Things to do in Anacortes Washington this Weekend

Salt air off the Salish Sea, madrona trees clinging to rocky bluffs, ferries sliding toward the San Juans, and Mount Baker showing up when the clouds decide to part.

Anacortes is one of those Pacific Northwest weekend towns that does not need much fuss. You can come for the ferry, but you should stay for the shoreline walks, forest trails, seafood, whale watching, pocket beaches, and sunset viewpoints tucked all around Fidalgo Island.

This is an easy weekend escape from Seattle, Bellingham, Whidbey Island, or the greater Skagit Valley. It works in every season, though the mood shifts with the weather: bright ferry mornings in summer, moody forest hikes in fall, quiet waterfront walks in winter, and tulips nearby in spring.

Use this guide as an evergreen plan for things to do in Anacortes Washington this weekend. Always check current ferry schedules, trail alerts, park hours, market dates, and restaurant hours before you go, especially in storm season or on holiday weekends.

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Quick Peek at Things to Do in Anacortes This Weekend

Anacortes sits on Fidalgo Island, but you can drive there without taking a ferry. That makes it one of the easiest island-feeling getaways in Washington.

For views: Start with Cap Sante Park for a quick overlook above the marina, then head to Mount Erie if you want a bigger panorama over lakes, islands, forest, and the Cascades.

For trails: Walk the Washington Park loop, explore the Anacortes Community Forest Lands, or keep things flat on the Tommy Thompson Trail along Fidalgo Bay.

For water time: Book a whale watching tour, paddle near the shoreline when conditions are calm, or take a quick ferry ride to Guemes Island or a longer ferry toward the San Juans.

For a low-key Saturday: Browse Commercial Avenue, find the Bill Mitchell murals, stop at the Anacortes Farmers Market in season, then settle into seafood or a local brewery before sunset.

For a bigger adventure: Spend half a day at Deception Pass State Park. The bridge, beaches, coves, cliffs, and forest trails make it one of the best state park outings near Anacortes.

1. Start With the View From Cap Sante Park

Cap Sante Park is the easiest “we made it to Anacortes” stop. In just a few minutes, you can drive or walk up to a rocky viewpoint above the marina, downtown, Fidalgo Bay, March Point, and the Cascades.

It is especially good at golden hour, when the boats below catch the light and Mount Baker sometimes appears beyond the water. Bring a coffee, a jacket, and a little patience; the view changes fast when clouds move through.

Weekend tip: Go on Friday evening after you arrive or early Saturday morning before breakfast. It is a quick stop, but it sets the whole PNW tone for the weekend.

Good to know: Cap Sante is a city park and primarily a viewpoint. Wear shoes with grip if you plan to wander around the rocky areas, especially after rain.

2. Walk the Washington Park Loop

Washington Park sits on a peninsula at the west end of Fidalgo Island, and it is one of the best places in Anacortes for an easy forest-and-water walk. The paved loop road winds through trees and open viewpoints, with glimpses toward the San Juan Islands and Olympic Mountains.

The park has day-use areas, picnic spots, a boat launch, camping, beach access, and a mix of shoreline and wooded places to pause. It feels wild enough for a weekend reset but easy enough for most travelers to enjoy without a big hiking plan.

What to do: Walk or bike the loop, stop at Green Point, bring a picnic to Sunset Beach, and look for boats moving through the channels offshore.

Weekend tip: If you are visiting in summer, come early for easier parking and quieter viewpoints. In cooler months, bring a wind layer and expect moody water views.

3. Explore Downtown Anacortes and Commercial Avenue

Downtown Anacortes has that working-waterfront-meets-weekend-town feel. Commercial Avenue is lined with cafés, shops, galleries, restaurants, bookstores, and old buildings that remind you this is still a real port town, not a polished resort village.

Take your time here. Pop into local shops, look for coffee, browse the art, and keep an eye out for the town’s murals. The Bill Mitchell Mural Project has filled Anacortes with more than 150 colorful outdoor murals over the years, many showing local characters, historic scenes, and bits of island personality.

What to do: Walk Commercial Avenue, follow the mural trail, browse local shops, visit the Anacortes Museum if you want a deeper history stop, and save time for a bakery or coffee break.

Weekend tip: Downtown is a good rainy-day anchor. If the weather turns sideways, make it a slow shop-and-snack afternoon before heading to dinner.

4. Visit the Anacortes Farmers Market

If your weekend lines up with market day, start Saturday at the Anacortes Farmers Market. The main season usually runs Saturdays from May through October at the Depot Arts Center, with winter markets on select Saturdays from January through April.

Expect the kind of PNW market morning we love: produce, flowers, baked goods, coffee, seafood, crafts, music, and locals catching up under gray skies or summer sun.

What to buy: Something fresh for a picnic, a pastry for the road, local jam or honey, and whatever looks like it was pulled from the water or the fields that morning.

