ijayb

My girlfriend and I are staying at the Marriot waterfront and are thinking about taking the ferry to either Bainbridge or Vashon Island.
Which is better, more fun and scenic? Or is there something else via boat that you can suggest?

mlc

I'd take the ferry to Bainbridge. You catch the ferry near where you're staying, whereas you'd have to drive or take a bus to the Vashon ferry, and the Bainbridge run has great views looking back to the City. Plus there is a cute little village center in Bainbridge when you get off the ferry where you can shop and eat. Enjoy.

Gardyloo

The Bainbridge car ferry sails from downtown Seattle. The Vashon car ferry sails from Fauntleroy, a neighborhood in West Seattle about a 15 min. drive from downtown. There is a high-speed passenger-only ferry from downtown to Vashon; however, without a car you'll be stuck near the ferry dock on Vashon and won't be able to see much of the island.

If you want to travel as a foot passenger, the town of Winslow on Bainbridge is quite attractive; try the Harbour Public House for a pint and a good burger, then take a lovely sunset ride back into town on the ferry, a 5-min. walk from the pub.

If your excursions out of town include the Olympic Peninsula (Port Townsend, Hurricane Ridge, etc.) then you'll probably go by way of Bainbridge anyway, so a separate outing to the island might be redundant. If you have a car, Vashon can be very enjoyable - rural feeling, an exceptionally cute village at Quartermaster, then take the ferry from the southern end of the island into Tacoma and return to Seattle by road. In Tacoma, if you're interested, the new Museum of Glass currently has a wonderful exhibit of early 20th century glass from central Europe, plus ongoing work in the "hot shop" and a great gift shop, all in a striking building next to Dale Chihuly's "Bridge of Glass" to the downtown historic area. If you do a Vashon daytrip, it's a good way to start/end (you can do the trip in either direction.)

Rhardy5554

Really depends what you want to see. Bainbridge is much more commercial and built up. Vashon is rural and an arts center. Each are fun in different ways. You will need a car to get to Vashon, as noted, but you would really need a car to see either island properly.

dlai

I agree that while Vashon is quaint, sleepy, and rural with no real downtown, Bainbridge has more of a sweet small town, with more for visitors to do and see right off the ferry, which as someone else said leaves from downtown Seattle's waterfront. There are two bakeries, several restaurants, lots of shops, a grocery store, and art galleries all right on the main street just a block or two from the Bainbridge(Winslow) ferry terminal. Unless you want a longer ferry ride,(Bainbridge is approx. 35 min. from Seattle)I think this is your best choice.

Also, be aware that if you choose to take a car on either ferry(or any Washington ferry for that matter, especially in summer), you may have long lines and a long wait, whereas if you just walk on, there is never a problem getting on! Have fun-the ride is beautiful, especially on a sunny day.

jimshep

Argosy has boat tours of the sound and lakes. Discount tickets are usually available under the Pike Place Market sign at the foot of Pike Street.