Day trips from Seattle by ferry and road
A Seattle day trip to Bainbridge Island starts with the 35 minute ferry from Colman Dock. On the island, the Museum of Art is about 5 minutes on foot from the landing and the History Museum about 10 minutes. That makes Winslow a good walking day. It does not mean the whole island is car free, so for the Bloedel Reserve and the parks, plan a car or a bus.
Poulsbo and Port Gamble lie on the Kitsap Peninsula beyond the island. They work as a longer day with a car. The Olympic Peninsula is a different kind of trip, covered on the Olympic National Park page with its $30 per private vehicle fee for 7 days. The distances are large, and the park service suggests a base near Port Angeles or the lake for places like Hurricane Ridge and Lake Crescent.
Our picks: day trips from Seattle
An e-bike ride across the water, a small-group Olympic day and a hike-focused Olympic day. The Olympic tours include the park entry.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide and Viator. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Olympic National Park day tour with guided hikes
- Park entry included
- Guided hikes
- Lunch and snacks
A twelve-hour day with a naturalist guide in a group of ten or fewer; guests can also be met at the ferry landing on Bainbridge Island.
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Olympic National Park day tour in a small group
- Park entry included
- Ferry both ways
- Sandwich lunch
A long day from Seattle that crosses to Bainbridge Island on the ferry and continues to the Olympic mountains, with a driver-guide and several pick-up options.
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E-bike tour to Bainbridge Island from Seattle
- E-bike and helmet
- Guided island ride
- Free time on the island
A guided e-bike ride that starts in Seattle, crosses on the ferry and rides the island's waterfront trail. Ask whether the ferry ticket is included before you book.
Check availability →Day trips and tours from Seattle
Guided day trips to Bainbridge Island, wine tours, Poulsbo and Port Gamble, Olympic Peninsula excursions and Seattle city tours, with live prices and availability.
Day trips from Seattle: how the options compare
Times do not include waiting at the dock.
| Trip | Getting there from Seattle | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Bainbridge Island, Winslow | Ferry, 35 minutes, then on foot | Museums, waterfront, shops, no car needed |
| Bainbridge Island, Bloedel Reserve | Ferry, then about 6 miles by car or bus | Gardens, a half day or longer |
| Poulsbo | Ferry, then bus route 390 or car | A waterfront town with Scandinavian roots |
| Port Gamble | Ferry plus 35 minutes by car, 70 minutes without waiting | A historic mill town |
| Olympic National Park | Long drive, a base near Port Angeles suggested | A day of its own |
For most visitors, one good plan is Bainbridge Island on foot for a first trip, and a car day to Poulsbo and Port Gamble for a second. A single day that tries to combine the island, the peninsula and the Olympic Peninsula is not realistic.
Bainbridge Island day trip: a sample plan
- Morning: take a morning ferry from Colman Dock, Pier 52. Walk from the landing to the Museum of Art, which opens at 10 a.m. and is free.
- Midday: walk to the History Museum, also free, and spend time at Winslow's waterfront at Eagle Harbor.
- Afternoon: with a car or a bus, add the Bloedel Reserve or a short park walk. Book a Bloedel time slot ahead.
- Evening: check the timetable for your return sailing and arrive at the landing early.
The cost on foot is the ferry fare, $11.35 for an adult in autumn 2026, plus entry to anything that charges. Both museums are free.
Seattle tours that include the island
If you prefer someone else to plan the day, the tour list above shows guided options that start in Seattle. A self-guided day needs only the ferry fare and the entries you choose, and gives you more control over the time at each stop. A guided day takes the schedule off your hands. Check what each tour includes, in particular whether the ferry fare and any entry tickets are covered.
The Japanese American Exclusion Memorial is a quiet site with a different address from Winslow, reached by a drive of about 11 minutes. It needs its own time and a respectful visit.
Poulsbo, Port Gamble and the bus
Route 390 runs daily between the Bainbridge ferry terminal, the Clearwater Park and Ride and the North Viking Transit Center in Poulsbo. The timetable is valid from 13 September 2026. There is no direct bus on this route to Port Gamble, so for Port Gamble a car is the practical choice. Port Gamble is no longer a working sawmill, and Poulsbo is about 15 minutes from it by car. Read the Poulsbo and Port Gamble page for the two towns.
Day trips from Seattle: frequently asked questions
Is Bainbridge Island a good day trip from Seattle?
Yes. The ferry takes about 35 minutes, and Winslow's museums and waterfront are within a short walk of the landing. You do not need a car for that part.
Can I visit Port Gamble in one day with Bainbridge Island?
It is possible with a car, but the time is not guaranteed. Port Gamble is 35 minutes by car from the Bainbridge terminal, so the trip from Seattle takes about 70 minutes without waiting. It is better as its own long day.
Can I do the Olympic National Park as a day trip?
It is a very long day. The distances are large, and the park suggests a base near Port Angeles or the lake for Hurricane Ridge and Lake Crescent. Do not combine it with the island.
How much does a day trip cost without a tour?
In autumn 2026 the adult walk-on fare is $11.35, paid in Seattle. The Museum of Art and the History Museum are free. A Bloedel Reserve ticket is $22 from October to April and $26 from May to September.
Is there a bus from the ferry to Poulsbo?
Yes. Route 390 runs daily between the ferry terminal and the North Viking Transit Center in Poulsbo. The transit center is not next to every sight in the old town, so allow time to walk.
Is Bainbridge-Island.org a tour operator?
No. This is an independent guide with no link to any tour operator, to Washington State Ferries or to the city.