Getting around once you land
Winslow sits close to the ferry dock, so you can step off and explore the town center on foot. Some of the island's best sights lie farther out, though. Plan to drive or bike if you want to reach the exclusion memorial, the forest preserves or the gardens at the north end.
Morning: Stroll Winslow
Start in Winslow, the island's small downtown and home to most of its restaurants, shops and community events. It makes a natural first stop while you get your bearings.
Two museums worth an hour
Browse contemporary work at the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art, which has a different feel from a typical small town gallery. Traveling with children? Let them loose at the Kids Discovery Museum, where hands-on exhibits are a good way to burn off energy after the boat ride.
Saturday market season
From April through November, the Bainbridge Island Farmers Market sets up on Saturdays. If your schedule is flexible, time your trip for a market day and add a lively local layer to your morning.
Midday: Eat and Drink on the Island
The food scene here is compact but varied, and several spots have earned real reputations.
- Café Hitchcock carries you through the whole day, from breakfast to cocktail hour, and is known for its weekend oyster brunch.
- Proper Fish batters local seafood and serves it with chips or tucked into tacos and sandwiches. Order the British-style mushy peas if you want the full tradition.
- Harbour Public House pairs chowder, fish and chips, burgers and grilled dishes with harbor views. Grab a patio seat on a clear day.
- Blackbird Bakery is the island's well-known stop for a slice of something sweet or a cookie to carry onto the ferry home.
For wine, stop by the tasting counter at Eleven Winery, which pours a range from chenin blanc to cabernet sauvignon. It slips easily between lunch and an afternoon walk.
Afternoon: Gardens, Forests and History
Bainbridge is hilly and green, and its outdoor spaces are the main reason many people make the trip. Pick one or two depending on your energy and how you are getting around.
Bloedel Reserve
Head to the island's north end for Bloedel Reserve, where 150 acres hold several themed gardens, including a Japanese garden. The lush, richly textured plantings reward a slow walk. If you want to compare styles on another day, Seattle has its own Japanese Garden in the Arboretum.
Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial
This memorial honors the nearly 300 island residents who were unjustly incarcerated during World War II. Follow the winding trails through the site, which give you space to reflect. It is one of the most significant stops on the island, so give it unhurried time.
Grand Forest and Gazzam Lake
For a proper hike, wander about eight miles of flat trails under fir and cedar in Grand Forest. Gazzam Lake Nature Preserve is larger, with 444.6 acres of forest and undisturbed wetland. Plan a route there that swings past Close Beach, where clear weather opens up views of the Olympic Mountains.
Late Afternoon: Shop Before the Boat Home
Bainbridge shops lean toward items you will not easily find in the city, so spend your last hours browsing.
- Millstream Bainbridge carries artful Pacific Northwest gifts and local crafts.
- Celtic Crossroads imports jewelry, wool sweaters and other goods from Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
- Zutto Vintage and Antiques is the place for unexpected finds.
Round things out at The Cove, the renovated open-air center once called Winslow Mall, where several shops sit together. Look for BI Barkery for dog treats and gear, Magnolia for clothing and Calico Toy Shoppe for kids.
Your Day at a Glance
- Catch a morning boat from downtown Seattle and take in the skyline from the deck.
- Walk Winslow, visit a museum, and stop at the farmers market on a Saturday in season.
- Have lunch at one of the island's seafood or brunch spots.
- Drive or bike to Bloedel Reserve, the exclusion memorial or a forest trail.
- Return to Winslow for wine, a bakery treat and some shopping.
- Ride the ferry back as the city comes into view.
Back in Seattle, keep the momentum going with more things to do in Seattle, a stroll through one of the city's neighborhoods, or an afternoon in Seattle parks. You can also round out a waterfront day with a visit to nearby Seattle landmarks.
