One of the best parts of visiting Bainbridge Island, Washington, is that it felt like we’d just escaped to the country, far from everyday urban life. Seattle is an hour away by ferry, but Bainbridge’s lush roadside vegetation, ample bird song and a refreshing lack of traffic jams made it feel like we were hundreds of miles away.
Bainbridge Island is the perfect place to slow down, savor the natural beauty and reconnect on a couple’s getaway.
Highlights: What You’ll Discover
- Handpicked Date Spots: My personal favorites for a romantic itinerary, from the tranquil paths of the Grand Forest to an invigorating, local-approved sauna and cold plunge experience at Fire + Floe.
- Guide to Winslow Way: A curated guide to the island’s best independent boutiques, hidden-gem contemporary art and the specific bakeries where we found the best espresso, flaky croissants and gluten-free treats.
- Tested Island Eats & Stays: First-hand recommendations on where to catch the sunrise, the exact spot where we found the best truffle fries and an inside look at our serene stay at the luxurious Inn at Pleasant Beach.
Editor’s note: The writer was hosted.
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Best Things to Do on a Couple’s Trip to Bainbridge Island
Frog Rock
Frog Rock feels like an insider secret. It’s a giant painted rock that’s maintained and dressed for holidays by a secret group on the island. Grab a photo (it’s perfect for Instagram!) and enjoy the moment together.
Japanese American Exclusion Memorial
Walking along the cedar wall at the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial was a profoundly moving, quiet moment for us. Standing at the historic Eagledale ferry dock landing, it’s heartbreaking to imagine the island families, including citizens, who were forced from their homes and spent World War II in concentration camps. The site is a unit of the Minidoka National Historic Site in Idaho.
Bay Hay & Feed
Bay Hay & Feed is half rugged farm store, half boutique market. One minute you’re walking past rows of rubber boots and chicken feed, and the next you’re browsing local organic produce and unique gifts. Don’t leave without checking out their iconic logo shirts. Wearing one is basically a badge of honor for island locals, making it the perfect getaway souvenir.
Fay Bainbridge Park
Fay Bainbridge Park is where locals come to watch the sunrise. We chose a picnic lunch instead, because the wide views of the water and beachy vibe are worth the trip any time of the day. Take a stroll, or just watch the ferries glide by.
Bloedel Reserve
Once a grand estate, the magnificent themed gardens at Bloedel Reserve are a living work of art. Our favorite moment was stepping into the Moss Garden. The air instantly cooled, smelling richly of damp earth and cedar, and the ambient noise faded into a cathedral-like hush.
We could have spent hours wandering the soft paths, watching giant ferns catch the dappled sunlight. Timed reservations are required.
Pia the Peacekeeper
On the must-see list: Pia the Peacekeeper, an 18-foot-tall troll created by Copenhagen-based artist Thomas Dambo. Individuals, businesses and organizations across the island came together to build the huge troll out of recycled wood.
The gentle troll enchanted us while the collaboration to create her inspired us. You’ll find Pia in Sakai Park.
Downtown Winslow
A five-minute walk from the ferry, Winslow Way is the heart of Bainbridge Island. We could easily have spent most of the day exploring the independent, locally owned and carefully curated shops, galleries, restaurants and bakeries (especially the bakeries!) that line the street.
Here are a few of my favorite places in Winslow:
- Eagle Harbor Books: I find bookstores irresistible and a font of information about the place I’m visiting. It’s a great place to find a local guidebook, a history of the area or a fun read to take to the beach.
- Coquette Bake Shop: Give me espresso and a pastry, and life is good. Some treats are even gluten-free.
- Blackbird Bakery: Bainbridge Island may have more than its share of bakeries, but no one is complaining. This is the island’s bustling morning hub, thick with the aroma of espresso. In addition to scones and muffins, it offers soup and quiche for a light lunch. I had my eye on the gluten-free muffins and cookies.
- Island Life Artisan Gifts & Goods: This shop would be my pick for souvenirs, especially if you play pickleball (invented on Bainbridge Island). Almost all of the gifts, souvenirs, jewelry and apparel are made or designed by local artists.
- Bainbridge Arts & Crafts: We spent a long time admiring the local artwork here. It’s a nonprofit gallery with a fun mix of high-end contemporary crafts by Puget Sound artists, right alongside delightfully imaginative pieces by local students.
- Eleven Winery Tasting Room: If you’ve never heard of Mourvèdre, Lemberger, Chenin Blanc and Roussanne, you’re not alone, but you can taste wines from these unusual varieties at Eleven Winery’s tasting room. The winery also produces Syrah, Pinot Grigio and other favorites.
