Kitsap County, Washington · Puget Sound Islands
Bainbridge Island
Thirty-five minutes from downtown Seattle by ferry, a 28-square-mile island with no chain stores, a 150-acre woodland garden that requires reservations, seven wineries, and a memorial to one of the most unjust acts of WWII.
POPULATION
~25,000
FROM SEATTLE
35 min by ferry
RETURN FERRY
Free to Seattle
COUNTY
Kitsap
KNOWN FOR
Bloedel Reserve, Winslow
WINERIES
7 artisan wineries
Bainbridge Island sits in Puget Sound between Seattle and the Kitsap Peninsula, connected to the city by a 35-minute Washington State Ferry crossing from Colman Dock on the downtown Seattle waterfront. The island is 28 square miles with a population of about 25,000 and is technically part of Kitsap County, though its identity and economics are oriented almost entirely toward Seattle. The ferry fare to the island is charged on the Seattle side; the return crossing is free.
The downtown district, Winslow, is the best argument for the island as a destination rather than a pass-through. There are no chain restaurants or big-box retailers in the commercial core: just local shops, galleries, wine bars, and restaurants concentrated along Winslow Way and the streets between the ferry terminal and the Eagle Harbor waterfront. Eagle Harbor Book Co. is an independent bookstore that has operated since 1980. Mora Iced Creamery makes ice cream on site. The concentration of independent businesses in a two-block radius is unusual for a suburban island this close to a major city.
The two most significant destinations are both outside downtown. Bloedel Reserve at the north end of the island is a 150-acre woodland garden designed over decades with a Japanese garden, a moss garden, a reflection pool, and a bird refuge. Reservations are required and available capacity is limited; book well ahead. The Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial at the old ferry dock in Eagledale marks the point where 276 Japanese American residents boarded the ferry on March 30, 1942, becoming the first people forcibly removed from their homes under Executive Order 9066. The path is free and open from sunrise to sunset.
Getting Here
The Washington State Ferry from Colman Dock in downtown Seattle to Bainbridge Island runs frequently throughout the day and evening. The crossing takes 35 minutes. The fare is charged on the Seattle departure; the return to Seattle is free. Check current schedules and fares at wsdot.wa.gov. Friday afternoon and summer weekend departures from Seattle can have vehicle wait times; walk-on passengers board without wait on most sailings.
By car without the ferry, Bainbridge Island is accessible via the Hood Canal Floating Bridge on SR-104, connecting the island to the Kitsap Peninsula. From Seattle by car, drive south on I-5 to Tacoma, then SR-16 west across the Narrows Bridge, north on SR-3, and SR-305 across the Agate Pass Bridge from Poulsbo onto the island. Budget about 1.5 to 2 hours depending on traffic.
The Bainbridge Island ferry terminal is in Winslow, within walking distance of the entire downtown. Most visitors explore the island on foot, by bike, or by taxi. Car rentals are available on the island for visitors who want to reach Bloedel Reserve, Fay Bainbridge Park, and the wineries outside the downtown core.
Things to Do
Nature
Bloedel Reserve
A 150-acre woodland sanctuary at the north end of the island, designed over decades by the Bloedel family as a series of distinct landscape rooms: a Japanese garden, a moss garden, a reflection pool garden, a bird refuge, a bog garden, and forest walking paths connecting them. The design is meticulous and the effect is contemplative. Reservations are required (bloedelreserve.org) and capacity is limited to 30 visitors per hour to preserve the atmosphere. Book well ahead for weekend visits. Open Wednesday through Sunday, 10am to 4pm. Admission $20 adults. Allow 2 to 3 hours.
History
Japanese American Exclusion Memorial
A National Park Service affiliated memorial at the former ferry dock in Eagledale, marking the point where 276 Bainbridge Island Japanese American residents boarded a ferry on March 30, 1942 — the first people forcibly removed under Executive Order 9066. The memorial traces the path from the old train depot to the dock with engraved names, poetry, and historical panels. Free admission, open sunrise to sunset. A new visitor center with interpretive exhibits and an amphitheater is under development as of 2026.
Culture
Winslow Way Downtown
The two-block commercial heart of Bainbridge Island has no chain stores or chain restaurants. Eagle Harbor Book Co. has operated as an independent bookstore since 1980. Mora Iced Creamery makes ice cream on site with local dairy. The concentration of galleries, tasting rooms, boutiques, and cafes within walking distance of the ferry terminal makes Winslow one of the most satisfying small-town main streets in the Puget Sound region.
