Location: Anacortes
Top Things to do in Anacortes
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10 Things to Do in Anacortes That You Shouldn't Miss
Anacortes /ˌænəˈkɔːrtəs/ is a city in Skagit County, Washington, United States. The name "Anacortes" is an adaptation of the name of Anne Curtis Bowman, who was the wife of early Fidalgo Island settler Amos Bowman. Anacortes' population was 15,778 at the time of the 2010 census. It is one of two principal cities of and included in the Mount Vernon-Anacortes Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Restaurants in Anacortes
1. Cap Sante Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 160 reviews
Reviewed By Carrol D - Kentwood, Michigan
This was just lovely for early evening and sunset over Anacordes. Mt. Baker was clearly visible in the distance, and the view of the waterfront in Anacordes was very colorful with the sun going down.
2. Washington Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 433 reviews
Reviewed By Elizabeth S
Washington Park offers a great outdoor adventure so close to the urban town center, and ferry dock in the city of Anacortes. It has a walking trail around the park that is exclusively reserved for pedestrians before 10:00 am, after that you can drive the roadway to see the sites. But it allows for a very peaceful walking experience before the cars and crowds arrive. Most lovely views of the shoreline, and beach access. Dogs need to be on a leash, but they still have a great time. Wonderful place to visit before getting on the ferry to the San Juan’s.
3. Mt Erie Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 209 reviews
Reviewed By kapt - Palouse, Washington
Was on a weeks vacation aeay from the late July eastern Washington heat and was informed by a fellow rv'er about the views from this park and close by to boot.... my wife, my dog and I took a drive and were rewarded with a view as close to what angels see...no charge or discover pass required!
If you're in the area, tnis equals or beats what you see in Deception Pass...and no crowds...
4. Tommy Thompson Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 74 reviews
Reviewed By wguterbock - Anacortes, Washington
A paved level trail along the Fidalgo Bay waterfront. It starts out near the Cap Sante Marina, passes through an industrial area, then along the shore to a causeway across the bay. At the eastern end of the causeway you can continue around March's Point, where there is usually light traffic and some challenging hills. Good for family biking, walking. On the causeway cyclists should be cautious because there are often a lot of broken shells. Gulls drop the clams and mussels on the walkway to break the shells.
5. Rosario Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 50 reviews
Reviewed By mackulla - Oak Harbor, Washington
Visited this location several times in the last few months and many times over the years and never a waste of time. In my July '17 visits was for picture taking on Rosario Head and to evaluate the hiking path for my wife. For the most part, this is a great place to hike and the challenge is minimal, some up and down hills and uneven areas. Once there the view of Whidbey Island, the Olympics and the San Juan Islands is outstanding. Not on these trips, but I have viewed and photographed Orcas from this viewpoint. This is a full feature State Parke and requires a fee, $10 or a year $30 discover pass, recommended, or a handicapped placard is free. The beach is great along with the picnic facilities and the restrooms.
6. Swinomish Casino & Lodge
Overall Ratings
4 based on 136 reviews
Reviewed By BusyBarb - Gig Harbor, Washington
The rooms are beautiful and thankfully all non-smoking with windows that can be opened and wonderfully comfortable beds. Unfortunately we were there during a construction and remodeling phase, meaning dining choices were extremely limited. The only choices for dinner were the upscale 13 Moons Restaurant- great food but very speedy- and the smoky sports bar serving mostly fried food.
Guests had to walk thru very large smoking section of the casino to get to the non-smoking section and even the cashier desk.
We did appreciate the tie to the Swinomish culture in decor and ceiling moon in the restaurant.
7. Anacortes Farmer's Market
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 39 reviews
Reviewed By GypsyMoo - Dothan, Alabama
A nasty, wet Saturday did not seem to dampen the vendors spirits. A lot of nice looking vegetables, fruits, nuts, cheese and assorted other goodies including some Alabama Amy's homemade biscuits which were to die for!! Went all the way to Washington before I found biscuits like back home! A few booths with nice artwork including blown glass birds, jewelry and woodworking. Small, nice, and quite pricey for most items.
8. Cranberry Lake
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 29 reviews
Reviewed By Rehsinup19 - Kent, Washington
We have visited Cranberry Lake several times and have always had a great experience. Canoing around the lake is always fun and the lake has a lot of beautiful plant life and wild life to view. There is also an enclosed swimming area. Be warned it does drop off a little fast past the first rope. Anyone with children should keep a very close eye. There is a nice snack bar by the swimming area that is open during the summer months. There are also some very pretty hikes to take around the lake.
9. Anacortes Ferry
Overall Ratings
4 based on 31 reviews
Reviewed By dunadan - Lynnwood, WA
The Anacortes Ferry Terminal, unlike most terminals in Washington, serves several different ferry routes, including the San Juan Islands. Due to their popularity, it is important for vacationers and day-trippers to reserve their spots in line ahead of time--for popular summer sailings, this can sometimes mean several weeks or months in advance.
Even with a reservation, you need to be at the ticket booth well in advance of the departure time, and combined with the variable traffic conditions on the I-5 corridor, it is not uncommon for Puget Sound residents to arrive at the terminal more than an hour in advance of their sailing.
What to do with that time? There is the nearby beach, of course, which is fun to explore, especially at low tide. A great way to do that is to take a walk along the excellent Ship Harbor Interpretive Reserve trail, a combination boardwalk/trail which extends from just below the ferry landing a half mile or so to a parking lot.
The trail is well-marked with interpretive signs detailing the local flora and fauna, and is a great way to stretch your legs, get some fresh air, and while away the time waiting for your boat to dock. We did this on a trip to Orcas Island last summer, and highly recommend you check out the trail if you have some time to kill at the ferry terminal.
10. Cape Sante Marina
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 19 reviews
Reviewed By edmund c - West Linn, Oregon
Full service marina for residents and transients. Close to supermarkets, hardware, marine supply, restaurants, local transit system and more. An outstanding facility for mariners.
