Have you ever ridden the Bainbridge Island Ferry? If not, this winter could be your perfect opportunity. The views you’ll enjoy from the Bainbridge Island Ferry alone are worth the trip. It’s an extraordinarily beautiful journey and actually rated as one of the top tourist attractions in the Seattle area. For those who don’t live around water, it’s a unique experience, and it is one that is exceptionally beautiful.
There are a few people who simply ride the Bainbridge Island Ferry only to turn around and head back to Seattle. Before you hop back on that boat, though, you should come to explore at least a little bit of this charming island community. There are more than enough things to see and do, including wine tasting, visiting a world-class art-museum and an array of art galleries, some great boutique shops to explore, and some of the best-rated restaurants in the Seattle area.
Make it a weekend, and book a room at any of our delightful Bainbridge Island Lodging properties. You won’t regret a second of the time spent in our charming island community. Visit us today!
The Bainbridge Island Ferry, part of the Washington State Ferry service, serves as a connection between downtown Seattle and Bainbridge Island, a small island on the Kitsap Peninsula. Approximately once every 50 minutes, a ferry departs from Coleman Dock in downtown Seattle, and heads over to Bainbridge Island. The crossing takes about 35 minutes, plus load and unload time. You can both drive and walk on the ferry, and it’s always best to arrive well ahead of scheduled departure time. The ferry maintains their current schedule online, and also make regular updates when unexpected delays or interferences occur.
Once on the ferry, head up to the main passenger cabin, where you’ll find plenty of comfortable seating, bathrooms, and a food galley that is open until late evening hours (times vary). You can stay inside protected from the elements, or you can head outside both on the front and back of the boat to take in the expansive views of Seattle on one inside, and the Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains on the other. There’s also a deck above the main passenger level that provides indoor and outdoor seating and is often a popular place to head on warm, sunny days.
If you’re bringing along your dog, this is the part of the boat you’ll want to head to; pets generally aren’t allowed in the main passenger cabin.
The simplest answer to that question is, no! Once you’ve left the Bainbridge Island Ferry, you’ll find yourself at the ferry terminal, which is just a short distance away from Winslow Way, the main street of downtown Bainbridge Island. From the terminal building, you can choose to either walk or ride a bike. Much of Bainbridge Island is very walkable, and it’s fairly easy to circumnavigate via bike as well.
If you want to rent a bike, you can do so at the Bike Barn, right there at the ferry terminal, or from Classic Cycle just up the street. From there, what you choose to do on the island is up to you. Consider reading our guide on the best way to navigate Bainbridge without a car.
If you’re looking for the perfect Bainbridge Island lodging, you’ll find it amongst our unique properties. From our wide array of properties, you’re bound to find exactly what it is you’re looking for. After a day spent exploring Bainbridge Island, you’ll be looking for a warm and comforting place to wind down, rest, and recuperate. Bainbridge Island is a unique place and one you’ll fall in love with from the moment you first arrive.
Even if you’re coming to Bainbridge Island for no other reason than to ride the Bainbridge island Ferry, we think you’ll fall in love and want to stay. Come see what this charming town is all about, and book your lodging today!