Bainbridge for Two

Bainbridge for Two

Island Romance

Table of Contents

Bainbridge Island is a magical place in the heart of Puget Sound. Sail away from the hustle-bustle of every day with a weekend or weekday escape. Experience breathtaking nature and outdoor adventures. Explore art, shopping, amazing food, wine, distilleries, and deserts!  Make some magic on your next visit to Bainbridge.

Winslow for Two

Shop, dine and take in the art and craft of Bainbridge Island at the Museum of Art or our fascinating history at the Historical Museum. Walk the waterfront trail and enjoy a beverage or a bite while overlooking picturesque Eagle Harbor.  

Wander into one of the many creative art galleries, trendy shops, relaxing spas, and upscale boutiques in charming Winslow — a perfect opportunity for gift and souvenir shopping.

  • With so many art galleries to explore, be sure to stop by Bainbridge Arts & Crafts, a non-profit gallery showcasing more than 250 local artisans. From high-end to highly affordable, you’ll find a piece of jewelry, pottery, art, or sculpture to bring home as a memory of your visit to the Island. 
  • Ready to try your hand at creating art? Try Heart and Soul: Art As A Therapy, a cute art studio in Winslow Green offering a wide variety of mediums to work with, including ceramics, canvas, mosaics, and fused glass.
  • Select a local author to read while you’re enjoying your romantic stay. The proudly independent Eagle Harbor Books has an incredible collection of new and used titles and attractive gifts for all ages. Lose yourselves in the stacks while the creaky floors transport you back to the days before independent bookstores were hard to find.
  • Nothing says romance like jewelry to seal a romantic journey. Visit the gorgeous Alina Korotkina fine jewelry showroom on Winslow (by private appointment only) to shop estate, custom, and bridal pieces. For more contemporary selections, visit Castellano Fine Jewelry Design And Gifts, where walk-ins are always welcome.
  • Treat yourselves to relaxing and renewing spa services at Renew Day Spa. Lush surroundings and quiet elegance evoke a sense of calm and peace. Offering a full menu of beauty and spa services, it’s a perfect respite from everyday life. 

Looking for a romantic setting with scrumptious dishes, award-winning wines, and delicious desserts? Try one of these uncommon, only-on-Bainbridge, culinary experiences. 

  • The Hitchcock mini-empire by award-winning star chef Brendan McGill are destinations in their own right. The flagship Hitchcock Restaurant serves up inventive and creative Northwestern fare in a cozy, warm atmosphere. Have a delicious handcrafted cocktail next door at Bar Hitchcock, where the record player mixes retro vinyl, the lounge area has a fireplace, and books and board games are readily available (open late). Or head over to the fantastic Neapolitan-style pizza and Italian fare Bruciato for seasonal delights (also open late).
  • Agate Restaurant is a gorgeous bistro offering seasonal Northwest fare, handcrafted cocktails, and an impressive wine list. The service is fabulous in this dimly lit space with dramatic wall art. Reservations are encouraged, and outdoor seating is available.
  • In 2014, Gayot rated Restaurant Marché in the top 10 of “Most Romantic Restaurants in the US.” The restaurant features locally sourced Pacific Northwest fare with a beautiful mid-century inspired dining room and outdoor seating on cozy Madrona Lane. Super-friendly Chef Greg Atkinson (usually busy behind the counter working over the woodfire stove) and his wife Betsy are on hand to greet guests and suggest the best wine pairings for their incredible menu. Try the famous “Mussels and Frites.”
  • Both bistro and winery, Amelia Wynn, is a delicious choice. The Winslow location includes a warm art-filled dining room and sunny sidewalk seating. Elegant award-winning wines are paired with savory Mediterranean small and large plates, perfect for sharing. Husband and wife team Paul Bianchi and Wendy Armstrong have created a most welcoming and relaxing environment.
  • BA|SA is where “Bainbridge Island meets Southeast Asia.” Trinh and Thai Tran are the dynamic duo behind the scenes. The gregarious, outgoing brother and sister team started cooking together in 2005 in sister restaurant Pho T&N in Poulsbo. Dimly lit, with dramatic art, the dining room looks onto the working kitchen and fabulous bar. Handcrafted cocktails here pair perfectly with seasonal delicacies served on large and small plates. Sharing is encouraged!
  • Ready for your next adventure? Outdoors, or indoors, you’ll find something fun to do.  Biking and hiking are easy go-to’s, with more than 30 trails and parks to explore.
  • Depending on the weather and the season, you can head to the Eagle Harbor City Dock to rent a kayak or standup paddleboard or schedule a guided kayak tour with Exotic Aquatics. 
  • Or give Tour Bainbridge a call for a sightseeing tour in a lux bus. 
  • When the famous PNW rain puts a damper on the day, head to Insight Bainbridge, our island rock gym, for a personal best climbing competition.
  • Or stop in at Scrappy Art Lab, or  BARN (Bainbridge Artisan Resource Network) cool maker spaces and learning places, where all ages come together to create and collaborate.

While most island action takes place during the day and early evening, several late-night establishments are open for the night owl visitor.