Weekend tip: Check the official Anacortes Farmers Market calendar before you go. Market dates and special events can shift by season.

5. Go Whale Watching From Anacortes

Anacortes is one of the best places in Washington to start a whale watching trip without first taking a ferry. Tours head into the Salish Sea and San Juan Islands area, where you may see orcas, humpbacks, gray whales, minke whales, seals, sea lions, porpoises, bald eagles, and seabirds depending on the season and route.

Several operators run from Anacortes, including Island Adventures, Outer Island Expeditions, Spirit of Orca, and Blue Kingdom Tours. Tour lengths vary from shorter wildlife cruises to longer full-day outings.

What to know: Wildlife is never guaranteed in nature, even when operators have strong sighting records. Choose a company that follows responsible whale watching guidelines and bring warm layers, even on sunny days.

Weekend tip: Book ahead in peak season. Morning trips often have calmer water, but afternoon light can be beautiful if conditions are settled.

6. Hike or Drive Up Mount Erie

Mount Erie is the high point of Fidalgo Island and one of the most rewarding viewpoints near Anacortes. You can hike up through the Anacortes Community Forest Lands if you want a workout, or drive the road to the summit if you are short on time.

On a clear day, the views can stretch across lakes, islands, forest, the Olympic Mountains, and the Cascades. The summit area has rocky viewpoints, so move carefully and keep kids close.

What to do: Drive to the summit for a quick viewpoint stop, or link trails from the Community Forest Lands if you want a longer hike.

Weekend tip: Clouds matter here. If the forecast shows one clear window, use it for Mount Erie and save downtown or forest walks for cloudier hours.

7. Spend Half a Day at Deception Pass State Park

Deception Pass State Park is a short drive south of Anacortes and absolutely worth the detour. The park stretches across Fidalgo and Whidbey Islands, tied together by the iconic Deception Pass Bridge.

This is classic Northwest drama: churning tides, forest trails, saltwater beaches, old-growth pockets, cliffs, coves, bridges, and the kind of water views that make you stop mid-sentence.

What to do: Walk across the bridge if you are comfortable with heights, visit Rosario Beach, explore Bowman Bay, hike a short loop, or bring a picnic and make it the slow part of your day.

Good to know: Deception Pass is a Washington State Park, so you may need a Discover Pass for parking. Check the official Deception Pass State Park page for current hours, alerts, and pass information.

Weekend tip: Parking can fill on sunny weekends. Go early, especially in summer, or aim for late afternoon when day-use crowds begin to thin.

8. Walk or Bike the Tommy Thompson Trail

The Tommy Thompson Trail is the easy flat option for a weekend walk or bike ride. The paved trail begins near the Port of Anacortes and follows Fidalgo Bay toward March Point, with views of Mount Baker, water, boats, birds, and working shoreline along the way.

This is a good choice when you want fresh air without a steep hike. It is also a nice reset after lunch, especially if you have been in the car or on a ferry.

What to bring: Binoculars for birds, a light wind shell, and a camera if Mount Baker is out.

Weekend tip: Time part of your walk for low tide if you like herons, shorebirds, and mudflat views. The trail is paved, but the weather can feel exposed along the bay.

9. Take a Quick Ferry Ride to Guemes Island

If you want an island hop without committing to the full San Juan Islands ferry plan, take the short Guemes Island ferry from Anacortes. The crossing is quick, and the island feels quiet, rural, and wonderfully low-key.

Once you arrive, keep expectations simple. Go for a walk, bring bikes if you like mellow roads, pack a picnic, and enjoy the feeling of stepping just a little farther away from the mainland.

What to know: The Guemes Island ferry is operated by Skagit County, not Washington State Ferries. Schedules, fares, maintenance windows, and payment policies can change, so check the official Guemes Island Ferry page before you go.

Weekend tip: Walking on is often easier than taking a car if you are just going for a short look around. Bring layers; ferry decks can be chilly even when town feels warm.

10. Make Anacortes Your San Juan Islands Launch Point

Anacortes is the mainland ferry gateway to the San Juan Islands, including Lopez, Shaw, Orcas, and San Juan Island. Even if you are not staying overnight on an island, watching the ferries come and go is part of the town’s rhythm.

A full San Juan Islands day trip can be magical, but it requires planning. Vehicle reservations are strongly recommended on the Anacortes/San Juan Islands route, and weekend sailings can fill. Walk-on travel is simpler, but you still need to plan transportation once you reach the island.

What to do: If you have only one extra day, choose one island rather than trying to hop between several. Lopez is mellow and bike-friendly, Orcas is great for Moran State Park, and San Juan Island has Friday Harbor, history, and whale-watching connections.

Weekend tip: Check Washington State Ferries Anacortes/San Juan Islands schedules before you build your day. Ferry timing can make or break the plan.

