Originally published May 18, 2011 at 7:04 PM | Page modified May 17, 2012 at 12:16 PM
Great Places: West Sound
A roundup of places to go and things to do west of Puget Sound, including Bainbridge Island, Bremerton, Port Townsend and Olympic National Park.
Blake Island State Park
Blake Island Beach, nature trails on 475-acre marine camping park, reachable by private boat or tour boat (360-902-8844 or www.parks.wa.gov); Tillicum Village tour-boat cruise, salmon dinner and Northwest Coast Native American dance performance, hours and prices vary, Argosy Cruises, Pier 55, Seattle (206-622-8687 or www.argosycruises.com).
Kids Discovery Museum
Bainbridge Island Exhibits, activities for children through age 8, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays, noon-4 p.m. Sundays, 301 Ravine Lane, Bainbridge Island, $4-$5 (206-855-4650 or www.kidimu.org).
Bainbridge Island
Historical Society and Museum
Bainbridge Island Cultural and historical artifacts, photographs, 1-4 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday, 215 Ericksen Ave. N.E., Bainbridge Island; $3-$4 (206-842-2773orwww.bainbridgehistory.org).
Bloedel Reserve
Bainbridge Island Forest trails, bird refuge, Japanese garden, waterfall, visitors center, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, 7571 N.E. Dolphin Drive, Bainbridge Island; $5-$13, ages 12 and younger free (206-842-7631 or www.bloedelreserve.org).
Wineries of Bainbridge Island
Bainbridge Island Artisanal wineries, most open only occasional weekends; two tasting rooms within walking distance of the ferry dock (www.bainbridgewineries.com).
Battle Point Park
Bainbridge Island Sport courts, trail, horse area, Battle Point Astronomical Association astronomy center, ponds, rose garden on 90 acres, 11299 Arrow Point Drive N.E., Bainbridge Island (206-842-2306 or www.biparks.org).
Gazzam Lake Preserve
Bainbridge Island Extensive trail system through 444 acres of forest and wetlands, Baker Hill Road and Marshall Road, west of Crystal Spring Drive, Bainbridge (www.biparks.org).
Classic Cycling
Bainbridge Island Display of 200 historic bikes from the last 125 years, bike shop with rentals, 10 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, noon-4 p.m. Sunday, 740 Winslow Way, Bainbridge Island (206-842-9191 or www.classiccycleus.com).
Puget Sound Navy Museum
Bremerton Naval history of Puget Sound, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 1-4 p.m. Sunday, 251 First St., Bremerton; free admission, donations appreciated (360-479-7447).
USS Turner Joy
Bremerton Vietnam-era destroyer tours, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, 300 Washington Beach Ave., Bremerton; $7-$12, free for active military with ID (360-792-2457or www.ussturnerjoy.org).
Aurora Valentinetti
Puppet Museum
Bremerton Display of puppets from cultures around the world, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday, 257 Fourth St., Bremerton; donations suggested (360-373-2992or www.ectandpuppets.com).
Suquamish Tribal Center
Poulsbo History, art and culture of the Suquamish people; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, 15838 Sandy Hook Road, Poulsbo; $2-$4 (360-598-3311 or www.suquamish.org).
Sidney Museum and Gallery/Log Cabin Museum
Port Orchard Art gallery and history museum, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays, 1-4 p.m. Sundays, 202 Sidney Ave., Port Orchard; log cabin with exhibits of home life in the past 100 years, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays, 1-4 p.m. Sundays, 416 Sidney Ave., Port Orchard; free, donations appreciated (360-876-3693 or www.sidneymuseumandarts.com).
Harbor History Museum
Gig Harbor History of the Gig Harbor peninsula, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays-Sundays, 4121 Harborview Drive, Gig Harbor; $4-$6 (253-858-6722 or www.harborhistorymuseum.org).
Naval Undersea Museum
Keyport Exhibits on ocean environment, torpedo and mine warfare technology, U.S. submarines, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. daily, closed Tuesdays in May, 1 Garnett Way, Keyport; free (360-396-4148).
Port Gamble Historic Museum
Port Gamble Heirlooms, artifacts, photographs of local history, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, 32400 Rainier Ave. N.E., Port Gamble; $3-$4 (360-297-8078).
