If you’re looking for an incredible day trip from Seattle that is accessible without necessarily requiring a vehicle and full of intriguing things to do, see, eat, and drink, you’re in the right place. A day trip to Bainbridge Island, which involves a brief ferry ride across the Puget Sound, is undoubtedly one of the best day trips from Seattle.
In this guide, I’ll provide you with every bit of information necessary for a memorable day excursion to Bainbridge Island, like how to get there without a vehicle, where to find the best coffee and brunch, and where to wander.
One of the most spectacular perspectives of Seattle and the surrounding area comes from the ferry ride from Seattle to Bainbridge Island. Looking east from the ferry, you’ll see the Seattle skyline profile. To the west, the Olympic mountains. And turn south on a clear day and you might just spot snow-capped Mount Rainier in the distance.
It’s a dazzling ferry ride, and the town of Winslow, where the ferry docks, is replete with hidden gems for foodies and shopping-lovers. It’s something that you should try to make room for in your Seattle Itinerary.
If this sounds appealing, continue reading for all the necessary details to plan the perfect day trip to Bainbridge Island!
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How to Plan the Perfect Bainbridge Island Day Trip from Seattle
First, some logistical details for visiting Bainbridge Island from Seattle.
How to get to Bainbridge Island From Seattle
To get from Seattle to Bainbridge Island, take the ferry run by Washington State Ferries departing from downtown Seattle.
Specifically departing from the Seattle Ferry Terminal at Pier 52, which is several blocks south of Pike Place Market. This link shows the location on Google Maps.
Yes, technically you can drive around and avoid the cost of the ferry. Given the cost of gas, and the two hours or so it’ll take you to do that, we wouldn’t recommend it.
Additionally, the ferry ride truly offers spectacular vistas on a clear day, where you’ll have amazing panoramic views including Mount Rainier to the south, the city to the east, Mount Baker to the north, and the Olympics off to the west.
It’s a lovely way to get out to Bainbridge.
How to Get to the Seattle Ferry Terminal
To get to the ferry terminal on foot from Downtown Seattle, walk to Pike Place Market, find the stairs or elevator down to the waterfront (pretend you’re going to the Great Wheel), and stroll south down Alaskan Way until you reach Pier 52.
If staying elsewhere in the city, like Capitol Hill, Fremont or Ballard, a transportation service may be preferred.
When Does the Bainbridge Island Ferry Come?
Transportation via ferry across these waters occurs every 60 to 90 minutes on average according to the mid 2022 schedule. The most recent ferry timetable can be found here.
How Much Does the Bainbridge Island Ferry Cost?
The brief ferry ride will take around 35 minutes, and without a private vehicle costs quite a sum at $9.25 per adult, and $4.60 for children. So a day trip to Bainbridge Island from Seattle is very cost effective.
If you bring your car, the cost would be $16.40 which includes the driver, plus the walk on fare for any other people in the car.
The costs are here if you want to inspect them.
If you are continuing on, you’ll be pleased to know that you only have to pay the toll for one direction (on the ferry TO Bainbridge). If you have a car, you have to pay for the car both ways, but the extra passengers are free coming back to Seattle from Bainbridge.
For example, a full-day excursion to Bainbridge Island for a family of four (two children, two adults, one car) would cost $34.85 for the trip there, and $16.40 for the return trip for a total of $51.25.
Be sure to spend some of the voyage outdoors on the ferry`s deck to take in the spectacular views.
Do you Need a Car to Explore Bainbridge Island?
Traversing downtown Winslow on foot after disembarking from the ferry would be quite practicable – it`s only a half mile distance from the dock.
That being said, some of Bainbridge Island`s best aspects lie farther out, like the breathtaking Bloedel Reserve, and having a vehicle facilitates access.
How to Get Around Bainbridge Island Without a Car
If traveling to the island without a private vehicle, several alternative modes of transportation exist for navigating Bainbridge Island, such as bike rentals, shuttles, and public buses.
A Perfect Itinerary for a Day Trip to Bainbridge Island from Seattle
Here`s an ideal way to spend a day on Bainbridge Island, whether you`re local and seeking to escape the city, or you`re visiting and want a break from the city before continuing with the rest of your Seattle plans.
If you have a full day, from sunrise to sunset, I also have some recommendations for additional activities to fill more time.
I’m going to assume you don’t have a car.
If you do have a vehicle, add either Bloedel Reserve or a loop to Rockaway Beach and Fort Ward Park to the itinerary, destinations certainly worth exploring on a Bainbridge Island day outing.
Exploring either option would make for a pleasant afternoon taking in the lush greenery that seems abundant throughout Bainbridge Island. While doing both may not be feasible if time or energy is limited, either a leisurely stroll or guided tour offer a nice way to spend some time there.