Where to Stay in Anacortes

For a weekend in Anacortes, location matters. Stay downtown if you want to walk to dinner and shops. Stay near the ferry terminal if you are catching an early boat. Stay near the water or marina if you want views and a quieter morning.

Boutique and Downtown Stays

Majestic Inn & Spa: A historic downtown hotel with a rooftop lounge, spa, restaurant, and walkable access to Commercial Avenue. This is one of the best choices if you want a polished weekend base in the heart of town.

Anacortes Inn: A refreshed, PNW-inspired hotel that works well for couples, families, road trippers, and travelers who want a comfortable base without being too far from downtown.

Ferry-Friendly and Water View Stays

Anacortes Ship Harbor Inn: A practical choice if you want to be close to the San Juan Islands ferry terminal. Many rooms have water views, and the location makes early ferry mornings easier.

The Marina Inn: A straightforward hotel option that often works well for travelers who want comfort, parking, and easy access to Anacortes sights without paying boutique prices.

Camping and RV Options

Washington Park Campground: Best if you want to stay close to trails, water, and sunset views. Book ahead in busy months and check city campground rules before arriving.

Cap Sante Marina RV Park: A convenient year-round RV option near the marina and downtown Anacortes, with full hookups and a walkable waterfront setting.

Where to Eat and Drink in Anacortes

Anacortes does seafood and casual Northwest food well. Keep your weekend flexible, especially in off-season or on stormy days when hours can be shorter than expected.

Adrift: A cozy downtown restaurant known for locally sourced burgers, seafood, and comfort food. It is a good first-night dinner if you are staying near Commercial Avenue.

Anthony’s at Cap Sante Marina: A waterfront pick for fresh Northwest seafood with marina views. Come for lunch, happy hour, or a dinner that feels like a proper Anacortes weekend meal.

The Brown Lantern Alehouse: A long-running local tavern with food, beer, and community energy. Good when you want something casual and unfussy.

Bastion Brewing Company: A family-friendly brewery and pub-style stop with house-brewed beer, food, and a relaxed hangout feel.

Weekend tip: If you are coming during a festival, summer weekend, or sunny holiday, make dinner reservations where possible or eat a little earlier than usual.

A Simple Anacortes Weekend Itinerary

Friday Evening: Arrive, check in, and head to Cap Sante Park for the view. Have dinner downtown, then take a short walk along Commercial Avenue or the marina if the weather is kind.

Saturday Morning: Start at the Anacortes Farmers Market if it is open. If not, grab coffee and head to Washington Park for the loop walk, shoreline views, and a picnic stop.

Saturday Afternoon: Choose one bigger adventure: whale watching, Deception Pass State Park, Mount Erie, or a Guemes Island ferry hop. Do not try to do them all in one afternoon.

Saturday Evening: Come back to town for seafood, brewery time, or a relaxed dinner. If the sky clears, return to Cap Sante or Washington Park for sunset.

Sunday Morning: Walk the Tommy Thompson Trail, visit a café, browse the murals downtown, or take a slow scenic drive before heading home.

Best Time to Visit Anacortes

Spring: Wildflowers, tulip season nearby in Skagit Valley, fresh green trails, and cooler weather. Bring rain gear and check ferry schedules if you plan to add the islands.

Summer: The easiest weather for boating, whale watching, markets, and long sunset evenings. It is also the busiest season, so book lodging and tours early.

Fall: Quieter trails, moody water views, local events, and crisp weekends. This is one of the best times for a cozy Anacortes trip.

Winter: Expect rain, wind, and shorter days, but also fewer crowds and dramatic shoreline walks. Choose a comfortable hotel and build the weekend around food, viewpoints, and forest trails between showers.

Anacortes Weekend Travel Tips

• Bring layers: Even sunny days can turn windy near the water.
• Check ferry schedules early: The San Juan Islands route can fill, and vehicle reservations are recommended.
• Pack shoes with grip: Viewpoints, beaches, and rocky trails can be slick after rain.
• Use official park pages: Check Washington State Parks and Anacortes city park updates for hours, closures, and parking rules.
• Do not skip town: Anacortes is more than a ferry terminal. Give downtown, the marina, and the local trails real time.
• Watch the weather, not just the forecast: Conditions change quickly around the water. A gray morning can turn into a clear-view afternoon.

Final Thoughts on Things to Do in Anacortes Washington This Weekend

Anacortes is the kind of weekend place that rewards a slower pace. You can chase whales, hike to island views, walk forested loops, catch a ferry, eat seafood, and still have time to sit near the marina with a coffee in your hands.

For a first trip, keep it simple: Cap Sante, Washington Park, downtown, one big outdoor adventure, and one good meal by the water. Let the rest of the weekend unfold with the tide, the weather, and whatever view opens up next.

Discover more of the Pacific Northwest, one ferry line, forest trail, and saltwater town at a time.