If you read my Seattle post about how you only need one day in the city, then you know that you’ll probably be left with a little time to go see something else in or around the area. And while there are several things you can do, none of them interested my Mom, sister and I. I am not a museum kind of girl, nor do we enjoy walking all over kingdom come. Our options narrowed, and we figured out pretty quickly that we would need to think outside of the box. And this is how we found ourselves on a Bainbridge Island day trip.
Bainbridge Island is located directly across from Seattle via the Puget Sound. Only accessible by ferry, this town is the perfect afternoon or day trip – it’s filled with plenty of things to do, great shopping and even better food.
What This Post Covers:
Why a Bainbridge Island Day Trip?
I love books. It’s not a unique character trait, I know, but I have come across many books in my lifetime. And one of my favorite authors is Kristin Hannah. As a resident of the Island, Kristin Hannah frequently includes Bainbridge Island as a setting throughout her books. For many years, I had the beautiful, picturesque island stuck in my head as one of those “must-sees, but you’ll probably never visit” kind of places.
We were visiting Seattle with most of my family. And when David, my brother, and my Dad headed to the Museum of Flight after lunch, my Mom, sister and I were left without anything else to do. We had already explored Pike’s Place, eaten plenty of food and walked around the Waterfront area. No museums interested us, no sports teams were in town and we were going to go hiking and drink some local beer later in the day. So, with four or so hours to waste until the second half of our group was back, what were we to do?
This was when we had one of those “Aha!” epiphany moments when we realized Bainbridge Island was around the corner.
When researching Bainbridge, we saw that there was so much to do. From a downtown area full of shopping, plenty of restaurants, breweries, and wineries (and even a quilting shop for my crafty mother), we found that there were plenty of things to do, see and eat, and we knew it would be a great little town to walk around for a few hours.
Why you should visit Bainbridge
Bainbridge Island isn’t somewhere that you should only visit if you’ve read about it in books or seen it on TV. However, once you step foot in the town, you’ll realize why Bainbridge is used as a backdrop in so many stories so frequently. The town is beautiful, and as I said above, is packed with plenty of things to do. When doing research, I read that Bainbridge is frequently referred to as the “Nantucket of the West,” and I can see where that term comes from. Bainbridge is a nautical town that allows you to get away from the hustle and bustle of Seattle.
How to get there and back
Bainbridge Ferry
The only way to get from Seattle to Bainbridge Island and back is via the Washington State Ferry where it leaves from Pier 52. Depending on the route you’re taking and the day of the week you’re traveling, the ferry leaves very early, and usually comes back into Seattle no later than 9 or 10 p.m. The total ride is approximately 35 minutes from pier to pier. I recommend checking the ferry schedule before you go as arrival and departure times can vary based on happenings in or around the city, holidays or an off-season schedule. For example, when we visited there was a notice posted on the ticket window confirming that they had just begun their “summer schedule” and ferry times had subsequently changed.
To get on the ferry, you must purchase a ticket at the pier. No reservations are accepted beforehand, and tickets are “first-come, first-served,” so make sure to get there early enough to get your ticket and get in line. Once the ferry arrives, the staff takes a few minutes to offboard existing passengers before allowing ticketholders to board. However, the terminal does get more and more crowded closer to departure time, so being there early ensures that you can have a seat and/or get to your preferred location on the ferry.
The ferry schedule is located on the Washington State Department of Transportation website. Note that times vary based on day, etc. so make sure to grab a copy of the schedule when you’re buying your ticket so you’re not late when heading back (because I don’t know about you but the last thing I would want is to be stuck on an island for the night 🙃)
The ferry allows pets (a few very friendly dogs approached us during our rides), so you can bring your pup along for the ride. Bainbridge is also a very dog-friendly area, with water bowls and free treats being offered at various locations throughout downtown.
Pricing
While pricing can vary for the ferry, it cost us $8.50 per person to cross the Sound (check here to see current rates). However, you don’t need a return ticket from Bainbridge Island, which is a fancy way of saying that your ticket price is round-trip. Keep your ticket stub close, as you will need it to reboard.
Cars are allowed on the ferry at a higher cost (we had a lot of fun watching them load on and off. It’s also worth it to go down to the car deck and see how they lined the cars on their own floor.) The price is a bit more expensive but having a car will allow you to see more of the Island if wanted (note that they don’t allow cars that are rented through apps, such as Lime or Uber).
