Skagit County, Washington · Northwest
Anacortes
A working waterfront city on Fidalgo Island that happens to be the departure point for the San Juan Islands. Most visitors treat it as a ferry stop. That is the wrong way to do it.
POPULATION
~17,000
ISLAND
Fidalgo Island
FROM SEATTLE
90 min via I-5/SR-20
COUNTY
Skagit
KNOWN FOR
San Juan ferry, arts
COMMUNITY FOREST
2,900 acres
Anacortes sits on the southwestern corner of Fidalgo Island in Skagit County, 80 miles north of Seattle, connected to the mainland by bridges over Swinomish Channel and Deception Pass. The town has about 17,000 year-round residents and receives far more visitors than that number suggests because it is the ferry terminal for the Washington State Ferries routes to the San Juan Islands and Sidney, BC. For most people, Anacortes is where you wait for a boat. That is an underuse of a genuinely good small city.
The arts infrastructure here is serious. Anacortes has more working artists per capita than almost any city its size in Washington. The Anacortes Arts Festival has run every August for 65 years and draws 80,000 to 100,000 visitors over a single weekend with 230 booth artists, free admission, and live music across two stages. Commercial Avenue downtown is lined with studios, galleries, and independent shops that operate year-round and not just during festival week.
Outside town, Anacortes has a 2,900-acre community forest with more than 50 miles of trails, Washington Park on the western tip of the island with its beach loop road and sunset views, and Mount Erie as the highest point on Fidalgo Island with views north to the San Juans and south to Puget Sound. Deception Pass State Park, 20 minutes south on Highway 20, is one of the most visited state parks in Washington. Anacortes earned its own stay.
Getting Here
From Seattle, Anacortes is about 90 minutes north on I-5 to Burlington, then west on SR-20 through Anacortes. The drive covers approximately 80 miles and is straightforward outside of Friday afternoon congestion on I-5 between Everett and Mount Vernon.
From Bellingham, head south on I-5 to Burlington and west on SR-20. The drive is about 30 minutes. From Vancouver BC, Anacortes is about 2 hours south via the Peace Arch or Sumas border crossings to I-5 south.
The Washington State Ferries terminal is at the western end of Commercial Avenue on the edge of town. The ferry to Friday Harbor on San Juan Island takes about 75 minutes with stops; a direct sailing runs about 45 minutes. Check current schedules and make vehicle reservations well ahead in summer at wsdot.wa.gov. Walk-on passengers have more flexibility. The Black Ball Ferry Line also offers seasonal service between Victoria, BC and the San Juan Islands, and some routes connect through Anacortes.
Anacortes is walkable in its downtown core. A car is necessary for Mount Erie, Washington Park, the community forest trailheads, and Deception Pass.
Things to Do
Outdoors
Cap Sante Viewpoint
A 37-acre wooded park on the northeast corner of Anacortes with a paved trail to a summit viewpoint at 200 feet above Fidalgo Bay. The view takes in the marina below, the Twin Sisters, Mount Baker, and on clear days the San Juan Islands to the west. The park is 10 minutes from downtown and free. Sunset from Cap Sante is one of the better light shows on the North Sound.
Outdoors
Washington Park
A 220-acre city park on the westernmost tip of Fidalgo Island with a 2.2-mile loop road around a rocky headland, several beaches, a campground, and direct views of the ferry lanes and the San Juan Islands. The loop road is open to pedestrians and cyclists as well as vehicles. The sunset from the western end of the loop is the reason most photographers stop here. Camping is first-come, first-served.
Recreation
Anacortes Community Forest
Nearly 3,000 acres of second-growth forest and wetlands crisscrossed by more than 50 miles of trails, all within the city limits. The forest covers terrain from flat lowland paths to the rocky summit of Mount Erie at 1,270 feet. Trail maps are available at the trailheads and at the city parks office. The forest is free, open year-round, and genuinely quiet even in summer. EWS has a full trail guide at the Anacortes Community Forest article.
Outdoors
Mount Erie
The highest point on Fidalgo Island at 1,270 feet, reachable by trail from the community forest or by a paved road to a parking area near the summit. The view from the top covers the San Juan Islands, Puget Sound, Mount Baker, Glacier Peak, and the Olympic Mountains on a clear day. Rock climbers use the cliff faces below the summit. The summit road is open seasonally; check current conditions before driving up.
Culture
Commercial Avenue Arts District
Downtown Anacortes runs along Commercial Avenue, a historically preserved main street with more working artist studios, galleries, and independent retailers per block than most Northwest cities its size. The concentration of artists here is not accidental: Anacortes has cultivated an arts identity since the 1960s, and the Anacortes Arts Festival has drawn national-caliber artists here every August for 65 years. Worth a slow afternoon walk any time of year.
