May is the month to celebrate the arts in Port Townsend, and there are plenty of things going on to do just that! Here are just a few:

• April 30: UUAW Kitchen Tour: What a great opportunity to see designed (and redesigned) kitchens in Port Townsend! This year the tour is uptown Port Townsend, an most is within walking distance of A Bungalow!
• Saturday May 1: The opening of Art Wave: A fun and inspiring display of local kid's art displayed in merchant windows along Water Street. It is colorful, fun, and always full of surprises, and what a great way to support the work of young aspiring artists!
• Saturday May 7th: Opening day of boating season and Gallery Walk from 5:30 – 7:30 pm.
• Saturday and Sunday, May 13 & 14: Madison Street Arts & Crafts  Fair, 10:00 – 6:00. Great variety of northwest vendors.
• Saturday May 21: Rhody Grand Parade 1:00, starting uptown and finishing along Water Street. This parade culminates a week of local fun festivities celebrating our community!
• May 28: Memorial Weekend! 

Spring is here and there are lots of reasons to visit Port Townsend. An easy and beautiful drive from Portland via the Hood Canal along the Olympic Peninsula, Seattle via Bainbridge Island and Hood Canal Bridge, and Vancouver, via Agate Pass Bridge. The days are longer and warmer, the trees and flowers are in bloom, and it is the perfect time for a long getaway weekend or midweek break!

Here a few things going on:

• Saturday Farmer's Market: Starting in April, our Saturday market is back! Fresh produce, plants, food vendors and live music make this a fun community event. The best part, it is only a three block walk from Bungalow and Hideaway on the Bluff!
• AAUW Kitchen Tour: Saturday, April 30 from 10:00 – 4:00. Explore eight spectacular Uptown and Downtown Port Townsend kitchens where you will discover amazing remodels as well as incredibly unique new kitchens. You can get tickets at any of the homes and go from there. You can often park your car and walk from place to place, so it is a fun way to spend the day.
• Rhody Bike Tour: This annual event is a fun way to start getting in shape for summer biking. Whether you choose a short, medium, or long route, it is a great way to check out some of the rural scenery of Jefferson County.
• Rhody Week: This is fun event packed week with races, carnival, parades, and everything in between. May 16 – 21, ending with the annual Rhody Run on Sunday, May 22. A fun way to celebrate spring and participate in home town community events!

Taste of Port Townsend June 10: We love this event! Sponsored by our Main Street program, fifteen local establishments will offer delightful bites and libations, so come and expand your dining horizons. New this year–don’t miss the Cider and Wine-Tasting event showcasing our fine local offerings. One ticket gives guests admission to fifteen venues on the tour. Tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for youth age 12 & under. There will be an option to buy an expanded ticket to participate in the Wine and Cider Tasting at the Banquet Room at Manresa Castle from 6:30-8:30 pm for an additional $10. Five wineries and cider makers are joining in this event.

Secret Garden Tour June 12: This is one of our favorite events as you can tour eight “secret” private gardens. Sponsored by the Master Gardeners, this year’s theme is Art in the Garden, so it should be a real treat! 9:00 am – 4:00, you can get tickets at the Chamber office or at any of the gardens on tour.

Saturday Farmer’s Market: Our Farmer’s Market is a fun way to spend a Saturday morning! Vendors, fresh farm produce, food, music, and a huge gathering of people. The best part is that you can walk from A Bungalow & Hideaway on the Bluff. At the corner of Tyler and Lawrence from 9:00 am – 1:00 every Saturday through October.

Olympic Music Festival July 3 – August 22: Imagine a turn-of-the-century dairy farm nestled on 55 acres of tranquil farmland on Washington’s beautiful Olympic Peninsula…the sounds of exquisite chamber music floating in the air. Inside the beautiful barn, world-renowned musicians, casually clad, are enthralling Northwest natives and visitors with outstanding music from the most-beloved classical composers. That is the Olympic Music Festival, and why we are proud to sponsor it! It is only a 20 minute drive from Port Townsend!

Festival of Fiddle Tunes July 3 – 10: This is always a favorite! Two public performances on July 4th 1:30 – 7:30. The week long experience includes workshops, classes, band labs, tutorials, dances, concerts, singing, open jams, hat parties – all contribute to a week of living, learning, and jamming with masters of North American fiddling traditions. So if you happen to be here during the week…check it out!

The 5th North American Open Water Championship: A 14 mile rowing and paddling race, June 19-20: A full fun weekend of activities for participants….and a special treat for spectators! You will have a nice spot to view it from A Bungalow & Hideaway on the Bluff!

Sail. Row. Experience. Join Northwest Maritime Center captain-instructors for a few hours, an afternoon, or an entire day on the water aboard one of their contemporary or historic sailing vessels, longboats, or a classic powerboat. email: rob@nwmaritime.org to schedule!

Lavender Celebration Tour of Wineries July 10 – 18: Enjoy the Port Townsend and Sequim lavender fields in bloom and enhance your visit as you discover new hidden gems – seven award winning artisan wineries on the scenic North Olympic Peninsula including Fairwinds and Sorensen Wineries in Port Townsend.

Chamber Music Festival July 15-17: Three performances featuring the Calder Quartet with Lucinda Carver. Mozart, Schumann, Haydn & Beethoven will be performed, as well as Masters of Baroque. If you love chamber music, this is a great opportunity to see some amazing talent!

Jazz Port Townsend July 25 – August 1: Live performances are July 29 – 31 between Fort Worden and Jazz in the Clubs! Always popular and simply amazing jazz performances from some of the finest jazz musicians playing today.

Port Townsend Writers’ Conference July 18 – 25: We love this conference because throughout the week there are daily lectures and readings that non participants of the conference get to attend. It is a terrific opportunity to see and hear some fabulous writers. All free!

