If you have time for only one sight, visit the excellent Whale Museum, a small but cleverly arranged space dedicated to the life of the orca (killer whale), which has become something of a San Juan Island mascot. Among whale skeletons and life-size models of orcas, there are eloquent DVD presentations, interactive maps and details of local research projects, all of which will teach you everything you need to know about these magnificent but cruelly misunderstood sea mammals.
Whale Museum
San Juan Islands
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
18.09 MILES
Arguably the finest museum in British Columbia and carrier of a ‘royal’ prefix since 1987, Victoria’s flagship sight mixes the cream of BC’s provincial…
17.03 MILES
More ostentatious country mansion than fortified castle, Craigdarroch, with its turrets, stained-glass windows and palatial interior, looks like it might…
20.9 MILES
Far more than just another pretty flower arrangement, Butchart is a national historic site and a triumph of early-20th-century gardening aesthetics. With…
29.23 MILES
Halfway between La Conner and Mt Vernon, this renowned bulb producer has color-drenched fields of blooms as well as a truly spectacular display garden…
6.93 MILES
Spencer Spit State Park is one of only four state parks on the San Juan archipelago. Two sand spits have formed a marshy lagoon that is a prime spot for…
12.92 MILES
In 1911 Robert Moran donated 7 sq miles of his property to create this park on the eastern saddlebag of Orcas Island. The park is dominated by 2409ft Mt…
18.22 MILES
This dramatically handsome confection of turrets, domes and stained glass is British Columbia's working legislature and is also open to visitors. You can…
25.12 MILES
This swath of temperate rainforest a 20-minute drive from the city is bisected by the Trans-Canada but squeezes a lot of nature into its 4.5 sq km. A…
Nearby San Juan Islands attractions
0.02 MILES
In an 1890s farmhouse on the outskirts of Friday Harbor, the San Juan Historical Museum commemorates early pioneer life on San Juan Island. While the…
2. San Juan Islands Museum of Art
0.15 MILES
Housed in the most swanky, modern building in town. Visit to see rotating exhibits featuring primarily Pacific Northwestern artists.
1.91 MILES
Turn Island is a hit with beach campers and especially kayakers. The marine park is part of the San Juan Islands National Wildlife Refuge.
4. Shaw Island Library & Historical Museum
3.6 MILES
This little history museum about Shaw Island shares space with the library.
5. San Juan Island National Historical Park (American Camp)
4.52 MILES
On the southern flank of the island, the American Camp hosts a small visitor center and is a good place to start your historical excursion. Among the…
6. Lopez Island Historical Museum
4.65 MILES
This tiny museum exhibits antiquated farm machinery, early pioneer photos and various rotating exhibitions. What it lacks in scale it makes up for in…
7. San Juan Island National Historical Park
4.96 MILES
Known more for their scenery than their history, the San Juans nonetheless hide one of the 19th century's oddest political confrontations, the so-called …
5.6 MILES
The restored 1917 schoolhouse is run by the local historical society and offers a good photo op. To get to the schoolhouse from Lopez Village, take the…
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