A quintessential day trip from Seattle: Bainbridge Island! Sitting directly across Elliott Bay, this island is as charming as Washington comes. Thanks to the convenience of the ferry, a Bainbridge Island day trip is easy and essential to add to your Seattle itinerary.
Ditch the car and enjoy this Bainbridge Island day trip on foot for a quick and easy getaway. While there are many fun things to do in Seattle, especially outdoors, Bainbridge Island is worth a visit if you have a day to spend here.
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How to Take the Ferry to Bainbridge Island
The easiest way to get to Bainbridge Island is to take the ferry from Seattle, which is about 35 minutes. The ferry terminal sits on the waterfront at the southern end of downtown Seattle. Multiple routes leave from this terminal, so make sure you follow the signs to the Bainbridge ferry (it is well signed).
There is a ticket counter you can walk up to and buy tickets. Just ask for tickets to Bainbridge Island. I suggest arriving at least 15 minutes before the scheduled departure time so you have plenty of time to buy tickets and get on board.
You can find ferry times on Google Maps and the ferry transportation website. For this Bainbridge Island day trip itinerary, I suggest catching an 8:30 to 9:30 am ferry to maximize your time on the island. You can drive a car onto the ferry, but for this itinerary, we’re keeping it fun and easy and walking on board the ferry!
- Take the 35-minute ferry from Seattle to Bainbridge Island.
- Aim to leave between 8:30 am and 9:30 am to maximize your day trip.
How to Get Around Bainbridge
There are multiple ways to get around Bainbridge Island, from driving to catching the bus, but for this itinerary, we’re focusing on walking, and biking if you’re feeling adventurous. You can drive a car onto the ferry from Seattle, but you don’t need one to enjoy your time on this charming island.
This Bainbridge Island itinerary focuses on the Winslow neighborhood of Bainbridge, which is easily walkable from the ferry terminal.
- On foot: This is the easiest way to get around Bainbridge Island. You can walk from the ferry terminal to the main downtown area of Winslow, and the main itinerary points are all within walking distance. Plus, walking is free!
- On bike: Another fun way to get around is by renting a bike. You can do so near the Bainbridge Island ferry terminal at Bike Barn Rentals (they do close in the winter season). A bike will allow you to adventure further than on foot, but it’s not necessary.
12 Best Things to Do on Bainbridge Island
1. Breakfast at Pegasus Coffee
Start your Bainbridge Island day trip with breakfast at Pegasus Coffee. They have killer pastries here to go with their delicious espresso drinks. They also offer toasts, bagels, and sandwiches if you’re feeling hungry.
Pegasus Coffee gets quite busy right after a ferry arrives, so take your time heading over here and enjoy the walk. By the time you arrive, the line has quieted down. Another great place to get some breakfast is Blackbird Bakery.
2. Walk the Harbor Trail
After you finish your coffee and breakfast, head to the Harbor Trail behind Pegasus Coffee to take in the view of the quaint harbor, a true Bainbridge scene. It is not a very long trail, but it was a nice way to see another side of Bainbridge Island.
The Eagle Harbor area is one of my favorite outdoor spaces in the Seattle area! It’s so quiet and very PNW-esque with the fishing boats lining the docks.
3. Buy a Book at Eagle Harbor Book Co
Hey fellow book lovers, if you’re always on the lookout for a great local bookstore, then a stop at Eagle Harbor Book Co. is a must! This Bainbridge Island establishment is beloved by locals and visitors alike.
The book selection is incredible here, you wouldn’t think you were on an island. They have everything from new bestsellers to fantasy to a great kids’ section. This is a fun stop for all ages.
You might just find the next perfect book to read on the plane during your next travel adventure!
4. Enjoy a Wine Tasting…or Two
This is the perfect place to sit back and relax while sipping wine. Winslow boasts several wine tasting options, and you can’t go wrong. This is a great pre- or post-lunch activity, or save the wine tasting for the evening.
I recommend visiting Amelia Wynn Winery Bistro, Eleven Winery Tasting Room, or Eagle Harbor Wine Co. All the wineries on Bainbridge Island are great, but if you don’t want to leave the Winslow area, these options are perfect for you.