Bear in mind that the Bloedel Reserve charges a premium, and you need to make scheduled entry reservations well in advance.
We’d likely suggest exploring the driving loop to Rockaway and Fort Ward State Park outside of the spring and early summer seasons, when Bloedel is particularly special.
9:00 am: Catch the Ferry to Bainbridge Island
Get up early and catch the 9:35 am ferry from the Seattle Ferry Terminal.
You’ll want to ensure to arrive at least thirty minutes in advance (particularly if you have a vehicle), because they do fill up on busy weekends at prime time.
When boarding the ferry whether by vehicle or on foot, head straight to the highest level, which is the third deck above the ferry interior.
Head to the side of the ferry facing the city (preferably the right side if you’re facing back towards Seattle) for the optimum views of the city and Mount Rainier.
During the ferry ride, be sure to go to the front of the ferry facing Bainbridge for breathtaking views of the snowcapped Olympic Mountains in the distance looming over Bainbridge Island, especially outside of the summer months.
Upon arriving at the island, amble 10-15 minutes up the street into the quaint downtown region.
10:30 am: Breakfast and Coffee Time!
Upon disembarking the ferry, turn left on Winslow Way E and explore the downtown area while strolling. No need to worry – you`ll return shortly!
Your first destination is Blackbird Bakery, which is considered the premier bakery on the island (although the long line outside Coquette Bakeshop indicates that it may be a worthwhile alternative). Blackbird offers various pastries – including croissants and pain au chocolat that they prepare on-site
As someone with Celiac Disease precluding gluten consumption, I asked my mom and Alysha to sample the pastries here. They chose the orange sweet roll (like a cinnamon roll with orange glaze) and the savory croissant, both of which they enjoyed.
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They also offer Herkimer Coffee from Seattle, which is what I enjoyed here. If you’re seeking something a little more filling, their huge slices of deep-dish quiche looked amazing.
There`s a pleasant little park area next door that includes various tables and chairs where you can savor your pastries.
From there, walk through the main strip of Winslow and take a left on Madison Ave S. You’ll end at Pegasus Coffee, who has the best coffee in town.
Grab your beverage of choice and settle in to savor it fully. Or, if you`re in a hurry on a fine day, get it to take along and head over to Waterfront Park to admire the scenery overlooking the harbor and beyond.
One thing I discovered on our last trip to Bainbridge is the reality that they have gluten free and vegan doughnuts here from Dude’s Donuts in Port Orchard, AND they have separate implements to grasp them from their dedicated gluten free boxes. Pistachio Lime was amazing. A great treat for my gluten free acquaintances!
11:45 am: Exploring Downtown Bainbridge
Recall that charming downtown strip you walked past earlier? Now is the time to explore that delightful section.
If you’re in town on a Saturday, don’t miss the Bainbridge Island Farmers Market, which is a few blocks north of Winslow Way. It’s small, but it’s a great showcase for the wide variety of produce that’s grown on Bainbridge.
A must-stop for book lovers (and pretty much everyone, I guess) is Eagle Harbor Books. Take a few moments wandering the shelves. If you see something appealing, purchase it! SUPPORT LOCAL BOOKSTORES (not Amazon).
Next time, some shopping is on the agenda. You won’t want to miss Millstream, which specializes in Pacific Northwest inspired art, gifts, and souvenirs. This was undoubtedly the best stop we made for shopping.
Another great stop is Salt House Mercantile, who carry Country Pottery (the most beautiful pottery we’ve ever seen) all the way from Vermont!
1:00 pm: Lunch at Proper Fish
There are a couple of good food options in this area, but I want you to ignore all the others and head directly for Proper Fish.
Independently, my mom and Alysha – who were the critics here due to the entire gluten thing – both proclaimed that these were the finest fish and chips they’ve ever had.
They use fresh seafood, they serve them wrapped in newspaper, and they provide sides of thick fries, tartar sauce, and mashed peas blended with mint (a British dish served alongside fish and chips).
Oh, and they’re enormous. Originally, Alysha wanted the fish sandwich, but I made an audible decision to order the fish and chips after seeing them emerging from the kitchen while I was in line.
If traveling by car, we’d strongly advise grabbing some food to go and driving them to the nearby Rockaway Beach, where you’ll find a nice secluded beach and grassy area with a Seattle vista ideal for enjoying your meal.
That’s what we did, and it was magical.
2:30 pm: We All Scream for Ice Cream
For post-lunch frozen treat, head to Mora Iced Creamery for the finest frozen dessert on the island. I say ‘best’ because we tried the other place in town, and this was the clear winner.
The lavender ice cream in particular stood out as the favorite. They’ll use a clean scoop and cup if gluten free eating is required – be sure to request politely.
