- Take a deep breath and feel the change in pace... you are now on "Island Time".
- If you haven't already made reservations for activities and lodging, do so now.
- Visit the Whale Museum and Adopt A Whale.
- Prepare a picnic and visit Lime Kiln Point State Park (also known as Whale Watch Park) and look for Orca and minke whales.
- Enjoy a play or concert at the San Juan Community Theatre.
- Stroll through Westcott Bay Reserve, our 19 Acre Sculpture Garden at Roche Harbor.
- Visit the 1892 Community Church overlooking San Juan Valley.
- Visit the Open Air Market and other shops and galleries downtown.
- Browse the docks for your dream boat.
- Walk the trails of history at American Camp, and explore the beaches.
- Observe sea creatures in a tide pool at False Bay.
- Take a leisurely drive and look for deer, rabbit, eagle, wild turkey, trumpeter swan, raccoon, llama, alpaca and other critters.
- Visit the San Juan County Historical Museum.
- Play tennis free, the outdoor courts are at the High School.
- Pack a picnic and watch the sunrise from Jackson Beach.
- Charter a scenic flight over all the islands.
- Take a wildlife cruise to see seals, whales and more.
- Explore San Juan County Park and Small Pox Bay.
- Tour Pelindaba Lavender Farms. Organic fresh cut lavender and many handcrafted lavender products.
- Get a book at one of our local bookstores and lounge in bed, or on a sunny grassy knoll.
- Play a round of golf at the San Juan Golf Course.
- Observe oyster farming and processing at Westcott Bay Sea Farms. Oysters, Mussels, and clams are sold nationwide.
- Visit the local vineyard and their wine tasting room. Gift shop open seasonally 11-6.
- On Saturdays visit our popular Farmer's Market for fresh vegetables, flowers, plants, honey and more - from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the County Courthouse parking lot. (mid April - mid October, weather permitting)
- Pamper yourself with a Body Massage, manicure or pedicure.
- Tour the Officers Formal Gardens at English Camp, and hike the trails for a great view.
- Ask about the history of the Mausoleum and hike back in the woods to see it. The setting is beautiful and steeped in history and myth.
- Catch a first run movie at our local theater.
- Learn something new - take sailing or kayak lessons.
- Scuba dive! Meet a buddy here or bring your own.
- Take your children to fly kites and barbecue at South Beach.
- Attend the San Juan County Fair in August.
- Visit from Limekiln Lighthouse.
- Try to recognize places in movies filmed on San Juan Island, like Free Willy and Practical Magic.
- Go fishing on one of our lakes.
- People watch at Water Front Park.
- Play pool or watch sports on big screen T.V. at one of the local taverns.
- Take a pretty stroll down to Jakles Lagoon and enjoy the little beach.
- Pick blackberries in summer, they are everywhere, huge and free.
- Join us for our 4th of July Parade, Street Dance, Fireworks and Pig War Barbecue.
- Rent a boat at Lakedale.
- Ask the local ranchers about their many types of stock. Everything from Shetland sheep, miniature horses, and Scottish Highland cattle to llamas, alpacas and ostrich.
- Visit the Alpacas at Krystal Acres. Stroke an Alpaca and then treat yourself with a sweater, coat, shawl, scarf or a beautiful teddy from their giftshop to remind you of the Island adventure.
- Find Deadman Bay and learn the history behind the name.
- Catch some of the garage sales to meet locals and find a bargain.
- Go fishing on a charter boat.
- Take a latte or mocha break.
- Do some bird watching, we have an amazing variety.
- Find your favorite island spot and plan to have your wedding there or renew your wedding vows.
- Pick wildflowers for your room or a friend.
- Take lots of photos to remember your island adventures.
- Bicycle the island to really enjoy the scenery.
- Take your children to play at the park at the Fair Grounds.
- Bring remote control cars or trucks and stage your own races at South Beach.
- Attend the English Camp Evening Musicale on August 19 (Saturday night) for a full program of classics of American folk music, from 19th century compositions to the songs of 1930's Dustbowl days.
- Play basketball at Sunken Park.
- Speak to a stranger and make a new friend.
- Make a musical instrument from kelp.
- Rent mopeds or a bicycle and cruise the island.
- Take your kids to the Toy Box for a new toy to commemorate their visit.
- Rent a VCR and movies and "kick back" after a day of play.
- Plan a romantic dinner at Duck Soup Inn, Vinnie's or many other fine restauraunts.
- Write an article about your island adventures for a travel magazine.
- Visit Roche Harbor just before sunset for the flag lowering ceremony called "The Retirement of the Colors".
- Take your kids to the beach for a scavenger hunt for various colored shells, or driftwood that looks like animals.
- Get fresh shrimp or fish on the dock at Friday Harbor Seafood.
- Buy a new piece of art to take home.
- If you're single, meet the locals, lots of them are single too.
- Have a beach party! There's nothing like an old fashioned beach party to bring out the "kid" in everyone.
- Bring your dog, board it at one of our local kennels (so you can go play at night), and then take it for a "play day" on the beach.
- Take your "Hunny" out for a romantic dinner - there are many different restaurants and cuisines to choose from.
- Sit on the rocks on the West side and sketch the poppy covered hillside, or the water and Vancouver Island.
- Choose fresh goodies at the local herb farm to take home for your next gourmet meal.
- Wave at the locals, we wave at everyone.
- Attend the Children's Festival in September.
- Hike up Mt Young and play cards with friends while you enjoy the fresh sea air and beautiful view.
- Buy a canvas and paints and make your own art. Try to recreate one of the many old barns, or a rocky shore.
- If you're very lucky, you might get to see a "cattle drive," as local ranchers on horseback move their cattle right down the main roads to fresh pastures.
- Hop the "inter-island ferry" and visit Shaw, Orcas or Lopez for an afternoon.
- Buy a summer home, or become a full-time islander.
- Attend Encampment 2006 and meet the reenactors as you learn what life was like on San Juan Island in the mid-19th century.
- Test the food at various restaurants and write a San Juan Restaurant Guide for a food magazine.
- Play baseball at the field near town.
- Take one of the guided island tours.
- Explain the sport of "spotting rabbits" to your kids.
- Play volleyball at Jackson Beach.
- Get an ice cream cone and sit on a street bench and "people watch".
- Go for a moonlight stroll on your favorite beach.
- Plan a business retreat and enhance your communication in the relaxed Island atmosphere.
- Organize a scavenger hunt at the the beach for your children.
- Visit the bowling alley!
- Order a pizza to go and enjoy the sunset.
- Send island postcards to your friends and family.
- Come to Orca Fest in mid-May.
- Collect shells and help your children glue them on a piece of driftwood to take home as a nature collage of your Friday Harbor vacation.
- Find a skipping stone and see how many "skips" you can achieve before it sinks into the water.
- Go on a bus tour with our friends at San Juan Transit.
- If you see an islander doing some yard work, stop and offer to lend a hand. You might be richly rewarded with island information and stories, and make a new friend to visit on your next trip.
- Drop by the Chamber of Commerce's Art Fair in mid-July.
- Prepare to go back to the "hustle" of off-island life, but keep your island memories in your heart.
By:
http://www.fridayharbor.com/todo.cfm
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