The best things to do in Anacortes

Anacortes Cinemas keeps new releases close to home, with Quick TIX for speedy checkout, a simple app, and Reel Rewards that actually add up. Grab something from the snack bar, peek at Coming Soon, and remember they do hires and parties when you want the whole room.

From the Anacortes newsletter, October 8, 2026

Fidalgo Pool & Fitness Center is the community hub for lap swims, aquatic exercise, group fitness, and a full-service fitness center, plus American Red Cross swim lessons for all ages.

From the Anacortes newsletter, October 30, 2026

When you want a quick nine with Mount Baker peeking over your tee shot, Swinomish Golf Links delivers a friendly, links-style 18 with open fairways, approachable greens, and classic bay views; book a fitting or lesson, then refuel at the clubhouse food truck when it’s rolling.

From the Anacortes newsletter, October 24, 2026

North Bellingham Golf Course brings real Scottish-style links to your backyard, with flowering meadows, gently rolling fairways, and big Mt. Baker views. Test your shot shape against those prevailing winds, then grab a bite at the 9 Restaurant and call it a pretty solid Bellingham day.

From the Bellingham newsletter, September 29, 2026

This week, take the crew to MACH1 Adventure Park, freshly rebuilt into a massive, clean indoor playground with junior electric go-karts, jumbo slides, Sky Maze, kid-safe ziplines, and an arcade of retro classics and new favorites. Open sightlines mean you relax while they log laps of joy.

From the Bellingham newsletter, September 25, 2026

Whether your slice needs therapy or you just want an excuse to stare at the Olympic and Cascade ranges, Avalon Golf Links gives you three distinct 9s, rolling hills, and seriously smooth greens. Hit the range, join a league, or book a friendly match and call it a Skagit win.

From the Mt. Vernon newsletter, October 30, 2026

Oak Harbor Cinemas keeps first-run films rotating across three screens, so you can finally see the thing everyone at work is quoting. Grab your favorite seat, switch off the group chat, and pretend popcorn counts as dinner, perfect for any Whidbey weeknight.

From the Whidbey Island newsletter, October 20, 2026

Need a low-stress plan this week? Deception Pass Golf Center packs a par-3 nine, mini golf, a fast disc golf course, a mini range, a simulator room and the KP Sandwich Bar, so you can rotate between birdies, bogeys and bites without leaving the island.

From the Anacortes newsletter, October 16, 2026

Family owned since 1956, 20th Century Bowl is that reliably fun spot when you want a low-key game or to join a league. They run leagues Sunday through Thursday and a 9 Pin tournament, with open bowling the rest... basically perfect for friendly bragging rights.

From the Bellingham newsletter, October 28, 2026

Whidbey Golf Club is a lake-and-trees stunner with 18 engaging holes, water in play, and a proper driving range to shake off the rust. Thanks to Oak Harbor’s rain-shadow magic, it stays playable all winter, so you can sneak in a reset round this week.

From the Whidbey Island newsletter, October 30, 2026

Whether you’re tuning up for league night or just itching to swing without slogging through mud, Puget Sound Golf Club lets you play or practice indoors on TrackMan simulators with real feedback and course options galore. Sneak in a quick “18” in about an hour, then get back to life.

From the Whidbey Island newsletter, October 11, 2026

Ruckus Room Arcade and Fun Center is a retro hangout with vintage games that eat quarters in the best way, plus cold beer, sodas, and ice cream. It’s a solid spot to meet up after work or book a party at their Bellis Fair Mall location.

From the Bellingham newsletter, November 1, 2026

Shuksan Golf Club is that rare combo of 18 distinct holes, North Cascades panoramas, dramatic elevation changes, and a quick escape from town that makes even a double bogey feel cinematic. Ten Mile Creek, wildlife, and four tee sets keep it fun for every skill level, then the modern fusion bistro rewards the round.

From the Bellingham newsletter, October 6, 2026

Escape the weekday grind with tree-lined fairways, rolling hills, and views of Mt Baker, the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and Vancouver Island at Gallery Golf Course. Public is welcome, plus there’s a driving range, lessons, clinics, and easy online tee times, so your swing has zero excuses this week.

