Friday Harbor Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

San Juan Island showing boating, a marina and a bay or harbour
San Juan Island which includes aircraft, an aircraft and boating
San Juan Island which includes a city and street scenes
San Juan Island which includes sailing, boating and night scenes
San Juan Island featuring boating and island views

This small town on San Juan Island is home to some special historic sites, festivals, open-air markets, craft shops, galleries and parks.

Enjoy the simplicity and serenity of San Juan Island’s gateway town. Friday Harbor is central to the transport, culture and commerce on San Juan Island, but the town is small and only has 2,000 inhabitants. Visit the cafés, restaurants, craft shops, festivals and galleries to get a sense of the community spirit on the island. In summer visitors flock here from the mainland and the bars and restaurants hum with a good natured atmosphere.

Culture thrives in Friday Harbor. Browse the art market, only a stone’s throw away from the ferry landing at Brickworks Plaza. Shop for hand-made pottery, jewelry, clothing and soaps. In summer, enjoy live music and theatre shows in the open air, visit one of the many festivals or simply sit in one of the waterfront bars and soak in the stunning views.

Take a self-guided walking tour of churches, parks and historical buildings. Pause at the granite memorial from 1921 in Memorial Park, which commemorates the locals who died in World War I. Don’t miss the San Juan Historical Museum, located in an old pioneer farmhouse. Tours are available throughout the year and its lawns are also used for major festivals and free live music nights.

Waterfront restaurants serve fresh seafood, harvested on the island, and a wide range of international cuisines, suiting all budgets. Treat yourself to an ice cream for dessert and take a seat on one of the benches in town for some people-watching.

To learn the names and habits of the resident orcas, head to the Whale Museum. Increase your chance to spot the seal colonies and pods of whales by joining one of the daily wild life cruises, kayak tours or scenic flights. During your trip you may meet the international graduate students of the Friday Harbor Laboratories, a world-renowned marine biology section of the University of Washington.

The town sits on the east coast of San Juan Island. Ferries sail directly from Anacortes on the mainland and water taxis can drop you off at nearby islands. Friday Harbor’s airport is close to the town center and has connections to cities such as Seattle and Bellingham.

Inn to the Woods B&B

Inn to the Woods B&B

3.5 out of 5
46 Elena Drive, Friday Harbor, WA
Stay at this 3.5-star B&B in Friday Harbor. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Popular attractions Reuben Tarte Memorial Park and Mt. Grant Preserve ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (82 reviews)
"Wonderful breakfasts. Appreciate the excellent work to cover food allergies. Lovely host and hostess."

Reviewed on 6 Jul 2025

Inn to the Woods B&B
The Orca Inn

The Orca Inn

2 out of 5
770 Mullis St., Friday Harbor, WA
The price is ₹10,194 per night from 28 Jul to 29 Jul
₹10,194
₹11,279 total
28 Jul - 29 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this motel in Friday Harbor. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a picnic area. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their reviews. ...
7.6/10 Good! (1,001 reviews)
Nice, very small
"Clean and very friendly staff. Standard room booked for 2 people was extraordinarily small."

Reviewed on 15 Jul 2025

The Orca Inn
Friday Harbor Suites

Friday Harbor Suites

2.5 out of 5
680 Spring Street, Friday Harbor, WA
The price is ₹24,184 per night from 10 Aug to 11 Aug
₹24,184
₹26,759 total
10 Aug - 11 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Friday Harbor. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a free ferry terminal shuttle. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,003 reviews)
"Good location"

Reviewed on 13 Jul 2025

Friday Harbor Suites
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
West Beach Resort

West Beach Resort

3.5 out of 5
190 Waterfront Way, Eastsound, WA
Stay at this 3.5-star beach cabin in Eastsound. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a private beach. Popular attractions Orcas Island Golf Course and North Beach ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (100 reviews)
"Rustic resort with beautiful sunsets and amenities. We did have someone lurking around our cabin one evening-claimed to be looking for someone who worked at the property. It was very suspicious. He left our place but hung around the resort for some time. I did not report it at the time as no one ..."

Reviewed on 24 Jun 2025

West Beach Resort
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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