There are so many wonderful things to do on Bainbridge Island.
Whether you are planning to visit Bainbridge Island as a day trip from Seattle or you want to spend a few days exploring this beautiful place, you’ll find plenty to keep you busy.
There are museums, historical sites, parks, beaches, and fantastic restaurants to enjoy. It’s a breath of fresh air (literally) and it feels miles from the hustle and bustle of downtown Seattle. And yet, it’s only 30 minutes away by ferry.
How to Get to Bainbridge Island
The easiest way to get to Bainbridge Island from Seattle is to take the ferry. The Bainbridge Island ferry terminal is located right in downtown Seattle, a short walk from Pike Place Market.
The ferry costs $10 round trip for walk ons and once you are in Bainbridge Island, you can easily walk to the nearby town of Winslow where many of the best things to do on Bainbridge Island are located.
If you have a car and are exploring other areas of Washington on your trip, you can also drive to Bainbridge Island.
It takes just under two hours to get from downtown Seattle to Bainbridge Island by car and you can stop along the way in beautiful areas like Gig Harbor or Port Orchard.
The sunsets in Bainbridge are pretty spectacular.
Do you need a car on Bainbridge Island?
You don’t need a car for a day trip to Bainbridge Island. If you are planning to explore the town of Winslow and perhaps a few other nearby spots, you can easily get around by walking, taking the bus, or renting a bike at the ferry terminal.
If you want to explore deeper into the island to some of the places that are further afield, you can still navigate pretty well with the buses, but a car will be much more convenient.
The buses really only run on the island to cater to people taking the ferry in the morning to Seattle and home from work in the evenings, so they aren’t particularly reliable as a tourist.
Bikes are definitely the best option for exploring without a car. You can rent them from the ferry terminal area located here. E-bikes are also available.
Overall, you don’t really need a car on Bainbridge Island, but if you are spending a few days on the island for a longer trip, having a car will allow you to easily get off the beaten path to some of the more hidden things to do on Bainbridge Island.
The Bike Barn is the best place to rent bikes on Bainbridge Island, but it’s not particularly cheap for their e-bikes. Shop around in downtown Seattle to see if it’s a cheaper option to grab it before you get on the ferry.
Best Things to Do on Bainbridge Island
Most of the best things to do on Bainbridge Island are located in the town closest to the ferry, which is why its such a fantastic addition to all of the great things to do in Seattle.
The best way to explore Bainbridge Island away from Winslow is by renting an e-bike or a hybrid bike from the Bike Barn at the ferry terminal. You can reserve the bike in advance on their website if you are visiting during peak travel times in the summer.
1. Visit the Bainbridge Art Museum
This contemporary art museum located in Winslow is one of the best local art museums in all of the Seattle area.
It is completely free every day of the week and the art exhibits change regularly. I have been to the museum on four different occasions, and each time there is a completely new artist on display.
You can count on discovering tons of local artists from around the Puget Sound and Pacific North West region of the US as well as indigenous artists and works from those that have made the PNW their home after coming from elsewhere in the world.
There is a nice gift shop, a rooftop patio where you can sit and relax for a little while, and very clean bathrooms here as well. Check the website to make sure they will be open during your trip to the island.
Bainbridge Brewing has tons of great beers on draft and a nice atmosphere in the evenings.
2. Sample Craft Beer
Bainbridge Brewing is a local brewery that is making some fantastic ales on the island. There are two locations on the island depending on what vibe you are looking for (and how far you want to travel from the ferry terminal).
The downtown Winslow location is convenient. It’s right next door to the art museum and along the main street in Winslow so you can pop in before the ferry back to Seattle for an evening drink or two.
The Winslow location is 21+ only, so not suitable for families looking for food and beers in one place. However, the Copper Park location is family friendly.
The Copper Park location is a great place to head if you also want to sample some local whisky. The Bainbridge Distillery is located in the same shopping area. Just be sure you have a designated driver!
3. Shop at a Local Bookstore
I love checking out local bookstores when I visit new places and Bainbridge Island has one of the best around. Eagle Harbor Book Co is a true local experience.
