Bainbridge Island, Washington: January 21st, 2026
I woke up very early to visit Bainbridge Island for the day. An old college friend urged me to take the ferry to the island while the weather was nice. I learned that Seattle natives believe that if the sun is out, the weather is nice, even if it is in the low 40s. Regardless of the chill, I obliged! I took the 12:20pm ferry after driving laps around the city trying to find a place to park (I found a reasonably priced parking garage on 1st & Columbia). I was immediately struck by the breathtaking views of the harbor. This trip was already worth it!
Boarding the ferry as a walk-on was smooth. It was huge, and I felt safe. I wasn’t sure how I was going to feel since it was my first time on a ferry that cars could drive on. The trip was about 40 minutes, and I used the time to take in the scenery and research the best places to eat.
By the time we docked, I had discovered a shabby Vietnamese deli beloved by locals that had incredible ratings. It was a bit of a trek, but boy was it worth it. I damn near licked my bowl clean. I’m getting hungry just writing about it, so moving on. After lunch, I popped into a few sweet shops around town before getting a hot sipping chocolate from L’Atelier TR and having a chat with the California-native shop host.
The Bainbridge Island Museum of Art is a free museum that features a rotating exhibit showcasing regional arts and crafts. Across the street from the harbor, this was my next stop. I saw beautifully moving pieces from artist Aisha Harrison, and one of my personal favorites was Chris Maynard’s Featherfolio Encore. If you know me, you know that I have a deep connection with feathers, and his art involved intricate work with them. It was so cool, I highly recommend it!
After a day of wandering, I hit my cap and barely made it on the 3:50 pm ferry back to Seattle. The return ferry was free, cruising peacefully back to the electric city, taking in the sunshine. Bainbridge Island is quiet without being sleepy. The pace is slower there, more intentional. Perfect for a chapter, to reset, and really let yourself think. Not the destination, but the pause that makes the ending possible. If Seattle is the mind, Bainbridge is the nervous system calming down. A must-stop to get a little perspective for anyone visiting Seattle.
