I had a Grey's Anatomy moment last weekend. As we leaned over the railing to gaze back at the glittering Seattle skyline on our crossing to Bainbridge Island, I felt all the Meredith Grey vibes. My own Dr. McDreamy at my side (yes, I mean Ryan), we knew our little PNW Island Getaway adventure on Bainbridge was starting off on the right foot when our euphoric trance was interrupted by the Ferry loudspeaker telling us to look North. There, just off the starboard side of the vessel was a frolicking and merry group of Orcas. Even the first half hour of our adventure was nothing short of magical.
Bainbridge is just a hop, skip, and a short ferry crossing from Seattle. Within 40 minutes, you'll have crossed the sound to find yourself in the quaint town of Winslow. Winslow has all the vibes of Friday Harbor, without the half day trek to get there. Think quaint bookstores, mom and pop boutiques for clothing and homegoods, art galleries featuring PNW pieces, and local restaurants. Add a hike and a visit to a nearby village and you have the perfect little Seattle weekend getaway. Here's my guide.
Where to Eat
My favorite Winslow eatery is easily Bruciato, which features not one but TWO vegan pizzas on their menu. The Vegano is hearty despite the perfectly thin Neopolitan style crust, complete with shredded kale, caramelized onions, olives, and housemade cashew cheese. They also make a vegan version of the classic Margherita which was my favorite of the two (though honestly, both were so good it was a very close call).
Blackbird Bakery is just cute. Whether you go in for a piece of the vegan chocolate loaf or a slice of a seasonal berry pie, or you're just grabbing a hand-pulled espresso shot drink with alternative milk, this is the place to stop for a sweet caffeine hit. In the courtyard nextdoor there's plenty of seating between the bistro tables and wooden benches. A great spot for people watching with your almond milk chai!
Located next to the iconic Doc's (which we refuse to try on principle since they don't allow dogs on their patio), Bainbridge Thai is the hidden gem of Winslow. With sweeping views of the marina and the best happy hour prices in town, this family-run restaurant is the best place for a drink with a view. $8 rose with an $8 million dollar view? Yes please! Best of all, Sadie was welcome to sit beneath my chair on the deck. Drink in hand, the sound of the waves, and my buddy beneath me, and all was right in the world! Happy hour runs 4-6 daily, except Tuesdays.
Donuts for days. Really, is there more to say? Oh yeah, they also have a wine bar with a cute happy hour menu.
Build-you-own fro-yo sundaes is the name of the game at Island Cool. Their pomegranate raspberry vegan flavor was so creamy and decadent you'd think it was actual soft serve. Just the right amount of tart made for the perfect summer treat on a hot day. Take your fro-yo to-go to nearby Strawberry Beach for fro-yo with a view!
Where to Play
Shopping
Covet Boutique is the cutest little women's clothing boutique located at the end of the main drag in Winslow, tucked inside the open-air "mall". Run by local women for over 25 years, this shop features a variety of casual pieces at all price points including some of my favorite brands like Velvet, Beyond Yoga, and PJ Salvage. Whether you're looking for the perfect dip dye on trend sweatshirt (yep! snagged it!) or that coveted perfect white tee with a broken in feel, Covet is your go-to. Ask for owner Laurel - she was friendly and helpful!
When I walked into Eagle Harbor Books and noted the "Staff Recommendations" section, my comment to Ryan was "Wow, this reminds me of Village Books in Fairhaven." Thanks to a friendly staff member who happened to overhear thanks to the glee in my voice, I learned that it's no coincidence. A couple fell in love at Eagle Harbor Books and then moved to Bellingham where they did, in fact, open Village Books. A love story and books... what's more to want? This is a great spot for passing an hour or two as you're sure to get lost in the three large shelving areas of recommendations. Looking for a gift for a local bird watcher, gardner, cook, or outdoorsman? You'll find a wide selection of books written by or about the PNW.
Hikes and Parks
When you walk this trail, you will feel like you're a million miles from downtown Seattle, or even from the bustling ferry terminal in Winslow. This nature preserve is teeming with wildlife including Barring Owls who are known to swoop and attack visitors to protect their nests (we didn't run into any trouble but it was worth looking up now and then) and rogue coyotes who we heard rustling in the bushes just off the path (also a good idea to keep dogs on leashes). The trail can be accessed from two trailheads. We parked at the Marshall Road trailhead and walked to the Deerpath trailhead, then looped back for almost 4 miles. The terrain is relatively flat, well-maintained, mostly shaded, and frequently travelled. A great spot for a short hike!
We happened upon Strawberry Beach mostly by chance. Tucked away in Eagle Harbor and squeezed into a neighborhood off of Wyatt Way East of the ferry landing on Bainbridge, you would surely miss the driveway to the parking lot if you blinked. With just enough parking for about 10 vehicles, and a handful of benches, this park was the perfect spot to enjoy lunch on a sunny day. Aside from a few paddle boarders who were enjoying the glasslike surface of sleepy Eagle Harbor, we had the place to ourselves.
Where to Stay
Though we didn't stay the night, opting for a 12 hour day trip instead of making a weekend of it, the hotel we came upon at Pleasant Beach Village is now first on our list of NW weekend getaways for summer 2021. The Inn at Pleasant Beach is nothing short of quaint. With the most beautifully maintained grounds of any hotel I've seen in a long time, this luxurious hotel is quiet and private. With almost Bavarian or fairytale-esque architecture and cozy private balconies, this would be the perfect vacay spot for a romantic anniversary weekend. Have kids? No problem. Their enormous pool boasts swim lessons and family swim hours during non-Covid times. And, the lounge chairs made for a serene setting that we are eager to try next summer!
