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Winter in Anacortes: A 72-Hour Choose-Your-Own-Adventure Guide

Three days, countless ways to experience winter on Fidalgo Island.

Instead of a rigid itinerary, build your own winter weekend around the things you love most: cozy cafés, local seafood, craft beverages, independent boutiques, holiday festivities, and misty coastal trails.

Choose Your Winter Weekend Theme

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The Foodie Weekend

For diners, cocktail lovers and culinary explorers

Build your weekend around a standout dinner, a seafood lunch, a wine-and-cheese stop, and a slow breakfast. Explore different cuisines rather than eating every meal at the same type of restaurant.

The Shop Small Getaway

For independent shops, art and local discoveries

Browse bookstores, galleries, specialty retailers, and seasonal markets. Break up shopping with coffee, lunch, and a wine bar stop.

The Holiday
Town Escape

For festive traditions, seasonal shopping and cozy evenings

Shop local, see the downtown lights, attend a holiday event, browse handmade gifts, and warm up over dinner or a seasonal drink.

The Salty-Air Reset

For coastal scenery and unhurried exploring

Take in marina views, walk forested trails, discover local history, and reward yourself with a cozy meal after a little fresh air.

Build Your Themed Winter Itinerary

1. Eat your way through Anacortes

Mix and match these options across breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert, and drinks. The restaurant choices below are starting points, so confirm current winter hours and menus before visiting.

For a slow, cozy breakfast

  • Calico Cupboard Café & Bakery: Breakfast favorites and baked goods.
  • Dad's Diner: Hearty diner classics and comfort food.
  • Tasha Lee's Table: An eclectic menu with breakfast options.
  • Pelican Bay Books & Coffeehouse: Espresso, pastries, and book browsing.
  • Good Bagels: Fresh bagels, breakfast sandwiches, and coffee.
  • Island Cafe: Classic breakfast and brunch.
  • The Store: Espresso, bakery items, and breakfast provisions.
  • Whidbey Coffee: Coffee and espresso drinks for an early start.

For international flavors

  • Naung Mai Thai Kitchen: Thai curries and noodle dishes.
  • De Asian: Sushi, specialty rolls, and Asian fusion.
  • Hong Kong Garden Restaurant: Chinese cuisine and takeout favorites.
  • Frida's Gourmet Mexican Cuisine: Mexican dishes and cocktails.
  • El Jinete Mexican Restaurant: Casual Mexican favorites.
  • Agave Taqueria: Tacos and Mexican-inspired dishes.
  • Tin House: Thai street-food-inspired dishes.
  • MaMa Wing: Chinese favorites, noodles, and dumplings.
For a casual lunch or comfort food
  • Gere-a-Deli: Sandwiches, soups, and deli favorites.
  • Coconut Kenny's: Hearty sandwiches and casual comfort food.
  • Village Pizza: Pizza for an easy lunch or relaxed dinner.
  • Dockside Dogs: Gourmet hot dogs and casual bites.
  • Cosmic Veggies: Plant-based meals, bowls, smoothies, and juices.
  • Fidalgo Drive-In: Burgers and classic drive-in fare.
  • Pizza Factory: Pizza and family-friendly dining.
  • The Shrimp Shack: Casual seafood along State Route 20.
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For Pacific Northwest seafood

  • Adrift Restaurant: Seafood and Pacific Northwest-inspired dishes in a relaxed downtown setting.
  • Anthony's at Cap Sante Marina: Fresh seafood and waterfront views.
  • Rockfish Grill & Anacortes Brewery: Seafood, pizza, and pub favorites.
  • The Shrimp Shack: Casual seafood baskets and shrimp along State Route 20.
For wine, beer, and evening drinks
  • Blackbird Wine Bar and Charcuterie: Curated wines and small bites.
  • Rockfish Grill & Anacortes Brewery: House-brewed beer and pub food.
  • Brown Lantern Alehouse: A casual neighborhood pub atmosphere.
  • Union Tavern: Casual pub fare, beer, and cocktails.
  • Bastion Brewing Company: Craft beer and barbecue.
  • The Store: Wine and provisions for a quiet evening in.

For a memorable dinner

  • A'Town Bistro: A farm-to-table bistro meal, wine and cocktails.

  • Nonna Luisa Ristorante: Italian comfort food and pasta.

  • The Bistro & Bar at the Majestic: Hotel dining for a special-occasion evening.
For a sweet treat or take-home goodie
  • Calico Cupboard Café & Bakery: Baked goods and sweet breakfast treats.
  • Pelican Bay Books & Coffeehouse: Coffee and pastries.
  • Fidalgo Fudge Co.: Fudge and take-home sweets.
  • The Store: Bakery items and specialty food provisions.
  • Local holiday markets: Seasonal baked goods, artisan food products, and locally made gifts.
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2. Shop Small: Make an Afternoon of it

Best paired with a coffee stop and a leisurely lunch.

