Nestled along the northern coast of the enchanting Olympic Peninsula, Port Angeles sits between the sea and towering mountains in Olympic National Park. A hub of outdoor recreation and art with a charming downtown, you’ll find plenty of things to do in Port Angeles. Take a self-guided mural tour, learn about the area’s Indigenous communities, go hiking and biking, or simply stroll the streets and discover great dining and shopping.
Things to Do in Port Angeles
Outdoors and Nature
Whether or not you consider yourself an outdoor enthusiast, it’s impossible not to be excited by all the outdoor things to do in Port Angeles and the surrounding area. The city is only about 20 miles from Hurricane Ridge, one of the most accessible mountain hiking spots within Olympic National Park. In the winter, the area boasts fantastic skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, and more.
Also located within the park, Lake Crescent is known for its crystal-clear blue waters. Bike or walk the scenic Spruce Railroad Trail, which hugs the lakeshore, or take the short Marymere Falls Trail through old-growth forest to a picturesque waterfall.
The Olympic Discovery Trail (ODT) is another wonderful way to see the north end of the Olympic Peninsula. The multi-use trail spans roughly 130 miles between Port Townsend and La Push, and it’s a premier destination for both hiking and (non-motorized) biking.
Watch for wildlife in nearby Olympic National Park, which spans nearly 1 million acres and serves as a refuge for elk, black-tail deer, mountain goats, coyotes, and black bears, while 200 bird species attract many a bird enthusiast. Port Angeles Harbor and Hurricane Ridge are both locally renowned hot spots for bird watching.
Interested in seeing some sea life? The Feiro Marine Life Center offers up-close encounters with sea creatures found within 20 miles of Port Angeles and the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Or head to nearby Salt Creek Recreation Area to observe sea life in tide pools or watch for whales. And for those who want to paddle the serene waters of the strait, sea kayaking is another great way to immerse yourself in the abounding beauty of the surrounding sea.
Art & Culture
While the surrounding landscape begs to be explored, so too does the city of Port Angeles. History buffs will have a special appreciation for the Port Angeles Underground Heritage Tour, which provides an in-depth look at the underground tunnels and old buildings constructed before city officials raised the city streets in 1914 (including an old movie theater and a hidden brothel).
Next, take yourself on an above-ground tour of the city’s art murals and sculptures—there’s even an official Port Angeles Art Mural Trail. With more than 12 outdoor murals dotting downtown, this trail is a great way to explore scenes of local Indigenous culture, nature, community industry, history, and more.
Catch a concert, theater performance, film, or community event at Field Arts & Events Hall, Port Angeles’ modern waterfront performing arts venue. The Port Angeles Fine Arts Center features a rotating indoor gallery as well as the forested Webster’s Woods Sculpture Park (don’t forget to look up!).
Looking to take a piece of art home with you? Peruse galleries like Harbor Art Gallery or One of a Kind Art Gallery for local paintings, jewelry, ceramics, woodcrafts, and more.
Indigenous Culture & Heritage
Port Angeles and the greater Olympic Peninsula have been home to Indigenous peoples since time immemorial. Today, the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe continues to steward their ancestral lands, preserve cultural traditions, and share their history.
Numerous Port Angeles parks, museums, murals, cultural centers, and events pay homage both to Native history and contemporary culture. The Carnegie Museum, operated by the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, is a fantastic resource for those looking to learn more about the tribe’s culture and connection to the peninsula. Located in the old Carnegie Library and open by appointment only, the museum includes artifacts from Tse-whit-zen Village, the largest pre-European-contact village excavated in Washington State.
In downtown, you’ll notice many street signs include the Klallam language alongside English. These signs celebrate language revitalization and reflect the community’s commitment to honoring the area’s original place names.
At Peninsula Community College, the ʔaʔkʷustəŋáw̕txʷ House of Learning Longhouse is the first traditional longhouse to be constructed on a community college campus in the United States. Six local tribes collaborated to design the building, which is set in a wooded area on sacred lands but is open to the public. A permanent art gallery invites visitors to view works by six local tribes: Hoh, Quileute, Makah, Port Gamble S’Klallam, Jamestown S’Klallam, and Elwha Klallam.
Many sites remain places of cultural and spiritual significance. Visitors are encouraged to stay on designated trails, respect posted signage, and ask permission before photographing cultural events.
Also See: Discover Washington’s Native American Heritage Sites
Shopping in Port Angeles
Downtown Port Angeles is full of fun shops and boutiques. Start at the Port Angeles Wharf on the waterfront, which is home to One of a Kind Art Gallery featuring works by more than 40 Pacific Northwest artists. You’ll also find an arcade, tour operators, an ice cream shop, and a cafe, plus views of the ferry to Victoria, B.C. In downtown, stop into Port Book and News to find your next favorite read before heading to Moss, a Pacific Northwest lifestyle boutique filled with clothing, candles, gifts, and outdoor gear.
At Kindred Collective, browse a curated mix of apparel, jewelry, home goods, children’s toys, and more. The boutique also partners with local makers to host a variety of hands-on workshops, from watercolor classes to sourdough 101. Nearby, browse an eclectic selection of antiques and search for vintage finds at Brocante.
Annual Events
You’ll never need an excuse to visit this gem of a city, but a festival weekend is always a fun time to go. Some of the top annual festivities include the Port Angeles Maritime Festival in June, The Juan de Fuca Festival of the Arts on Memorial Day weekend in May, the Dungeness Crab Festival in October, and the Wintertide Festival of Lights in December.
Where to Eat & Drink in Port Angeles
With delicious, locally owned restaurants throughout the city, you’re never far from a great meal. Fuel your adventures with a bagel to go from Atomic Bagels. Their small space serves up big flavors, with a stellar variety of cream cheese schmears like smoked salmon or black garlic porcini sea salt.
For coffee and pastries, stop into Silver Lining Cafe in the Port Angeles Wharf building to enjoy views of the water. Also in the Wharf building, Welly’s Real Fruit Ice Cream is known for New Zealand-style ice cream blended with real fruit. Grab a cone to go and walk along the waterfront.
If you’re hankering for fish tacos, crab cakes, or a juicy burger after a long day of exploration, then Next Door Gastropub is the place for you. The Rail also serves up stellar burgers and brews, plus signature cocktails. For an elevated evening out, Kokopelli Grill stands out with seafood dishes such as crab-stuffed halibut and smoked salmon fettuccine. Looking for Italian classics with Pacific Northwest ingredients? Head to Bella Italia for the mushroom ravioli made with local mushrooms. Don’t miss the bone broth soups and rice bowls at Yodelin Broth Company. Their coconut curry wild halibut bone broth with udon is a standout.
For craft beer, check out Barhop Brewing or Mighty Pine Brewing (be sure to keep an eye out for Mighty Pine’s friendly brewery cat). You’ll find plenty of IPAs and pale ales in addition to darker options.
Also See: Farm-to-Table Dining in Washington
About the Author
Jessica Wick is a travel writer and lifelong resident of the Pacific Northwest. While she loves exploring the world for work and for fun, she’s always happy to come home to Washington’s abundant nature, farm-to-table food, and diverse beauty.