Carli
Carli
A day trip to Bainbridge island is a favorite for tourists and locals alike, because of its accessibility and small town charm. In less than an hour you can go from city life to island life.
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Getting to Bainbridge Island from Seattle
Washington state has the largest ferry system in the United States and it’s one of the best ways to explore the Puget Sound beyond Seattle.
One of the reasons a Bainbridge Island day trip is so easy, is because the ferry dock is right downtown. If you’re staying downtown or Pioneer Square, it’s an easy walk to the ferry terminal. For hotels a little further away, it will be a quick bus or Uber/Lyft ride to the terminal.
It is a short ferry ride at around 35 minutes, with boats leaving every 40-50 minutes. Make sure you’re checking the Bainbridge Island ferry schedule so you don’t miss any time in Bainbridge. When visiting Bainbridge Island, you only need to plan to arrive 10-15 minutes prior to departure from Seattle. Leaving Bainbridge, you should be there at least 20 minutes early as there is a longer walk, and usually a line to board.
The ride from Seattle to Bainbridge offers some of the best views of the city. You’ll get to see the entire skyline, including the Space Needle, once the boat is farther out into the sound. And, if you’re lucky Mount Rainier will be on display to the south.
Tickets to Bainbridge Island
You could take the ferry round trip without ever going into downtown Bainbridge and it would still be worth it for the views. The price of a 1 hour harbor cruise tour at the waterfront is $45 for an adult. The cost to walk on to the ferry is $11.05 for the round trip for adults, and kids 18 and under ride free. For a family of four, this would save $120 – $160 depending on the age of the kids.
Tickets for the Bainbridge Island ferry can be purchased online or at the ferry terminal. The online tickets are one time passes that can be used any day or time within 90 days from purchase. Or, you can buy them from one of the ticket kiosks at the terminal building.
You only have to purchase a ticket from Seattle to Bainbridge Island, the price is inclusive of the round trip cost. When returning from Bainbridge to Seattle, simply head back to the ferry terminal and wait in the walk-on passenger line.
How to spend your day trip to Bainbridge Island
There is so much you can do on a one day trip to Bainbridge Island. Whether you want to get in tune with nature or go on a shopping haul, there are fun things to do in Bainbridge Island for everyone.
Museums
- Bainbridge Island Museum of Art – This art museum surprised me in the best way. While it is small for an art museum, they have done an amazing job curating their exhibits. Bonus: free admission!
- Bainbridge History Museum – Located in an old schoolhouse, this museum shares the unique history of the island and its inhabitants. This is also free to visit.
- Kids Discovery Museum – perfect for families to give their smaller kids some active play time for the day trip.
Shops to visit on your day trip to Bainbridge Island
You’ll find a variety of shops all along Winslow Way from the ferry turn off down to Madison Ave. There are some very specialized shops (like the most beautiful yarn store I’ve ever seen) but many have a little bit of everything. You can expect a home store to also have clothing, and a clothing store to also have gifts. Give yourself plenty of time to wander, because you never know what unexpected treasures you may find. Here are my favorite stores on the island:
- Conservatory Coastal Home
- Danger Bainbridge
- Eagle Harbor Book Co
- Island Life
- La Mercerie
- Millstream Bainbridge
- Rockin’ Ruby’s Records
- Sweet Deal
- Zutto Vintage & Antiques
Wine tasting
Washington state is second to California for wine production in the US. With over 1000 wineries in the state there is plenty to choose from. You can taste some of the local wine yourself at one of Bainbridge’s tasting rooms.
- Amelia Wynn Winery
- Eleven Winery
- Fletcher Bay winery
- Harbor Square Wine Shop
Bloedel Reserve
Bloedel Reserve is a beautiful 150 acre nature reserve on the north end of the island. It is also considered one of the best botanical gardens in the country. Unfortunately, it is not easy to travel from the ferry or downtown area without a vehicle.
It is accessible by bus from downtown via the 390/391 route and takes about 30 minutes. Bus passes can be purchased digitally through the myOrca app or with Google Pay.
With a car, the drive is about 15 minutes from the ferry. You can easily take a taxi or rideshare to and from the gardens.
Tickets are timed and sell out especially during the busy summer season and on weekends. It is recommended to purchase tickets in advance to guarantee admission and parking if you have a vehicle. The first Wednesday of the month is “pay as you wish” admission.
Where to eat in downtown Bainbridge
You’ll find a ton of restaurants downtown on or just off of Winslow Way. Bainbridge Island has a great food scene, so you can’t really go wrong, but here are a few popular spots in the area.
- Bainbridge tacos – Mexican street tacos. Perfect for lunch or a smaller meal.
- Bruciato – Rustic Italian restaurant with Neapolitan wood fired pizza.
- Cafe Hitchcock – a Seattle favorite with a sister location on the island.
- Harbor Public House – A 10 minute walk from the main strip, this old school pub has the best views of the marina.
- Sauce Nouvelle – this small restaurant is known for gourmet salads and sandwiches. Bar seating inside or take it to go and enjoy your meal with a view on the ferry back to Seattle.
For those with a sweet tooth you can stop by these bakeries and sweet shops, or just grab a coffee for your walk around downtown.
- Blackbird Bakery – Very popular bakery, expect them to be sold out of most items by the afternoon.
- Croquette Bakeshop – This bakery started as a stand, and is now in a brick and mortar space. You’ll find a variety of baked goods and sandwiches.
- L’Atelier LR – Small, locally made artisanal chocolate shop.
Day trip to Bainbridge Island FAQs:
Do you need a car on Bainbridge Island?
For a day trip to Bainbridge Island, no you do not need a car. There are plenty of things to do on Bainbridge Island without a car.
Can you walk around Bainbridge Island?
Yes, the downtown area of Bainbridge Island is very pedestrian friendly. You can easily enjoy a day trip to Bainbridge Island on foot.
What to do on Bainbridge Island without a car?
The downtown area of Bainbridge Island is very accessible by foot, and without a car. There are multiple museums, tons of local boutiques, restaurants and wine tasting rooms available within a 10-20 minute walk of the ferry.
How do I get to Bainbridge Island from Seattle?
The fastest way to get to Bainbridge Island from Seattle is by ferry, from the downtown Seattle ferry dock.
How long is the ferry to Bainbridge Island?
The ferry from Seattle to Bainbridge is roughly 35 minutes from dock to dock, plus boarding and departing time. Estimate about 50 minutes for the whole ride.
How much does the ferry to Bainbridge island cost?
For walk-on passengers, it is $11 for an adult round trip ticket. You only pay once in Seattle.
What is Bainbridge Island known for?
Bainbridge Island is a beautiful Pacific Northwest island best known for creating Pickleball. On the island there is also the Bloedel Reserve, a charming downtown, and its easy access to and from downtown Seattle.