For locally made gifts and Pacific Northwest souvenirs
Wild Hemlock: Pacific Northwest-inspired apparel, artisan gifts, and locally made goods.
The Wishing Rock: Houseplants, garden décor, and distinctive gifts.
Ellē Nicole Collective: Curated gifts, accessories, jewelry, and home goods.
The Red Snapper: Quirky gifts, novelty items, greeting cards, and souvenirs.
Pacific Blanket Trading Post: Blankets, jewelry, apparel, and gift items.
Bunnies By The Bay: Plush toys, children's gifts, and keepsakes.
For books, art, and creative finds
Watermark Book Company: Books, greeting cards, puzzles, and literary gifts.
MoonWater Arts: Handmade art, jewelry, cards, and gifts.
Scott Milo Gallery: Regional artwork, paintings, photography, and fine art.
Fidalgo Artisan Yarn & Clothing: Yarn, knitting supplies, and clothing.
Bakerview Games: Games and hobby finds for families and enthusiasts.
For thrift store treasures and secondhand finds
The Kiwanis Thrift Shop: Secondhand household goods, furniture, and unexpected treasures, with proceeds supporting local scholarships and community projects.
The Red Door Thrift Shop: Clothing, books, household items, and secondhand finds that support community organizations.
Soroptimist Thrift Shop: A variety of secondhand goods, clothing, and household finds, with proceeds benefiting local community programs.
Thrifty Kitty: Pre-loved home décor, furnishings, collectibles, and other unique finds supporting The Cat’s Meow.
The Predecessors: An ever-changing collection of estate-sale finds, vintage items, furniture, and home décor.
For specialty food and take-home treats
Anacortes Oil & Vinegar Bar: Specialty olive oils, balsamic vinegars, and seasonings.
Anacortes Food Co-op: Local and organic groceries, specialty foods, and pantry staples.
Fidalgo Fudge Co.: Fudge and sweet treats to bring home.
The Store: Specialty groceries, baked goods, coffee, wine, and provisions.

3. Make the Festive Season Part of the Trip

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The best event-led itinerary depends on your travel dates.

Visit https://business.anacortes.org/events/calendar and explore our event calendar to discover holiday markets, festive celebrations, seasonal activities, and local events to make your winter getaway even more memorable.

4. Get Outside: Choose Your Coastal Adventure

Winter is a great time to experience the quieter side of Fidalgo Island. Choose a quick viewpoint stop, a forest walk, or a longer scenic outing depending on the weather.

For big views with little effort
  • Cap Sante Park for elevated views over the marina, harbor and Fidalgo Bay.
  • Seafarers Memorial Park for waterfront scenery and a reflective stop by the memorial.
For a forest walk and salty air
  • Washington Park for a scenic loop drive, shoreline access, and walking trails.
  • Mount Erie for summit viewpoints and forested trails, weather permitting.
  • Explore sections of the Anacortes Community Forest Lands for a more active outing.
For a scenic island road trip
  • Rosario Head for dramatic coastal bluffs and short hikes.
  • Bowman Bay for shoreline scenery and quieter coastal trails.
  • Deception Pass Bridge for iconic views of the water and rugged shoreline.
For maritime history and local character
  • Explore the working waterfront and Cap Sante Marina.
  • Visit the Anacortes Museum to learn about the town's history, maritime heritage, and local industries. Check seasonal hours.

5. Find Your Winter Home Base

Whether you’re planning a cozy hotel stay, bringing your RV, camping under the evergreens, or arriving by boat, Anacortes has options to make your winter getaway feel like your own.

Hotels
  • Majestic Inn & Spa: A boutique hotel with historic character, contemporary accommodations, and an on-site spa.
  • Nantucket Inn: A charming inn in a historic home with cozy rooms and inviting common spaces.
  • Marina Inn: Comfortable, practical accommodations for exploring Anacortes and the surrounding area.
  • Sunrise Inn Villas and Suites: Spacious suite-style accommodations, including options with full kitchens.
RV Parks & Camping
  • Cap Sante Marina RV Park: Year-round RV sites with full hookups and waterfront access near Fidalgo Bay.
  • Fidalgo Bay Resort: Waterfront RV sites and cabins with views across Fidalgo Bay.
  • Pioneer Trails RV Resort: A wooded RV resort with full-hookup sites and select cabin accommodations.
  • Washington Park Campground: A scenic year-round campground with RV and tent sites, surrounded by forest and saltwater views.
  • Swinomish RV Park: Waterfront RV sites overlooking Padilla Bay and the Swinomish Channel.
Boat Dock & Marina
  • Cap Sante Marina: Guest moorage for visiting boaters, with more than 100 guest slips, a fuel dock, and access to nearby restaurants, shops, and waterfront trails.
  • Skyline Marina: A boating destination offering wet slips, marine services, and moorage options. Contact the marina to confirm transient availability for your travel dates.

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