Browse the shelves of local authors, books about hiking in the area, and discover guides to foraging in the forests of Washington. There are also tables full of crafts for sale from local artists.
The bookstore, of course, also has all of the latest and most popular titles as well as classics, books for kids and teens, and shelves full of unique books to discover.
Eagle Harbor Book Co is one of the best bookstores that you will find during your trip to the Seattle area and should not be missed if you like supporting local shops and discovering new authors.
4. Walk along the Waterfront Trail
One of the nicest ways to see the island is by walking along the waterfront. You will find a clearly defined path close to the main street in Winslow.
From the ferry terminal, follow the crowds up the hill and out of the terminal parking area. You’ll pass the bus stop, the Bike Barn, and then you carry on up the sidewalk along the right side of the road.
You will come to a set of traffic lights with a pedestrian crossing. This is a good place to cross and then head down the quieter side road to the left called Harborview Drive.
After a minute, you’ll see the waterfront trail to your right. It’s a cleared path through the woods which brings you to a small park where the rowing club is located.
If you brought your lunch or you grab something to go along the main street of town, this is a great place to come to eat it. There are picnic tables and beautiful views of the harbor.
The trail becomes part of the road as you head up the hill along Shannon Drive. Turn left at the top of the hill onto Bjune Drive and then left again onto Madison Avenue.
At the end of Madison Avenue, the trail picks up again along the waterfront. This is the most beautiful part where you really take in the views of all of the boats and the beaches on the other side of the waterway.
Keep an eye out for the fun rock sculptures along the way.
The cute stone sculptures along the waterfront in Bainbridge are a fun thing to spot around town.
5. Do a Wine Tasting
There are several wineries around Bainbridge Island to explore. If you are exploring the island with a car (and a designated driver), you can actually stop into some of the wineries like Rolling Bay Winery, Perennial Vintners, or Eleven Winery.
If you are exploring Bainbridge Island for the day without a car, then lucky for you there are two fantastic tasting rooms right in Winslow.
Fletcher Bay has a beautiful tasting room right next to Bainbridge Brewing and the Bainbridge Island Art Museum.
You can get a flight of different wines and a scrumptious meat and cheese board to nibble on while you taste their light whites, bubbly rose, or rich chocolate port (a personal favorite!). Head up to the rooftop for the best views to go with your wine.
Eagle Harbor Wine Co also has a small tasting room in Winslow where you can sample some of their extensive wine selection. Grab a seat outside to enjoy your wine in the sunshine.
6. Wander Through Hawley Cove Park
An easy walk or bike ride from the ferry terminal, this is an ideal place to head if you don’t want to follow the hoards of other tourists to Winslow right away.
Bainbridge Island is a very popular tourist destination, especially during the summer. I love turning right along Winslow Way when everyone else off the ferry is turning left.
If you rent a bike from the Bike Barn at the ferry terminal, you can be at Hawley Cove Park in about 5 minutes. Alternatively, it takes about 20 minutes to walk there from the ferry.
The park is a protected area of close to 12 acres with wooden boardwalks for strolling and plenty of benches to relax on to soak in the views out over the water.
There are a few viewing platforms if you want to watch the ferries come and go or try to spot some birds along the waterfront.
Eagle Harbor is full of beautiful boats and you can grab a bench facing the water to watch them come and go.
7. Go Swimming at Pritchard Park
You’ll want to have a bike or a car to get yourself to Pritchard Park. It’s located on the opposite side of Eagle Harbor from the town of Winslow, so is a little bit too far to walk.
By bike its about 25-30 minutes, but it is well worth the journey if you are visiting in summer and want to have a fun place to relax and cool off.
It’s a wonderful viewpoint to watch the ferries come and go, to watch for different birds, and to take a dip into the chilly waters of the Puget Sound.
8. Try some Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegars
Located on Winslow Way, right in the center of Winslow town is the cutest shop that food lovers will not want to miss out on.
Lively Olive Tasting Bar is a fun experience to have while on Bainbridge Island where you can taste luxurious olive oils that have been infused with chilis, garlic, roasted onions, or truffle.
There are also walls filled with balsamic vinegar that has been distilled with so many unique flavors.
