Anacortes, on beautiful Fidalgo Island, offers visitors boundless opportunities for hiking, sailing, kayaking, boating of all kinds, whale watching, scuba diving, and saltwater fishing. This friendly seaside enclave offers excellent dining, unique shopping venues, and boasts a wealth of fine, independent lodging options. With a rich maritime history, Anacortes is one of the jewels of beautiful Skagit County. Famous for its pods of orca whales, Anacortes abounds with stunning viewpoints and opportunities for fun, including the fine Anacortes Museum of History and several excellent art galleries.

Long-known to travelers as the home of the Washington State Ferry to the other San Juan Islands and Victoria/Sidney, British Columbia, Anacortes is situated near seven natural lakes, hundreds of acres of forestlands, and beautiful parks. Washington Park, with 220 acres of breathtaking views, offers 75 great camping sites, numerous picnic areas, and a 2.3-mile loop road for driving or running. For walkers, runners, and bicyclists, Anacortes's own Tommy Thompson trail is a regional favorite coursing along the waterfront and across Fidalgo Bay. Major cultural attractions include the Garden Art Fair in April, the Waterfront Festival in May, Shipwreck Days in July, the Arts Festival in August, the Jazz Festival from late August to early September, and the Oyster Run Motorcycle Rally in September. With something for everyone, Anacortes is emerging as one of the Northwest's most desirable vacation destinations.