Westport is a scenic beach town in Washington State with a quaint Main Street.
It’s also the perfect place to enjoy peace and relaxation.
Nearby Native Americans inhabited the area.
They most likely belonged to the Shoalwater Bay Tribe, comprising the Willapa Chinook and Lower Chehalis peoples.
Early in the summer of 1857, Thomas Barker Speak and his family arrived to settle the area.
Located on the Washington coast, Westport is known for its beautiful beaches, fishing, and whale watching.
If you love surfing, Westport is the perfect place.
The town is home to the best surfing spots on the West Coast, and there are plenty of surf shops where you can rent equipment.
The area has hiking trails to explore the stunning natural scenery.
Of course, no trip to Westport would be complete without a visit to the famous Westport Light State Park.
This structure is one of the world’s most photographed lighthouses.
You can stay in Westport if you’re looking for a relaxing beach day or an exciting adventure.
Here are the best things to do in Westport, WA:
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Westport Light State Park is a 560-acre park with ocean views of both Half Moon Bay and the Pacific Ocean.
The historic Grays Harbor Light is near the tallest lighthouse in Washington.
In 2016, the city combined the previous Westhaven State Park and another 270-acre plot planned for a golf course to create the Westport Light State Park.
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You can do birdwatching, fishing, hiking, and beachcombing at the Westport Light State Park.
From this park, you can quickly reach the city of Westport, including its harbor, maritime history museum, and other attractions.
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You can even drive around the entire park, thanks to its paved route.
The Westport Light State Park is open all year long!
The Westport Aquarium is a family-friendly attraction with various sea creatures on display.
Established in 1955, Westport Aquarium is one of the largest fishing communities on the west coast.
When you visit the local sea life exhibit, you are also seeing the local fishing industry on display.
Westport Aquarium has received tons of fish for collection from the local charter and commercial fisherfolk.
Some animals you can see at the aquarium include sharks, rays, eels, octopuses, crabs, and starfish.
The aquarium boasts a touch tank where you can pet stingrays and other animals.
The Westport Aquarium is open all year long, charging zero admission fees.
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You can find the Westport Maritime Museum is on the historic Coast Guard station built in 1939.
The Westport Maritime Museum aims to share the maritime history of Grays Harbor and the surrounding areas with the community and visitors.
The museum has exhibits, educational programs, and events throughout the year.
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Some exhibits are about the South Beach maritime history, the Coast Guard, Grays Harbor Light Station, and the whaling industry.
The beautiful Destruction Island Lens is also in the museum.
In 1888, Henry Le Paute built the lens in France, which he based on an Augustin-Jean Fresnel design.
Le Paute transported the lens by boat to Destruction Island, located on the Washington coast north of Westport.
The city installed the Destruction Island Lens in the lighthouse in 1891.
The lighthouse used this lens until 1995 when the Coast Guard removed it and put it on display.
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Twin Harbors State Park is a camping area on the Pacific coast with four miles of ocean beaches.
The state park has over 80 campsites, two group camps, three cabins, and five RV sites with hookups.
The beautiful sunsets and dramatic coastline make it one of the best places to go camping on the Washington coast, facing the vast Pacific Ocean.
Some activities you can do at Twin Harbors State Park include hiking, beachcombing, fishing, and birdwatching.
The campgrounds at Twin Harbors State Park are open all year long!
You can bring dogs to the park, although you can’t bring them to designated swimming beaches.
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The 115-foot-tall Westport Viewing Tower provides breathtaking views of the city, Grays Harbor, and the Pacific Ocean.
Located near the main shopping street of Westport, the tower is a popular spot for locals and visitors alike.
The observation deck is a short ascent with a nice port view.
Bring some quarters if you want to use the viewfinders.
The Westport Viewing Tower shows a 360-degree view of the area’s surroundings and the recreational options available to you.
On a clear day, you can even see the Olympic Range in the distance to the north.
There are picnic tables, so take a break and have a snack at the Westport Viewing Tower.
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Hiking the Westport Light Trail is an excellent opportunity to enjoy the surf and sun without getting sand in your shoes.
You will also see the dunes and grasses of the southwest Washington coast and a historic lighthouse.
The Westport Lighthouse Trail is an easy, 1.5-mile loop hike that starts and ends at the Westport Light State Park.
The trail crosses Westhaven State Park.
When you continue, you will go another mile and a half towards Westport at the northern end.
The trail takes you through the dunes to the beach, where you can see the Cape Disappointment Lighthouse in the distance.
You’ll also get great views of Grays Harbor and the Pacific Ocean.
The Westport Lighthouse Trail is an excellent option for a short, easy hike near the beach.
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When the tides go out, two jetties (one north and one south) create a natural waterway and offer secure access to Grays Harbor in Westport.
Finished in 1902, the south jetty stretches over 17,000 feet.
Built in 1910, the second jetty is on the Ocean Shores‘ side of the harbor entrance.
This jetty helped save the Westport jetty from the heavy scouring that damaged it.
The Westport Jetties is a great place to fish, watch the waves, or enjoy the view.
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The jetties provide access to some of the best fishing in the area.
Several charter boats operate out of Westport, so you can go fishing for salmon, halibut, tuna, or bottom fish.
You can also fish from the jetty, a popular crabbing spot.
During storms, the waves can get huge, a sight to behold.
