It’s no secret that I’m obsessed with the Olympic Peninsula – can you tell by how often I shoot there & visit? The scenery is unbeatable, the people are wonderful, and the hiking options are endless. So if you’re looking to visit Port Angeles & the Olympic Peninsula, you’ve come to the right place. Here are all the places you NEED to explore + what to do on the Olympic Peninsula! From what to eat in Port Angeles, to fun activities to do, to our town’s most unique AirBnb’s, you’ll find alllll the good info you’ll need below.
Shopping in Port Angeles, WA
Moss
Imagine you’re in a cozy log cabin with candles, a fluffy dog by the fire, wrapped in your warmest flannel, sipping a thermos of hot cocoa…. That’s exactly the vibe you’ll feel when you shop at Moss. They’ve got everything from decor to clothes and much more. Bonus tip for those coming from out of town who want to purchase something that’s out of stock in-store – they ship nationwide!
ADDRESS:
120 West 1st Street,
Downtown Port Angeles, Washington
Alley Cat Boutique
This woman-owned boutique has some super cute, unique finds! They’ve got boho women’s clothing, shoes, purses, and jewelry.
ADDRESS:
123 W 1st St, Port Angeles, WA 98362
Brocante
“Brocante” is a French/Dutch word that means secondhand “remnants of the past.” And you know I love me some secondhand shopping! This is my all-time fave thrift shop in downtown Port Angeles. They have tons of options for vintage house decor as well as handmade local items. You can also find beautiful art, jewelry, vintage clothes, and antique furniture.
ADDRESS:
105 W 1st St, Port Angeles, WA 98362
Swains
If you’re looking for a classic PNW shopping experience, I can’t recommend Swains General Store enough. It’s more than 38,000 square feet of cold weather apparel, pet supplies, hunting gear, camping & backpacking equipment, and more. They carry brands like Carhartt, Columbia, Patagonia, Wrangler, Levi, Nike, Merrell, & Keen.
Basically, Swains should be your first stop when you visit the Olympic Peninsula for a camping trip.
ADDRESS:
602 E 1st St, Port Angeles, WA 98362
Where to Eat in Port Angeles, WA
Next Door GastroPub
Their food is outstanding, but I mostly love that Next Door GastroPub is committed to saving the earth. They make being green a priority by not using plastic straws or plastic to-go bags, like many places in Washington are now doing! You can’t go wrong with any of their special dishes and drinks, such as their classic shoulda gouda woulda burger or their new drink, Orchard Mojito. Yummm.
ADDRESS:
113 W 1st St, Port Angeles, WA 98362
LD’s 929 Grill
Honestly, even reading the menu at LD’s 929 Grill will have anyone drooling. This is the best place for a yummy date night! Their outdoor seating is amazing if you want to eat while breathing in the fresh PNW air. And if you still don’t have a place to stay while visiting Port Angeles, there’s even an upstairs apartment with mountain and ocean views to rent!
ADDRESS:
929 W 8th St, Port Angeles, WA 98363
Spruce
With a cozy “cabin noir” atmosphere and locally sourced comfort food, it was easy to include Spruce as one of my favorites. They always have creative specialty drinks on their menu, like the “Puckleberry” Martini, and you can’t go there without trying Cheryl’s famous carrot cake.
ADDRESS:
128 E Front St. Port Angeles, Wa. 98362
Jasmine Bistro
The best Thai restaurant on the whole Olympic Peninsula is by far Jasmine Bistro. They have tons of delish curry and tapas if you want to share some small plates with your group, and you can’t beat their daily $7 lunch specials.
ADDRESS:
222 N Lincoln St. #111
Port Angeles, WA 98362
Barhop
If you’re craving pizza, the Olympic Peninsula has a ton of great options. Barhop is one of the best if you love artisan pizza and craft brewing! Their pizza dough is made in-house daily from a 100+ year old sourdough starter and their pizza sauces are fresh and homemade – talk about a pizza-lover’s dream.
ADDRESS:
124 W Railroad Ave, Port Angeles, WA 98362
Strait Slice
A little slice of New York in the PNW, Strait Slice has amazing New York style, hand-tossed pizza! They sell by the pie or by the slice. And if you’re not feelin’ traditional pizza, they also offer yummy calzones or the best chocolate chip cookies in town if you’re looking for something sweet.
