Day Trip to Island From Seattle
Jul 31st, 2013, 06:38 AM
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Day Trip to Island From Seattle
If we were going to do a full day or partial day trip to one of the Islands near Seattle (do not want to go all the way up to San Juan just based on limited time), is one better out of Bainbridge Island or Whidby Island? Is one more accessible? We would have a car, or could go on foot or bikes on a ferry.
What are the best things to do on each island? Are there any other better, easy to get to islands for a short jaunt from Seattle?
Thanks!
What are the best things to do on each island? Are there any other better, easy to get to islands for a short jaunt from Seattle?
Thanks!
Jul 31st, 2013, 06:47 AM
#2
Whidbey Island has much more going for it - cute towns, farms, and best of all Deception Pass State Park (at the north end of the island where the highway crosses to Fidalgo Island.) Deception Pass (the narrow channel between the islands) is remarkable at any time, but when the tide is changing it can be downright awesome.
Cross over on the Mukilteo Ferry (take I-5 to SR 526, the "Boeing Freeway" which till take you past the biggest building in the world) then return on land, so only one ferry crossing.
Visit Mukilteo itself (cute lighthouse among other attractions) then visit Langley and Coupeville on Whidbey itself. After Deception Pass (a truly "don't-miss" stop) if you still want more interesting waterfront towns, a stop at La Conner on the mainland can easily be added to the itinerary.
The Whidbey loop trip is one of the best day trips available from Seattle. Highly recommended.
Bainbridge is a lovely island, and the ferry ride from Seattle is a real highlight, but it's basically an attractive suburb while Whidbey is a destination in of itself.
Cross over on the Mukilteo Ferry (take I-5 to SR 526, the "Boeing Freeway" which till take you past the biggest building in the world) then return on land, so only one ferry crossing.
Visit Mukilteo itself (cute lighthouse among other attractions) then visit Langley and Coupeville on Whidbey itself. After Deception Pass (a truly "don't-miss" stop) if you still want more interesting waterfront towns, a stop at La Conner on the mainland can easily be added to the itinerary.
The Whidbey loop trip is one of the best day trips available from Seattle. Highly recommended.
Bainbridge is a lovely island, and the ferry ride from Seattle is a real highlight, but it's basically an attractive suburb while Whidbey is a destination in of itself.
Jul 31st, 2013, 07:23 AM
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I will get this one started, but others will need to supplement, especially the Bainbridge info. From downtown Seattle, Bainbridge is the more accessible island for bikes, cars and passengers. Winslow, which you can walk to from the ferry landing, has some popular restaurants and is a cute little town. There is also Bloedel Reserve on Bainbridge, a well known regional garden (look it up for more info). I don't know distances for biking or availability of transportation outside of Winslow if you walk on, but if you are staying in downtown Seattle and want to walk on or use bikes, this might be your best island choice and the view of the city from the ferry is outstanding.
Whidbey Island is not hard to get to either, but you take the ferry from Mukilteo, which is north of Seattle and probably 20 minutes from the downtown (more if traffic is bad) and it's a 15 minute crossing with ferries every 30 minutes, or you can drive on to Whidbey Island from the north end through Deception Pass. This route will take about 90 minutes (mostly freeway) to get onto the island with no ferry involved. Many people go over one way and come back the other, especially on a first visit because Deception Pass is scenic and you can see most of the island that way. Whidbey has some nice state parks (views of the sound), picturesque towns Langley and Coupeville, and is famous for its Penn Cove mussels (available at Coupeville restaurants and elsewhere). Whidbey is best done by car, for sure, because its attractions are spread out and plentiful.
Bainbridge is an easy day trip (or even just part of a day if you go to Winslow and back for lunch and the ferry ride...not uncommon). Whidbey, on the other hand, is a long day if you do the whole thing (many do it), but you will be "on the move" most of the time...it is a good weekend destination because there is a lot to do.
Another possibility from downtown is Vashon Island, about which I know almost nothing.
