Featuring a couple of notable museums and galleries as well as some unconventional artworks in the downtown district, the pleasant Port Angeles has a few attractions to keep your attention for long. Located in Clallam County, Washington, in the center of the Olympic peninsula, the majority of visitors use the town as a starting point for daytrips into the surroundings, in particular to the snow-capped Hurricane Ridge at Olympic National Park.
Port Angeles’ downtown area is alive with friendly shops, fine restaurants, flowers and eccentric outdoor art. A stroll through the city center will take you past many sculptures on and along the sidewalks, such as metallic sea gulls and seahorses mounted on wooden planks or on the concrete sidewalk itself. Port Angeles also showcases art and history in various museums and galleries.
The city’s geography makes it ideally appropriate for outdoor lovers who can discover an abundance of activities in and around Port Angeles including hiking, rock climbing, mountain biking, kayaking, sailing, surfing and scuba diving. This location is the headquarters of the Olympic National Park and a popular gateway for travelers heading to the park. Nearby are the Dungeness National Wildlife Preserve, Sol Duc Hot Springs, Lakes Crescent and Sutherland as well as numerous rivers, parks and beaches.
Highlights
Port Angeles Fine Arts Center: beautifully set in Olympic National Park, this is the US westernmost center for contemporary art.
Revival/Odd Art Gallery: the creative learning center houses various classes in stone carving, printmaking, sculpture, drawing, painting and life drawing.
Arts in Action: this event started as a quiet little festival and is rapidly becoming a destination for both residents and tourists alike. It is held every July and presents arts and crafts, sand sculpture competitions and live music.
Sequim Bay State Park: situated 18 miles east of the city, this is the nearest park where beach combing, clamming and camping are available.
Olympic National Park: Port Angeles’ location is a perfect base for exploring the 922,000 acres of spectacular alpine and coastal wilderness of the Olympics. Be sure to visit Hurricane Ridge, the Upper Sol Duc and Lake Crescent.