Fort Worden

Fort Worden is located where it is because of its strategic location at the entrance to Puget Sound, where it, Fort Flagler on Marrowstone, and Fort Casey on Whidbey created a pretty imposing array of gun batteries, had any unfriendly ships tried to sneak in (I guess none ever did). The forts all date to the late 1800s and early 1900s (I think Fort Ebey on Whidbey is of a later vintage).

It's been a State Park since the early 1970s, managed now for museums, camping, lodging, as well as a variety of events and festivals. It's a great venue for workshops and small conferences (my excuse to spend two days recently). The bluffs offers great views of the Cascades to the east, from Baker to Rainier, of Vancouver Island and the San Juans to the north, and of the Olympics in the west. It's also got some neat beaches (and some interesting coastal geologic conundrums).