Whidbey Island is not hard to get to either, but you take the ferry from Mukilteo, which is north of Seattle and probably 20 minutes from the downtown (more if traffic is bad) and it's a 15 minute crossing with ferries every 30 minutes, or you can drive on to Whidbey Island from the north end through Deception Pass. This route will take about 90 minutes (mostly freeway) to get onto the island with no ferry involved. Many people go over one way and come back the other, especially on a first visit because Deception Pass is scenic and you can see most of the island that way. Whidbey has some nice state parks (views of the sound), picturesque towns Langley and Coupeville, and is famous for its Penn Cove mussels (available at Coupeville restaurants and elsewhere). Whidbey is best done by car, for sure, because its attractions are spread out and plentiful.
Bainbridge is an easy day trip (or even just part of a day if you go to Winslow and back for lunch and the ferry ride...not uncommon). Whidbey, on the other hand, is a long day if you do the whole thing (many do it), but you will be "on the move" most of the time...it is a good weekend destination because there is a lot to do.
Another possibility from downtown is Vashon Island, about which I know almost nothing.
Jul 31st, 2013, 07:41 AM
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do not want to go all the way up to San Juan just based on limited time
Deception Pass (the main attraction on Whidbey Island) is ten miles from the ferry terminal for the San Juan Islands.
The ferry dock to the islands is a 1-1/2 hour drove from Seattle. You can park your car, board the ferry to San Juan Island on foot, walk around Friday Harbor, and tour the island on the local bus.
Another option is to take the Clipper Cruise from Seattle to San Juan Island; it includes whale watching: clippervacations.com/whalewatching
HTtY
Deception Pass (the main attraction on Whidbey Island) is ten miles from the ferry terminal for the San Juan Islands.
The ferry dock to the islands is a 1-1/2 hour drove from Seattle. You can park your car, board the ferry to San Juan Island on foot, walk around Friday Harbor, and tour the island on the local bus.
Another option is to take the Clipper Cruise from Seattle to San Juan Island; it includes whale watching: clippervacations.com/whalewatching
HTtY
Jul 31st, 2013, 03:23 PM
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You could do all of those, depending on your interests. For example, on Whidbey, you could go to Fort Casey State Park, which has lovely bluff and beach walks, plus a lighthouse, followed by lunch in Coupeville at the Front Street Grill, which has around 10 different preparations of mussels, and then go for a wine tasting of Washington vintages across the street in a small wine shop. I know Bainbridge is home to the restaurant Hitchcock, which has received national acclaim. On Whidbey, the Inn at Langley is quite popular for romantic stays and gourmet dining. Both Langley and Coupeville have boutique shopping if you are so inclined. Deception Pass State Park also offers trails and beach walks. Whidbey also has some nice roadside farmers' markets for local jams, vegetables, etc.
Others may know about where to rent kayaks when the weather is cooperative. I am assuming you will be here in summer since you are talking about kayaking.
Others may know about where to rent kayaks when the weather is cooperative. I am assuming you will be here in summer since you are talking about kayaking.
Jul 31st, 2013, 03:28 PM
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You could do all of those, depending on your interests. For example, on Whidbey, you could go to Fort Casey State Park, which has lovely bluff and beach walks, plus a lighthouse, followed by lunch in Coupeville at the Front Street Grill, which has around 10 different preparations of mussels, and then go for a wine tasting of Washington vintages across the street in a small wine shop. I know Bainbridge is home to the restaurant Hitchcock, which has received national acclaim. On Whidbey, the Inn at Langley is quite popular for romantic stays and gourmet dining. Both Langley and Coupeville have boutique shopping if you are so inclined. Deception Pass State Park also offers trails and beach walks. Whidbey also has some nice roadside farmers' markets for local jams, vegetables, etc.
Others may know about where to rent kayaks when the weather is cooperative. I am assuming you will be here in summer since you are talking about kayaking.
Others may know about where to rent kayaks when the weather is cooperative. I am assuming you will be here in summer since you are talking about kayaking.
