Do you find yourself wondering what to do on Bainbridge Island this summer, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic when most things are still closed?  You’re not alone!  We’re not sure what this summer is going to look like on Bainbridge Island. As a town that pretty heavily relies on tourism throughout the year, but especially in summer, the prospect of remaining closed or having limitations one just how many people can visit us in downtown Winslow is certainly something we’re thinking and worrying about.

Luckily, though, one of the many draws to Bainbridge Island is its rural character and the variety of things to do here that you just don’t find in the city.  This includes things like biking, hiking, and enjoying our parks and trails.  And, as per the order by Washington’s Governor, these things are all currently opened, with social distancing strongly encouraged.  Some of the best parts of Bainbridge, then, will still be open and available to you this summer. Your vacation might be a little more creative than it otherwise would have been, but we think this presents the perfect opportunity to experience what life on this quaint rural island is really about!

When it does come time for those mini-getaway and staycations that will surely be popular this summer, the lodging accommodations on Bainbridge Island will be waiting.  From a small boutique hotel in downtown Winslow to a variety of unique rental properties, the Bainbridge Island Lodging & Hospitality Association (BILHA) has something that will fit the needs of anyone who wants to visit here.  Browse through our listings, and discover your perfect getaway to Bainbridge Island just as soon as it’s safe to travel.

Want to Know What to do on Bainbridge Island This Summer?

Bainbridge Island is expected to enter into Phase 2 of Governor Inslee’s reopening plan within the coming week, which means our restaurants and stores can open back up to service, though at limited capacities.  Hopefully, if we keep on track and do our collective jobs and minimizing the continued spread of COVID-19, that puts Bainbridge on track to be open to visitors again by mid-July.  The dates are quite flexible, and it might be best to hold off on travel until August or later.

But, regardless of when it is you get here, odds are you’ll want to know what to do on Bainbridge Island once you’re here. We certainly want you to support our downtown businesses, including the incredible shops and restaurants that call Winslow home.  But, we think it’s wise to plan in a fair number of activities that take advantage of Bainbridge Island’s natural beauty.  Here are a few suggestions on what to do on Bainbridge Island this summer, and even into fall.

1. Visit the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial. It’s located near Pritchard Park, a superfund site and the home of one of the sandiest beaches on Bainbridge Island. The Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial is one of the most sacred spaces on the island, marking the place where resident Japanese Americans living on Bainbridge Island were forcibly removed from the area and eventually taken to concentration camps.
2. Seeing Bainbridge Island from the water is a unique and peaceful experience. If you don’t have your own kayak or paddleboard, one can be rented from Exotic Aquatics. Though there are a lot of places to Kayak around the island, one of the safest and calmest places is in Eagle Harbor, which is located near downtown Winslow.
3. If you’re ever short of ideas of what to do on Bainbridge Island, you can’t go wrong with a visit to one of our beaches, parks, or trails.  Each of them offers a glimpse into Bainbridge Island’s diverse habitats and natural beauty.  Popular places to go include Fort Ward, Battle Point Park, Gazzam Lake Preserve, The Grand Forest, and Fay Bainbridge.
4. Take a stroll through one of the country’s top botanical gardens.  Bloedel Reserve is an immaculately preserved and landscaped garden located on the northern end of the Island. It’s not yet open to the general public, but we can’t wait for the day that it is.  To walk on the grounds at Bloedel is a deeply profound experience and one we hope everyone gets to enjoy in due time.
5. Bainbridge Island is a unique destination for a lot of reasons, not least of which is that you don’t need a car to explore the island.  Bainbridge Island is a bike-friendly community.  Bikes can be rented right at the ferry dock from Bike Barn, or just across the street from the terminal at Classic Cycle.

It Takes More Than a Day to See Bainbridge Island

If you’re one of the many throngs of visitors that plan to come to Bainbridge Island just for a day, we urge you to reconsider and to spend at least one additional day with us.  We’ve only scratched the surface here when covering what to do on Bainbridge Island, and we’d love to show you more.

How about visiting one of our great wineries, distilleries, or our local brewery?  Or maybe you’re an art lover and want to visit the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art, the number of local art galleries and studios, or the Bainbridge Artisan Resource Network (BARN) for a class or two?  We haven’t even mentioned our restaurants, yet, and they alone are worth staying a few days for.  There are so many great ones!

When it comes time to decide what to do on Bainbridge Island, the world is your oyster.  There are so many great things to choose from, and it’s pretty hard to go wrong.  Life is good here on Bainbridge, and we hope you spend a night or two at one of our properties so we can show you just how good it is.  Browse through our collection of lodging properties, and enjoy some much-needed R&R on Bainbridge just as soon as it’s safe to do so. It probably goes without saying, but we can’t wait to welcome you to our beautiful island!