Family
Predators of the Heart Wildlife Sanctuary
A private wildlife refuge at 6128 Parkside Dr providing a permanent home for wolves, cougars, and other animals that cannot be returned to the wild. Visits are by appointment and structured as guided encounters that include time with the animals. The experience runs about two hours. [VERIFY: currently operating and accepting bookings at predatorsoftheheart.com — there was a permit issue in 2023, confirm current status before visiting]
History
Anacortes History Museum and Maritime Heritage Center
The downtown history museum covers Anacortes from its Coast Salish origins through the logging, fishing, and oil refinery industries that shaped the city. The maritime collection covers the Puget Sound fishing industry, boat building, and the ferry history that defines the city's relationship with the San Juans. [VERIFY: current hours and admission at anacorteshistorymuseum.org]
Arts
Anacortes Arts Festival
The Pacific Northwest's largest outdoor arts festival, held annually the first weekend of August on Commercial Avenue and surrounding downtown blocks. In its 65th year in 2026, the festival runs July 31 through August 2 from 10am to 6pm Friday and Saturday and 10am to 5pm Sunday. More than 230 booth artists, two stages of free live music, a beer garden, wine bar, and youth area. Admission is free. Draws 80,000 to 100,000 visitors over three days. Book lodging months ahead if your trip overlaps.
“Give Anacortes a night before the ferry and you will start looking for reasons to extend the stay.”
Explore Washington State
Where to Stay
Majestic Inn and Spa
The flagship downtown hotel in historic Anacortes, with 52 rooms in a building that anchors the Commercial Avenue arts district. The 5th Street Bistro and Bar operates on site, and the Apothecary Spa makes it the most full-service lodging option in town. Rooms range from standard to suites. Walking distance to the ferry terminal and the full length of the arts district.
Book at Majestic Inn and SpaAnacortes Ship Harbor Inn
Located two thirds of a mile from the San Juan Islands ferry terminal, the Ship Harbor Inn is the practical choice for early morning departures or late arrivals. The waterfront setting along Ship Harbor gives water views from most rooms. A quieter option than downtown and a short drive to Commercial Avenue.
Book at Ship Harbor InnCap Sante Inn
A smaller, centrally located property at 906 9th St within walking distance of downtown restaurants and galleries. The inn is a comfortable mid-range option for visitors who want to be in the walkable downtown core without the price of the Majestic. [VERIFY: current availability at thecapsanteinn.com]
Book at Cap Sante InnFind a Cabin Near Anacortes
Find a Cabin Near Anacortes
Food & Drink
Rockfish Grill and Anacortes Brewery is the downtown anchor: a brick building on Commercial Avenue with a brewery, a menu built around local seafood and Northwest ingredients, and live music from local bands on weekend evenings. The combination makes it a natural end-of-day spot. [VERIFY: current hours at rockfishgrill.com]
Anthony’s at Cap Sante Marina is the waterfront fine dining option, sitting above the marina with views across Fidalgo Bay. The seafood program uses local and regional catch. The setting earns the price point. [VERIFY: current hours and reservation policy at anthonys.com]
Adrift Restaurant is the breakfast and lunch spot that locals recommend first: straightforward Pacific Northwest cooking with serious coffee and a menu that changes with the season. [VERIFY: currently open at adriftanacortes.com]
Brown Lantern Alehouse is the no-frills neighborhood bar that has been on Commercial Avenue since 1933, with a rotating tap list, bar food, and the institutional character of a place that does not try to be anything other than itself. Worth a stop on any visit. [VERIFY: current hours]
Festivals & Events
April
Skagit Valley Tulip Festival
While the main festival grounds are 30 miles east in Mount Vernon and La Conner, Anacortes serves as a natural base for the April tulip bloom. The fields peak for about two weeks in April, typically mid-month, and can be visited as a day trip from Anacortes before catching the ferry or spending an evening on Commercial Avenue. Full EWS guide at the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival article.
August
Anacortes Arts Festival
The Pacific Northwest's largest outdoor arts festival, held the first weekend of August on and around Commercial Avenue. In its 65th year in 2026, the festival runs July 31 through August 2. More than 230 juried booth artists, two stages of free live music, a beer and wine garden, and a family area. Free admission. Draws 80,000 to 100,000 visitors over three days. Book lodging in Anacortes and the surrounding area well in advance.
