Believe it or not, the first book in the Twilight series was published 15 years ago this year, and the first film was released just three years later. While Washingtonians were just as obsessed with the story as the rest of the country, we chuckled a bit at the increase in tourism to the tiny town of Forks, where the story takes place. While Forks does sit on the beautiful Olympic Peninsula, there’s not much to it… but still, if you’re a Twilight fan, you should visit at least once.
Forks is a small community located in Clallam County on the tip of the Olympic Peninsula.
Wayne Hsieh / Flickr This little logging town has a population of about 3,800.
Before Twilight, this place was pretty sleepy… and for the most part, it still is.
Ted Drake / Flickr The top tourist attractions used to be a timber museum and a nearby tree root cave (which is admittedly pretty awesome).
Of course, after the Twilight series soared in popularity, local tourism increased substantially.
Wayne Hsieh / Flickr And 15 years later, plenty of starstruck tourists still make a pilgrimage to Forks to see where their favorite story took place.
The locals have definitely capitalized on this new popularity, as they should.
Pacific Inn Motel Landmarks from the films are well-marked, and the locals have a sense of humor about it. You’ll also find some pretty fantastic Twilight-themed rooms, like this one at the Pacific Inn Motel.
And if you’re a diehard fan, book a tour with Twilight Tours.
MartinaCaligirl1 / TripAdvisor They’ll take you to some of the best-known spots on a 13-seat tour shuttle, encouraging photos whenever possible.
Stephanie Meyer has said that when she was creating her saga, she needed a place that was ridiculously rainy and surrounded by nature.
sk / Flickr She chose Forks because it seemed absolutely perfect for the story she was telling. The Olympic Peninsula has the most rainfall in the country, so basing the story here made sense.
Looking around at the thick forests and mystical, foggy beaches that surround this town, it’s easy to see why Forks was a perfect choice.
Bernd Thaller / Flickr And if you’ve never read the Twilight saga, paying Forks a visit just might inspire you to pick up a book (or check out the movies… no judgment).
Have you ever visited Forks? It’s one of many must-see spots on the Olympic Peninsula.
Wayne Hsieh / Flickr
This little logging town has a population of about 3,800.
Ted Drake / Flickr
The top tourist attractions used to be a timber museum and a nearby tree root cave (which is admittedly pretty awesome).
And 15 years later, plenty of starstruck tourists still make a pilgrimage to Forks to see where their favorite story took place.
Pacific Inn Motel
Landmarks from the films are well-marked, and the locals have a sense of humor about it. You’ll also find some pretty fantastic Twilight-themed rooms, like this one at the Pacific Inn Motel.
MartinaCaligirl1 / TripAdvisor
They’ll take you to some of the best-known spots on a 13-seat tour shuttle, encouraging photos whenever possible.
sk / Flickr
She chose Forks because it seemed absolutely perfect for the story she was telling. The Olympic Peninsula has the most rainfall in the country, so basing the story here made sense.
Bernd Thaller / Flickr
And if you’ve never read the Twilight saga, paying Forks a visit just might inspire you to pick up a book (or check out the movies… no judgment).
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Address: Forks, WA 98331, USA