From the Whidbey Island newsletter, October 12, 2026

Bellingham's original real-life escape game, The Eureka Room locks you and your crew in themed rooms full of hidden clues, codes, and riddles. You get one hour to crack it, whether that means a backstage rock band caper or a spaceship scramble... bragging rights included.

From the Bellingham newsletter, October 18, 2026

Phoenix Nest Classic Video Arcade brings back the glow of old-school arcades with a lineup of retro machines and a comic-book shop to browse between credits. Low-key midweek escape, quick hit after work, and an easy way to snag bragging rights when tournaments pop up.

From the Mt. Vernon newsletter, October 12, 2026

When cabin fever hits, upgrade your week with axe and knife throwing on the lanes, then wander through three levels of arcade, pinball, billiards and foosball at Tossin' Axes Entertainment Center. Book a lane, rally the crew, and turn that midweek slump into bragging rights.

From the Whidbey Island newsletter, October 14, 2026

Salmon People Mural is a downtown gateway piece by Gretchen Leggitt and Lummi artist Jason LaClair, weaving Leggitt’s colorful water lines behind LaClair’s striking salmon and orca. It’s an energetic, graffiti-deterring swim upstream that makes your daily pass-through feel a bit brighter.

From the Bellingham newsletter, September 20, 2026

Give your phone a break and sync up with the Bellingham Sundial Mural, a working art piece by Gretchen Leggitt that uses a forged steel gnomon to cast the hour. North Cascades, valley, and ocean hues ripple across a downtown wall, turning timekeeping into a tiny daily reminder to savor the hour.

From the Bellingham newsletter, October 4, 2026

For kid energy that could power a small city, Summit Adventure Park packs an indoor trampoline park, soft play, slides, Wipeout, a giant air bag, and dodgeball. Easy birthday parties and group events with a dedicated host keep things fun for the kids and painless for you.

From the Bellingham newsletter, October 21, 2026

If you need a quick reset this week, Majestic Bay Theatres has a now-playing lineup plus special screenings, and they even do private rentals if your club or team wants the place to yourselves. Classic big-screen vibes, zero living-room distractions.

From the Port Angeles newsletter, August 26, 2026

Whether you're gearing up for bow season or just want to stick a bullseye after work, Riverside Archery has a full-service pro shop and indoor lanes where you can test gear or join a league, with friendly pros who've been serving Skagit Valley archers since 1988.

From the Anacortes newsletter, October 21, 2026

Jackson Park Golf Course gives you an 18-hole Championship loop, a quick 9-hole Executive, and a driving range with Toptracer to dial things in. It’s famously one of Seattle’s driest public courses, plus lessons and leagues if you want to level up this week.

From the Seattle newsletter, August 12, 2026

Locals who like their tee shots with towering firs and Lake Whatcom peeks should book a round at Sudden Valley Golf Course. The front nine plays friendlier, the wooded back nine tightens up, and the whole track balances strategy with views that make a pushed drive feel forgivable.

From the Bellingham newsletter, October 12, 2026

Pickford Film Center keeps Bellingham’s film cred intact with a steady stream of independent gems, the kind you actually talk about after. Grab snacks, a beer or glass of wine in the lobby, then settle in for something smarter than your algorithm, and way more fun.

From the Bellingham newsletter, September 19, 2026

Bellingham Golf and Country Club is a private, near downtown hangout for classic tree-lined golf, swim lessons parents swear by, and dining that shifts from deck casual to quiet date night. Since 1912, it’s been member-focused with golf programs and lessons, a pro shop, and event space for meetings or weddings.

From the Bellingham newsletter, September 22, 2026

Overlook Golf Course is the go-to Mt. Vernon loop when you want Big Lake scenery, friendly faces, and a laid-back, no-tee-times rhythm. A 9-hole executive layout that plays fast but stays interesting, it’s perfect for sneaking in after work without squeezing your wallet.

From the Mt. Vernon newsletter, October 22, 2026