I took a $10 ferry to a scenic island just a few miles from Seattle. Its cute shops and restaurants make it a must-visit for tourists.

Wed, 07/17/2024 - 14:34

A painted ferry with a yellow, dark-blue, and lighter blue on the side of a building with painted letters spelling out — I took two ferries to get to Bainbridge Island.
Emma Kershaw

I took two ferries to get from Bremerton to Bainbridge Island in Washington.
Both ferries were clean, spacious, and comfortable, so I enjoyed the journey.
I loved downtown Bainbridge Island's independent stores and restaurants.

Since I moved to Washington, I've been trying to explore my area more. Recently, I took two ferries to Bainbridge Island, a popular spot for daytrippers.

Bainbridge Island is home to about 25,000 people, and the downtown area is full of independent stores, museums, restaurants, and bars. The island, located only a few miles from Seattle, is also known for its natural beauty and scenic nature trails.

Like many excited visitors, I looked forward to seeing the beautiful waterways and shops on the island, which USA Today readers named one of the best small towns in the West.

I took a day trip to the island from my home in Bremerton, which is about 16 miles from Seattle. For this trip, I took two vessels through the Washington State Department of Transportation, which operates the largest ferry system in the US.

Here's what the journey was like.

I started my journey to Bainbridge Island in Bremerton, the city where I live.

A gray sign with green text saying — I started my day trip at the ferry terminal in Bremerton.
Emma Kershaw

Despite being separated by less than a mile of water, it takes about an hour to drive from Bremerton to Bainbridge Island. I didn't want to drive, so I figured the ferries would be the best option.

For the first part of my journey, I headed to the ferry terminal in Bremerton and boarded the Walla Walla Ferry.

The ferry from Bremerton to Seattle took about an hour.

A white ferry with a sign that says — I waited in line to board the Walla Walla ferry.
Emma Kershaw

Traveling via the Washington State Ferries from Bremerton to Seattle was free, and no ticket was required for a single ride.

The ferry was pretty large and could carry up to 2,000 passengers, with a maximum of 188 vehicles able to fit on board. I didn't want to bring my car along on this journey, but it's good to know I have the option for future trips.

The Walla Walla ferry had plenty of seating and other amenities.

Several tan, dark-green, and light-green seats on a ferry with fluorescent lights and low ceilings — I sat in a booth, though there were lots of chairs available.
Emma Kershaw

I noticed plenty of seating options inside and outside the cabin, including booths and individual seats.

The ferry was accessible with ramps and elevators, and had an outdoor deck, restrooms, and vending machines. However, there was no WiFi.

I enjoyed the views from my booth.

Selfie of the writer wearing a black shirt and sunglasses on her head aboard a ferry with a body of water and dock out the window next to her — I watched the water and skyline out my window.
Emma Kershaw

My favorite part about taking the ferries in Washington is the scenery. On a previous journey from Bremerton to Seattle, I spotted a pod of orcas.

This time, I chose a window seat in a booth and admired the view throughout the hourlong journey. I even thought the large cushions were quite comfortable for a commuter ferry.

Though it was a long journey, it was a peaceful and relaxing ride thanks to the slow speed and the views of glistening water, evergreen trees, and, eventually, the Seattle skyline.

I needed a ticket to board the next ferry for the second part of my journey.

The writer holds two yellow tickets that say — My ticket cost just under $10.
Emma Kershaw

When I arrived in Seattle, I disembarked the Walla Walla ferry and went inside the terminal building to wait for the next vessel.

Tickets for walk-on passengers could be purchased online or at the terminal booth. They cost about $9.90 for adults and $4.90 for those 65 and older, though they were free for passengers under 18.

There was a 20-minute wait between the ferries, so I sat in the terminal lounge, which had lots of seating, visitor information, vending machines, and restrooms.

The ride from Seattle to Bainbridge Island took 35 minutes.

A Washington State Ferry boat at the Bainbridge Island Terminal. The boat is mostly white with green detailing and sits in water with pine trees and blue skies in the background — The Tacoma and Chimacum ferries take passengers from Seattle to Bainbridge Island.
Edmund Lowe Photography/Getty Images

My journey from Seattle to Bainbridge Island was aboard the Tacoma vessel, which frequents this route along with the Chimacum ferry.

The Tacoma is slightly larger than the Walla Walla and can fit 2,499 passengers and a maximum of 202 vehicles.

The Tacoma ferry featured a full-service restaurant, bar, and coffee shop.

Seating area dilled with red, gray, and green chairs with a dining area in the distance. The ceilings look low and fluorescent lights illuminate the area — The Tacoma didn't have as many booths, but there were more amenities.
Emma Kershaw

Both ferries were similar, but this vessel had more amenities, including a coffee shop, bar, and restaurant. I noticed many tables, booths, and armchair-style seats.

Like the Walla Walla, this boat had an outdoor deck and was accessible with elevators and ramps. Unfortunately, this ferry didn't have WiFi either.

I grabbed a coffee and enjoyed the comfortable ferry ride.

Four people in line at a ferry coffee shop with a black sign reading — I ordered a cappuccino at the café.
Emma Kershaw

I decided to grab a cappuccino at the on-board café before sitting down. Like my first journey, I opted for a window seat in a booth — but this time, I had a table.

Despite the shorter journey, this part of the trip was more comfortable due to the ferry's amenities, like the table and coffee shop.

Once we arrived, I spent four hours exploring Bainbridge Island's downtown area.

A white and brown sign with a map of the island gateway on Bainbridge Island in front of a small shop and seating area with trees and a blue sky in the background — Downtown Bainbridge Island had lots to see.
Emma Kershaw

Downtown Bainbridge Island, also known as Winslow, seemed very walkable. The area is home to many independent stores, cafés, restaurants, bars, and the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art.

Pickleball was invented on Bainbridge Island, so many of the local shops played into this theme.

Three white clothes on a wooden table with pickleball-themed sayings and illustrations of pickleball paddles — I noticed towels with pickleball-themed designs in some shops.
Emma Kershaw

Most gift stores I visited carried pickleball-themed goods, like paddles, clothing, homeware, and stationary, because Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum invented the game on Bainbridge Island in 1965.

I stopped for a tasty lunch, too.

A large piece of fried fish over a bed of french fries on a newspaper-lined bowl on a yellow table — I grabbed fish and chips, which, as a Brit, I found quite satisfying.
Emma Kershaw

After checking out some stores, I headed to a seafood restaurant called Proper Fish for lunch. I ordered the British fish and chips, which closely matched the dish I would enjoy in my native England.

Overall, the ferries were a great way to explore Bainbridge Island.

Although the journey times were long, the ferries were a great way to explore Washington, especially without a car.

Both ferries were clean and comfortable, and the free Walla Walla ferry and low prices for the Tacoma made them accessible for many budgets. Depending on the season, passengers may even get lucky and spot some wildlife on the rides.

I can't wait to take the ferry and see more of my state again.

Read the original article on Business Insider

Travel, Travel, ferry, Washington, Seattle, island, review, Freelancer, freelancer-le, washington-state

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I took a $10 ferry to a scenic island just a few miles from Seattle. Its cute s…