Guide to Anacortes
City/town information
Anacortes
The gateway to the San Juan Islands.
Food scene
IMO, the best restaurant in town. Excellent farm-to-table local fare. Clam chowder, paella, boar burger, create your own charcuterie board. Friendly, experienced wait staff. Reservations recommended.
36 locals recommend
A'Town Bistro
418 Commercial AveIMO, the best restaurant in town. Excellent farm-to-table local fare. Clam chowder, paella, boar burger, create your own charcuterie board. Friendly, experienced wait staff. Reservations recommended.
Delicious seafood restaurant. Must try the crabcakes. House-made soups and desserts.
38 locals recommend
Adrift Restaurant
510 Commercial AveDelicious seafood restaurant. Must try the crabcakes. House-made soups and desserts.
Local pub. 21 and over through the left door, family dining until 8pm through the right door. Standard pub fare. Famous for a dish they call "habitots"--tater tot nachos with spicy habanero sauce. As heavy as they sound, but delicious.
30 locals recommend
Brown Lantern
412 Commercial AveLocal pub. 21 and over through the left door, family dining until 8pm through the right door. Standard pub fare. Famous for a dish they call "habitots"--tater tot nachos with spicy habanero sauce. As heavy as they sound, but delicious.
Mexican food in the style of the fine dining establishments of Mexico City. Wide variety of Mexican dishes served in an unusual way. Delicious flavor combinations. Likely a new experience for many people. Not Tex-Mex.
13 locals recommend
Frida's Gourmet Mexican Cuisine
416 1/2 Commercial AveMexican food in the style of the fine dining establishments of Mexico City. Wide variety of Mexican dishes served in an unusual way. Delicious flavor combinations. Likely a new experience for many people. Not Tex-Mex.
El Jinete Mexican Restaurant
509 Commercial AveTraditional sit-down Mexican tex-mex. Unremarkable. Loved by many.
Delicious Italian food in a restaurant run by a real Italian guy. On a busy night it's not unusual to hear shouts in Italian coming from the kitchen. He offers a number of special dishes each night. Ossobuco and lasagne are favorites, but even the spaghetti with meatballs will impress.
11 locals recommend
Nonna Luisa Ristorante
314 Commercial AveDelicious Italian food in a restaurant run by a real Italian guy. On a busy night it's not unusual to hear shouts in Italian coming from the kitchen. He offers a number of special dishes each night. Ossobuco and lasagne are favorites, but even the spaghetti with meatballs will impress.
Pub and local brewery. Beers are hit or miss. Food is classic pub fare. Outdoor-covered seating on the patio can be pleasant on a hot, breezy day. Often have live music.
29 locals recommend
Rockfish Grill & Anacortes Brewery
320 Commercial AvePub and local brewery. Beers are hit or miss. Food is classic pub fare. Outdoor-covered seating on the patio can be pleasant on a hot, breezy day. Often have live music.
Leo is one of the friendliest guys in town and he offers all kinds of wonderful treats from his homeland.
ZAZA TURKISH COFFEE
1519 Commercial AvenueLeo is one of the friendliest guys in town and he offers all kinds of wonderful treats from his homeland.
This is my favorite pizza in town. It is connected to the Wheelhouse Bar next doo so, if you're looking for fantastic pizza and a good beer in a casual setting this is the go-to spot. "The Village Idiot" and a pint of Georgetown Lucille never fails!
10 locals recommend
Village Pizza
807 Commercial AveThis is my favorite pizza in town. It is connected to the Wheelhouse Bar next doo so, if you're looking for fantastic pizza and a good beer in a casual setting this is the go-to spot. "The Village Idiot" and a pint of Georgetown Lucille never fails!
Fantastic sandwiches and beer! A local casual favorite for creative and delicious sandwiches perfectly paired with all sorts of great beer including many regional favorites. This is my personal "go-to" when I'm hanging out with friends.
12 locals recommend
Vagabond Station
2120 Commercial AveFantastic sandwiches and beer! A local casual favorite for creative and delicious sandwiches perfectly paired with all sorts of great beer including many regional favorites. This is my personal "go-to" when I'm hanging out with friends.
Compass Wines
1405 Commercial AveHere you'll find an incredible selection of all sorts of spirits, not just wine.
Brian is a warm and friendly local that is a well-traveled and extremely knowledgeable sommelier. His wine bar is a great place to unwind with friends!
Blackbird Wine Bar and Charcuterie
604 Commercial AvenueBrian is a warm and friendly local that is a well-traveled and extremely knowledgeable sommelier. His wine bar is a great place to unwind with friends!