Olympic Peninsula Gateway Visitor Center
Port Ludlow Information on visiting Olympic Peninsula, history exhibit, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, 93 Beaver Valley Road, Port Ludlow (360-437-0120 or www.olympicpeninsula.org).
Theler Community Center and Wetlands Trails
Hood Canal Four miles of trails on 75 acres, with information on birds and wildlife, no pets allowed, trails open daylight hours, 22871 N.E. State Route 3, Belfair (360-275-4898 or www.thelercenter.org).
Washington State Parks
Hood Canal Hiking, camping, shellfish gathering, boating; Belfair State Park, 410 N.E. Beck Road, Belfair; Jarrell Cove State Park, Hartstene Island, Shelton; Potlatch State Park, on Highway 101 between Shelton and Hoodsport; Scenic Beach State Park, known for its native rhododendrons and views of Hood Canal and Olympic Mountains, with ADA accessible paths, 9 miles south of Silverdale, Hood Canal (360-902-8844 or www.parks.wa.gov).
Fort Worden State Park
Port Townsend Access to shoreline of Strait of Juan de Fuca, conference center, camping, 34 former military housing units available for rent, bicycle, kayak rentals; 200 Battery Way, Port Townsend (360-344-4400 or www.parks.wa.gov/fortworden/).
• Guardhouse Visitor Center and Gift Shop, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily;
• Port Townsend Marine Science Center with natural history, marine science exhibits, noon-4 p.m. Friday-Sunday through June 9, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesdays-Mondays June 10-Sept. 5; $3-$5 (360-385-5582 or www.ptmsc.org);
• Coast Artillery Museum, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. daily through May 30, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. daily May 31-Sept. 5, $1-$3 (360-385-0373).
Rothschild House Museum
Port Townsend One-hundred-year-old home open for tours, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. daily; Franklin and Taylor Streets, Port Townsend; $1-$4 (360-385-1003 or www.jchsmuseum.org).
Jefferson County
Historical Museum
Port Townsend Displays on Jefferson County's early settlers, native inhabitants, Victorian era, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. daily, 540 Water St., Port Townsend; $1-$4 or $6/museum and Rothschild House (360-385-1003 or www.jchsmuseum.org).
Port Townsend/Jefferson County Visitor Information Center
Port Townsend Information on local attractions, lodging, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, 440 12th St., Port Townsend (360-385-2722 or www.ptchamber.org or www.ptguide.com).
Wineries of the Olympic Peninsula
Port Townsend/Port Angeles Artisan wineries on the north Olympic Peninsula (800-785-5495 or www.olympicpeninsulawineries.org).
Olympic Game Farm
Sequim Drive-through viewing of buffalo, tigers, zebra, wolves, yaks, bears, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, until 6 p.m. Saturdays; mini-walking tours of barn and aquarium, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, daily starting June 13; 1423 Ward Road, Sequim; $11-$14 (360-683-4295 or olygamefarm.com).
Museum & Arts Center
Sequim Art, mastodon exhibit, cultural and military history, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays-Sundays, 175 W. Cedar St., Sequim; donations accepted (360-683-8110 or www.macsequim.org).
Olympic National Park
Olympic Peninsula Mountains, old-growth forests, Pacific Coast, rain forests, campgrounds; single-visit vehicle permit, $15/seven days; individual on foot, horseback, motorcycle, $5/seven days; Olympic National Park Annual Pass, $30 (360-565-3131 or www.nps.gov/olym/);
• Olympic National Park Visitor Center information, exhibits on natural and cultural history, nature trails, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily, extended hours in summer, 3022 Mount Angeles Road, Port Angeles (360-565-3130);
• Hurricane Ridge Visitors Center, exhibits exploring the Olympic high-country ecosystem, trails, gift shop, open daily when road is open, Hurricane Ridge, Port Angeles (360-565-3131).
• Hoh Rain Forest Visitor Center, wilderness use permits, nature trails, information on camping, hours vary, open daily in summer, Upper Hoh Road, 31 miles south of Forks (360-374-6925).
Compiled by Madeline McKenzie, mmckenzie@seattletimes.com









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