Friday Harbor is the only incorporated town in the San Juan Islands, a ferry ride from Anacortes in Washington's Puget Sound. It is a small, walkable place with a harbour full of sailboats, a handful of good restaurants, and a relaxed island pace.
The main reason to come is the setting. The San Juan Islands are one of the best places in the Pacific Northwest for whale watching — orcas pass through the channels regularly from spring through autumn. The Whale Museum in town is worth a stop, and kayak tours from the harbour get you out on the water among the islands. The surrounding countryside is rolling farmland dotted with lavender farms and sculpture parks.