Bainbridge Island Day Trip Itinerary from a Seattle Local
If you’re looking for an easy day trip from Seattle that still feels like a true getaway, Bainbridge Island is one of the best options you’ll find. After living in Seattle for nearly 30 years, I’ve taken this ferry ride more times than I can count — but this visit was my first time exploring the island with a travel blogger mindset (and with my dog along for the adventure).
This Bainbridge Island day trip itinerary walks you through exactly how we spent our day, plus additional ideas if you want more food, nature, or art during your visit. Everything in this guide is dog-friendly, but I’ll call out a few great non-dog-friendly activities too in case you’re visiting without a pet. I’ll also make it clear what I’m recommending from my own experience versus research.
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Quick Look: 1 Day on Bainbridge Island
| Time | Activity | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 8:00 AM | Ferry from Seattle | Bring your car for easier exploring |
| 9:00 AM | Coffee at Pegasus Coffee | Long lines, but great coffee and cute atmosphere |
| 10:00 AM | Saturday Farmers Market | Many options for lunch from local vendors |
| 11:30 AM | Shop downtown boutiques | Dog-friendly shops + waterfront paths |
| 12:15 PM | Visit Pia the Peacekeeper | Forest trail walk with lake views |
| 1:00 PM | Bainbridge Vineyards | Local, relaxed vibe |
| 2:30 PM | Eleven Winery | Forested, peaceful setting |
| 3:30 PM | Bainbridge Distilling | Cocktails & bourbon tasting |
| 5:00 PM | Early Dinner | Reservations recommended |
| 7:00 PM | Ferry back | Via Kingston or Winston- reservation recommended |
Why Visit Bainbridge Island
Bainbridge island feels like a whole new world compared to Seattle and is only a 35 minute ferry ride away. Trade the big city life for a relaxed, coastal charm.
Bainbridge is known for nature, food, and art which is the perfect escape for busy locals. It’s also a great addition to a longer Seattle itinerary. If you’re planning a bigger trip, you may also like my guides to:
- The Best Downtown Seattle Activities & Things To Do
- Planning A Trip To Washington State: Insider Tips From A Local
- 21 Incredible Weekend Trips from Seattle (Within 5 Hours)
How to Get to Bainbridge Island
🚢 Taking the Seattle to Bainbridge Ferry
The ferry leaves from Colman Dock in downtown Seattle. You can walk on, but bringing a car makes the day much easier, especially if you want to visit wineries or explore less touristy areas.
- Duration: ~35 minutes
- Frequency: Every 45–60 minutes
- Tip: Early morning sailings may be foggy but usually clear up later. Still go up to the top deck — sometimes the skyline appears as you get closer to the island.
🚘 Parking & Getting Around
Parking in downtown Winslow can be busy, especially on weekends, but we still found a spot within 10 minutes. Most of the main shops and restaurants are walkable once you’re parked.
We returned via the Kingston–Edmonds ferry to avoid backtracking. It’s a beautiful route, but we waited a long time — next time I’d reserve the return ferry in advance.
You can also choose to walk or bike on to the ferry. You will just be limited to exploring Winslow, directly off the ferry and miss out on some of the wineries or hikes that are further out.
Morning: Explore Winslow
Coffee at Pegasus Coffee
We started our day at Pegasus Coffee, a charming ivy-covered café near the waterfront. They have plenty of outdoor seating, which made it easy with our dog. The pastries were excellent, and the coffee was exactly what we needed after an early ferry ride.
We skipped the hot breakfast since the wait was long, but for pastries and a relaxed start to the morning, this is a great choice.
Tip: There’s a pretty waterfront walking path right next to Pegasus. It’s a quiet place to enjoy your coffee before heading into town.
Saturday Farmers Market
From Pegasus, it’s a short walk to the Bainbridge Island Farmers Market (Saturdays, April–November). This is where we grabbed an early lunch — the beef bulgogi bowl from Grillipinos was one of the best things I’ve eaten at any farmers market. Highly recommend.
The market also had produce, florals, baked goods, and small crafts. It has a friendly community atmosphere and plenty of space to sit outside.
Shop in Downtown Winslow
After lunch, we spent some time strolling the shops along Winslow Way. There are home boutiques, bookstores, outdoor stores, gift shops, and several pet stores where we treated our dog (maybe a little too much).
