Arts and Crafts

Port Angeles’s downtown shopping district is centered on 1st Street, where you’ll find shops, restaurants, galleries, and movie theaters. Several galleries carry artwork by local artists with Northwestern themes, including Waterfront Gallery (Landing Mall, 360/452-8165, 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m. daily) and Olympic Stained Glass (112 N. Laurel, 360/457-1090, 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m. Mon.–Sat., closed Sun.).

For something completely different, head to Pacific Rim Hobby (124-A W. 1st St., 360/457-0794 or 800/994-6229, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Mon.–Sat., noon–5 p.m. Sun.) for a voyage to model railroad heaven. The big HO-scale railroad village makes for fun gawking; look for such details as the giant insect attacking villagers.

Bookstores

Port Angeles has three good bookstores: Odyssey Bookshop (114 W. Front St., 360/457-1045, 9 a.m.–7 p.m. Mon.–Sat., 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Sun.), Port Book and News (104 E. 1st, 360/452-6367, 8 a.m.–8 p.m. Mon.–Sat., 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Sun.) and Olympic Stationers (122 E. Front St., 360/457-6111, 8:30 a.m.5:30 p.m. Mon.–Fri., 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Sat., closed Sun.).

Outdoor Gear

Port Angeles is an ideal spot to gear up before venturing afield within the national park and the rest of the Olympic National Forest. Find a good selection of outdoor gear for sale at Browns Outdoor (112 W Front St., 360/457-4150, www.brownsoutdoor.com), including often forgotten essentials such as stove fuel, dehydrated goodies, and the like.

© Ericka Chickowski from Moon Washington, 8th edition