The Ferry Ride
Once you board the ferry, you can either sit indoors or outdoors. If you find its raining outside, the second floor is indoors and includes plenty of seating, as well as a café that serves a wide variety of Seattle food (a good place to grab a bite if you haven’t already had your fill). Ferry food includes Seattle staples such Beecher’s mac and cheese, Ivar’s chowder and Seahawks cookies as well as Seattle-made beer and wine.
However, I highly recommend that you grab any snacks you want and then head to the top of the ferry and sit on one of the benches surrounding the deck. The star of this commute is the view and you don’t want to miss a minute. Make sure to sit towards the front of the ferry on both rides – one will provide a spectacular view of the island as you approach and the other will provide a beautiful view of Seattle.
When looking back (or towards) the city, take some time to find landmarks that you wouldn’t otherwise see when you’re in Seattle. Highlights include the football stadium and the baseball park. Keep an eye to the water when you’re in the middle of the Sound; though rare, whales and orcas have been known to breach near the ferries.
Bainbridge Ferry to Downtown Bainbridge
Once you’ve arrived at the Bainbridge Terminal, you’ll follow a covered, long gangplank to the terminal area. You’ll walk out, expecting to see a beautiful, bucolic town. And you’ll see…a parking lot. Not to fear. You’ve come to the right place. However, to access the town, you’ll need to walk about half a mile from the terminal to the downtown area. (Don’t worry, there are plenty of signs guiding you). As you make your way into town, there are a few small shops to pop-in and help break up the walk.
You can also walk across the parking lot to a shop that allows you to rent bikes for the day if that’s how you prefer to get around. If you want to avoid the walk/ride into town altogether, we saw a few enterprising, independent golf carts hanging around. If you choose this option, make sure to bring cash for payment and a tip, but don’t rely on the golf carts completely as these rides seemed to be proffered by local shops rather than a reliable source provided by the island itself.
Seven Things to Do on a Bainbridge Island Day Trip
A Bainbridge Island day trip is what you make of it; whether you decide to spend a day shopping, a day eating, or a day doing a little of both. Here are some suggestions of how to fill your afternoon:
Shopping – There are dozens of shops all within walking distance of the pier. Some sell Bainbridge-specific items, such as T-shirts and aprons with the Island’s name on it. Others have homemade goods, while others more have designer clothing. No matter your preferences, you can find something to shop for (hey, my Mom found a quilting store!)
Here is a list of stores that interested us and were also popular with tourists:
- Eagle Harbor Book Co. – a bookstore with plenty of Bainbridge Island-themed paperbacks.
- Salt House Mercantile – one of the cutest home goods stores on the island, selling housewares, bath products, and Island-specific gifts.
- Meli Melo Island Vintage Boutique – a vintage clothing store with Bainbridge Island specialties.
- Esther’s Fabrics – this is the quilt store my Mom was looking for – they had a wide variety of quilting supplies, including a Bainbridge Island-themed quilt pattern.
Food/Bakery/Ice Cream – When you visit Bainbridge Island, there are a plethora of food and drink options. Even if you do nothing else while on the Island, you can have a veritable afternoon of stuffing yourself silly.
When we visited, we talked with some locals that highly recommended Harbour Public House (seen above). The restaurant was a bit of walk past the downtown area and towards the marina, but we enjoyed the “local” aspect it offered. They had great food, a good beer selection, and a beautiful view of the marina on their porch.
Other recommendations included Proper Fish, which is known for its fish and chips (note that its only open for a few hours for lunch, before closing before dinner) and Hitchcock Delicatessen, known for its deli meat and sandwiches (a good option if you’re looking to go down to the Marina and have a picnic lunch!)
If you’re looking for a snack, there is also Blackbird Bakery, which serves baked good as well as soups and sandwiches and Mora Iced Creamery, an ice cream shop that includes fun flavors such as lavender.
For a comprehensive list of all of the food and drinks options on the Island, take a look at this guide by The Infatuation.
Coffee tastings – I marveled at how many places you could get a cup of coffee on the Island; Bainbridge may well be as diverse as Seattle when it comes to coffee options. Two highly-rated options are Cups Espresso and Pegasus Coffee. (FYI – Pegasus is further down the road, close to the marina).
