Victorian Port Townsend full of festivals

What's the draw?

The historic Victorian seaport on the Quimper Peninsula may be best known for its annual film festival (Sept. 26-28), but there's a nonstop schedule of art and music events throughout the summer. To name just a few, there's a chamber-music festival (June 22-29), a "Fiddle Fest" (June 29-July 6), a jazz fest (July 20-27) and a Wooden Boat Festival (Sept. 5-7).

What's new

this summer?

Coming or going by the Keystone Ferry? Starting May 19, you can reserve space for cars and motorcycles through a pilot program with Washington State Ferries. See www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries.

If you go

Miles from Seattle: 58

Round-trip gas cost for Prius hybrid*: $9.67

Round-trip gas cost for Navigator SUV*: $24.17

Lodging worth a look:

• Palace Hotel. It's Eliot Spitzeriffic! The three-story brick Captain Tibbals Building once housed a brothel known as the Palace of Sweets. Along with its 14-foot ceilings and huge windows, the hotel sports 15 guest rooms and suites furnished with antiques and named for the hookers who plied their trade in them. So you can stay in "Miss Cecilia," "Miss Colleen" and the like. $59-$109 for an August Saturday; www.palacehotelpt.com.

• James House Bed & Breakfast. This 1889 mansion on a bluff boasts uniquely decorated rooms as well as the title of best inn on the Olympic Peninsula for 13 straight years, and Sunset Magazine's "Best of the West." $145-$250 for an August Saturday; www.jameshouse.com.

• Bishop Victorian Hotel. The key word being ... wait for it: Victorian. Fireplace suites, period furniture, historic lighting -- and some have soaking tubs. Victorians loved to soak away all that repression. $145-$215 for an August Saturday; www.bishopvictorian.com.

Dining you won't likely regret:

• The Silverwater Cafe. In the heart of P.T.'s historic district, it's known as a relaxing spot for a drink and top-notch salmon ($22). 237 Taylor St.; silverwatercafe.com.

• Fins Coastal Cuisine. On the waterfront with outdoor seating. Dinners are in the $20-$30 range, and regulars recommend the seafood and the buffalo burgers. 1019 Water St., Port Townsend; www.finscoastalcuisine.com.

More information: See www.ptguide.com; www.enjoypt.com; and the Port Townsend Film Festival's site, ptfilmfest.com.

-- Mark Rahner, Seattle Times staff reporter