3:00 pm: Grab a Pre-Ferry Drink
Before boarding the ferry to return home, enjoy (or perhaps indulge in) a drink in town before directing yourself towards the ferry terminal.
Remember – if you’re driving onto the ferry, you need to show up at the terminal ~20-30 minutes early to make sure you get on the ferry! Make sure to leave yourself enough time to catch the 3:55 ferry home, which will get you home in time for dinner.
For wine tasting... head to Eleven Winery’s tasting lounge along Winslow Way. Or, if vehicular transportation is available, you should head to the actual vineyard a few miles away on Bainbridge Island.
For beer aficionados... head to Bainbridge Brewing’s Alehouse for some locally crafted beer made on Bainbridge Island. If a car is available, their brewery is a few miles north along state highway 305 and is worth a visit. They have a couple rotating taps for cider AND gluten free beer (in cans) for my Celiac friends. Plus some local wines, if neither beer nor cider are preferred.
3:55 pm: Catch the Ferry Home to Seattle
- A dedicated wellness spa will be completed by 2023; in the meantime, in-room spa treatments can be booked in advance.
Want to stay longer?
Here are some other fun activities to add to your Bainbridge Island day trip.
- The previously stated Bloedel Reserve or Fort Ward Park – each offers a brief walk through beautiful greenery.
- Lease a bicycle at Bike Barn and take a trip to scenic Rockaway Beach for vistas of the Seattle skyline.
- Check out an actual functioning farm at Heyday Farms – a 25 mile stretch of farmland that was revitalized a decade ago. Now, you can spend the weekend there, take a cooking class, or simply purchase sustainably-raised meat from them. It’s a fascinating venture definitely worth visiting, and if you want to make it an overnight stay, see if they have any availability to lodge on the farm. Dinner is offered there on Thursday and Friday evening if you’re seeking a more upscale, farm-to-table meal.
- Go beyond the tasting areas in Winslow and explore the profusion of wineries on Bainbridge Island. But not too much, because you need to drive.
- Check out the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art, where you’ll find exhibitions featuring local artists. Admission is free!
- Taste the apple-based distilled spirits, like gin and amaro, at High Side Distilling. You can even tour the distillery! More into whiskey (I’m not)? Head to Bainbridge Distillers instead.
Spend an enchanting night away! Bring your vehicle and lodge at the Marshall Suites in Winslow, or one of the numerous breathtaking Airbnbs on the island (like this stunning fresh guesthouse – so much natural illumination!)
What Next?
That area is what sums up my suggestions for arranging an unbelievable day voyage to Bainbridge Island.
But I have numerous other posts on Seattle for you to read while you’re here. I was raised in Seattle, lived there for over 15 years, and still have dreams of potentially moving back again in the not-too-distant future.
A comprehensive guide was created to spend 3 days in Seattle, and a guide on where to reside in Seattle with the 3 coolest neighborhoods – all according to myself, a former Seattle local.
Discover other amazing day trips outlined in my guide to the prime excursions from Seattle.
Additional Areas to Visit in Washington State
Visiting the great state of Washington? Here are some additional posts you may appreciate.
- The Best Things to Partake in Seattle: A Local’s Comprehensive Guide (forthcoming SOON!)
- Where to Lodge in Seattle: 7 Amazing Areas to Seek Accommodation
- A suggested 3-day itinerary for an amazing weekend visiting Seattle
- Experiencing Seattle Over Two Days: What to See and Do in 48 Hours
- Plan for Seeing the Best of Seattle in a Single Day
- The 8 Best Day Excursions from Seattle: A Complete Guide
- 10 Remarkable Nearby Getaways from Seattle: A Complete Planning Guide
- Where to Find the Best Coffee in Seattle: 15+ Amazing Seattle Coffee Shops
- A Thorough Travel Guide for Gluten-Free Individuals in Seattle
- How to Plan an Amazing Washington State Road Trip
- The 19 Best Lodging in Washington State
- 33 Remarkable Cabins in Washington State
- 12 Amazing Easy Hikes in Washington State for Beginners
- A guide presenting an incredible schedule of activities for exploring Olympic National Park
- Activities to Engage in Leavenworth, Washington: A Complete Guide
- What to Experience on San Juan Island: A Complete Visitor Manual
- Top Things to Do on Orcas Island: Complete Planning Guide
- Popular activities on Vashon Island: A complete daily itinerary
Hungry (I always am) for additional travel motivation, guides, and tips?
First, connect with me on Instagram to follow along on my year-round global expedition.
Next, check out my favorite travel resourcesto travel more economically, swiftly, and better.
Finally, browse my latest posts to fuel your spirit of adventure.
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