Bedding Down in the North Olympic National Park
The North Olympic area of Washington State is a great outdoor recreational area for both families and couples wanting to get away from it all and experience nature. It’s surrounded by water on three sides and has 10 major rivers. Kayaking, river rafting, fishing, boating, hiking, cycling, viewing rainforests, soaking in natural hot springs – the list goes on and on. There are high mountains, gently rolling hills, rainforests, sun, and snow.
|
Fort Townsend waterfront |
The historic town of Port Townsend is a little architectural gem, and Fort Worden National Park, on its outskirts, is a great historical and scenic spot that’s home to a museum, a hostel, and family accommodations. For a sure sighting of wildlife, the Olympic Game Farm, once the home for the animals used in Walt Disney’s films, is located near Sequim, home to the Lavender Festival in July. One thing for certain, there is lots of variety here, not just in the activities but in the accommodations.
Recently I enjoyed a number of the area’s attractions over a long weekend – not enough time to take in everything, especially when hiking time is involved, and when you consider that the Olympic National Forest covers 632,000 acres. One thing I always enjoy is a special place to stay at the end of the day. Of course, there are lots of inexpensive camping spots, and cabins are available in the National Park. But I always say go for it and hang the expense, that is, if it’s an extra special celebration.
So for readers, here’s two places I stayed and give an 11 out of 10: Toad Hall and BJ’s Garden Gate, both located in or near Sequim. They aren’t family spots, far from it. They’re luxurious, romantic get-aways that spoil you rotten.
|
Singer Tavern Cottages, Lake Crescent Lodge |
While I was in Port Townsend, I stayed in an unusual hotel, The Bishop, a former Victorian hotel, now refurbished in the period but updated to the 21st century in its amenities. In Port Angeles (use the town only for a base, there’s nothing to spend time on there), I can highly recommend the Five SeaSuns. For the cabin experience both Lake Crescent and Sol Duc have unvarnished entries.
To Stay
Bishop Victorian Hotel
714 Washington St.
Port Townsend, WA 98368
Tel. 360-385-6122
Toll free: 1-800-824-4738
Fax. 360-379-1840
Email: swan@waypt.com
Off street parking
Prices: $89-199, offseason rates
Wesbsite: www.bishopvictorian.com
Lake Crescent Lodge
Olympic National Park
416 Lake Crescent Road
Port Angeles, WA 98363-8672
Tel. 360-928-3211
Website: www.lakecrescentlodge.com
Cabins and three motels on site.
Rates from $70-150.
Five Seasuns B&B
Port Angeles, WA.
©2001 by Barbara Ballard. Reproduction of this work in whole or in part, including images, and reproduction in electronic media, without documented permission from the author is prohibited. Photos of Port Townsend courtesy N. Olympic Tourism. Photo of Lake Crescent courtesy of the Lodge.
Did you like this article?
Share it
Place a comment| Now you can also comment with your Facebook Account |
Rate this story
Follow Us
Subscribe to the BootsnAll articles RSS feed
Related articles found in:
Barbara Ballard, North America, Pacific Northwest, Pacific Northwest Things to see and do, United States, United States Things to see and do, Washington, Washington Things to see and doRead similar items found across the BootsnAll Travel Network:
Bedding Down in the North Olympic National Park – Victoria, BC
Fort Worden State Park and Conference Center – Port Townsend, Washington
Port Townsend, Washington – A Visual Delight – Port Townsend, Washington, USA
BJ’s Garden Gate – Port Angeles, Washington
Looking for an excuse to not participate in the usual holiday stuff around your own area? Jennifer Miller has 8 interesting alternatives that could take you somewhere unusual and fun.
[Read more]
What do canned peas have to do with travel? Jon Wick explains how a dinner conversation about peas reminded him about one of the most important lessons of traveling.
[Read more]
If you haven’t yet been to a proper German Christmas market, you are missing out. Fortunately you don’t even have to go to Germany, so Andy Hayes lists 7 of the best choices that might be easier to reach.
[Read more]
Travel always has the potential to get expensive, but it’s also true that many of the world’s best attractions are free. Cherrye Moore chooses 5 unique and free attractions here in the USA.
[Read more]
Art museums are fine for some people, but how much can they tell us about weird food items? Deanna Hyland takes us on a tour of 9 museums dedicated specifically to unusual eats.
[Read more]