ADDRESS:
121 1/2 West First St
Port Angeles, WA 98362
Things To Do On The Olympic Peninsula
As I’ve said a million times (and will keep saying), if you love hiking and exploring, the Olympic Peninsula is one of the best places to visit in the state.
Drive to Hurricane Ridge
Hurricane Ridge sits about 100 miles northwest of Seattle and is one of the park’s most easily accessible mountain areas. It overlooks super beautiful mountain views and has plenty of evergreens everywhere, giving you that dreamy af PNW scenery without having to hike!
Walk Around the Hoh Rainforest
I promise you that the Hoh Rain Forest is one of the coolest rainforests you’ll ever see. It’s truly one of the most beautiful places in all of Washington. It’s 200 miles from Seattle, just 20 minutes northeast of Ruby Beach, another gorgeous spot on the Olympic Peninsula.
For all the PNW rainforest inspo, check out Tessa + Jordan’s Rainforest Elopement!
Explore Kalaloch and Ruby Beach
Kalaloch and Ruby Beach are about 45 minutes from Hoh Rainforest on the Southwest coast of the Olympic Peninsula. Ruby Beach is accessible directly off of Highway 101 and it’s a great place to go bird-watching, or look at the epic rock formations & get alllll the moody beach vibes.
Visit Rialto Beach
Rialto Beach is just about 30 minutes outside the city of Forks (any Twilight fans out there?).
With massive waves, rocky sand, and a lush forest, it’s a classic Olympic Peninsula beach!
Head to the Salt Creek Recreation Area
If you’re a water lover, this is the place for you! This is a breathtaking underwater park with tons of sea urchins, anemones, sea cucumbers and wolf eels. It’s best to visit in the summer and fall, and bonus tip: it’s a great place to kayak if you’re wanting a little water adventure while you’re in the area.
Check Out the Dungeness Recreation Area
This is one of the best places to camp on the Olympic Peninsula! It’s on the bluff above the beautiful Strait of Juan de Fuca and has more than 60 campsites. People love to come here for hiking and bird-watching, too – perf for nature lovers who want to sleep under the stars.
Ediz Hook
Classic Olympic Peninsula views that literally can’t be beat: you can see the sea, the mountains, and the city of Port Angeles all from this spot. If you head down to the water, it’s a popular place for paddleboarding, scuba diving, and kayaking. To enjoy the scenery, bike or hike down the Olympic Discovery Hill!
Walk Around Lake Crescent
If you want photos surrounded by beautiful mountains, in the middle of a lush forest, or on the shore of a clear lake – this location has it all! It’s also a great option if you want epic views without a hike – the trails are accessible and easy to navigate.
Check out Ashley & Allen’s Rainy Engagement Photos at Lake Crescent for inspo!
Unique Airbnbs in the Olympic Peninsula
Treehouse on the Water
With views of the Straight, cozy hammocks, and a firepit, this treehouse AirBnb is practically screaming my name! It sleeps 6 people for $542 per night, so it’s perfect if you’re wanting to bring any friends or fam along.
Hurricane Ridge Retreat Cabin
Located inside of Olympic National Park, this secluded cabin has a hot tub and a chimney – perfect for some R&R. It’s the ideal mountain cabin for your Olympic Peninsula visit, and it sleeps 6 people for $275 per night.
Villa Vista Mountain Cabin
Right at the entrance to Hurricane Ridge and only one mile from some of the best hiking trails in the city, this location can’t be beat. This gorgeous 1930s cabin sleeps 6 people for $231 per night.
Comfy Llama Room at Arcadia Farm
An AirBnb where you feed llamas from your bedroom window… what else is there to say? Sign me up! This unique lodging option sleeps 2 people for $70 per night.
Part O’ the Hills Glamping – Hurricane Ridge Stay
Finally, this super secluded dome house is nestled among ancient cedar, douglas fir, and alder trees, & sleeps 3 people for $130 per night.
There you go, my friend! Now you’ve got all the info you need to know about what to do, what to eat, and where to stay in Port Angeles & the Olympic Peninsula. I love this area so much that I even wrote a whole blog about How to Elope in Olympic National Park – check it out for more all the good tips if you’re planning to elope in the park! And reach out here if you’re looking for your Olympic National Park elopement photographer 😉
