Sequim sits in the rain shadow of the Olympic Mountains, collecting roughly 16 inches of rainfall per year while towns just 30 miles west receive ten times that amount. The result is a small city of about 8,000 people with an unusual amount of sunshine for the Pacific Northwest and a surprising density of things worth doing. Whether you're visiting for a weekend or settling in for longer, here's what to put on your list.
First Friday Art Walk
On the first Friday of every month, downtown Sequim transforms into an open-air gallery circuit. More than a dozen galleries, studios, and creative businesses stay open into the evening, and the sidewalks fill with visitors moving between venues. The walk has been running since 2005, and it remains the single best introduction to what makes this town tick culturally. It's free, it's walkable, and you can cover the whole route in about two hours. Check the Art Walk page for the current month's featured artists and participating locations.
Downtown Galleries
You don't have to wait for First Friday. The gallery district along Washington Street and its side streets includes cooperative galleries, solo artist spaces, and mixed-use venues that pair art with wine or coffee. Media range from watercolor and oil painting to ceramics, glass, jewelry, photography, and fiber arts. Most galleries are open Tuesday through Saturday, and the artists themselves are often present and happy to talk about their work.
Sequim Museum & Arts Center
Located on North Sequim Avenue, the museum houses rotating exhibitions alongside permanent displays on local history, including the Manis Mastodon archaeological site discovered nearby. The building itself is a former schoolhouse, and the upstairs gallery hosts juried shows and community exhibitions throughout the year.
Lavender Farms
Sequim's climate produces ideal growing conditions for lavender, and the area is now home to roughly a dozen commercial lavender farms. Most are open to visitors from June through August, with peak bloom in July. The Sequim Lavender Festival, held over three days in mid-July, draws approximately 30,000 visitors for farm tours, live music, an art and craft show, and more lavender products than you knew existed. Several farms offer U-pick options and on-site shops year-round.
Dungeness Spit
At 5.5 miles, Dungeness Spit is the longest natural sand spit in the United States. It extends into the Strait of Juan de Fuca from the Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge, sheltering a bay that supports harbor seals, bald eagles, and more than 250 bird species. The hike to the New Dungeness Lighthouse at the tip is 11 miles round trip along the beach. Shorter walks along the bluff trail above the spit offer views without the full commitment. There is a $3 entrance fee at the trailhead.
Olympic Discovery Trail
This paved multi-use trail stretches from Port Townsend to the Pacific coast, and one of its best-maintained sections runs through Sequim. Cyclists and walkers use it to cross the Dungeness River at Railroad Bridge Park, where the historic railroad bridge has been converted to pedestrian use. The trail connects several parks and passes through farmland and forest, making it ideal for a morning ride or afternoon stroll.
Parks and Green Spaces
Railroad Bridge Park sits at the junction of the Dungeness River and the Olympic Discovery Trail, with picnic areas and interpretive signs about salmon habitat. Carrie Blake Park, closer to the center of town, includes sports fields, a community garden, a playground, and a network of walking paths. Both parks are free and open daily.
Olympic Game Farm
Located just outside town on Ward Road, Olympic Game Farm houses animals that appeared in Disney nature films during the mid-20th century, along with rescued and retired animals. The drive-through format lets you see bison, elk, bears, and other species from your car. It's been operating since the 1970s and remains popular with families.
Farmers Market
The Sequim Open Aire Market runs Saturdays from May through October at the Sequim Civic Center. Local farmers bring produce, berries, honey, and flowers, and vendors sell baked goods, prepared foods, and handmade crafts. It's a good place to pick up ingredients for a picnic before heading to the next gallery event or out to the trail.
Dining Downtown
Sequim's restaurant scene has grown alongside its arts culture. You'll find farm-to-table cooking, wood-fired pizza, Thai food, Mexican restaurants, and several good bakeries and coffee shops clustered in the downtown core. Many Art Walk participants grab dinner before or after the evening gallery circuit, and some restaurants host live music on weekends.
Planning Your Visit
Summer is the busiest season, with lavender in bloom, the longest gallery hours, and the fullest events calendar. But Sequim's rain shadow climate means that shoulder seasons are more pleasant here than elsewhere on the Peninsula, and the art walk runs twelve months a year. If you're combining Sequim with a trip to Olympic National Park, plan at least a full day for the town itself. There is more here than a quick stop can cover.