Plan your BirdFest weekend with confidence. Below you’ll find information about the North Olympic Peninsula, lodging options with BirdFest discounts, what to wear in April, and recommended Pacific Northwest field guides.
The North Olympic Peninsula is widely known as a great place for bird watching with a wide variety of bird species. Field trip locations include bays, fields, and wooded areas. The locations are part of the Olympic Loop of the Great Washington State Birding Trail and are known as Important Bird Areas (IBA).
The Dungeness River Nature Center in Sequim will become “Bird Central” for the Thursday April 10, to Sunday April 13, 2025 weekend. When you arrive we will have maps and information about the Sequim Dungeness Valley in addition to all the maps and information about the demonstrations and events offered during the festival. The River Center houses a natural history museum, and is located right on the Dungeness River.
The Sequim Chamber of Commerce and the Port Angeles Chamber of Commerce can help you learn more about this spectacular area. Both websites are linked to area attractions, restaurants and B&B’s.
From Seattle and the most of the Puget Sound area, Sequim is just an hour and a half ferry ride and drive. It is legendary for being in the rain shadow of the Olympic Peninsula Mountain Range, and offers some of the Pacific Northwest’s best birding.
Lodging Information
Below is a list of motels and bed and breakfasts offering discounted rates to BirdFest attendees. Please mention BirdFest when booking.
For additional visitor’s information, please visit the following links:
www.olympicpeninsula.org – Olympic Peninsula Lodging
www.visitsunnysequim.com – Sequim Visitor’s Information
www.portangeles.org – Port Angeles Visitor’s Information
PREFERRED HOTEL
7 Cedars Hotel
Use the link below to receive a 20% discount 270756 Highway 101, Sequim WA 98382
360.683.7777
gettaroom.b4checkin.com/7cedars/rlp/BIRDFEST2026
Dungeness Barn House Bed and Breakfast
Mention BirdFest 20% Discount
42 Marine Drive, Sequim, WA 98382
360.670.9122
dungenessbarnhouse.com
Olympic View Inn
Mention BirdFest 10% Discount
830 W. Washington, Sequim, WA 98382
360.683.4195 / 1.800.810.4195 / FAX 360.683.2230
email: info@olympicviewinn.com
olympicviewinn.com/
Quality Inn & Suites
Mention BirdFest 10% Discount
101 East 2nd Street, Port Angeles, WA 98362
(360) 207-0375
choicehotels.com/washington/port-angeles/quality-inn-hotels/wa099?source=lb
Holiday Inn Express
Call for 12% BirdFest discount
1441 E Washington St, Sequim, WA 98382
360.681.8756
Holiday Inn Express
Red Lion Inn & Suites Sequim
Mention BirdFest 15% Discount & Full Breakfast
1095 E Washington Street Sequim, WA 98382
360.683.1775
Red Lion Inn & Suites Sequim
Sea Cliff Gardens
Ask for Bill and mention BirdFest for 15% discount
397 Monterra Drive, Port Angeles, WA 98362
360.452.2322
seacliffgardens.com/
Sequim Bay Lodge
Ask for Peter and mention BirdFest for 10% Discount
268522 US-101, Sequim, WA 98382
360.683.0691
sequimbaylodge.com/
What to Wear
Local advice on what to wear in the Pacific Northwest
Spring in the Northwest is unpredictable. One day it can reach 70 degrees, the next 40 degrees and pouring rain. Whatever the temperature, there will be wildflowers blooming and plenty of birds to see.
Layers! Layers! Layers! This is the key to comfort in the Pacific Northwest outdoors. Even though BirdFest is in April, bring warm clothing, especially if you’re planning to be on a boat. Consider long underwear; a lined, waterproof jacket with hood; waterproof fleece or wool pants; hat and gloves; and wool socks. Waterproof boots and shoes are a necessity. You want to be able to walk across a mud flat or over swampy ground without discomfort. We do not recommend cotton.
If you forget anything, you can find reasonably priced outerwear at Brown’s Sporting Goods or Swains General Store (a large selection of jackets, boots, shoes and socks) in Port Angeles, 45-minutes from Sequim.
Dress for the Saturday night banquet: Casual. Wear your favorite sweater or polar fleece, or whatever you wore all day. This is meant to be a comfortable, entertaining, and relaxing evening among friends!
Order River Center endorsed field guides and books ahead of your trip from our online Bookshop.
The River Center’s gift shop will be open daily throughout BirdFest too!