Beyond Real Estate

I was going to call this 4-part series my Favorite Seattle Places, but some of my favorite places aren’t IN Seattle so it’s My Favorite Northwest Places. They include “Ride the Ducks,” Port Townsend, Whidbey Island, Diablo Dam, Pike Place Market, and more.

Ride the Ducks

My family and I recently went to Seattle and took the scenic tour of Downtown all the way to Lake Union aboard a DUCK - a World War II era amphibious vehicle.

We saw both old and new landmarks including Paul Allen’s Experience Music Project, The Space Needle, The Old Spaghetti Factory, The Edgewater Hotel, Ye Olde Curiosity Shoppe, The Seattle Aquarium, Elliot Bay Books, Pioneer Square, Safeco Field, Qwest Field, the Hammering Man at the Seattle Art Museum, Pike Place Market, Elephant Car Wash, The Fremont Bridge, and while on Lake Union, the Seattle Fire Boats and many commercial fishing boats.

We had a blast and highly recommend taking the Adventure if you’re in Seattle. They also have tours in Branson, Philadelphia, Baltimore and a few other places.

Whidbey Island

Offering majestic views of the Shipping Lanes and Puget Sound waters, Whidbey is of one of 9 islands in the Island County chain - a collection of islands that dot the Puget Sound from Everett to Bellingham.

Whidbey Island is home to quaint towns and cute shops along it’s coastline as well as Fort Casey State Park which was a thriving military establishment at the turn of the last century. The remains of the bunkers, lighthouse, and artillery mounts are fun to explore as part of the State Park system. You can even camp overnight at the Park (details on the link above).

Another favorite spot is Langley, high above the bluff overlooking the beautiful Sound at Saratoga Passage and is home of the Choochokam Arts Festival held annually in July. Langley is filled with cute shops and nice, quiet parks. You can also attend the Island County Fair in Langley the 3rd week in August.

The Town of Coupeville, which is also the Island County Seat, boasts many historic homes from the Victorian era - several of which have been beautifully restored. Coupeville is home of Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve - the first historical reserve in our nation, Ebey’s Landing includes 22 square miles of a cultural landscape. *

Deception Pass, the gateway between Whidbey and Fidalgo Islands, is the most visited State Park in Washington State. Famous for the bridge that consists of two spans - one over Canoe Pass at 511 feet and one over Deception Pass at 976 feet which was commissioned in 1934 and finished in 1935, Deception Pass State Park offers camping, swimming and beaches on the Whidbey side. The bridge was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1982.

Port Townsend

And last on my list for today is my absolute favorite place - Port Townsend - on the Olympic Peninsula.

I don’t remember when I first went to Port Townsend, but I do remember falling in love with the atmosphere and community ambiance. From that moment on, I’ve looked forward to frequent trips to visit its unique shops and stroll its streets. Port Townsend, like Coupeville, boasts many Victorian era homes and buildings on the Historic Register that have been restored to their majestic glory.

In the heyday of the late 1800’s, Port Townsend was the “City of Dreams” - a Victorian Seaport, that was named for the Marquis of Townshend by Captain George Vancouver.

Some of my favorites places in PT are -

Elevated Ice Cream. The Elevated Ice Cream Co. is a refreshingly modern old-fashioned Ice Cream Parlor and Candy Shop located on Water Street in the downtown historic district. *

Manresa Castle. The Castle was completed in 1892 as the home of Charles and Kate Eisenbeis. Mr. Eisenbeis was a prominent member of the early Port Townsend business community. His business interests were diverse including a bakery, brick works, lumber mill, brewery, bank and a hotel. In 1878, when Port Townsend became the first incorporated city in Jefferson County, its citizens elected Eisenbeis as the first mayor. Today, the Castle is a hotel and restaurant featuring “Comfortable accommodations in a century-old castle, restaurant and lounge, spacious gardens, and breath-taking views of the Olympic and Cascade Mountains provide the perfect setting for a special weekend, a retreat, wedding, or conference.” *

The Palace Hotel. The Palace Hotel occupies the Captain Tibbals Building which was constructed in 1889 by Henry L. Tibbals, a retired sea captain. Built in the Richardson Romanesque style, the building’s arched windows appear to extend for two stories through the use of twin columns that bracket each window bay on the building’s facade. The Captain Tibbals Building is a beautiful example of Port Townsend’s turn-of-the-century architectural past. Since being renovated, the building has been home to the Palace Hotel where the hotel occupies the second and third floors, with a lovely restaurant and several specialty retailers located on the main level. The hotel features 15 charming guest rooms and suites. Most have private baths and several have mini-kitchen facilities. With soaring windows and 14-foot ceilings, each guest room retains the flavor of century-old quality and architectural character so rarely found today. *

Phoenix Rising. Established in 1984, it’s the best bookstore in town! Aside from a wide range of books and CD’s for sale, Phoenix Rising carries incense from around the world, crystals, oracles, aromatherapy, art and clothing.

I could probably write a whole section on Port Townsend itself, there’s so much more I enjoy there! But I think this is good for now and I’ll tell you a few more places in PT that get my vote next time.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this first look at My Northwest Places! I’ll be share some more again soon.

* Some descriptions have been copied from their respective websites and are not owned nor registered to Beyond Real Estate or Annie Anderson.