Bainbridge Island is a ferry ride and a world away.
FAMILY-FRIENDLY ESCAPE IS NEAR, YET FEELS SO FAR AWAY
Located 9 miles from downtown Seattle, Bainbridge Island is the perfect antidote to bustling Pike Place Market and its crane-filled waterfront. Just hop on a Washington State Ferry from Pier 52’s Colman Dock (passenger fares are $4.25-$8.50; vehicle and driver starts at $15.25) and in 35 minutes you’ll be surrounded by farm stores, charming eateries and kid-friendly beaches.
After a short ride and stunning views of Puget Sound, you might find yourself hungry. Start at Bar Hitchcock, the new all-day cafe steps from the dock in Winslow. Family vibes abound during the day, so take a seat at the 30-foot bar or communal table and tuck into shakshuka and an organic latte.
Lunch? Go for the Walkerswood jerk chicken sandwich or a salad of harissa lentils and local beets. On your way out, grab a sandwich to go, like the famous “double fat” beef navel pastrami, at Hitchcock Deli. You’ll regret it if you don’t. Open from 8 a.m. daily at 129 Winslow Way East. www.hitchcock.bar
If the weather is cooperating, head north 5 miles to Fay Bainbridge Park (15446 Sunrise Drive NE), a 17acre shoreline park with driftwood forts, a playground and Adirondack chairs. During whale season (now through May), you might even spot an orca. And on a clear day, you can catch great views of Mount Baker
and Mount Rainier.
No car? Enjoy the great indoors by perusing Winslow’s cute shops, from Eagle Harbor Book Co. (157 Winslow Way E), a half-century-old independent bookstore, to Churchmouse Yarns & Teas (118 Madrone Lane N), where you can stock up on cacaoshell tea and the silkiest alpaca wool.
All that shopping (or beaching) can work up a sweet tooth. Sate it at Mora Iced Creamery, a small-batch ice creamery in Winslow featuring 48 dreamy flavors. With a nod to the owners’ Argentine heritage, the cute shop, awash in its namesake purple (mora means blackberry in Spanish), specializes in Old World recipes, including marron glace and three different kinds of dulce de leche, alongside new wave flavors like green tea and goat cheese with fig. They do everything in-house, down to the toasted pistachios and freshly chopped mint. Open from 11:30 a.m. daily at 139 Madrone Lane; moraicecream.com