Anacortes

Anacortes is a coastal city in Skagit County, Washington, positioned on Fidalgo Island along the waters of Puget Sound with access to several small offshore islands. Its streets climb from the harbor up to forested hillsides, where neighborhoods alternate between stands of trees and views of the water.

The town incorporated in 1891 after a railroad company hoped to establish a western terminus here. Fishing and timber processing shaped the local economy over the following decades.

On summer evenings, locals gather at waterfront parks and marinas, often preparing boats for weekend trips to nearby islands or watching the ferry traffic pass through Guemes Channel. The town's name came from Anne Curtis, wife of an early land developer, whose first name was Latinized.

Ferries to San Juan depart from the terminal on the northern edge of town, and arriving early during peak season is advisable. Most shops and restaurants are downtown near Commercial Avenue, where everything is walkable.

The town holds partnerships with five places on different continents, including Lomonosov in Russia and Nikaho in Japan. Off the coast lie more than forty small inhabited and uninhabited islands that belong to or sit near the municipality.

Location: Skagit County

Inception: 1891

Elevation above the sea: 7 m

Website: https://cityofanacortes.org

GPS coordinates: 48.50190,-122.62400

Latest update: December 13, 2025 17:50