A Walkable Coastal Town Nestled On Washington's San Juan Island Offers A Charming, Quiet Retreat

When the going gets tough, consider retreating to a heavenly island in the Pacific Northwest. A solid choice is the San Juan Islands in Washington, more specifically, San Juan Island, home to Friday Harbor. This sleepy coastal town provides visitors with a tranquil respite. Inhabited by settlers since the 19th century, the once-booming seaport features a historic downtown and various leisurely pursuits to enjoy. Fortunately for visitors, Friday Harbor is a walkable paradise, and everything from shops to museums is within reach of each other. It takes very little effort to have a fun, relaxing time in Friday Harbor. 

Begin your day at one of the many cafes in town, such as Salty Fox Coffee. Open daily and highly rated on Yelp, you can mindfully drink your java and have breakfast while taking in the views of the waterfront at this cozy spot. Once you're properly fueled, venture to nearby Spring Street, where you'll discover several inviting stores, including Pebble. Housed in a historic building from 1890, you can purchase an assortment of gifts for everyone in the family, including the little ones. If you start to run out of steam, sit a spell at Memorial Park, where you'll be entranced by vistas of the Port of Friday Harbor.

When it comes to dining, there's no shortage of options. Ranked as the best restaurant in Friday Harbor on Tripadvisor is Downriggers, located on the waterfront. Serving lunch and dinner daily, the menu primarily consists of seafood dishes. A short walk from Downriggers is The Whale Museum, an eye-opening attraction centered on these ocean dwellers. On that note, Friday Harbor is also a fantastic destination to immerse yourself in the natural world.

There's arguably no better way to unplug from the pressures of life than by spending time outdoors. With that in mind, visiting Friday Harbor allows travelers to do exactly that. What you might not know is that the San Juan Islands are some of the best destinations in Washington to see orcas in action. Aside from visiting The Whale Museum, another must-do in Friday Harbor is a whale watching tour. Several agencies departing from Friday Harbor offer this excursion, including Western Prince Whale & Wildlife Tours, which has been rated five stars by reviewers on Google for their outstanding customer service.

They provide a three-hour whale-watching tour, available to book on their website. Take into account that whale watching is a seasonal activity, and tours are typically available from April to October. For those who prefer to stay out of the water, Lime Kiln Point State Park is another popular place to view these aquatic creatures. Listed as one of the top attractions in Friday Harbor on Tripadvisor, this 41-acre site is located about 20 minutes outside of town. Sit back and savor the beauty of the sea and its gifts.

It is highly recommended to bring a pair of binoculars to fully maximize this experience. However, there's still more to see and do! "Beautiful park and lighthouse that is well worth the stop. Lots of trails and shoreline to explore," says one Google review. If driving, you will need a Discover Pass to park here. Are you a water sports enthusiast? If so, Friday Harbor has stunning spots to kayak, such as San Juan County Park. San Juan Kayak Expeditions, which is highly rated on Google, offers a Lime Kiln half-day tour from spring to fall at this location.

Friday Harbor is a pocket of bliss. Best of all, it's not too far from Seattle. Coming from out of town or state? You can fly into the Seattle–Tacoma International Airport (SEA). From there, you have options to get to your final destination. If you're feeling adventurous, you could take a brief flight from the Emerald City to Friday Harbor Airport (KFHR). Both Kenmore Air and Friday Harbor Seaplanes provide this service. The latter offers flights only from May to October, coinciding with the best time to visit. While a flight to Friday Harbor is convenient, it will set you back a few hundred dollars.

The most common and affordable way to reach Friday Harbor is by a quick ferry ride from Anacortes, the perfect gateway to the San Juan Islands. The vessel disembarks in the heart of Friday Harbor. While you might not need a car to explore the town, Anacortes is about an hour and a half away from Seattle. That said, having a rental is advised for this leg of the journey. There is parking available in Friday Harbor. Nevertheless, there's no need to bring the vehicle to Friday Harbor; you could always park your vehicle at the Anacortes Ferry Terminal. Tickets for the ferry can be purchased online.

If you're looking to stay near the ferry terminal in Friday Harbor, Earthbox Inn & Spa has amazing ratings on Tripadvisor and famously houses an indoor pool. Rates are typically over $200 a night. Be aware that summer is the San Juan Islands' peak season, so you can expect high prices for accommodations during this time of year. If you enjoyed this story, read about Coupeville, the under-the-radar serene paradise in Washington with fresh seafood.