Two communities, each just ferry ride away from downtown—but they each feel like a whole other world.
Bainbridge Island Museum of Art photo credit Reva Keller
Bainbridge Island
Enjoy a relaxing ferry ride to this laid-back island with eateries, wineries, boutiques, and parks.
Explore
Whether by car, bike, or bus, it’s easy to discover the pastoral side of Bainbridge Island with a trip to Bloedel Reserve, with its vibrant gardens that burst into bloom each spring. At the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial thoughtful signs and winding trails honor the nearly 300 island residents unjustly incarcerated during World War II. Near the Winslow ferry terminal, don’t miss the well-designed exhibits at the Kids Discovery Museum and the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art.
Eat and Drink
Amelia Wynn Winery Bistro sets the bar high with refined farm-to-table cuisine in a smartly decorated space. Coquette Bake Shop is the perfect morning stop—pick up a crusty baguette sandwich and a café au lait to enjoy on a sunny bench outside. Bruciato turns out wood-fired pizzas topped with inventive local ingredients, and Sweetwater Tavern is slated to open in late 2025 with a menu of sustainably sourced, creatively prepared seafood. Chic Ba Sa dazzles with modern Vietnamese plates and playful cocktails. Fletcher Bay Winery pours approachable reds and whites, Bainbridge Brewing serves up crisp IPAs, and Bainbridge Organic Distillers rounds things out with small-batch spirits made from local grains.
Shop
Hidden Gem carries radiant minerals, candles, and jewelry, and nearby Danger stocks locally crafted art and furnishings. Eagle Harbor Book Co. is a great source for beach reads. Duck into Magnolias Boutique and Wavekelly to pick up fashionable attire.
courtesy The Boat Shed
Bremerton
Naval history, family fun, and a burgeoning food scene greet visitors who ferry to this lively waterfront enclave.
Explore
Hop off the ferry for a stroll amid the whale-inspired copper fountains and lush greenery of Harborside Fountain Park before immersing yourself in Bremerton’s rich military heritage at two standout spots: the Puget Sound Navy Museum and the USS Turner Joy, a 1950s naval destroyer turned floating museum. Downtown’s charming 1940s Roxy Theatre screens movies and occasionally hosts live music in a nostalgic setting. It’s a short drive to Elandan Gardens, where you can stroll waterfront paths and admire a remarkable bonsai collection.
Eat and Drink
Anthony’s at Sinclair Inlet is a longtime favorite for Northwest seafood and sweeping marina views. In downtown Bremerton, unpretentious El Balcon dishes out vibrant Salvadorean plates, from hearty pupusas to rich stews, while Tiny’s House of Crabs is a must for Cajun-spiced shellfish by the pound—best savored with plenty of napkins and a cold beer. For authentic Korean comfort food, consider the bubbling hot pots, tender bulgogi, and kimchi-fried rice at Suzy’s Kitchen. Nearby, Island Hut satisfies cravings for Hawaiian-style bites like Spam musubi and hearty loco moco bowls. Saboteur Bakery tempts with buttery croissants, rustic loaves, and flaky cakes. The Boat Shed combines a breezy deck, classic fish and chips, and waterfront views that invite a leisurely lunch. And Evergreen Pizza Co. serves satisfying pies topped with locally sourced ingredients.
Shop
F.R.O.G. Soap uses Pacific Northwest pine, lavender, and calendula in its body creams and shampoo bars. Look for cool finds from yesteryear at Manette Antiques Mall and interesting, smaller-vineyard wines at The Weekender. Bremerton Vintage Flea takes place on Saturdays year-round and offers antiques, upcycled goods, and vintage treasures; there are food trucks too.
Subscribe to the Seattle Localist
Seattle’s best every month in your inbox
Book Your Trip
Advertisements