If you love finding photo-worthy spots, you’ll also enjoy this area. For caption ideas, check out my post on 110 Creative Seattle Instagram Captions and Quotes.
Afternoon: Nature and Wine
Pia the Peacekeeper
Before heading to the wineries, we made a quick stop to see Pia the Peacekeeper, Bainbridge Island’s wooden troll created by Danish artist Thomas Dambo.
Pia sits just off a short forest path near Sakai Park, surrounded by trees and a small lake. It’s a peaceful place to walk and a fun addition to the day, especially if you’re traveling with kids or want something a bit different from the food-and-wine circuit. Dogs are welcome on leash, and the trails are easy.
This stop only takes about 15–20 minutes and adds a nice touch of nature before wine tasting.
Bainbridge Vineyards
Our first winery stop was Bainbridge Vineyards, a quiet, locally run spot about 15 minutes from downtown. The wine was decent, but the main draw here is the peaceful setting. You’ll find open fields, farm vibes, and a very relaxed atmosphere.
It’s a great place to sit outside, enjoy the scenery, and soak in a slower pace.
Eleven Winery
Next, we continued to Eleven Winery, which has a completely different feel. The tasting room is tucked into a wooded area, so it feels cooler and more shaded.
There’s outdoor seating where dogs are welcome, and the wine here felt a bit more varied and experimental. It’s a good complement to Bainbridge Vineyards if you want to try both.
🥃 Bainbridge Distilling
To finish the afternoon, we stopped at Bainbridge Organic Distillers, where I ordered a cocktail and my husband tried their bourbon. It’s a small distillery, but the drinks were great, and the staff were helpful with recommendations.
If you prefer spirits or want something different between wineries, this is a fun stop.
Alternative Things to Do in Bainbridge
If you want to extend the day or swap something out, here are a few more ideas:
🌿 Outdoor Options
- Bloedel Reserve: Beautiful forest and garden trails (not dog-friendly).
- Fay Bainbridge Park: Beach access and great water views.
- Grand Forest: A quiet network of wooded trails.
🎨 Arts & Culture
- Bainbridge Island Museum of Art: Free and well curated.
- Public Art Walk: Easy to explore while wandering downtown.
🍦 Food & Treats
- Mora Iced Creamery: A must for ice cream lovers.
- Ba Sa: Vietnamese-inspired plates with a modern twist.
- Harbor Public House: Great views, but no dogs indoors or on the patio.
Dinner Restaurants on Bainbridge Island
We skipped dinner this time since we were getting tired, but there are plenty of great restaurants if you want to stay into the evening.
A few favorites:
- Bainbridge Thai – Dog-friendly Thai restaurant with amazing harbor views.
- Restaurant Marché – French-inspired and perfect for a nicer meal.
- Harbor Public House – Lovely views, casual menu (not dog-friendly).
If you’re visiting on a weekend, I’d reserve ahead — especially in the summer.
Dog-Friendly Travel Tips
If you’re bringing your dog, here are a few quick tips:
- Dogs are allowed on the ferry (on leash or kept in your vehicle).
- Many restaurants and wineries allow dogs on outdoor patios.
- Downtown Winslow is very dog-friendly overall.
- Bring a water bowl — not every stop has one.
- Beaches and trails can get muddy depending on the season.
Boutique Hotels on Bainbridge
If you decide to turn your day trip into a full weekend, these hotels are great options:
- The Inn at Pleasant Beach – Boutique stay with coastal charm.
- Eagle Harbor Inn – Quiet and walkable to downtown.
For more ideas beyond Bainbridge, take a look at 21 Incredible Weekend Trips from Seattle (Within 5 Hours).
In Summary
Bainbridge Island is one of those places that’s easy to visit but always feels refreshing. Whether you’re sipping wine, wandering downtown, or stopping by to say hi to Pia the Peacekeeper, the island has a way of slowing things down.
This itinerary is a great starting point, and you can adjust it depending on whether you’re craving nature, food, wine, or a simple break from the city.
Related Posts:
- Planning A Trip To Washington State: Insider Tips From A Local
- 21 Incredible Weekend Trips from Seattle (within 5 hours)
- The Best Downtown Seattle Activities & Things To Do
- The Best Seattle Weekend Trip Guide & Itinerary From A Local
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