Another amazing resource we love is beautiful The Tommy Thompson Trail! Featuring a stunning view of Mt. Baker, this was part of the Rails to Trails Program, and crosses over Fidalgo Bay, on an abandoned railroad trestle. It is a paved trail, which is ADA accessible, and an easy walk year round. Keep an eye out for marine life, as you may see a sea lion staring back at you as you stroll across the Bay!

The Tommy Thompson Trail starts at the intersection of 11th St and Q Ave, heading south along Q Ave for 7 blocks, then heads East, and the street changes names to R Ave. The access point is at the intersection of 22nd St and R Ave (there is a restroom here), then continuing South, the trail passes another public restroom at 30th St. Once the trail reaches 34th St, it traverses the western shore of Fidalgo Bay. After a mile, the trail crosses Weaverling Road at the RV park, where there is an ADA accessible Port-a-Potty next to the blacktop. Beyond the RV park, the trail heads in a Southeasterly direction and crosses Fidalgo Bay on a rocky causeway and then a wooden trestle.

To get to the beginning of the trail from the Market, simply walk/bike south from the Market on Q Ave along the sidewalk.

Painted by a local character – the late Bill Mitchell – there are more than 100 murals on the sides of buildings all over Downtown Anacortes, depicting bits of local history. Make a game of it and see how many you can find! Downtown also features many artisan storefronts, with unique, local offerings to choose from. You can find a map at the Visitor’s Center (Commercial & 9th) that includes a good number of these murals, and lists the many amazing shops to peruse.