PHOTO BY RICK LAWLER
anacortes. From shopping and music to beaches and forests, Fidalgo Island has all you need
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ANACORTES IS A SMALL TOWN FULL OF ART AND VITALITY. Breathe in the salty air on the busy waterfront and enjoy the rocky beaches, a bustling downtown shopping district, lively annual festivals and 50 miles of multi-use trails. Surrounded by water, this Waterside town – which asserts a population of less than 17,000 – has been historically a maritime city. Located on Fidalgo Island, Anacortes is connected to the mainland by a bridge over the Swinomish Channel. It is also the gateway to the San Juan Islands and Vancouver Island via Washington state ferries. With opportunities for boating, camping and hiking, visitors seeking to connect with nature will have no shortage of activities. Seafarers’ Memorial Park is a favorite launch spot with locals. The peninsula on the western edge of the island is home to Washington Park, a 220-acre city park with beaches, a boat launch and camping. There is no shortage of whale watching tour companies, FACEBOOK.COM/WATERSIDEMAG
