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Get Custom Travel guides packed with local tipsSan Juan Island offers breathtaking landscapes, unique wildlife, and historic attractions like the Cattle Point Lighthouse, with scenic trolley tours available.
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Did you know paranormal encounters are more common in the fall and winter? It could be because we Northwesterners retreat indoors for the season, where we're more likely to experience inexplicable phenomena. Maybe it's the result of the dreary weather, which primes people to interpret mere coincidences as ominous. Still, others suggest that cold weather affects the supernatural like it does us, heightening their activity. Whatever the reason, as the days get shorter, it's prime time to see ghosts in Washington State, and no excursion is more haunting than this Port Townsend ghost tour.
By day, Port Townsend is renowned for its picturesque beauty, attracting more than two million tourists annually who marvel at its views of Puget Sound and delight in its history. But by night, you may not know that this Victorian gem has a reputation for being one of Washington's most haunted destinations.
For best results, arrive at this coastal town by ferry on a misty winter day. Though arguably less atmospheric, you can also reach Port Townsend by car. Whatever your mode of travel, take a page from the notes of any horror film's final girl and plan ahead! Keys should be accessible at all times and exit routes identified so you're not caught unprepared.
Port Townsend boasts abundant character for the same reason it harbors a vibrant paranormal community: its age. Once a territory managed by Coast Salish tribes, then a European settlement, this area has always been a hub of human activity, rendering it a rich site of colorful stories and seemingly unexplainable tall tales. It's also one of the few former lumber towns in Washington that never burned down, meaning it's preserved much of its original Victorian architecture.
New owners have converted many of these buildings into trendy restaurants, diverting shops, and even bed and breakfasts. The Jefferson County Historical Society operates some old homes, like the Rothschild House, as museums, allowing guests to filter through living spaces that have been meticulously preserved— down to the pale dollies on the former residents' beds.
Even in Port Townsend's charming downtown, you'll encounter details that acquire new sensibilities after dark. The Haller Fountain, for instance, though stunning, was gifted to the city in 1906 by resident Theodore N. Haller following the untimely deaths of his father and brother. This tragic backstory makes it a popular spot on local ghost tours.
If you weren't satisfied by the offerings of Port Townsend proper, you need only drive five minutes to Fort Worden Historical State Park, where abandoned structures buzz with sinister energy. Best enjoyed on drizzly days, visitors comb through these catacomb-like bunkers, heavy with the weight of the region's military past.
If you're a lover of the supernatural or simply willing to test your nerves, consider exploring this spooky small town with the guidance of a group like Twisted Tours. If you're anything like me, this Port Townsend ghost tour will stay with you for a long time, leaving you questioning stray shadows in the night.
If a ghost tour sounds like an experience you'd love to have, check out several other unique experiences in Washington for an unforgettable adventure.
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Whidbey Island offers a unique and educational mushroom foraging tour in Langley, guided by knowledgeable staff.
Whidbey Island is a picturesque island community north of Seattle with some of the most undeniably beautiful landscapes in the state. Recently named one of the top 50 travel destinations for 2023, Whidbey Island offers a variety of exciting outdoor adventures. Hiking, fishing, beachcombing, and shopping are just a few of the island's fun activities. Nevertheless, you may not have heard of one particular activity in the island's town of Langley. Whidbey Wild Mushroom Tours is an immersive and educational journey through the forest. Grab a basket and prepare to forage for fungi on one of the most unique experiences in Washington.
Whidbey Wild Mushroom Tours is a fascinating 3-hour guided tour in search of native mushrooms and other fungi.
Both private and group tours are available.
Expect to learn more about mushrooms than you ever thought possible under the guidance of knowledgeable staff.
You can find Whidbey Wild Mushroom Tours at 2812 Thompson Rd, Langley, WA 98260.
Mush your way through the lush Langley forest on a quest to see the varieties of fungus among us.
Under the guidance of Travis Furlanic, visitors will gain a comprehensive knowledge of mushroom varieties, uses, and safety.
2023 Public tours run on Saturdays from April 15 through June 17.
Tours can be booked in advance for $50 per person on the Whidbey Wild Mushroom Tour website. Guests meet at the South Whidbey Tilth Farmers Market to begin the tour. After an informative presentation on mushrooms and fungi, tour groups venture into the forest, where the real fun begins.
Of course, you'll want to be prepared for changing weather conditions and dress accordingly.
Likewise, it's essential to pay close attention to the tour guide. Although many mushrooms make delicious culinary treats, others can be toxic. Therefore, a solid understanding of mushrooms is imperative before ingesting them.
Indeed, there are abundant varieties of wild mushrooms in the Pacific Northwest, and if you look closely, you'll find them hiding throughout the forest.
To be sure, Whidbey Wild Mushroom Tours is a unique adventure through the forest. Enjoy the beauty of nature and learn all about native wild mushrooms. Before long, you'll be a fungi expert! For additional information, visit the official Whidbey Wild Mushroom Tours website and Whidbey Wild Mushroom Facebook page. After the tour, you'll probably want a snack and the Seabiscuit Bakery in Langley is a great place to refuel!
Have you ever gone on a Wild Mushroom Tour? How was your experience? We'd love to hear about it in the comments.
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