October
Oyster Run Motorcycle Rally
One of the largest single-day motorcycle events in the Pacific Northwest, held annually in late October on Commercial Avenue and the surrounding downtown streets. Thousands of riders converge on Anacortes for the ride-in show, live music, and the end-of-season rally atmosphere. [VERIFY: current year date at oysterrun.org]
Day Trips
San Juan Islands (ferry from Anacortes, 45 to 90 min depending on route): The main reason most people come to Anacortes. Washington State Ferries runs multiple daily departures to Lopez Island, Shaw Island, Orcas Island, and Friday Harbor on San Juan Island. Orcas Island has Moran State Park and Mount Constitution, the highest point in the San Juans. San Juan Island has Lime Kiln Point State Park for whale watching and the San Juan Island National Historical Park. Vehicle reservations sell out weeks ahead in summer. [VERIFY: current WSF schedules at wsdot.wa.gov]
Deception Pass State Park (20 miles south via SR-20): The Deception Pass Bridge connects Fidalgo Island to Whidbey Island over a tidal passage with the most dramatic water movement in the San Juan region. The state park on both sides of the bridge has beaches, old-growth forest, campgrounds, and the bridge viewpoint that is one of the most photographed spots in Washington. EWS has a full day trip guide: A Day at Deception Pass State Park.
Bellingham (30 miles north via I-5): Craft beer capital of the North Sound, Larrabee State Park, Chuckanut Drive, and access to the BC ferry to Victoria. EWS hub at Bellingham.
Skagit Valley and Mount Vernon (30 miles southeast via SR-20 and I-5): In April, the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival draws visitors from across the state to the daffodil and tulip fields in bloom. Outside April, the valley has farmstands, the RoozenGaarde and Tulip Town farms open year-round for cut flowers, and the Skagit River for kayaking. EWS has a full guide to the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival.
Planning Your Visit
Anacortes has two distinct visitor patterns. The ferry-focused visitor books a night before or after the San Juan Islands crossing, which puts them in town for 12 to 24 hours. The Anacortes-as-destination visitor spends two to three nights using the city as a base for Deception Pass, the community forest, and the arts scene. Both are valid; the second is underused.
Summer (June through August) is peak season for the ferry and for outdoor recreation. The Anacortes Arts Festival the first weekend of August is the biggest event of the year and draws 80,000 to 100,000 people; book lodging months ahead if your trip overlaps with it. The rest of summer is busy but manageable mid-week.
Shoulder seasons are genuinely good. Spring brings the Skagit Valley tulip fields 30 miles east in April and less ferry congestion. Fall offers lower rates, drier weather than the coast, and the community forest at its quietest. Anacortes sits in a partial rain shadow and averages significantly less precipitation than Seattle.
More Anacortes on EWS
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Anacortes, Washington known for?
Anacortes is best known as the departure point for Washington State Ferries to the San Juan Islands and as a hub for arts. The Anacortes Arts Festival, one of the largest outdoor arts festivals in the Pacific Northwest, has run every August for more than 60 years. The city also sits at the edge of the Anacortes Community Forest, 2,900 acres of trails within city limits, and is 20 minutes from Deception Pass State Park.
Is Anacortes worth visiting without going to the San Juans?
Yes. The Anacortes Community Forest has more than 50 miles of free trails within city limits. Cap Sante Viewpoint and Washington Park offer some of the best water and mountain views on the North Sound. The arts district on Commercial Avenue has working studios and galleries year-round. Deception Pass State Park is a 20-minute drive south. Anacortes earns a two-night stay on its own.
How far is Anacortes from Seattle?
Anacortes is about 80 miles north of Seattle, roughly 90 minutes via I-5 north to Burlington and SR-20 west. Friday afternoon and holiday weekend traffic on I-5 between Everett and Burlington can add 30 to 45 minutes. The route is straightforward with no ferry crossings required.
How do you get to the San Juan Islands from Anacortes?
Washington State Ferries runs daily departures from the Anacortes ferry terminal to Lopez Island, Shaw Island, Orcas Island, and Friday Harbor on San Juan Island. Vehicle reservations sell out weeks ahead in summer and are strongly recommended. Walk-on passengers have more flexibility. The crossing to Friday Harbor takes about 75 minutes with island stops. Check current schedules and make reservations at wsdot.wa.gov.
When is the best time to visit Anacortes?
Summer (June through August) is peak season, with the Arts Festival the first weekend of August drawing 80,000 to 100,000 visitors. April is worth timing for the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival 30 miles east. Fall and spring are quieter with lower lodging rates. Anacortes sits in a partial rain shadow and is drier than most of western Washington year-round.