Anacortes sits at the northwest edge of Fidalgo Island, connected to the mainland by two bridges and to the rest of the world, it sometimes feels, by ferry. It’s a working town with a fishing heritage, a walkable downtown, and more outdoor access per square mile than most visitors expect. If you’ve only passed through on the way to the San Juans, the town has a character of its own that gives you a reason to stay longer.
Here’s what to do when you’re here.
Cap Sante Park and the Views Above Town
The most immediate orientation to Anacortes is from above. Cap Sante Park sits at the top of a short drive or a steeper walk from downtown, and the view from the summit covers Fidalgo Bay to the east, the marina below, and on clear days the Cascades behind the town and the islands to the west.
It’s not a long hike — the loop around the park takes under an hour — but the scale of what you can see from up there reframes the town quickly. Most people drive to the top and spend twenty minutes. If you have more time, the lower trails through the park are quieter and give you a sense of the forested character of the island itself.
Go in the morning if you can. The light is better and the parking lot hasn’t filled yet.
Washington Park
On the western edge of Fidalgo Island, Washington Park draws more locals than visitors, which is usually a good sign. A loop road winds through old-growth forest and along rocky shoreline, with views across Rosario Strait toward the San Juan Islands. You can drive it, walk it, or bike it — the full loop is about 2.2 miles.
The park has a boat launch, picnic areas, and a campground. Sunset from the western shore on a clear evening is one of the better ones in the county. In summer the park gets busy, but the size of it means you can usually find a stretch of shoreline to yourself if you’re willing to walk a bit.
Deception Pass State Park
Technically straddling the Skagit-Island County line, Deception Pass is about fifteen minutes south of Anacortes and belongs on any list of things to do in the area. The bridge over the pass is the draw for most people, and the views from the bridge are dramatic. But the park has more than the bridge.
Rosario Beach on the northwest side has accessible tide pools where you can while away an hour or two at low tide. Pass Lake, just north of the bridge, is calm and good for a paddle. The trails through the park range from easy shore walks to steeper ridge routes with water views in multiple directions.
If you’re traveling with kids, the family-friendly activities guide for Pacific Northwest Washington covers tide pooling and accessible trail options in more detail.
Downtown and Commercial Avenue
Anacortes has a downtown with some texture to it, running along Commercial Avenue for several blocks. It’s not a tourist district in the manufactured sense — there are working businesses alongside the galleries and coffee shops, and the maritime history of the town is visible in the murals painted on building facades throughout the area.
The murals are a project that’s been running for decades. Over 100 of them appear throughout town, many depicting Anacortes residents from the early 1900s. They give the downtown a distinct character and provide quiet moments of discovery along the way — a face on a brick wall, a scene from the cannery era, a fishing boat rendered in detail above a shop doorway.
The Saturday Farmers Market runs spring through fall and is a good anchor for a morning in town. A handful of independent shops along Commercial can delight and deliver — galleries, outfitters, locally made goods — and the café options make for a delicious start before heading out to the parks or the water.
On the Water
Anacortes is a boating town, and the marina at Cap Sante is one of the larger ones on the northwest Washington coast. Even if you’re not arriving by boat, the harbor gratifies on a slow walk — fishing vessels coming in with the morning catch, live-aboards going about their routines, the smell of salt water and diesel that belongs to working ports. It’s a better sense of the town’s identity than any interpretive sign.
For guided kayaking, Anacortes Kayak Tours runs trips ranging from a few hours to multi-day expeditions into the San Juan Islands, with no prior experience required. They hold the exclusive kayak concession at Deception Pass State Park, so if Bowman Bay is on your list, they’re your starting point. Experienced paddlers looking to go independently can rent from Blue Otter Outfitters, which also offers paddleboard rentals for more protected water.
For whale watching, Island Adventures has operated from the Cap Sante Marina since 1996 and runs tours mid-February through November. Orcas, humpbacks, minkes, and gray whales are all possible depending on the season. Blue Kingdom Tours is another well-regarded option, running from Skyline Marina with fast Zodiac boats and high sighting rates. Book ahead in summer — both fill quickly on clear days.
Timing Your Visit
Spring brings the best combination of accessibility and quiet. Ferry lines to the San Juans are shorter, the park trails aren’t crowded, and the town is running without the volume of peak summer. For more on what the season looks like along the coast, our spring coastal guide covers tulip season, wildlife viewing, and what to expect from the weather.
Summer is the most active season. The Anacortes Arts Festival takes over Commercial Avenue on the last weekend of July into early August — in 2026, that’s July 31 through August 2. More than 220 artists, two stages of live music, and around 80,000 visitors over three days. Free to attend, and a good event to plan around if the dates line up.
Fall is underrated — the light is good, the water is still warm enough for kayaking into September, and the town settles back into its own rhythm.
Where to Stay
Rosario Ridge is a PNW Concierge property in Anacortes that puts you within easy reach of everything above. The two-bedroom home has views across Fidalgo Bay and works well as a base for day trips to Deception Pass, the San Juans, or south into Skagit County. Book early for summer and the tulip season weeks in spring.
Planning a visit to Anacortes? Browse our properties or get in touch if you’d like recommendations for your specific dates and interests.