Port Angeles with a preschooler
August 5, 2011 2:32 PM Subscribe
Any recommendations for things to do, places to eat, things to see in Port Angeles, Washington,with a preschooler? We have never been before. Many thanks!
At Hurricane Ridge, you can see the mountain range for miles and miles and miles on a clear summer day.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 3:51 PM on August 5, 2011
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 3:51 PM on August 5, 2011
Best answer: We lived in PA for the better part of a decade, and only moved away recently for grad school--we had a toddler in PA and many friends with kids.
*Salt Creek Recreation area is 10 minutes outside of town. It's a wild beach with lots and lots of tidepools. My kiddo learned to crawl and walk there! Very beautiful. On the way is Lynn's Surf Shack which has AWESOME french fries and shakes. Anyone in town will give you solid directions to Salt Creek.
*The City Pier has a touch tank aquarium for kids that is extremely well done and right out on the main pier. From there, you can walk to a great Thai place (Thai Pepper) or Indian Place (The India Oven) that are both kid friendly--you can see them from the pier. Hollywood Beach is adjacent to the pier and has a pirate ship play structure and an easy kiddie beach for wading.
*Port Book and News on Front downtown has a wonderful kid's book section (say hi to Alan, the white-bearded proprietor, from Mary Ann!) and is A+ for browsing. From there, you can stroll to coffee and homemade ice cream at The Buzz.
*Sequim, 10-15 minutes east, is lousy with real Lavender Farms. Purple Haze Lavender Farm is kid friendly and there is lots to see. On the way from PA, stop at Sunny Farms grocery for picnic food from there terrific deli and prepared food area in the back. Olympic Game Farm divides families into "hate it" "love it" camps, but you will see a lot of good grazing animals.
*Hurricane Ridge has a fun education center and a cafe (check hours). The views are very beautiful in the summer, and sometimes there is still snow. The patio's panoramic view of Olympic National Park is breath-stealing on a clear day.
*15-20 minutes from town to the west there is the "Moments in Time" trail at Lake Crescent (glacier lake) that is easy and fun for a little one. On the little trail loop there is lake beaches and meadows and an old growth living tree that has a burned out middle as big as a little house to play in.
*If you keep going west another 1/2 hour, you can got to Forks and the Hoh Rainforest to see the Trail of Mosses--it's like walking into the color green. Forks has the best taqueria I've ever eaten at in the downtown area, you can ask for it at the visitor's center.
*All the drive-through espresso stands in PA are really good, but the best is Lincoln Street Coffee Stop on Lincoln Street.
*If you want PA t-shirts and to see Northwest small town outdoors gear, go to Swain's in PA (sign's everywhere).
Memail me if you want more ideas, but depending on how long you're around, you can kill three days doing Salt Creek, the city pier, and Port Book and News/downtown area. If you around quite awhile, consider taking the ferry from PA to Victoria, BC which is super fun for littles.
Wave to my little town for me!
posted by rumposinc at 4:12 PM on August 5, 2011 [2 favorites]
*Salt Creek Recreation area is 10 minutes outside of town. It's a wild beach with lots and lots of tidepools. My kiddo learned to crawl and walk there! Very beautiful. On the way is Lynn's Surf Shack which has AWESOME french fries and shakes. Anyone in town will give you solid directions to Salt Creek.
*The City Pier has a touch tank aquarium for kids that is extremely well done and right out on the main pier. From there, you can walk to a great Thai place (Thai Pepper) or Indian Place (The India Oven) that are both kid friendly--you can see them from the pier. Hollywood Beach is adjacent to the pier and has a pirate ship play structure and an easy kiddie beach for wading.
*Port Book and News on Front downtown has a wonderful kid's book section (say hi to Alan, the white-bearded proprietor, from Mary Ann!) and is A+ for browsing. From there, you can stroll to coffee and homemade ice cream at The Buzz.
*Sequim, 10-15 minutes east, is lousy with real Lavender Farms. Purple Haze Lavender Farm is kid friendly and there is lots to see. On the way from PA, stop at Sunny Farms grocery for picnic food from there terrific deli and prepared food area in the back. Olympic Game Farm divides families into "hate it" "love it" camps, but you will see a lot of good grazing animals.
*Hurricane Ridge has a fun education center and a cafe (check hours). The views are very beautiful in the summer, and sometimes there is still snow. The patio's panoramic view of Olympic National Park is breath-stealing on a clear day.
*15-20 minutes from town to the west there is the "Moments in Time" trail at Lake Crescent (glacier lake) that is easy and fun for a little one. On the little trail loop there is lake beaches and meadows and an old growth living tree that has a burned out middle as big as a little house to play in.
*If you keep going west another 1/2 hour, you can got to Forks and the Hoh Rainforest to see the Trail of Mosses--it's like walking into the color green. Forks has the best taqueria I've ever eaten at in the downtown area, you can ask for it at the visitor's center.
*All the drive-through espresso stands in PA are really good, but the best is Lincoln Street Coffee Stop on Lincoln Street.
*If you want PA t-shirts and to see Northwest small town outdoors gear, go to Swain's in PA (sign's everywhere).
Memail me if you want more ideas, but depending on how long you're around, you can kill three days doing Salt Creek, the city pier, and Port Book and News/downtown area. If you around quite awhile, consider taking the ferry from PA to Victoria, BC which is super fun for littles.
Wave to my little town for me!
posted by rumposinc at 4:12 PM on August 5, 2011 [2 favorites]
PS
Please eat at The Haven, downtown, for breakfast.
posted by rumposinc at 4:12 PM on August 5, 2011
Please eat at The Haven, downtown, for breakfast.
posted by rumposinc at 4:12 PM on August 5, 2011
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posted by kbar1 at 3:29 PM on August 5, 2011