Just don’t stay near the jetty when the waves crash.
You’ll go back in time when you stroll the quaint shops and restaurants in historic downtown Westport.
Downtown Westport is home to various unique shops, art galleries, and eateries with several great places to grab a bite to eat, including several seafood restaurants.
You can find everything from nautical gifts and clothing to locally made arts and crafts, such as saltwater taffy and shell wind chimes.
Microbreweries have sprung up in the core areas of Westport to quench the thirst of locals and visitors seeking a unique experience for locally made drinks.
They offer everything from a mild beer to something wild and black.
For some wildlife action, you can watch seals and sea lions play at the marina from the docks.
Otherwise, take a charter out for some whale watching.
There are also several great places to go fishing in Westport.
Downtown Westport is the perfect place to spend a day exploring, shopping, and eating.
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Half Moon Bay is a surfer’s haven, especially during the winter when the waves reach their biggest.
Half Moon Bay sits between two headlands, which create a funnel effect and produce some of the best waves on the Washington coast.
During high tide, the waves can get as big as 20 feet.
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Gorgeous and quiet, Half Moon Bay is a great place to relax and enjoy the beauty of the Washington coast.
Half Moon Bay is the perfect option for smaller kids and pets looking for a more private site to the beach and a break from the ocean.
Half Moon Bay is also a great place to go beachcombing; there is a good chance you’ll find agates, shells, and other rocks.
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The Grays Harbor Lighthouse stands at 107 feet, the tallest lighthouse in Washington State.
The Grays Harbor Lighthouse is the pride of Westport, Washington.
Likewise, the lighthouse is architect Carl Leick’s masterpiece.
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Built in 1897, the lighthouse once stood around 300 feet from the water’s edge.
Today, it stands roughly 3,000 feet from the high tide line.
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You can reach the lantern room after climbing 135 steps on an original and hand-forged cast-iron staircase.
In addition to the working lighthouse, you can also visit a museum that chronicles the history of the Grays Harbor Lighthouse.
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If you’re looking for a quiet place to relax and enjoy the beauty of nature, then Westhaven State Park is the perfect spot.
Westhaven State Park is on a peninsula that juts out into Grays Harbor.
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The park offers stunning views of the harbor and the Olympic Mountains.
There is a small beach at Westhaven State Park, a boardwalk, and a few picnic tables.
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The park is also excellent for birdwatching, as you can often see bald eagles and ospreys around the area.
Westhaven State Park is open all year round, though the best time to visit is during the summer.
One of the most famous places to stay in Westport is The LOGE Westport, situated right on the water’s edge.
There is also a beach right next to the hotel, which is perfect for swimming, sunbathing, or relaxing.
LOGE Westport is also ideal if you want a room, have a tent, or campervan for your stay.
You can bring your pets, too, so you don’t have to worry about leaving your furry friend at home.
Several activities in the area will keep you entertained, such as kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and hiking.
The LOGE Westport is the perfect place to learn how to surf, as the waves here are some of the best.
If you’re looking for a place to stay in Westport, check out the LOGE.
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During the winter months, Grays Harbor is one of the best places in Washington State to go whale watching.
Grays Harbor is home to migrating humpback whales and orcas, which you can often see from the shore.
Whale-watching tours are a great way to see these magnificent creatures up close.
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There are several tour operators in Grays Harbor; many of them offer discounts for groups.
If you’re looking for an exciting bonding activity with your friends or family, try joining a whale-watching tour.
Created in 1967, the Seashore Conservation Area State Park allows future generations to enjoy recreational opportunities on Washington’s coast.
Seashore Conservation Area State Park is one of the last pristine seashores in the United States.
You can find it along Washington State’s northern coastline.
It’s also seven minutes away from Westport.
The Seashore Conservation Area State Park comprises 62 miles of the state’s coastline between Cape Disappointment, Willapa Bay, and Damon Point.
Predominantly tribal or national park land makes up this section of shoreline.
This area is famous for its windy, forested, and sparsely populated shoreline.
The Seashore Conservation Area State Park is home to various birds, animals, and plants.
You might see animals like bald eagles, osprey, peregrine falcons, river otters, mink, and sea lions.
There are also several fish species in the ocean like flounder, halibut, herring, salmon, and tuna.
You can find many different shells on the beach, agates, and other rocks.
Bottle Beach State Park is on the Southern Grays Harbor tide flats, home to over a million migratory shorebirds and seabirds in the springtime.
You can find this park in Aberdeen, Washington, nine minutes from Westport.
The Audubon Society has classified Bottle Beach State Park’s ADA-accessible trail as a Washington State Birding Trail.
At Bottle Beach State Park, birdwatchers have observed more than 130 bird species—including raptors—landing for a quick meal.
The best time to go birdwatching is during the low tide when the water recedes and exposes the sand flats.
During high tide, the birds tend to congregate on the nearby jetty.
Bottle Beach also has a variety of plant life, including eelgrass, salt grass, and pickleweed.
Westport is a quaint small coastal town where tourists may enjoy miles of beaches, exciting wildlife excursions, and lighthouse exploration.
This charming seaside village has enough to offer for a beautiful weekend or, at the very least, a day trip.
Whether you want to relax or want to go for an adventure, you will find it in Westport.
Book your trip today!
You might even find more things to do in Westport after you arrive.
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