5. Visit the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art
A must-do activity on your day trip to Bainbridge Island is visiting the art museum. Housing a variety of pieces from artists from the Puget Sound area, the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art is a nice place to wander through.
The art museum is also free! They do survive off donations, and any amount is appreciated. Make sure you check out their gift shop at the end of your visit for a fun Bainbridge souvenir.
6. Try the Best Fish n’ Chips
It’s no secret that the Seattle area has killer fish and chip options. The seafood here is so fresh and so delicious, from oysters to clam chowder. But one of the best places to enjoy fish and chips specifically is Proper Fish, located right in Winslow, Bainbridge Island.
Plan to spend your lunch hour at Proper Fish on Bainbridge Island. Their menu is small, but this restaurant is constantly on my mind. The fish and chips here were the best we tried during our week in Seattle.
7. Sip on Craft Beers
Along with local wine tasting, beer tasting is a must-do in Bainbridge. After you have explored downtown and gotten lunch at Proper Fish, I recommend visiting Bainbridge Brewing Alehouse. Grab a craft beer and play a game inside, or sit on their patio if the weather is (hopefully) nice.
If you’re visiting Bainbridge Island on a Friday, you might be able to catch some live music at Bainbridge Brewing Alehouse. You can view their events here; they also have weekly trivia nights and more.
8. Explore Local Boutiques
The downtown Winslow area has a great selection of shops, restaurants, and boutiques. Along with Eagle Harbor Book Co., some other great shops to check out are Zutto Vintage & Antiques, Backstreet Beat (used bookstore), L’Atelier TR (chocolate shop), and Plum (gift shop).
9. Dine on Pizza and Focaccia
There’s no shortage of nice restaurants, even in just the Winslow area of Bainbridge Island. But to switch things up from your fish and chips lunch, I recommend enjoying a nice dinner at Bruciato. The Neopolitan style pizza at Bruciato is so good, I was so shocked to find such fresh pizza on an island!
Be prepared to wait to be seated here, or aim to go early. If you’re not feeling pizza, I recommend Nirvana Indian & Nepalese Cuisine, SuBI Japanese Restaurant, and Green Pot Deli (Vietnamese).
10. Learn About the Island’s History
As you explore this charming part of Bainbridge Island, you can learn about the island’s history at the Bainbridge History Museum. This small museum shares so much information about the history of Bainbridge with its hands-on exhibits and artifacts in a 1908 schoolhouse. It’s free, but donations are appreciated.
11. Have Afternoon Tea at Bainbridge Apothecary
One of my favorite places on the island is Bainbridge Apothecary and Tea Shop. Stop here for an afternoon pick-me-up, or buy a bag or two of delicious tea to bring home. They have everything from black teas to green and white teas to health blends.
When the weather is nice, their back patio is such a dreamy place to sip on hot tea. You might even make a friend in Carrot Cake, the shop’s mascot (a friendly little orange tabby cat).
12. Bike Around the Island
For the more adventurous of us who want to see more of Bainbridge Island without a car, rent a bike from Bike Barn Rentals right outside the ferry terminal. Bainbridge Island is easy to navigate, and the roads and drivers are quite biker-friendly.
Make sure you have a plan before you peddle off, or at least a map to help you get back to the ferry terminal before departure. I recommend still visiting the Winslow area where everything above is located. But with a bike, you can also venture out to Grand Forest, Gazzam Lake, and Manzanita Park.
*Note: Bike Barn Rentals is only open in the summer. For off-season bike rentals, check out Bainbridge Island Cycle Shop.
In Conclusion: The Best Bainbridge Island Day Trip On Foot
If you’re visiting Seattle and want to enjoy the best day trip without a car, Bainbridge Island is the place to go. This PNW island has all the charm of a small town in Washington with the convenience of being a 35-minute ferry ride from downtown Seattle.
With this one day Bainbridge Island itinerary, you’ll get to see some of the best parts of the island all on foot (or bike if you please). The downtown Winslow area is home to the best local shops and restaurants, and the quiet waterfront is perfect for an afternoon stroll.
Along with a visit to Bainbridge Island, make sure you enjoy the urban life across the bay and the best outdoorsy activities in Seattle! Bookmark this itinerary or send it to a friend who would enjoy this relaxing day trip from Seattle.
