Once home to the Samish people, Anacortes is a coastal city on Fidalgo Island, which lies partway between Seattle and Vancouver. The name “Anacortes” came from Anne Curtis Bowman, the wife of an early settler, railroad surveyor and the founder of the town, Amos Bowman.
Things to do in Anacortes
At the Maritime Heritage Center, you’ll find the W.T. Preston, a 1929-built sternwheeler that operated as a snagboat in the Puget Sound area. Designated as a National Historic Landmark, she can be explored on guided tours. In the adjacent museum, there are exhibits and artefacts detailing the role of snagboats in maintaining navigable waterways throughout Washington state.
For elevated views across Anacortes and its bustling marina, head to Cap Sante, a rocky promontory that juts into Fidalgo Bay. On a clear day, you can see all the way to the Cascade Mountains and the San Juan Islands. Directly across the water is Seafarers Memorial Park, which is dominated by a statue depicting the “Lady of the Sea”.
On the northwestern point of Fidalgo Island is Washington Park, a 90-hectare green space traversed by hiking trails. It’s dotted with picnic spots where you can watch the shipping vessels cruising through Rosario Strait. There’s a boat launch if you want to get out on the water, as well as a rocky beach for swimming in the summer months. At Burrow’s Overlook is the grave of Tonjes Havekost, who bequeathed the land to Anacortes.
Getting around Anacortes
Anacortes is around 1.5 hours’ drive from Seattle and just under two hours from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, which has flights to destinations across the globe. Vancouver International Airport in neighbouring British Columbia is just over two hours away. Buses connect to Anacortes, although renting a car will give you greater freedom to explore the area.