Day 1 –

(If you only have one day – this is the day I would recommend!)

Start your day of with the perfect cup of joe. Whether you are a Starbs fanatic, itching to hit the line for the original shop or looking for a local spot – Seattle is the place to be.

We opted for the original Starbucks… because when in Seattle… and because of the ideal location – in the heart of one of Seattle’s most loved attractions, Pike Place Market. The cozy shop offers unique merchandise and specialty flavor combos. There is often a line out the door, so carve out some time, bring some patience, and be ready for your regular corner Starbucks quality.

Pike Place is the main event for the day, as it is easy to wander with local love all around. Watching giant fish thrown through the air, exploring Metsker Maps, Post Alley and endless options for fresh Seattle seafood makes this a perfect day adventure. We enjoyed the halibut fish and chips from Jack’s Fish Spot for a quick lunch before on to the next Seattle stop.

From Pike Place Market, you are just south of some more of Seattle’s most touristy neighborhoods. If you are truly looking to explore the entirety of the city, take the Link Light Rail up to Fremont for a troll hunt, or the Queen Anne stop for rich history, the famous Seattle Space Needle, and beautiful views.

End your first day catching the sunset (if the sun is out) over Puget Sound with a good seafood dinner at favorites like Anthony’s Pier 66 & Bell Street Diner, Duke’s Seafood or Highliner Public House.

Day 2 – Bainbridge Island

Coffee round 2! Head over to Zeitgeist Coffee for probably the best latte of your life. The vibes are incredible, the pastries deserve a chef’s kiss – specifically the Churro Donut – and the coffee is truly delicious.

With your Zeitgeist in hand, head down to the Seattle Ferry Terminal for a journey to Bainbridge Island. While there are so many wonderful things about Seattle, slipping away from the city to Bainbridge Island is a personal favorite when in the area. Bainbridge Island is a quaint little getaway with local shops, eateries, and a plenty to explore.

The 35 minute ferry ride itself is a lovely experience, giving a unique view of the city skyline, and on those far and few between sunny Seattle days, an incredible view of Mount Rainier.

Right from the ferry terminal, downtown Bainbridge (aka, Winslow) is just a short walk. You know you are close to downtown when you stumble across one of our favorites, Fletcher Bay Winery. Offering diverse tasting flights and a flavorful hors d’oeuvres menu, you can’t go wrong with starting your Bainbridge time at Fletcher Bay. If you’re more into hops than vines, you can find Bainbridge Island Brewery right next door.

After a nice buzz, get lost in shops that vary from souvenirs, music, textiles, books, sweets, more wine and dining – accommodating to a variety of interests. Roam mindlessly until you’re feeling hungry enough for a delicious wood-fired pizza from Bruciato.

Bainbridge Island also features an incredible spot for those looking for a PNW outdoor mini adventure. Call the town shuttle and request a stop at The Grand Forest. This green space has a few, quick trails that are perfect for all hiking levels if the great outdoors start calling.

Once you make it out of the woods, call up the town shuttle for a ride back for a bite to eat or back to the ferry terminal to end your day on Bainbridge. We recommend checking sunset times and catching an early evening ferry ride back to Seattle for the best chance of picture perfect sunset on your cruise back.

If you are not too exhausted from a busy day on Bainbridge, the ferry terminal is just down the road from Seattle’s Downtown and Central Business District. Once you are back on land, you can find shops, restaurants, and night life to end your weekend right.

Travel and Transportation Tips

Where to Stay

– Use those points! With our Chase Sapphire Preferred we booked our two night stay at the CitizenM Seattle Pioneer Square, which typically runs for $139 per night, for 15,000 points and some change. And by booking through the Chase portal – that ‘change’ brought in 5x the points.

– While the room is snug – we loved our stay with CitizenM. The modern technology and convenient, downtown location made it the perfect place for a weekend adventure!

– Walking Times from CitizenM Seattle Pioneer Square:

Light Rail Station – 5 Minutes

Seattle Ferry Terminal (to Bainbridge Island) – 2 Minutes

Pike Place Market – 12 Minutes

Public Transportation

– Do not book an Uber from the airport! Public transportation in Seattle served us well. For our short stay, we opted to ditch the overpriced rental car and find our way as we went. The Link Light Rail, for $3/person took us from the airport to a station 5 minutes from our hotel. I’ll take a $3 train over a $50 Uber any day. With stops all the way past the University of Washington – if you’re staying near Puget Sound – Sound Transit is the way to go. This seemed to be a common system for folks leaving the airport, so we felt safe and not too out of place hauling a suitcase during our commute. Do check the transit map and schedule – we booked an early morning flight out, which was too early for the light rail, and we ended up paying those lovely Uber airport fees on our way out.

– If you are headed to Bainbridge Island – your roundtrip ferry ticket will be around $9. These are easy to purchase when you arrive to the terminal.

– On Bainbridge Island, if you are feeling a little more adventurous and ready to explore more than the stroll through Winslow, there is a $2 shuttle that you can call – they will pick you up wherever you are and take you to wherever you want to go! This is somehow not too good to be true! We asked a local how to get around – and he did not fail us. I highly recommend downloading the Kitsap Transit app before your trip and exploring your $2 shuttle possibilities!

We love Seattle, we LOVE the the Pacific Northwest – we are excited to go back soon. Until next time, bring rain gear, eat lots of fish and chips, and happy traveling! 🙂