Whale watching on PS Express every day all summer: A terrific day boat trip from Port Townsend takes you to Friday Harbor in the San Juan Islands for lunch and then off to see the Orcas! This is a super comfortable trip and the best way to see the Orcas in their natural habitat….Puget Sound! You can easily walk to the boat from A Bungalow & Hideaway on the Bluff.

So you can see that there is a lot to see and do in Port Townsend this summer! Don’t forget to make your reservations for A Bungalow & Hideaway early as summer is a busy time.

Let’s face it….you can’t find a route to Port Townsend that isn’t scenic. Whether you come by car, ferry, bicycle, or plane….there are wonderful things to see and do along the way. With the help of Google maps, we have mapped out some alternative scenic routes for you which will provide ideas for stops, pictures taking, and good places to eat along the way. Enjoy!

Seattle to Port Townsend via Hood Canal

Burlington (and points north) to Port Townsend

Port Townsend to Seattle via Whidbey Island

Visit FinnRiver Cidery for some delicious hand crafted ciders, dessert wines, and spirits. Their new tasting room is open Friday – Sunday from 2:00 – 5:00, and will have expanded hours in the spring. This is really a fun way to spend an afternoon.
Saturday Community Boatbuilding: If you ever built a boat, fantasized about building a boat, or actually plan to build a boat….consider spending a day at Community Boatbuilding. Sponsored by NW School of Boatbuilding, the event is free and is a great way to get a hands on (literally) experience! Wear some work clothes, bring some snacks to share, and enjoy a fun day.
Salsa Dance Intensive March 18-21: Offering Salsa classes On1 and On2 for both intermediate and advanced dancers, taught by Roger Chen and instructors from Century Ballroom. Each day will start with a footwork and styling class for all levels.
Latin Jazz Workshop March 18-21: Learn how to play and use a variety of Latin rhythms including Afro-Cuban, Brazilian and Caribbean as well as developing improvisation skills in the Latin idiom. You will also get a chance to perform in a combo with expert coaching in a live performance venue. What fun!
Antique Show April 9-10: Shoppers will have a great time browsing a large selection of vintage toys, glassware, pottery, furniture, and jewelry from northwest antique dealers.
Spring Migration Tour April 24: Join this special bird migration expedition to Protection Island aboard the Glacier Spirit, a well-appointed and comfortable 65-foot motor yacht.
Northwest Wine & Cheese Tour April 17-18: Each of six Olympic Peninsula wineries will feature a local artisan cheese paired with one of their selected wines. A fun and delicious way to explore the peninsula!
Woodworking Classes: If there is one thing that Port Townsend is known for it the very fine woodworkers which call this home. We have wooden boats, fine furniture, and yes….fine musical instruments which are crafted here. Treat yourself!
Kitchen Tour April 24: Tour eight Marrowstone Island kitchens in this popular self guided tour held each April by AAUW. If you haven’t been to Marrowstone Island, this is your opportunity to visit fabulous rural homes which are not normally open to the public. Whether you are planning on a new kitchen….or just dreaming, this is a really great event.
Mention SPRING GETAWAY with your reservation and you get an automatic 15% off your stay! (Good until June 1, 2010 and cannot be combined with any other discount)

Nestled close to the World Heritage Olympic National Park, the scenic shores of the Strait of Juan de Fuca and fertile farmlands and countryside are seven artisan wineries with a rich heritage. All are family owned with a personality and character unique to each. Many days you’ll find the winemakers themselves pouring their wines in the tasting rooms greeting their visitors and sharing their passion… about wine, the Peninsula they call home, and the local fresh cuisine. This month they are hosting the annual Wine & Chocolate tour!
Port Townsend is home to a national award winning cheese Mount Townsend Creamery. As the North Olympic Peninsula’s first artisan creamery they have built their business on innovation as well as tradition. Owners Matt Day and Ryan Trail have worked to reinvigorate the dairy processing industry in the Northwest by introducing specialty cheeses made using traditional methods with a northwest flavor. It is their goal to help rebuild the region’s dairy processing tradition while paying homage to the dairies that have allowed them to thrive. Now that is what community is all about!

I bet you didn’t know that western Washington grows the best apples for cider, and we have three cideries to prove it! You can make a day of touring them at: Eaglemount Wine & Cider, FinnrIver Cidery, and Wild Fire Cider.

Winter offers some of nature's best surprises, whether it is seeing the sun rise over the Cascade mountains to the east, the glorious sunsets to the west, or the opportunity to see the birds of the pacific northwest in their natural playground. The Washington state Audubon Society offers a viewable online map of birdwatching on the Olympic Peninsula. We also have a local Port Townsend chapter that offers terrific trip opportunities to see local bird habitats with local experts. The best part….they are absolutely free!

You can go anywhere to find a Toys R Us, Barnes & Noble, and Williams Sonoma, but you won’t find the unique personalized shopping that is available in Port Townsend. Our shopkeepers are neighbors and they work hard to find the kinds of gifts that will make your holiday season special. The best part is that you don’t have to fight the traffic of the large cities. You drive in to town, park your car, and then meander in and out of the shops. Don’t forget to stop in for a quick bite of lunch…..our restaurants are delicious and welcoming! Happy Holidays!

Friday evening December 18 the Wine Seller is hosting their Friday night wine tasting, but this month is even better…..it is a chance to taste some of the best Champagnes in the world. Yes! This is your chance to get Joe’s take on some of the best tasting Champagnes…….and deals to plan your holiday events. This is always a fun event and a fun way to spend a Friday evening. 5:30 – 7:30, The Wine Seller on Water Street. Downtown Port Townsend.