  • For late-night steaks and whiskey, look no further than The Islander. Featuring grass-fed beef from the Pacific Northwest, sustainably sourced seafood and free-range chicken, and lots of hearty sides.  Front and center is a full-service bar, full of fantastic whiskey selections.  The Islander is also a popular destination for Bainbridge Performing Arts (BPA), theater-goers, and actors too.
  • Open late on weekends, Doc’s Marina Grill, is a relaxed waterfront restaurant with fantastic marina views with heated deck seating, for year-round enjoyment. A popular destination with succulent seafood and a delicious martini bar.

For Wine Lovers

Delight in the Island’s mini wine country. At one of the seven artisanal wineries you’re bound to meet a winemaker and have a barrel taste. Consider planning your visit to coincide with a First Friday Art Walk.

  • A small artisan winery with big tastes, Rolling Bay Winery is a stellar experience. Dutch-born vintner Alphonse de Klerk is super passionate and friendly — expect to be greeted by Alphonse and treated like royalty. The friendly, knowledgeable staff is ready to keep your glass full. Sit inside or in the garden, depending on the season. And most weekends you can enjoy live music while sipping a glass.
  • Eleven Winery is a boutique producer of diverse and off-beat wines. Winemaker Matt Albee started in the California wine scene, but quickly moved to the island, with his first wines released in 2004.  You’ll notice bicycle themes on many labels as Matt is an avid bike racing fanatic (this is also a nod to the island’s thriving bicycling community). Enjoy the convenient downtown tasting room, or venture out to the winery on Day Road.
  • Fletcher Bay Winery’s two modern locations are perfect for wine lovers. Downtown Winslow offers a fabulous tasting room and rooftop seating with sweeping views of the harbor and the downtown. The Coppertop Park winery often has live music. Stay at the winemaker’s waterfront cottage, the original tasting room.
  • Founded by Cynthia and Hugh Remash, Eagle Harbor Wine Company crafts artisanal old-world style wine. The tasting room is conveniently located downtown, and the beautiful and newly decorated winery is located at The Farm. Expect knowledgeable staff, very often Cynthia, to tell you all about the wines and winemaking process.
  • Earth & Vine Wine Bar is a cozy and romantic spot to share wine and charcuterie on the south side of the island in Lynwood Center. Featuring many Washington wines and music, cuddle up in the cozy bar in the winter, or the sunny outdoor patio in summer.

Romantic Water Views

Take a romantic walk along a beach for some quiet time together and enjoy one of the many vistas with spectacular views of Puget Sound seascapes and the Seattle skyline.

  • One of the best views of Seattle is from Murden Cove Beach along Manitou Beach Road. Public parking is available across the street from the tidal flats overlooking the Seattle skyline. Enjoy the views from the small public wooden platform or jump down to the sand during low tide and search for shells.
  • Breathe in views of Rich Passage at Point White Pier, a small but romantic public park. The historic former Mosquito Fleet used to land at the 100-foot-long dock. Be on the lookout for ferry crossings!
  • Enjoy the saltwater shoreline, dip your toes in the chilly water and take in views of Mount Rainier and the Cascades at Fay Bainbridge Park. Bring a picnic, a bottle of wine from one of the wineries, and your evening is complete.
  • Halls Hill Lookout Point is lush and green, and you can spy surrounding hills and pristine water views of Puget Sound through the trees. The hill’s focal point is the Labyrinth, based on the 13th century French Chartres Cathedral labyrinth, made with local beach stones. Enjoy a romantic swing on the crafted wooden bench.
How to Get Around Bainbridge Island WIthout a Car

Nearby Romance

For a change of scenery, grab your partner, pop in the car, and enjoy a day trip to these beautiful surrounding areas.

  • As you head off the island, be sure to make a stop at Bloedel Reserve.  More than a grand estate, this wonder of nature is a living expression of the beautiful love story of founder’s Prentice and Virginia Bloedel’s 65-marriage. Their love is quietly revealed in landscapes, gardens and ponds. Be sure to stop by the Christmas Pond, created as a surprise gift for Virginia in 1970, and the wishing bench, one of Virginia’s magical touches in the garden, and the site of numerous, quiet marriage proposals.
  • Just over the bridge, you’ll find Poulsbo, a charming Norwegian town with a rich history and waterfront location. Browse the shops and galleries, walk along the waterway, or grab a delicious bite at one of the many downtown restaurants.
  • Thirty minutes from Bainbridge Island, you’ll find Port Gamble, a 120-acre National Historic Landmark located on the shores of the Hood Canal. Scenic and quaint, maples and elms line the streets of this picturesque town, with preserved turn-of-the-century buildings, churches, and New England style homes.
  • Take the adventure farther and visit Port Townsend, a sweet Victorian seaport & art community on the Olympic Peninsula. Famous for its well-preserved Victorian homes and shopping district,  deep maritime legacy, and lively arts community, Port Townsend is also home to the annual Wooden Boat Festival. Before you leave, be sure to check out Soak on the Sound, a romantic bathhouse with private soaking tub rooms and spa services for two. And if you are looking to take the next step, visit With These Rings, a make-your-own wedding ring workshop!r