There are little cups next to each flavor so that you can take small sips or head to the back where there are plates of bread to use for dipping and sampling.
Once you decide which combination of oils and vinegars you like, you can purchase bottles of all sizes. Heading home with a carry-on only? No problem, there are 3oz bottles of all of the different flavors.
You can also grab larger bottles and they will wrap them up securely for you to safely pack them into your checked luggage to avoid any breakages.
9. Eat the Island’s Best Sandwich
If you get hungry during your day trip to Bainbridge Island, head to Cafe Hitchcock.
Cafe Hitchcock has a full menu of breakfast options, delicious evening meals, and a rotating tap of locally brewed Kombucha on offer.
But the reason to come to Cafe Hitchcock at least for your first trip to Bainbridge Island is for their sandwiches. It’s for their housemade focaccia, their slow-cooked roast beef topped with their fresh pickles and perfectly melted cheese.
In addition to the Chi-Town and the roast beef sandwiches which feature their house-roast beef, they also have locally sourced deli ham, bacon, and cheeses which round out the rest of their exquisite sandwich options.
Enjoy it at one of the patio tables or take it to go and sit on a bench along the waterfront. Just make sure to grab plenty of napkins.
Cafe Hitchcock is one of the best spots in town for a delicious sandwich.
10. Sample Sweet Treat’s from Blackbird Bakery
The best time to come to Blackbird Bakery is first thing in the morning. Head here straight from the ferry to have the best selection of fresh-baked pastries, muffins, cakes, and a piping hot cup of coffee.
There are so many delicious treats behind the glass counter at this bakery, you’ll struggle to choose just one or two. For sweet things, consider the lemon poppyseed muffins, the hazelnut French roll, or the always-gooey triple chocolate chip cookies.
They also have a nice selection of savory baked goods that would make a perfect afternoon picnic. Grab a slice of quiche, a cheese scone, or a savory croissant.
11. Dive into the Local History
Did you know that Pickleball was invented on Bainbridge Island? Learn that and so much more about the history of this small but mighty island at the Bainbridge History Museum.
One of the most wonderful exhibits at the museum has a collection of different cookbooks and recipe cards that date back generations. We can learn so much about the past from the way people cooked and ate at different times in history and this exhibit really highlights that.
The birthplace of Pickleball and home to lots of other interesting history to explore.
12. Take an E-Bike Tour
Visit the island as a day tour from Seattle with a tour guide and you will be able to learn a lot more about the island than if you were to tour it solo.
This is a great option if you are visiting Seattle and are only here for a few days or you are short on time during a cruise ship stop.
You will meet the tour guide in Seattle at the ferry terminal and you’ll be able to choose a bike that fits your height before boarding the ferry with the guide.
This 4.5-hour tour will take you along a waterfront bike trail to explore the stunning coastline. You’ll also stop at a bakery for coffee and a snack along the way. Book that tour here.
13. Explore Local Farms
While Vashon Island may be more well known for its farm stands, there are still a few spots to explore on Bainbridge Island that will excite kids and kids at heart.
This eco-farm tour is such a fantastic way to explore a different side than what most people see on a day trip.
This is ideal if you have been to Bainbridge before and want to try something different or if you aren’t particularly interested in the touristy sites around Winslow town. It’s fantastic for kids since there are farm animals to pet and plenty of land to run around on during the tour.
However, it’s not just for kids. You’ll also visit the Japanese American Exclusion Memorial and make a stop at Sakai Park to soak in some incredible views and see some of the unique art on display here.
The farm you will visit on the tour is focused on sustainable farming, which you can learn more about during the trip. Book onto that tour here.
Bainbridge Island has some beautiful parks and walking paths to help you see the best that this nature-filled island has to offer.
14. Visit Bloedel Reserve
This last stop on the list of best things to do on Bainbridge Island is reserved for those that chose to drive to the island or those that don’t mind a longer bike ride to get there.
The park is 140-acres of greenspace with walking trails and beautiful gardens. Head here in Spring for blooms or in the autumn for the stunning autumn colors on the trees around the park.
During the summer, entries are timed, so you need to make a reservation prior to visiting. You can book tickets and a time slot on the website here.