Entertainment
Our region has a thriving performing arts community and our very own Anacortes Community Theatre has been an active part of that tradition for more than 50 years! Check the website for current productions and treat yourself to a live performance in an intimate setting. https://acttheatre.com/
10 locals recommend
Anacortes Community Theatre
918 M AveOur region has a thriving performing arts community and our very own Anacortes Community Theatre has been an active part of that tradition for more than 50 years! Check the website for current productions and treat yourself to a live performance in an intimate setting. https://acttheatre.com/
A local gathering spot during the warmer months where you can find good music, tempting treats, and locally grown produce next to locally crafted art and other products. Saturdays from 9 am to 2 pm. It's an easy walk from the rental.
20 locals recommend
Anacortes Farmer's Market
611 R AveA local gathering spot during the warmer months where you can find good music, tempting treats, and locally grown produce next to locally crafted art and other products. Saturdays from 9 am to 2 pm. It's an easy walk from the rental.
A beautiful and easy walk next to the marina. Admire the view of nature's beauty and the many yachts and tugs moored nearby. You'll also find a few different dining options and, during the summer months, live music and vendors on Wednesday and Friday evenings.
6 locals recommend
Seafarers Memorial Park
601 Seafarers WayA beautiful and easy walk next to the marina. Admire the view of nature's beauty and the many yachts and tugs moored nearby. You'll also find a few different dining options and, during the summer months, live music and vendors on Wednesday and Friday evenings.
Sightseeing
The Washington Park Loop is a Fidalgo Island must! You will be treated to amazing views of Puget Sound and nearby islands and even the occasional Orca or Harbor Porpoise pod if you're lucky! If you're pressed for time you can drive the loop and stop for photos along the way. If you have an hour or more you can walk the 2.2-mile loop. The entire loop is paved and there are some hills, but it is popular among visitors of all ages and ability levels.
The park is free and is open year-round from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. The loop road is open from 6 a.m. to dusk for pedestrians and opens from 10 a.m. to dusk for vehicular traffic.
63 locals recommend
Washington Park
Washington Park LoopThe Washington Park Loop is a Fidalgo Island must! You will be treated to amazing views of Puget Sound and nearby islands and even the occasional Orca or Harbor Porpoise pod if you're lucky! If you're pressed for time you can drive the loop and stop for photos along the way. If you have an hour or more you can walk the 2.2-mile loop. The entire loop is paved and there are some hills, but it is popular among visitors of all ages and ability levels.
The park is free and is open year-round from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. The loop road is open from 6 a.m. to dusk for pedestrians and opens from 10 a.m. to dusk for vehicular traffic.
I recommend the loop around Whistle Lake which can take up to 2 hours. At the south end of the lake, there is a nice spot for jumping into the lake and swimming if you are so inclined.
Link to a map of the lake and trails: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/58fa547bb3db2b3d2a7d78c3/t/5ab3f359758d46ecadbedddc/1521742684496/Whistle%2520Lake%2520Area%2520%28PDF%29.pdf
14 locals recommend
Whistle Lake
I recommend the loop around Whistle Lake which can take up to 2 hours. At the south end of the lake, there is a nice spot for jumping into the lake and swimming if you are so inclined.
Link to a map of the lake and trails: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/58fa547bb3db2b3d2a7d78c3/t/5ab3f359758d46ecadbedddc/1521742684496/Whistle%2520Lake%2520Area%2520%28PDF%29.pdf
The most popular state park in Washington! Here you'll find beautiful views and some short hikes. When going for a short cruise on my motorcycle I will always make a point of at least driving across the bridges. If you want to park in the lot with the restrooms you will need a Washington Discover Pass. These are sold by the park rangers at the parking lot. If you can find parking along the road it is free!
278 locals recommend
Deception Pass State Park
41229 State Route 20The most popular state park in Washington! Here you'll find beautiful views and some short hikes. When going for a short cruise on my motorcycle I will always make a point of at least driving across the bridges. If you want to park in the lot with the restrooms you will need a Washington Discover Pass. These are sold by the park rangers at the parking lot. If you can find parking along the road it is free!
City advice
Don't miss
Anacortes Forest Lands
https://www.friendsoftheacfl.org/maps
Miles and miles of beautiful trails. You can hike to the top of Mount Erie, the highest point on our island at 1,273 feet, or to many of our lakes.
Customs and culture
Back in to angled parking downtown
If you are downtown and use angled parking be sure to back in. The police are quick to ticket those who pull forward into these spots.
Customs and culture
Driving Tips
Welcome to our little town on a little island! You may notice a lot of people are not in much of a hurry. Please be patient and slow down with us :) There are also a lot of walkers and cyclists to be wary of. If you see someone waiting to cross the road please stop to let them cross. If they are at a designated crosswalk or corner the law requires you to stop. Our local police are especially diligent about pedestrians and speed limits in the downtown area.