A BLONDE VINTAGE

If someone ever asks if you’d like to go to Bainbridge Island….say YES. Seriously. One of the most beautiful and underrated places to visit, Bainbridge Island is a small city in western Washington state. Whether you’re arriving via ferry from Seattle for a day trip, or driving over for a longer stay, Bainbridge Island is west of Seattle across Elliott Bay and the Puget Sound and is one of the best islands to visit near Seattle. Known for its gorgeous natural beauty, historical and cultural heritage, and stunning views, this is one place you need to add to your bucket list. And the best part? You are truly on island time here, as the residents are laid-back and super friendly. From the moment you step off the ferry, or drive into the town, the intoxicating scent of ocean air mixed in with the earthy scent of fir trees and evergreen clematis engulfs you. Here you can truly relax, and get away from the hustle and bustle of city. So what made us head. north to Bainbridge Island? Well, almost a year ago, (thanks to Instagram) I stumbled upon this micro-roaster who had recently written a blog post comparing wine and coffee. Fascinated, that finally someone was identifying the similarities and talking about it, I reached out to start the conversation. Many months later (and several cups of coffee) the hubs and I finally made the trek up north to check out this historical, locally well-known company, Pegasus Coffee and it’s home, Bainbridge Island. Today, I’m excited to share with you this Travel Guide to Bainbridge Island, Washington so that you too can plan the perfect escape whether that be a day-trip from Seattle or a longer stay, complete with one of the best cups of coffee you’ve ever had.

TRAVEL GUIDE TO BAINBRIDGE ISLAND, WASHINGTON

SEE

When you first arrive, whether by ferry or car, you’ll want to head to downtown’s Winslow Way which is known for its cozy, cute little shops, art galleries and restaurants. One of the top attractions on the island is the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art is on downtown Winslow Way. The museum, housed in an eco-friendly building, showcases rotating exhibitions by contemporary local artists in the Kitsap, Puget Sound and Olympic peninsula region. And the best thing – admission is free!

If you enjoy getting out in nature, the Eagle Harbor Waterfront Trail has both a 2-mile western loop, which winds through parks, marinas, and a few historical sites and a eastern loop which is 1.5 miles and leads to Hawley Cove beach where you can rent kayaks if you choose. Both trails are walkable within an hour and require no special training.

If you brought your car, head to the northern end of the island and make sure to visit the Bloedel Reserve – a 150 acres wildlife sanctuary and anterior estate with a Japanese Garden, a rhododendron glen and a wide garden with native plants and famous Northwest evergreens is another must-see while visiting Bainbridge Island. It’s simply gorgeous.

SIP

Of course, my favorite “sip” on the whole island was our visit to Pegasus Coffee, a short walk from the ferry landing on Bainbridge Island. The historic coffee shop is a popular stopping from point among visitors and locals alike and is most famously known for it’s location in an ivy-covered building. With a focus on high quality coffee, no trip to Bainbridge would be complete without a stop at Pegasus Coffee.

Though Bainbridge Island also has seven wineries, all offer tastings which makes it the perfect way to spend an afternoon, especially since three of these wineries have tasting rooms within walking distance of the ferry. Eleven Winery is a small winery dedicated to producing great wine from grapes sourced from some of the best regions in Washington. By far our favorite wine stop during our time on Bainbridge, Eleven Winery is a must-visit if you’re a wine lover. In addition, Fletcher Bay Winery offers white, red, fruit and dessert wines – something for everyone.  Eagle Harbor Wine Co. specializes in the red variety, with an intimate tasting room where you can enjoy a flight of 5 wines. Rolling Bay Winery is the logical next stop, with their Pinot Gris and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Are you a wine lover, with a little spirit? Then make sure to plan a stop at Highside Distilling, a small family owned and operated craft distillery in the heart of the Bainbridge Island, making Single Malt Whiskey, Gin, and Amaro. This small, but mighty distillery’s mission is to provide a delicious and unique PNW experience by combining the time-honored craft of fermentation, distillation, and aging of spirits, with the local flavors found in the region. Our visit to Highside Distilling was one of the highlights of our trip, we first opted for the tasting of all their spirits and then enjoyed a few craft cocktails. I loved learning what made each spirit unique from the process to the ingredients, and I promise you will too.

STAY

Inn at Pleasant Beach is well-known to its guests for the most comfortable night’s sleep ever, featuring beautiful furnished suites with cozy sitting areas over-looking the water. It’s about 3 miles from the ferry landing, in a small waterfront shopping district and I promise you will absolutely love your stay here. With only 12 rooms, make sure to reserve your room way ahead of time!

The Eagle Harbor Inn is set in Winslow’s marina district, and is a polished property roughly a 14-minute walk from the ferry terminal and a short jaunt to the Bainbridge Island Historical Museum. Featuring only five rooms, this boutique inn sells out fast!

Marshall Suites is a casual, all-suite, no frills hotel. Offering complementary grab-and-go breakfast and beverages, this is a comfortable place to stay and is approximately 1.5 miles from the ferry landing.

EAT

There  are so many good restaurants on Bainbridge Island, seriously all of them are worth trying, and I can’t recommend any one place to eat…they are ALL good. However, I will help narrow it down for you! See below for my top recommendations.

BA|SA The sister restaurant to Pho T&N located in Poulsbo, Washington, this modern spot features a menu that showcases traditional Vietnamese dishes inspired by French techniques and the abundance of products found in the Pacific Northwest. Make sure you try the buns!

Joe’s Restaurant With casual views of the nearby water, this delicious spot offers up a simple menu of Italian-inspired dishes including fresh salads, house-made pastas, and artisan pizzas! Do not leave without trying at least two different options of their house-made pastas. YUM!

Mora Ice Cream If you still have room for dessert, make sure to pay a visit to this quaint little shop, it will easily be some of the best ice cream you’ve ever had in your life!

Bruciato We are so glad a local-Bainbridge resident recommended this spot that serves Neapolitan-style pizza, salads and rustic Italian fare! It was by far one of our favorite (and fun!) dining experiences…because where else outside of Italy do you cut your pizza with scissors?

I hope you enjoyed this Travel Guide to Bainbridge Island! If you’re looking for another weekend getaway within the Washington islands, consider reading my Travel Guide to Whidbey Island for a little inspiration!

XO,
M

Thank you to Pegasus Coffee for all the inspiration for this trip. All opinions are honest and my own and I truly appreciate your support that makes this blog possible! As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases as well as other affiliate links found in this post. Please see my Disclosure for more information. Travel Guide to Bainbridge Island

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