Okay, so yesterday, I finally did that Bainbridge Island day trip I’d been planning. It all started with checking the ferry schedule. Gotta make sure you don’t miss the boat, literally!
Getting There
I grabbed the ferry schedule online. I wanted to get an early start, so I aimed for the 8:55 AM ferry from Seattle. That meant getting to the ferry terminal around 8:15 AM, just to be safe, and to get some photos before boarding.
I drove down, parking wasn’t too bad near the terminal, but it was a little expensive. Noted it for the next time, might try the bus next time. The ferry ride itself was super chill. About 35 minutes, I spent most of it on the deck. I love the view of mountains and water.
Exploring Bainbridge
- First thing, I headed straight for Winslow, the main town right off the ferry. It’s super walkable, which is great.
- I wandered around the shops. They’ve got some cute boutiques and art galleries. Bought a small watercolor painting, because, well, I couldn’t resist.
- Lunchtime! I hit up this little cafe called “Streamliner Diner”. Seriously good. Had a classic burger and fries, nothing fancy, but it really hit the spot.
- After lunch, I decided to check out the Bloedel Reserve. It’s a bit further out, so I grabbed a local bus. The bus system on the island is surprisingly easy to navigate.
Bloedel Reserve and beyond
Bloedel Reserve, wow. Just stunning gardens. It’s this huge estate with all these different themed areas – a Japanese Garden, a moss garden, a reflection pool… I easily spent a couple of hours just walking around and taking it all in. Very peaceful.
After Bloedel, it was getting late in the afternoon. I hopped back on the bus to Winslow, and grabbed a coffee while I waited for the ferry back to Seattle.
The ferry ride back was just as nice, the sun setting. Perfect end to the day. Overall, it was a super relaxing and easy day trip. Would I do it again? Absolutely. Maybe next time I’ll rent a bike and explore more of the island.
