“Loving Island Life” The Bainbridge Island 30hr Getaway
Imagine yourself on a ferryboat deck with a latte in one hand, your overnight bag at your feet, and the dazzling Seattle skyline filling the horizon behind you. While the boat churns across Elliott Bay, the Space Needle disappears from view and a shoreline materializes in the distance.
You’re bound for Bainbridge Island―an antidote to Seattle’s big-city bustle and an introduction to Puget Sound island life. Here’s how to make the most of a 30-hour visit.
9:35 a.m. Skip the commuter rush and take a midmorning ferry from Seattle. The 35-minute ride stops near Winslow, the downtown shopping district, a five-minute walk from the ferry terminal. Have a look around; you’ll get the chance to shop tomorrow. Drop your bags at your hotel (see recommendations at Bainbridgelodging.com). Now, it’s time to explore. Although Bainbridge isn’t large, you’ll need a car, taxi, or bike to reach many areas.
10:30 a.m. In Winslow, you’ll find a coffeehouse on every block. Pegasus Coffee House and Gallery serves beverages made from locally roasted beans in a vine-covered waterfront building, while Roosters Coffee and Bainbridge Bakers attract loyal followings. Enjoy a cup of joe, then grab some take-out stir-fry from Teriyaki Town or a sandwich from Town and Country Market.
12 p.m. Spend your afternoon discovering the island’s beauty in pristine woods, state parks, and waterfront. Once a private estate owned by a timber magnate, Bloedel Reserve is now a 150-acre sanctuary of trees, wildlife, ponds, and gardens. The park’s paths meander past majestic Douglas firs, hemlocks, and cedars. Elsewhere on the island, try IslandWood, a 255-acre outdoor learning center, which offers three-hour walking tours of its breathtaking property.
If you still have time, take a boat tour. Back of Beyond Explorations and Exotic Aquatics Scuba & Kayaking both rent kayaks. Prefer pedaling to paddling? Rent a bike from Classic Cycle, which operates from the barn near the ferry terminal in the summer. Or explore by car. The coastal route along the island’s south end borders stop-and-stare views and the chance to watch the Bremerton-Seattle ferry travel through Rich Passage.
6 p.m. When it’s time for dinner, choose from one of Bainbridge’s fine-dining restaurants: Hitchcock, Harbour Pub, Café Nola, and The Four Swallows. Doc’s Marina Grill, along the waterfront, serves some of the best fish-and-chips on Puget Sound. Sawatdy Thai Cuisine’s dishes stand out despite its location next to a gas station.
7:30 p.m. While several restaurants offer live music, The Harbour Public House is one of the island’s best adults-only venues. For a laid back evening you can catch independent films at The Historic Lynwood Theatre, a 1936 movie house on the island’s south end. If you haven’t already eaten, make a pre-showtime stop at nearby Treehouse Café for the island’s best thin-crust pizza.
10 p.m. There’s more to see and do tomorrow, so head back to your hotel for some shut-eye: The Eagle Harbor Inn wins praise as Winslow’s premier accommodations, with four well-appointed rooms and three luxurious townhomes. Island Country Inn provides traditional motel amenities, and more than a dozen B&Bs and rental homes dot the island. Two of the most exquisite: Waterfall Gardens, a 5-acre retreat with spring-fed ponds, waterfalls, and gardens, and Skiff Point Guest House, with a 180-degree view of Puget Sound.
Enjoy your stay and you will truly understand why Bainbridge Island is a “Loving Island Life” kind of place!
For more information on Bainbridge Island check out SonjaJones.com. Be sure to watch the 3 min video about Bainbridge Island.