Wine
Bainbridge Island Winery Circuit
Seven artisan wineries operate on the island, most in the agricultural areas north and south of Winslow. Bainbridge Island Vineyards and Winery was among the first on the island. Eleven Winery focuses on estate-grown grapes. The island's mild maritime climate supports varietals that do not grow elsewhere in Washington. A dedicated tasting day covers several wineries with a car or bike. Check individual winery websites for current tasting room hours.
Outdoors
Fay Bainbridge Park
A 17-acre Kitsap County park on the northeastern tip of the island with a beach, camping, and views of the Cascade Mountains across Puget Sound. On clear days, Mount Rainier and Mount Baker are both visible from the beach. The campground is popular in summer and requires advance reservations. Worth the 10-minute drive from Winslow for the Cascade view alone.
Outdoors
Grand Forest
An 811-acre forest preserve in the center of the island with eight miles of trails through Douglas fir, western red cedar, and big leaf maple. The Grand Forest is the largest undeveloped green space on the island and the best place to find old-growth trees within the Puget Sound metro area. Trailheads are accessible from Miller Road NE and Mandus Olson Road NE. Free, open year-round.
Water
Eagle Harbor Waterfront
The harbor directly behind the Winslow ferry terminal has a public waterfront park, a kayak and paddleboard launch, and views of the Seattle skyline across the Sound. Eagle Harbor is calm and protected, making it practical for beginning kayakers and families. Exotic Aquatics and other outfitters offer rentals and guided tours from the harbor. The waterfront walk connects to Winslow Way and makes the harbor a natural first stop after departing the ferry.
History
Bainbridge Island Museum of Art
A free contemporary art museum in downtown Winslow with rotating exhibitions focused on Pacific Northwest artists. The building is a strong piece of architecture in itself, with a light-filled main gallery facing the waterfront. No admission charge. Open daily. A reliable 45-minute stop between the ferry and lunch.
“The ferry back to Seattle is free. That is not a small thing. Spend the money you saved on lunch.”
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Where to Stay
Eagle Harbor Inn
A boutique inn in Winslow within walking distance of the ferry terminal, downtown shops, and the Eagle Harbor waterfront. The most centrally located lodging on the island for visitors arriving by ferry. [VERIFY: current availability at eagleharborinn.com]
Book at Eagle Harbor InnBainbridge Island Vacation Rentals
The island has a strong inventory of vacation rental homes and cottages through Airbnb and VRBO, ranging from waterfront properties with Puget Sound views to farmhouses near the central island wineries. Vacation rentals are the preferred format for visitors staying multiple nights, particularly groups and families who want kitchen access and more space than an inn room provides.
Browse vacation rentalsFind a Cabin Near Bainbridge Island
Find a Cabin Near Bainbridge Island
Food & Drink
Seabird is the most ambitious kitchen on Bainbridge Island, with a menu focused on Pacific Northwest seafood and seasonal local ingredients. The dining room has views of Eagle Harbor. Reservations recommended. [VERIFY: current hours at seabirdrestaurant.com]
Ba Sa is a family-run Vietnamese restaurant in Winslow that blends traditional Vietnamese dishes with French technique and locally sourced ingredients. One of the more distinctive dining options on the island and a consistent local recommendation. [VERIFY: current hours]
Proper Fish is the island’s fish and chips spot, serving wild-caught local fish in a casual format. A practical option between the ferry and the waterfront for visitors doing a day trip. [VERIFY: current hours at properfish.com]
Mora Iced Creamery at 140 Winslow Way E makes ice cream on site with local dairy and seasonal flavors. A consistent stop on every Bainbridge visit. [VERIFY: current hours at moraicecream.com]
Bainbridge Island Winery Circuit: The island has seven artisan wineries, a local brewery, and two distilleries. Most wineries cluster in the central island farmland areas north of Winslow. The Bainbridge Island Vineyards and Winery is one of the originals; Eleven Winery focuses on estate-grown grapes. [VERIFY: current tasting room hours at individual winery sites]
Festivals & Events
June
Bainbridge Island Arts and Crafts Fair
An annual juried arts and crafts fair at Waterfront Park in Winslow, one of the oldest continuously running outdoor arts events in the Puget Sound region. The setting above Eagle Harbor with the Seattle skyline visible across the water makes it one of the more pleasant outdoor market settings on the Sound. [VERIFY: current year dates at bainbridgecraftsfair.com]
August
Bainbridge Island Studio Tour
An annual self-guided tour of working artist studios across the island, typically held in late summer. The format lets visitors see artists at work in their own spaces rather than in a festival setting, and the geographic spread of studios across the island provides a reason to explore beyond downtown Winslow. [VERIFY: current year dates at bistudiotour.com]
October
Harvest Festival at BI Wineries
The island wineries typically hold harvest season events in October, with special releases, vineyard tours, and wine club events marking the end of the growing season. The maritime climate on Bainbridge produces a later harvest than eastern Washington wine country. [VERIFY: specific events at individual winery websites]
Day Trips
Poulsbo (9 miles north via SR-305): The Norwegian-heritage waterfront town on Liberty Bay is about 20 minutes from Winslow via SR-305, making it a practical same-day add-on. EWS hub at Poulsbo.