Bainbridge Island Museum of Art
Make sure to step into the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art, a contemporary art museum at the head of Winslow Way. It’s just a short walk from the ferry. I’m not a huge fan of contemporary art, but I still loved the curated collection of intriguing yet relatable art. The rotating exhibitions focus on Puget Sound regional artists. Admission is always free.
The Grand Forest
If you want an easy, quiet escape into nature, head to The Grand Forest. Relatively flat, smooth trails seem designed for a lazy afternoon walk, where you’re actually looking at the towering cedar and fir trees instead of watching your footing. There are 7 miles of trails across 240 acres to wander, so it never felt crowded.
Fire+Floe
At Fire+Floe, the romance is in the shared rush. You’ll unwind in the dry heat of a wood-fired sauna, then dash to the beach for a plunge into the 50-degree seawater. It’s a full-body shock that leaves your skin tingling. Reservations required.
Top Restaurants for a Couple’s Weekend
Pegasus Coffee
We loved the rustic coziness of Pegasus Coffee, especially finding a corner to indulge in an avocado toast loaded with smoked salmon, pickled onions and cherry tomatoes. It’s easy to see why it’s a neighborhood staple.
Briny Bagels
Only open on the weekends, Briny Bagels makes its bagels in-house, in more than a dozen standard and exotic flavors. We munched on classic lox with capers and cream cheese, but next time I’ve got to try the wildly creative smears that boast flavors like kimchi, wasabi or mascarpone chocolate chip.
Marketplace + By The Glass
Part café, part wine bar and fully a community hub, Marketplace + By The Glass is Bainbridge Island’s go-to gathering spot for local wine and beer, live music and good food. The menu starts with breakfast burritos, bagels and sandwiches, then cruises into soups, salads, gyros and sandwiches for lunch.
But at dinner, the Marketplace goes Greek, and we loved it! The space shifts into something wonderfully intimate, filled with the sounds of live acoustic music, clinking wine glasses and incredible aromas. Open until 9 p.m.
Café Hitchcock
Cafe Hitchcock serves locals and visitors from breakfast through dinner and cocktails. We stopped in for a late afternoon snack of what are easily the best truffle fries I’ve tasted. They arrived piping hot, perfectly crispy and tossed with earthy truffle oil for the ultimate salty reward after a day of exploring. The farm-to-table cafe makes much of the menu from scratch, including baking bread for burgers and sandwiches and making condiments in-house.
Islander Steak and Whiskey
Recommended by locals for their cocktails and steak, Islander also dishes up fresh seafood, burgers and a few other entrees. It’s across from the movie theater, so that’s date night sorted. It’s also one of the few places that’s open past 9 p.m. Reservations recommended.
Where to Stay on a Couple’s Trip to Bainbridge Island
Inn at Pleasant Beach
The Inn at Pleasant Beach feels like the most luxurious country escape. Its 22 bright and airy rooms, plus a townhouse suite, put you in the center of Pleasant Village, so you’re walking distance from the pool, gardens, restaurants and shopping. We appreciated the privacy and serenity of our room and patio. Dinner at the Marketplace + By The Glass was just a short walk away. Dogs are welcome.
Frequently Asked Questions
Although you can walk onto the ferries to visit Winslow, for a true couple’s getaway, you’ll want a car or a bike. Either will allow you to reach more romantic spots, such as the Bloedel Reserve, beaches or trailheads.
No, but if you’re bringing a car, you will need a vehicle ticket for the ferry from Seattle to Bainbridge Island and for the return trip. Rather than deal with ferry lines and Seattle traffic, we chose to drive up the Kitsap Peninsula through Poulsbo and cross the bridge at the north end of Bainbridge Island to reach the island.
If you want blue skies and kayaking tours, aim for June through Labor Day, but prepare for crowds. Personally, I prefer the shoulder seasons. Heading there in May or late September means you skip the ferry bottlenecks, bag cheaper hotel rates and get the hiking trails mostly to yourselves.
It depends on what you’re looking for. The Inn at Pleasant Beach is a luxurious, romantic option with shops and restaurants nearby. We loved the private little patio. If you want to be right in the action, The Eagle Harbor Inn is a boutique spot steps from the Winslow coffee shops and the ferry. Or, if you’re traveling with a dog and want a bit more room to stretch out, look at Marshall Suites just up the road.
For us, the magic was in the slower, unplugged moments. Sweat it out together at the Fire+Floe sauna, take a quiet walk through The Grand Forest or just do what we did: grab a bagel, head to the beach and watch the ferries roll by.
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