The easiest day trip from Seattle starts at the downtown waterfront and needs no car. Walk onto the ferry at Colman Dock, and 35 minutes later you’re in Winslow, the small town on Bainbridge Island where the museums are free, lunch is a short walk from the boat and the ride home costs nothing.

The plan at a glance: a Saturday from 9:35 a.m. to early evening, all on foot · about $26–60 per person as a day trip, or $56–105 if you stay for dinner · the ferry back to Seattle is free for walk-on passengers.

How the ferry works

  • Where: Seattle’s ferry terminal is Colman Dock, 801 Alaskan Way (Pier 52). The Bainbridge terminal is at 270 Olympic Drive SE, a few minutes’ walk from Winslow Way.
  • How long: about 35 minutes each way.
  • What it costs: as posted in September 2026, a walk-on adult fare is $11.35, seniors and riders with disabilities pay $5.65, and 18 and under ride free. Bikes add $1.
  • Who pays when: walk-on fares are collected only in Seattle, so you pay once on the way out and ride back free.
  • How often: on fall 2026 weekends, boats leave Seattle at 8:55, 9:35, 10:40 and 11:25 a.m., then roughly every 45–60 minutes through the evening. Check the WSF schedule on the day — sailings can change.

A Saturday in Winslow, stop by stop

  1. 9:35 a.m. — Ferry from Colman Dock. Arrive around 10:10. Stand outside on the way over for the view back at the city. Cost: $11.35 per adult.
  2. 10:15 — Bainbridge Island Museum of Art. Free all year, open 10 a.m.–5 p.m., and the first building on your right as you turn onto Winslow Way — about 5 minutes from the boat. Cost: $0.
  3. 11:15 — Bainbridge History Museum. A small, free museum of island history at 215 Ericksen Ave NE, open 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Cost: $0.
  4. 12:15 — Lunch in Winslow. Blackbird Bakery (210 Winslow Way E) for pastries, savory bakes and coffee, or Bruciato (236 Winslow Way E) for wood-fired pizza and an Aperol spritz. Cost: about $10–18 at the bakery, $25–40 at Bruciato.
  5. 1:30 — Waterfront Park. Five and a half acres of lawn, a play area and harbor views on Eagle Harbor, about 10 minutes’ walk from Winslow Way. Cost: $0.
  6. 2:30 — Fletcher Bay Winery tasting room (optional, 21+). An island winery one door down from the art museum; open from noon on Saturdays. Cost: varies by tasting.
  7. 3:30 — Ice cream at Island Cool. The shop at 139 Madrone Lane N took over the old Mora Iced Creamery spot. Cost: about $5–8.
  8. 4:40 p.m. — Ferry back to Seattle. Or stay for dinner and take the 7:15 or 8:10 p.m. boat. Cost: $0.

If you stay for dinner

The Harbour Public House sits on the Eagle Harbor marina at 231 Parfitt Way, about 15 minutes’ walk from the ferry. The pub chowder is $22 and the steamed clams $20; plan on about $30–45 per person. It’s open Tuesday–Saturday until 10 p.m. and closed Sundays and Mondays — so this version of the day works best on a Saturday.

Staying the night

The Eagle Harbor Inn has five rooms and two townhomes around a garden courtyard, a 15-minute walk from the ferry. Its site doesn’t list rates; booking sites showed roughly $230–450 a night in September 2026.

Good to know

  • Closed for good: several island restaurants that older guides still recommend — Restaurant Marché, Seabird, Café Nola and Hitchcock — have closed. If a list sends you there, it’s out of date.
  • Bring layers. The outside decks on the ferry can be windy.
  • Traveling with teens? Everyone 18 and under rides the ferry free, which keeps a family day out here inexpensive.

Before you go: fares, sailings and opening hours were checked in September 2026. Bruciato’s and Island Cool’s hours differ between listings — confirm on the day.

Make it yours

Planning with a different budget? Pick Seattle and “2-day trip” in the HollyUp planner and it will fit the day — or an overnight — to what you want to spend.