Riding a ferry was high on our list of things to do in Seattle. Neither of us had ever been on one, and the idea of driving our rental car onto a boat and carrying it across Puget Sound sounded like so much fun.

With only one day to explore, we chose Bainbridge Island. It was close enough for an easy day trip but far enough to give us a real ferry ride.

We drove to the Seattle ferry terminal and joined the line of waiting cars. Around us, people read newspapers, ate breakfast, and napped behind their steering wheels. They looked as though they were sitting in ordinary morning traffic, except that they were waiting to drive onto a boat as part of their regular commute. Soon, the line began moving and we followed the other cars aboard.

Once the car was parked, we headed upstairs for a view of the city as the ferry pulled away from Seattle. Our vessel was the Wenatchee, a huge ferry with indoor seating, a cafeteria, and a coffee shop.

We spent most of the crossing outside, letting the cold wind whip around us while the Seattle skyline grew smaller behind the boat. The ride was smooth enough that it barely felt like we were on the water, apart from the damp air and wind coming off Puget Sound.

Breakfast at the Madison Diner

By the time we reached Bainbridge Island, we desperately needed breakfast and coffee. The person at the rental car counter had recommended the Madison Diner, so we headed there first.

The restaurant occupied a vintage dining car, with the narrow shape and shiny details of an old roadside diner. We settled into a booth and ordered a very large breakfast with plenty of coffee. The food was classic diner fare, exactly what we wanted before spending the day exploring the island.

Storyville Coffee Company

One of the places I most wanted to visit was the Storyville Coffee Roasting Studio. I already loved Storyville coffee, especially its espresso, and wanted to see where the beans were roasted and the pastries were baked.

We spent some time in the cafe with a few excellent cups of espresso and a game of Irk!, which is similar to Aggravation. It was a comfortable place to linger, especially since we were in no hurry to complete a long list of island attractions.

Fay Bainbridge Park

Well caffeinated, we drove toward the edge of the island to see what we could find along the water. That brought us to Fay Bainbridge Park, where we discovered a beach, views across Puget Sound, and campsites tucked nearby.

We had not realized camping was available on Bainbridge Island. The park immediately made us want to return with a tent and spend more time there.

For this visit, we parked near the beach and wandered along the waterfront. Driftwood was scattered across the shore, with logs and weathered branches piled above the waterline. Closer to the waves, green eelgrass covered parts of the shallow shore.

As I stood watching the water, small jets suddenly squirted from the wet ground. They were likely coming from clams buried beneath the surface, although I could not see what was producing them. I stepped carefully around the eelgrass, not wanting to trample it or whatever was hiding below.

The squirting water kept catching me by surprise. It was such a small thing, but it made the beach feel full of unseen life beneath our feet.

Bainbridge Island Brewing Company

After exploring the beach, we stopped near downtown Winslow for a pizza and carried it to Bainbridge Island Brewing Company.

The brewery had a good selection when we visited, ranging from Kölsch-style beer and IPAs to darker stouts. A warm pizza and cold beer felt especially good after spending time outside along the water.

Walking Along Eagle Harbor

After lunch, we walked along the harbor. Boats bobbed on the water while we followed the shoreline, enjoying a slower look at the area around Winslow.

We stopped for gelato before returning to the ferry line. Our timing gave us something even better than another ordinary crossing: a sunset ride back to Seattle.

Sunset on the Ferry

The ferry left Bainbridge Island as the light began changing across Puget Sound. Warm color spread through the sky and reflected on the water behind us.

Mount Rainier appeared in the distance, rising beyond the shoreline. As we approached Seattle, the buildings caught the last golden light of the day.

The morning crossing had been exciting because it was our first ferry ride. The return felt entirely different. We stood outside in the wind again, watching the mountain, water, and city shift through the evening light.

If I were planning this day again, I would still choose a return ferry around sunset. The view approaching Seattle was one of the most beautiful parts of the trip.

Kerry Park

Once we were back in Seattle, we headed to Kerry Park. We had considered skipping it because we expected it to be crowded, but we also wanted to see its well-known view of the downtown skyline.

It was every bit as busy as we anticipated. We still found enough room to enjoy the view and take a few photographs as the city lights came on.

Our day on Bainbridge Island began with the strange novelty of driving a car onto a boat and ended with Mount Rainier rising beyond the glowing water. Between those two ferry rides, we found strong espresso, a driftwood-covered beach, hidden clams squirting beneath the eelgrass, and plenty of time to wander without a strict agenda.

A Ferry Day Trip from Seattle to Bainbridge Island