Fort Worden

Fort Worden is a 434-acre former Army coast artillery fort on the bluffs just north of Port Townsend, built around 1902 as part of a trio of fortifications guarding the entrance to Puget Sound. The batteries, gun emplacements and concrete bunkers are still there, along with a parade ground, officers' row of white Victorian houses and a stretch of pebble beach with views across the water to Whidbey Island. The state turned the fort into a park in the 1970s, and it is now also a lively arts and education campus, hosting concerts, workshops, festivals and conferences. Many visitors know it as a filming location for the 1982 film An Officer and a Gentleman.

Exploring the fort is part history lesson and part adventure. The old batteries have dark tunnels and rooms that kids love to explore, while the Commanding Officer's House is a preserved Victorian home open as a museum. A short hike leads to Point Wilson Lighthouse, a working lighthouse on a windswept point where tidal currents meet. The beach beside it is a popular spot for beachcombing, kite flying and watching ships pass in the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

The Port Townsend Marine Science Center, located on the pier at Fort Worden, has aquariums, touch tanks and exhibits on local sea life. It is a good rainy day option and a favorite with children, and its programs include beach walks and talks. Nearby, the Centrum arts organization holds music and writing events through the year, including summer festivals. Check the event calendar before you plan a visit, because a big concert can mean busier parking.

You can stay on site in restored officers' houses, former barracks and some campsites, which gives you easy access to trails and beaches after the day visitors leave. The campground is popular and books early in summer. Dining options are available on the campus, and the town is a short drive or a pleasant two-mile walk away. A Discover Pass is generally required for day use in Washington state parks, so check current rules at the entrance.

The history behind the fort adds depth to the visit. Fort Worden was part of the so-called Triangle of Fire, together with Fort Flagler and Fort Casey, whose guns were meant to cross-fire at enemy ships entering Puget Sound. The guns were removed after the First World War and no shots were fired in anger, so the fort has an oddly peaceful character.

Interpretive signs and the museum explain how soldiers lived, and the quiet officers' row makes a pleasant walk. The site later served as a school before becoming a state park in the 1970s. Allow time for the beach and the picnic lawns, which are some of the best spots in town to watch the sun go down over the water.