The 35-minute ferry ride from downtown Seattle to Bainbridge Island is one of the most popular day trips in the Pacific Northwest — roughly 4.8 million passengers ride this route annually. The good news for visitors without a car: the ferry’s walk-on capacity is large (over 2,000 passengers), so foot passengers essentially never get turned away. And a cluster of genuinely good attractions sits within a 10- to 15-minute walk of the ferry terminal in the town of Winslow. The honest caveat: some of Bainbridge Island’s best attractions — Bloedel Reserve, Fay Bainbridge Park, the Japanese American Exclusion Memorial — are 3 to 6 miles from the ferry terminal and require a bus, bike, or ride to reach.
Getting There
Washington State Ferries operates the Seattle–Bainbridge route from Coleman Dock (Pier 52) in downtown Seattle. The crossing takes about 35 minutes. As of 2026, adult walk-on fare is $11.05 round trip (you pay departing Seattle; the return from Bainbridge is free for foot passengers). Seniors (65+) pay $5.50, and passengers under 19 ride free. You can pay with cash, credit card, or ORCA transit card at the terminal. No reservations are needed or available — it’s first come, first served, but walk-ons rarely have capacity issues. Ferries depart roughly every 50 to 70 minutes depending on time of day; check the current schedule at wsdot.wa.gov/ferries.
If you bring a vehicle, fares start at $15.60 each way for vehicle and driver, and vehicle space is limited (roughly 200 cars per sailing). During peak times — summer weekends, Friday evenings, commute hours — vehicle waits can be significant. Walking on is faster, cheaper, and stress-free.
Walkable from the Ferry Terminal (Winslow)
Everything in this section is within a 5- to 15-minute walk of the Bainbridge Island ferry terminal.
Bainbridge Island Museum of Art (BIMA)
A five-minute walk from the ferry, BIMA is a contemporary art museum focused on artists and collections from the Puget Sound region. The LEED Gold-certified building opened in 2013 and features rotating exhibitions that change three times per year (15–20 new shows annually). Admission is always free. The museum includes a bistro (open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.) and a gift shop with locally crafted items. Open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This is the natural first stop after walking off the ferry.
Downtown Winslow
The few blocks of Winslow’s commercial district are immediately adjacent to the ferry terminal and BIMA. The walkable downtown includes an independent bookshop (Eagle Harbor Book Company), boutiques, art galleries, a toy store, and a good selection of restaurants and cafés. For wine, several Bainbridge Island wineries operate tasting rooms in Winslow — you can sample local wines without needing to drive to the vineyards. Bainbridge Brewing and Fletcher Bay Winery are among the popular options, and Bainbridge Organic Distillers offers tastings of organic vodka, gin, and whiskey.
Bainbridge Island Historical Museum
Located in a restored 1908 schoolhouse in downtown Winslow, this small museum covers the island’s layered history — from the Suquamish people to the timber and strawberry farming eras, Japanese American internment during WWII, and the island’s evolution into a Seattle bedroom community. It’s a quick visit that provides good context for the rest of your day. Verify current hours before visiting.
Waterfront Trail at Eagle Harbor
Starting near the ferry terminal, the Eagle Harbor Waterfront Trail follows the shoreline for roughly a mile along the harbor. The paved path passes parks, public art, waterfront restaurants, and benches with views across the harbor. It’s flat and accessible — a pleasant post-lunch walk that keeps you within easy reach of downtown. The trail connects to additional paths if you want to extend your walk.
The Ferry Ride Itself
Don’t underestimate the crossing as an attraction. On a clear day, the Seattle–Bainbridge ferry offers views of the Seattle skyline, Mount Rainier, the Olympic Mountains, and the Cascade Range. The outdoor upper deck is the best vantage point in good weather; on rainy days, the enclosed cabin has large windows. Views of Seattle are behind you as you head to Bainbridge; the Olympics are ahead. Bring a camera and a coffee from the onboard galley.
Reachable by Bus or Bike (Not Walkable)
These attractions are 3 to 6+ miles from the ferry terminal. Be honest with yourself about distances — Bainbridge Island is roughly 10 miles long and 5 miles wide, and the roads outside Winslow have no sidewalks and narrow shoulders. Kitsap Transit operates bus routes across the island (routes connect at the ferry terminal), and bike rentals are available near the terminal. Rideshare services are limited on the island — don’t count on Uber/Lyft being readily available.
Bloedel Reserve
A 150-acre garden and forest preserve on the north end of the island, roughly 6 miles from the ferry terminal. Bloedel features manicured gardens (the Japanese garden and reflection pool are highlights), miles of woodland trails, meadows, and a restored 1930s estate house. Spring is the best time to visit when rhododendrons and other flowering plants are in bloom. Timed-entry tickets are required — purchase in advance at bloedelreserve.org. Adult admission is $20; seniors $15; ages 13–18 $12; ages 5–12 $8 (verify current pricing). Getting there without a car: Kitsap Transit Route 93 stops near the reserve, or it’s a moderate bike ride on relatively flat roads.
Japanese American Exclusion Memorial
One of the most important historical sites in the Pacific Northwest. On March 30, 1942, 227 Japanese Americans from Bainbridge Island were the first in the nation to be forcibly removed from their homes under Executive Order 9066. They were marched to the ferry terminal and transported to internment camps. The memorial, located at Pritchard Park on Eagle Harbor (about 3.5 miles from the ferry terminal), tells their story through an 800-foot-long wall inscribed with names and testimonies. The setting — overlooking the water the internees crossed — is deeply affecting. This is not walkable from the ferry terminal for most visitors; take the bus or bike. The memorial is free and open dawn to dusk.
Fay Bainbridge Park
A waterfront park on the island’s northeast shore, roughly 6 miles from the ferry terminal. The park has a rocky beach with driftwood, picnic areas, and east-facing views across Puget Sound toward Mount Rainier, the Cascade Range, and the Seattle skyline. On a clear evening, the alpenglow on Mount Rainier from this vantage point is spectacular. The park also has campsites and rental cabins for overnight stays. Not walkable — drive, bike, or take Kitsap Transit.
Practical Tips for a Car-Free Visit
For a half-day trip: Walk off the ferry, visit BIMA, explore Winslow’s shops and tasting rooms, walk the Eagle Harbor waterfront trail, eat lunch, and catch the ferry back. This is easily done in 3–4 hours and requires zero transportation beyond your feet.
For a full day: Add Bloedel Reserve and/or the Japanese American Exclusion Memorial using Kitsap Transit or a rented bike. Plan around the bus schedule (service is less frequent on weekends).
For an overnight: Fay Bainbridge Park has camping and cabins, and there are vacation rentals and a small hotel scene in Winslow. An overnight stay lets you catch sunrise views from the east-facing beaches.
The island is hilly but not mountainous — expect some elevation changes even on short walks in Winslow. Bring layers; Bainbridge gets the same weather as Seattle (rain is common October through May, summers are dry and mild). The ferry runs year-round, roughly every hour, with the last sailing from Bainbridge to Seattle typically around 11:30 p.m. on weekdays and 10:30 p.m. on weekends.
For more Pacific Northwest trip ideas, Seattle’s national parks are an easy addition, and the Olympic Peninsula is accessible by continuing west from Bainbridge. See also Martha’s Vineyard without a car for another great car-free island day trip on the East Coast.
Proud owner of https://travelyouman.com/