In Seattle, you’re only miles from
one of the world’s great isles.

Many Days - Seattle Suggestions

In addition to experiencing island life, you can use Bainbridge as a base of operations while you explore Seattle or the Kitsap Peninsula. Let’s look at Seattle first.

The ferry leaves Winslow every 40-60 minutes or so. The trip to Seattle takes only 35 minutes. You land right downtown. You get to see Seattle from the water. You don’t have to worry about parking in the city. And you have a gorgeous commute in the bargain. So using Bainbridge as a home base can make a lot of sense. From the ferry terminal, you can easily walk to most downtown Seattle attractions. (Metro buses are also free in the downtown core.)The Seattle Aquarium and the Odyssey Maritime Discovery Center are just a few minutes north of the terminal.

A little further north on the waterfront, you’ll find the Seattle Art Museum’s free Olympic Sculpture Park. Next to that is Myrtle Edwards Park. The Pike Place Market, one of the oldest continuously operated farmers markets in the United States, is 10-15 minutes away from the ferry dock. Every year, “The Market” attracts more than 10 million visitors to its colorful nine acres. In addition to 200 year-round shops and businesses, you’ll find hundreds of farmers and craftsman who rent table space by the day. You’ll also see street performers and musicians, along with the very first Starbucks store. Seattle’s main shopping district is just a few blocks east of the Market. And from there, you can ride the Monorail to see Seattle Center, the Space Needle, Pacific Science Center and the Experience Music Project

If you walk south from the ferry terminal, you’ll run into Pioneer Square, the historic heart of Seattle. There, you can take in the famous Underground Tour and the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park. Just south of Pioneer Square are two of Seattle’s major stadiums, Qwest Field for Seahawk football and Sounder soccer, and Safeco Field for Mariner baseball. If you walk a couple of blocks east of Pioneer Square, you’ll come across the International District/Chinatown.

In the middle of downtown, you’ll find the main business district, the new and ultra modern Public Library, the Seattle Art Museum and Benaroya Hall, home of the Seattle Symphony. Seattle is a city of neighborhoods, each with its own personality. Best known are Ballard, Belltown (just north of downtown), Capital Hill, Fremont, Green Lake, Queen Anne Hill, the University District, and West Seattle. If you want to explore them without a car, the Metro bus system can take you almost anyplace you want to go.

Attractions outside of the downtown area include Alki Beach in West Seattle, the Chittenden Locks and Shilshole Bay Marina in Ballard, the Museum of Flight next to Boeing Field, the University of Washington in the University District, Volunteer Park and the Seattle Asian Art Museum on Capital Hill, and Woodland Park Zoo near Green Lake.