Wine/Alcohol tasting – The Island does not have enough options that you can turn your trip into a day-long winery or a brewery hop. However, if you want to spend some time trying some of Bainbridge’s finest, there are a few options. On your walk towards downtown, you’ll see Bainbridge Brewing Alehouse. This brewery offers a wide variety of beers and a mezzanine area to sit out and look at the island.
There are five or six wine tasting locations in downtown Bainbridge, including Fletcher Bay Winery’s tasting room and Eleven Winery. If you want to travel outside of the downtown area (especially if you have a car or bike), then you can also visit Bainbridge Distillers, which boasts itself as the best distillery in Washington State.
There are a few other areas in downtown Bainbridge that are not necessarily tasting rooms but still serve alcohol. We saw a fun Mexican restaurant that had many signs outside bragging its ownership of some of the world’s best margaritas – so keep your eyes peeled as you explore!
Bainbridge Island Museum of Art – As you are walking from the ferry to downtown, you’ll see a glass building at the corner right before you need to turn to enter the downtown area. This is the Island’s art museum. This museum is full of contemporary art, and even includes exhibits from the Island’s residents themselves. However, a visit to this museum includes more than art, with regular showings of modern films and hands-on creative demonstrations.
Water activities – Of course, you’re on an island, so of course, there are plenty of options to enjoy the water surrounding it. From kayaks to canoes, boat tours and boat rentals, there are many ways to see the Island from the water. The Bainbridge Island website has a list of all available water options offered on the Island – just make sure you take a look at the address, as some of these locations are further away from the ferry terminal.
Renting a bike – As you’re walking from the Terminal to downtown, you’ll see a rental location called Bike Barn Rentals. The Island is a big place, so renting a bike will allow you to not only get around easier but see more during your Bainbridge Island day trip. This shop offers electric bikes as well as road and hybrid, that you can rent by the hour, day and week.
Other Bainbridge Island Day Trip Recommendations & Tips
- When you’re crossing the Sound, both views are beautiful. However, if you are someone that wants to take a gorgeous photo, then I recommend having your camera out on the way back – the view is exceptionally beautiful as you approach Seattle.
- Bainbridge Island is the home to the Japanese-American Exclusion Memorial. Seattle was one of the first locations in which Japanese Americans were relocated during World War II, most of whom ended up in a concentration camp on the Island. This memorial remembers the more than 120,000 people who were affected and honors those who were lost. I did not include this in the above, as I didn’t want to act like it was something “fun” to do; instead, it’s a great historical opportunity to learn from during your visit.
- As you are walking across the covered gangway to enter/exit Bainbridge, make sure to look up. There are interesting facts and tidbits about the island hanging above your head. If you want to learn more about the facts, you can visit the Bainbridge Island Historical Museum, conveniently located behind the downtown area.
- If you’re looking to spend more than a day trip to Bainbridge Island, there are a few hotels and B&Bs available. If you are booking during a potentially high-traffic timeframe, book early; there isn’t a large selection and they tend to fill up early.
Would I Go Back?
While I don’t know if I’d find myself with a day in Seattle again, I know that I would find myself on Bainbridge if I were to come back. The town is cute, activities plentiful, and I feel like you could pick any item from the list above (eating, drinking, water activities, shopping) and make a whole day out of it. However, I think a day trip to Bainbridge Island is enough time to visit a small town, and because of that, I wouldn’t spend any longer than that.
Any Questions?
Feel free to ask any questions or for further recommendations in the comments below. I had a great experience on the Island and would love to share more.
Have you ever been on a Bainbridge Island day trip? What did you think? Or do you want to visit Bainbridge someday? Leave a comment!
Take a look at my Instagram stories (under the Seattle highlight) to see more of our day trip to Bainbridge Island. And don’t forget to save this post for later via the images below.
Very good write-up. Thank you.
I enjoyed your write-up of Bainbridge Island – I want to go for the exact reason you stated: Kristin Hannah mentions Bainbridge in so many of her books, I have envisioned the island and would like to see if the real thing matches my vision of it! I’m going tomorrow and will post what I loved about it – I’m leaving my car on this side, so I can do some “tasting” on the island! Thanks for some of your hints!