Tygart Media

Category: Peninsula Tourism

Visitor guides, itineraries, lodging, attractions

  • Port Townsend & East Jefferson: Farmers Market Opens, UFO Fiber Art Exhibit & Victorian Heritage Festival April 24–26 — Exploring Olympic Peninsula

    Port Townsend has a lot going on this spring — here’s what to know before your next visit.

    The Port Townsend Saturday Farmers Market opened for the 2026 season on April 4, and it’s running every Saturday 9 AM–2 PM through the season at Tyler and Lawrence Streets in Uptown. With up to 90 vendors at peak season — local produce, seafood, baked goods, artisan crafts, and prepared food — it’s one of the finest small-city farmers markets in Washington State. Easy to combine with a stroll through Port Townsend’s Victorian downtown.

    Also worth a stop: Peninsula Fiber Artists just installed “UFO: Second Sightings” — a walk-by fiber art exhibit at the Fiber Habit Window, 675 Tyler St. The concept is intriguing: artists traded their own unfinished objects (UFOs) anonymously with each other and transformed them into entirely new finished works. The exhibit is viewable 24/7 through May 31, no ticket required.

    Looking ahead to late April, mark your calendars for the 30th Annual Victorian Heritage Festival, April 24–26, 2026. The festival includes presentations and events at Fort Worden State Park, Victorian fashion talks, and guided walking tours through Port Townsend’s remarkable collection of preserved Victorian architecture. One of the most distinctive heritage events anywhere on the Olympic Peninsula.

    Port Townsend Spring Events

    • Saturday Farmers Market: Every Saturday 9 AM–2 PM, Tyler & Lawrence Streets, Uptown Port Townsend. Up to 90 vendors. 2026 season runs April through fall. jcfmarkets.org
    • “UFO: Second Sightings” Fiber Art Exhibit: Fiber Habit Window, 675 Tyler St. Viewable 24/7 through May 31. Free. Peninsula Fiber Artists.
    • 30th Annual Victorian Heritage Festival: April 24–26, 2026. Fort Worden State Park events, fashion talks, architectural walking tours. Port Townsend Heritage Association. yourpeninsula.com for details.

    Sources: Jefferson County Farmers Markets (jcfmarkets.org), Peninsula Daily News (April 7, 2026), PT Leader, yourpeninsula.com, Chevy Chase Beach Cabins event listing

  • Hood Canal South: Hama Hama Oyster Rama Returns April 18–19 After Seven-Year Hiatus — Exploring Olympic Peninsula

    Two weeks from now, one of Hood Canal’s most beloved celebrations makes its long-awaited return — and it’s worth circling on your calendar right now.

    The Hama Hama Oyster Rama is back on April 18 and 19, noon–6pm both days, at Hama Hama’s legendary beach farm in Lilliwaup, WA — after a seven-year hiatus since 2019. This is a genuine tidal celebration: guided tours with intertidal ecologists and oyster growers, u-pick oysters and clams straight from the Hood Canal flats, a Shuckathalon shucking competition, live music, local beer and wine, kids’ activities, and food vendors showcasing the best of Hood Canal’s incredible seafood culture. Ticket proceeds benefit the Hood Canal Education Foundation and local charities.

    Entrance tickets are $45 for adults (16+), with kids 15 and under free. If you want to harvest your own shellfish to take home, the u-pick pass is $85 and includes 3 dozen oysters plus 3 lbs of clams. These events sell out — if you’re planning to go, get your tickets now.

    Hama Hama Oyster Rama Details

    • Dates: April 18–19, 2026 — noon to 6 PM both days
    • Location: Hama Hama Oyster Farm, 35846 N US Hwy 101, Lilliwaup, WA 98555 (Mason County, Hood Canal)
    • Tickets: $45 adults (16+) | Kids 15 and under free | U-pick pass $85 (3 doz oysters + 3 lbs clams)
    • Activities: Intertidal ecology tours, u-pick shellfish, Shuckathalon competition, live music, beer/wine, kids’ activities, food vendors
    • Charity: Proceeds benefit Hood Canal Education Foundation and local charities
    • Tickets: hamahamaoysters.com | Event listing: explorehoodcanal.com

    Sources: hamahamaoysters.com, explorehoodcanal.com, KING5 Evening coverage

  • South Coast & Grays Harbor: Razor Clamming Open, Gray Whales from Westport & Quinault Rain Forest in Bloom — Exploring Olympic Peninsula

    There are three very good reasons to point your car toward Grays Harbor this spring.

    First: razor clams are open at Twin Harbors and Mocrocks beaches. Low tide creates ideal conditions for digging — grab your 2026–27 license (new season started April 1), a clam gun, and a bucket. Twin Harbors is one of the most reliable and accessible clamming spots on the Washington coast, just south of Westport. Always verify current WDFW approvals before heading out, as conditions and biotoxin closures can change.

    Second: April is peak gray whale migration season, and Westport is one of the best places in the state to watch them. Head to Westport Light State Park — the tallest lighthouse in Washington — and scan the horizon for spouts. On a calm spring day, you might spot 10–25 whales passing. Charter boats from the Westport Marina also run whale watching trips if you want to get closer to the action.

    Third: the Quinault Rain Forest is in its most magical spring form right now. The cedar bogs along the Rain Forest Loop Trail are bursting with skunk cabbage in vivid gold and green, snowmelt is feeding the waterfalls, and the mosses are electric after months of winter rain. Lake Quinault Lodge has been welcoming guests since 1926 — it’s the kind of place that makes you want to stay for dinner and wake up to mist on the lake.

    South Coast Spring Guide

    • Razor Clamming: Twin Harbors and Mocrocks beaches open for approved digs. 2026–27 license required (April 1 new season start). Check WDFW for current approval status and biotoxin map before going.
    • Gray Whale Watching from Westport: Westport Light State Park is on the official Whale Trail. Peak migration March–early May. 10–25 whales per day on calm days. Charter trips available from Westport Marina.
    • Quinault Rain Forest: Rain Forest Loop Trail open (possible flooding on some sections). Skunk cabbage blooming in cedar bogs. Snowmelt waterfalls at peak. Lake Quinault Lodge open — Roosevelt Restaurant reopening early April.

    Grays Harbor doesn’t always get the spotlight — but right now it’s putting on a show.

    Sources: WDFW Shellfish Regulations, experiencewestport.com, westportwa.com, HikeoftheWeek.com (April 2, 2026 trip report), Lake Quinault Lodge