rest of the San Juans and Sidney / Victoria, British Columbia.

Anacortes boasts a myriad of recreational activities for all ages, interests and skill levels. Here you can enjoy sailing, power boating, whale watching, hiking, kayaking, mountain biking, golf, camping, sport fishing, bird watching, scuba diving, beach combing and much more. Anacortes is homeport for numerous sailing and power yacht charters. Take a whale watching tour with Mystic Sea Charters.

Anacortes continues to build on its reputation as a destination community. The city offers accommodations for all price ranges, from a Bed and Breakfast experience to local inns including the historic Majestic Inn. Several offer views of surrounding waters, and others boast amenities such as a swimming pool and dining facilities. If your desire is a camping or recreational vehicle adventure, Anacortes offers full-amenities campgrounds within walking distance to the beach. We encourage you to drop anchor in Anacortes, on beautiful Fidalgo, the drive-on island!

A vibrant Anacortes commercial district offers a wide array of dining experiences. From casual fish and chips to candlelight dinner, Anacortes restaurants offer mouth-watering menus including traditional Northwest favorites like Salmon, Halibut and Dungeness crab. Many chefs take advantage of our proximity to the Skagit Valley for fresh fruits and vegetables. A number of restaurants feature cuisine from other nations, such as Mexican, Greek, Italian, French, Chinese, Japanese and Thai. Those with a sweet tooth are encouraged to explore specialty shops, display cases filled with fresh baked goods and handmade chocolates. You will also find several businesses with impressive selections of fine wines.

Anacortes boasts a variety of unique shops, book stores and florists, plus more than 50 antique dealers in 25,000 square feet of floor space. Art galleries are a favorite stop for shoppers, especially on the first Friday of each month, when “Art Walk” takes place.

While you shop, stroll among the city’s historic buildings, keeping watch for colorful exterior wall murals created by artist Bill Mitchell. Don’t hesitate to ask merchants about the community’s place in Northwest history, its natural attributes and even hints about favorite local pastimes. Also, visit our local galleries, taking advantage of the fact that Anacortes enjoys a reputation as home for exceptionally talented Northwest artists.

Several exciting annual events fill Anacortes’ calendar: the Waterfront Festival and the Trawler Fest in May; Fourth of July Downtown Parade; Arts Festival in August; Jazz Festival on Labor Day Weekend; Christmas Festival in December.