Port Gamble (22 miles north via SR-305 and SR-104): The preserved Victorian mill town on the Hood Canal is about 35 minutes from Winslow. A National Historic Landmark. Worth a 90-minute stop combined with Poulsbo.
Seattle via the ferry: The return sailing to Seattle is free, which makes Bainbridge Island a practical base for visiting the city without the cost or complexity of staying downtown. The ferry arrives at Colman Dock 35 minutes from departure, two blocks from Pike Place Market.
Planning Your Visit
Bainbridge Island works well as a day trip from Seattle: take the morning ferry, spend the day, return on an evening sailing. Walk-on passengers have the most scheduling flexibility. A full day covers Winslow, a meal, and one major outlying destination (Bloedel Reserve, the Exclusion Memorial, or Fay Bainbridge Park). Two days allows the winery circuit and the full island trail system.
Bloedel Reserve requires reservations that sell out weeks ahead for weekend visits. Book at bloedelreserve.org before planning the trip around it. Admission is $20 for adults. The Reserve is closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
The ferry schedule is the governing constraint for day trippers: check the last departure from Bainbridge to Seattle before planning the afternoon. Summer weekend boats can be crowded; arriving at the ferry terminal 20 minutes ahead is advisable for walk-on passengers with bikes.
More Bainbridge Island on EWS
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you get to Bainbridge Island from Seattle?
Washington State Ferries run from Colman Dock in downtown Seattle to Bainbridge Island every 50 to 60 minutes throughout the day and evening. The crossing takes 35 minutes. The fare is charged on the Seattle departure; the return to Seattle is free. Walk-on passengers board without vehicle wait times on most sailings. Check current schedules at wsdot.wa.gov.
What is Bainbridge Island known for?
Bainbridge Island is known for Bloedel Reserve, a 150-acre woodland garden with a Japanese garden, moss garden, and forest walking paths that requires advance reservations. The island is also known for the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial, which marks the point where 276 Japanese American residents were forcibly removed in 1942 as the first mass evacuation under Executive Order 9066. The downtown district in Winslow has no chain stores, seven artisan wineries operate on the island, and the Seattle skyline is visible across Puget Sound from the eastern beaches.
Is Bainbridge Island worth a day trip from Seattle?
Yes. The ferry crossing is 35 minutes, the return to Seattle is free, and the downtown district in Winslow is within a 5-minute walk of the ferry terminal. A full day covers downtown, a meal, and one major attraction such as Bloedel Reserve or the Exclusion Memorial. The Bloedel Reserve requires advance reservations, so plan that piece before committing to the trip.
Do you need a car on Bainbridge Island?
Not for a day trip focused on Winslow and the waterfront. The downtown core, Eagle Harbor Book Co., Mora Iced Creamery, the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art, and the Eagle Harbor waterfront are all walkable from the ferry. A car, bike, or taxi is needed to reach Bloedel Reserve (7 miles north), Fay Bainbridge Park (northeast corner), the Grand Forest, and the wineries in the central island farming areas.
What is Bloedel Reserve and do you need a reservation?
Bloedel Reserve is a 150-acre woodland garden at the north end of Bainbridge Island, designed over decades as a series of distinct landscape experiences: a Japanese garden, a moss garden, a reflection pool, a bird refuge, and forest paths. Yes, reservations are required and capacity is limited to preserve the atmosphere. Book at bloedelreserve.org. The Reserve is open Wednesday through Sunday, 10am to 4pm, with admission of $20 for adults. Weekend reservations sell out weeks ahead.