Bainbridge Island Things To Do Kitsap County

Things to Do on Bainbridge Island: The Complete Local Guide

by Kitsap Biz

Mar 28, 2026

Things to Do on Bainbridge Island: The Complete Local Guide

Bainbridge Island sits 35 minutes by ferry from Seattle — but it feels like a world away. With a walkable downtown, award-winning wineries, miles of forest trails, and some of the best waterfront dining in the Pacific Northwest, Bainbridge offers a full day's worth of things to do without ever needing a car.

Whether you're a Kitsap local crossing the water for a weekend or a Seattle day-tripper looking for something beyond the Pike Place crowds, this guide covers everything worth doing on Bainbridge Island.

Getting to Bainbridge Island

By Ferry: The Washington State Ferry from Seattle's Coleman Dock runs regularly throughout the day. The crossing takes about 35 minutes each way — grab a seat on the outdoor deck for views of the Olympic Mountains and Seattle skyline. Foot passenger tickets are affordable; car ferry tickets are pricier, but most of downtown Winslow is walkable from the ferry dock.

By Car: From Kitsap County, take SR-305 across the Agate Pass Bridge. No ferry required from the west side.

Explore Winslow: Bainbridge's Walkable Downtown

Winslow Way is the heart of Bainbridge Island — a compact main street lined with local shops, galleries, restaurants, and coffee houses. It's one of the most pleasant downtown strolls in the Pacific Northwest.

Highlights: - Eagle Harbor Books — A beloved independent bookstore and community institution. Excellent staff picks section. - Bainbridge Island Museum of Art (BIMA) — Free admission, rotating exhibitions, strong focus on Pacific Northwest artists. Located right off the ferry dock. Don't skip it. - Winslow Way Farmers Market — Saturdays, April through December. Local produce, flowers, artisan goods, and food vendors. - Blackbird Bakery — A local staple for breakfast pastries and strong coffee. Expect a line on weekends; it moves fast. - The Streamliner Diner — Kitsap institution since 1983. Get the biscuits and gravy.

Outdoor Activities & Trails

Bainbridge Island has over 3,000 acres of protected open space and more than 50 miles of trails. You don't need to drive far to find good hiking.

Gazzam Lake Nature Preserve

One of the island's largest protected areas. Multiple trail loops ranging from easy to moderate, old-growth forest, and a lake at the center. Spring brings trillium blooms. The main trailhead is off Baker Hill Road.

Battle Point Park

A 93-acre park with fields, a restored WWII radar station (open for tours on weekends), a large playground, and walking paths around a pond. Good for families and casual walks.

Fort Ward State Park

A quiet waterfront park on the south end of the island. Low-key trails through second-growth forest, picnic areas, and a short beach walk. On clear days you can see Mount Rainier from the water's edge.

Bloedel Reserve

One of Bainbridge Island's signature experiences. A 150-acre Japanese garden, woodland garden, bird refuge, and reflection pool on former timber land. Advance reservations required — don't show up and expect to walk in. Worth planning ahead for. Open Thursday–Sunday.

Grand Forest Park

A 240-acre urban forest in the center of the island, split between east and west units. Great trail network for mountain biking and trail running as well as hiking. Dogs welcome on leash.

Wineries, Cideries & Breweries

Bainbridge Island has a surprisingly strong craft beverage scene for a small island.

Bainbridge Vineyards — One of the oldest estate wineries in Washington State, planted in 1977. Specializes in Pinot Gris and Müller-Thurgau grapes grown on the island. Tasting room open Thursday through Sunday.

Eagle Harbor Wine Co. — Small-production winery in Winslow. Rotating selection of Pacific Northwest varietals with a comfortable tasting room. No reservation required.

Fletcher Bay Winery — Boutique estate winery near the north end of the island. Appointment preferred.

Bainbridge Organic Distillers — Local spirits producer specializing in whiskey and gin made from organic Pacific Northwest grains. Tasting room available.

Art, Culture & History

Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial One of the most significant and moving sites in Kitsap County. Located at Eagledale Park, this memorial marks where 227 Japanese American residents were forcibly removed in March 1942 — the first forced removal of Japanese Americans from the US mainland during WWII. Free to visit. The interpretive panels are exceptionally well-done.

Bainbridge Island Museum of Art (BIMA) Already mentioned, but worth emphasizing: this is a genuinely excellent small art museum with free admission. Three floors of gallery space, a sculpture garden, and programming throughout the year. One of the best free cultural experiences in the region.

Kitsap Historical Society Museum Located in downtown Bremerton, but if you're exploring Kitsap County history, it's the regional anchor.

Parks & Waterfront

Waterfront Park (Winslow) A short walk from the ferry dock, this small park has a dock, picnic tables, and great views of Eagle Harbor. Launch point for kayakers in the summer. Quiet on weekday mornings.

Fay Bainbridge Park A state park on the northeast shore with beachfront camping and expansive views of Puget Sound and the Seattle skyline. One of the few campgrounds in the region with direct waterfront access. Reserve early for summer weekends.

Point White Fishing Pier A community pier on the south end of the island, popular for crabbing and fishing. Free access. Bring your own gear.

Where to Eat on Bainbridge Island

Bainbridge Island has a strong dining scene for a community of 25,000 people. A few highlights:

Café Nola — Pacific Northwest cuisine in a warm, wood-beamed space. Excellent brunch.
The Harbour Public House — Historic building, waterfront setting, good pub food and a solid beer list.
Bruciato — Neapolitan pizza in a converted space near Winslow Way. Consistently one of the best pizza spots in Kitsap County.
Blackbird Bakery — Already mentioned for coffee; also worth returning for lunch.
Mora Iced Creamery — Argentine-inspired gelato and ice cream. The flavors are unusual and excellent. A Bainbridge institution.

For a broader view of dining across Kitsap County, see our full Kitsap County guide.

Day Trip Tips

Best time to visit: May through September offers the best weather, but Bainbridge is worth visiting year-round. The forest parks are beautiful in winter rain. Wine tastings and indoor venues keep things lively off-season.

Ferry timing: Check the Washington State Ferries schedule before you go. Peak summer sailings fill up fast for cars. As a foot passenger, you can walk on almost any sailing without advance planning.

Parking: If you're driving from the Kitsap side, parking in Winslow can be tight on summer weekends. Battle Point Park and the trail preserves have free parking with more space.

Bring layers: Even in summer, Puget Sound weather changes fast. A light jacket is always the right call.

More Kitsap County Guides

Bainbridge Island is one stop in a broader Kitsap County worth exploring. We cover the full region:

Go Deeper: Bainbridge Island Guides

Bainbridge Island Wineries — Estate tastings at Bainbridge Vineyards, Eagle Harbor Wine Co., and Fletcher Bay Winery. Washington's cool-climate wine country on Puget Sound.
Hiking on Bainbridge Island — Trail-by-trail guide to Gazzam Lake old-growth forest, Grand Forest, Fort Ward waterfront, and Battle Point Park.

Planning to arrive by ferry? See our complete Bainbridge Island Ferry guide — schedule, fares, parking, and tips.

Farmers Market: The Bainbridge Island Farmers Market runs Saturdays April–December in Winslow, steps from the ferry. One of the best Saturday morning stops on the island.