Charming Bainbridge Island is a short ferry ride from downtown Seattle.
Explore shops, galleries, museums, wineries and gardens on Bainbridge Island in an idyllic setting with picturesque harbors, sweeping coastal views, and quiet country roads.
Take the 35-minute ferry ride from downtown Seattle to Bainbridge Island by car or on foot, leaving from Pier 52 on the Seattle waterfront.
The ferry docks at the charming township of Winslow on Bainbridge Island, with plenty of shops and restaurants, and 3 museums to explore.
20 best things to do on Bainbridge Island
1. Seattle to Bainbridge Island Ferry.
The 35-minute ferry ride from Seattle to Winslow on Bainbridge Island attracts nearly 5 million visitors each year, and is the busiest ferry route in Washington State (check Ferry Departure Times).
2. Winslow Way restaurants.
The charming township of Winslow on Bainbridge Island is a 5 minute walk from the ferry, and is perfect for browsing book shops, gift shops, boutiques and galleries. Find a great selection of restaurants along Winslow Way, including BIMA Bistro, Bainbridge Brewing Alehouse, and Bruciato (pizza).
BIMA Bistro can be accessed through the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art, and has a lovely outdoor patio for brunch and lunch.
The Bainbridge Brewing Alehouse (21+ only) is one block from the ferry terminal, and serves small plates, snacks and 18 draft taps.
The trendy Bruciato pizza and gelato restaurant is on the main shopping street on Winslow Way and has chic, industrial decor and a woodfire stove.
3. Winslow waterfront dining.
Choose from 3 dining options along the Winslow waterfront; Doc's Marina Grill, Bainbridge Thai Cuisine, and The Harbor Public House.
Doc's Marina Grill is a seafood restaurant on Winslow in Bainbridge Island, with patio seating overlooking the marina.
Bainbridge Thai Cuisine has spectacular waterfront dining, and is great for families.
The Harbor Public House is inside a historic 1881 home, owned by homesteader Ambrose Grow. In 1991 it was converted to a restaurant, and serves burgers, seafood and other pub fare, with a patio overlooking the water.
4. Winslow coffee
Stop by the ivy covered Pegasus Coffee for your coffee fix, with a relaxing outdoor patio in a garden-like setting. This coffee shop has been here since 1980, and serves delicious pastries and coffee. This historic building was constructed in 1937 and was originally a hardware store, later the site of a registration center for Japanese Americans during WWII.
5. Fletcher Bay Tasting Room
The Fletcher Bay Winery Tasting Room is next door to the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art.
This modern tasting room was opened in 2018, and has covered patio seating.
Hang out on the rooftop garden at the Fletcher Bay Winery Tasting Room, with views of Seattle and Bainbridge Island.
6. Winslow shops
Discover a wide range of shops in Winslow on Bainbridge Island, including boutiques, a bookstore, gift shops, antiques, toys and so much more!
7. Bainbridge Museum of Art.
The free Bainbridge Island Museum of Art is inside a striking modern building, with two levels of rotating exhibits featuring contemporary art and crafts from Puget Sound artists. There's also a gift shop and a bistro (check hours).
8. Bainbridge History Museum.
The free Bainbridge History Museum is worth a visit, inside a 1908 schoolhouse (check hours).
9. Kids Discovery Museum.
Younger kids will enjoy the interactive Kids Discovery Museum on Bainbridge Island with fun, hands-on exhibits (check hours & admission).
10. Saturday Farmer's Market.
Visit the vibrant Saturday Farmer's Market at City Hall Park in Winslow on Bainbridge Island, from April to October.
11. Waterfront path.
Stroll along the Waterfront Park near the Ferry Terminal at Bainbridge Island, and enjoy superb views of Eagle Harbor.
12. Japanese American Exclusion Memorial.
The Japanese American Exclusion Memorial is a 5 minute drive from Winslow, on the south side of Eagle Bay (free admission). This memorial honors Japanese American members of the Bainbridge Island community who were forcibly removed from their homes and incarcerated in 1942.
A cedar and granite "Story Wall" follows the original pathway down to the Eagledale Ferry Dock where these Japanese Americans were rounded up and transported to concentration camps. The names and ages of the 227 people are listed on the wall, and many never returned.
The memorial has a pathway that connects to waterfront Pritchard Park, with incredible views of Puget Sound.
13. Bloedel Reserve.
The Bloedel Reserve and mansion is a must-see for garden enthusiasts. This beautiful estate has an exquisite Japanese Garden, Moss Garden, and Reflection Pool.
14. Bainbridge Gardens.
The Bainbridge Garden Nursery has a lovely, forested setting with over 6-acres of gardens and outdoor sculptures to explore (check hours.)
The gardens were originally developed in 1908 by Zenhichi Harui, but were deserted in 1942 when he was forced to leave Bainbridge Island during the Japanese-American incarceration. Harui's son redeveloped the property in 1989, paying hommage to his father's work. Many of the Japanese-inspired buildings are still there today.
15. Fay Bainbridge Park.
Drive 7-miles north of the Ferry Terminal to Fay Bainbridge Park. Stroll along sandy beaches on the saltwater coastline and take in breathtaking views of Puget Sound. Your kids will love the pirate-themed playground.
16. Battle Point Park.
Battle Point Park is a 90-acre park at the site of a former sawmill, then radio naval station. The big attraction is the amazing playground! It's a 10-minute drive northwest of Winslow.
17. Bainbridge Vineyards.
Bainbridge Vineyards is a 10-minute drive north of Winslow, and has a scenic outdoor setting, with plenty of patio space for tastings. It was established in 1977 (check hours).
18. Eleven Winery.
Eleven Winery is 11 minutes north of Winslow, in a rustic tasting room in a forested setting. Sample the charcuterie and cheese options (check hours).
19. Fletcher Bay Winery.
Fletcher Bay Winery is 9 minutes north of Winslow, with a chic tasting room and outdoor patio (check hours).
20. Bainbridge Organic Distillers.
Bainbridge Organic Distillers is 5 minutes north of Winslow and was founded as an organic distillery in 2009. It sells award winning vodka, gin and whiskey (check hours).
21. Highside Distilling.
Highside Distilling is 5-minutes north of Winslow, and is a family owned distillery that opened in 2018 (check hours).
22. First Sunday Concerts.
Bainbridge Island also has a thriving performing arts scene. This includes First Sunday Concerts, and the Bainbridge Symphony.
23. Bike or Kayak Rentals.
Rent a bike from Bike Barn Rentals next to the Ferry Terminal (July through September), or a kayak from Exotic Aquatics Scuba Kayaking.
How big is Bainbridge Island?
It's 5 miles wide and 10 miles long. The total island is 65 square miles.
Where to stay on Bainbridge Island
If you're searching for lodging on Bainbridge Island, select from a wide choice of B&B's, hotels or vacation rentals. Some suggestions:
- Bed and Breakfast: Abode on the Sea, Skiff Point
- Hotel or Inn: The Eagle Harbor Inn
- Vacation Rental: Bauhaus
Things to do near Bainbridge Island
- Poulsbo - 12 miles north
- Naval Undersea Museum - 18 miles NW
- Port Gamble - 19 miles north
- Point No Point Lighthouse - 23 miles north
- Marrowstone Island - 46 miles north
- Port Townsend - 47 miles north
- Dungeness Spit with lighthouse - 63 miles northwest
- Olympic Game Farm - 63 miles northwest
- Hurricane Ridge - 90 miles NW
- Lake Crescent - 93 miles NW
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