hi folks - i've got some specific followup Qs for you pros:

1. is there an "ideal" time of day to take the ferry to Bainbridge? is it a good place to see the sunset, or are there advantages to go at other times of day?

2. i'm thinking a quick stop at Mora ice cream once on Bainbridge, any other quick stops to recommend? (I'm thinking won't have a chance to spend much time on Bainbridge, since I only have 3 days in Seattle)

3. are there any buses etc that go to Twin Falls State Park?

4. Any stong opinions on whether the Pioneer Sq Underground Tour is worth it?

thanks!!

I don't have answers to all your questions, but here are some thoughts.

You'd have good sunset viewing from the ferry over to Bainbridge or back but not from the island itself assuming you're walking on and going to the town, which is on the east side of the island.

I think the Twin Falls trail is too far out of the city (it's beyond North Bend) to be served by buses. I looked at the website for the park and it doesn't say anything about buses to it. Renting a car would be your best option to get out there.

And I personally didn't enjoy the underground tour (cheesy jokes and kind of dirty and smelly) but I know a lot of people do really enjoy it.

Thanks once again, NWW.

I have another Q I thought of for Vancouver-

Is the Capilano Suspension Bridge worth checking out? $27pp is pretty hefty.

Also, anyone been to both the Capilano Salmon Hatchery (Vancouver) and Ballard Locks? I assume it's really only necessary to see one - which is better?

Downtown Winslow is okay but the main attraction of going to Bainbridge is going to Bainbridge. Sunset from the ferry is best.

Capilano is, IMO, tourist hype, especially when you can visit the nearby and impressive Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge - free. http://www.lynncanyonparkguide.bc.ca/index.html

We did enjoy the underground tour of Seattle. Yes...cheesy jokes and musty smell, but much history interspersed; things we would have never learned otherwise.

I live here but, sorry, don't know the answer to a single one of your questions!

We were in Seattle last week and really enjoyed the Underground Tour. (Not ashamed to admit that we often do enjoy "touristy" things!). It taught us a lot about the history of Seattle.

The best time to take the ferry is on a clear day when you can see The Olympic Range and the Cascade Range, including Mt. Rainier and, perhaps, Mt. Baker. If this is at sunset--all the better.

The Underground Tour has been operating for decades. It is wildly popular, but the jokes my guide told (and the way he told them) left me unamused and I was not fascinated by the rubble I saw or the toilet bowl. However, the out-of-towners I treated to the tour still talk about it now and then when I visit them.

I haven't been to the Capilano Salmon Hatchery, but would recommend the Ballard Locks just because there is so much else that is typically Seattle in the area. You can check out the fleet at Fishermen's Terminal, have a hike in Discovery Park (down to the lighthouse is a terrific walk on a nice day), and hit Ballard proper for restaurants and shopping.

Hello there - Sunset is a great time to sail to Bainbridge. Are you thinking about catching a 6:20 boat to see the sun set while sailing west (assuming you're coming soon)? If yes - couple of things to take into consideration. Any boat from the 4:40 - 6:20 are commuter boats - so if you sail during the week days the boat will be packed. Also - if you arrive onto the island in the evening - most shops / galleries close down around 6:00 (it's a small town ). Mora is open until 9:00. So - you could catch a late afternoon boat - grab a bite to eat (let me know if you would like some recs.) get yourself some fabulous ice cream and sail back to Seattle on an evening boat - taking in the twinkling lights.

Just my thoughts. Enjoy your planning and I hope that you have a great trip.

Courtney - thanks for the warning! I hadn't nailed down what time ferry yet, but would it be smarter to take, say the 3:45 or 4:40 to B.I., stroll around, get ice cream, then return on the 6:30? Or, take the 6:20 to B.I., get ice cream, then return on the 8:10? I think we'll have to get back to Seattle to meet people at dinner time.

Also - unfortunately will def be going on a week day. How crowded do the rush hr ferries get? Can't-board crowded, or unpleasant-crowded? Thanks!!

The Bainbridge ferries are never "can't board" crowded for walk-ons. If you get there 20 minutes early or so for any sailing, you can walk on and pretty much take your choice of seats. (You will want to be on the starboard side as the ferry leaves Seattle for the best views.) The kiosks in the Colman Dock terminal (a fairly new innovation) take credit cards and by using them you can avoid standing in line at the ticket windows.

awlrain - Assuming that you are coming in the near future - I would choose to come on an earlier boat (3:45 would be great). You can always walk onto a commuter boat - but the vibe is completely different - very crowded - and a bit more "serious". So, if you are on an earlier boat you can stroll off of the boat - walk into Winslow - do some shopping, or some poking through the marina / galleries, etc. and then sail back into the city for dinner with your friends.

On the sail back to the city, the lights should be coming on - sun setting (on the 6:20 or 7:05) - and you can have a beer / glass of wine in the galley while you sail if the mood strikes you.

If you are coming in the next 10 days or so, we are expected to have record high temps (something that we certainly did not experience during our cool summer .

Best of luck and safe travels and please let me know if any other questions.

thanks again. i assume we should sit port side for catching the sunset on the way home? Can you recommend any particular shops and/or galleries that we should see on the island?
ps - yes, i arrive in Seattle this week.

Hello again - would love to rec. some shops to visit - can you tell me what your interests might be? There are some wonderful boutiques / antiques / galleries - I am a 37 year old female - would love to point you in the direction of what would be most appropriate for you / your party.

As far as the sail home - walk the boat and see all of the sights - the Olympics will be lit up as you sail away from the island - heading to the city the lights will be coming on - you are going to have a beautiful sail and hopefully you'll get to experience some of our beautiful weather.

C - my friend and i are in our mid 20s and generally like wandering around, discovering quaint nooks. Probably more interested in galleries + boutiques than antiques. Art - he tends to like classical, more traditional art, but i like stuff on the avant garde side. Either is doable. I also like public art and sculpture parks a lot. We'd probably be perfectly happy wandering around for a couple hrs on the island, but if there's one of 2 spots you'd think we'd particularly enjoy, pls suggest! Quirky or unusual is good. Things of the "I know a place..." variety are also great. (Ex: for Mora - "I know a place that makes amazing lavander flavored ice cream.") Thanks again!!

Good morning, A - So glad that everything is coming together for your trip Winslow / Bainbridge Island is very small - wandering through the main street / side streets (where you'll find Mora) is where you'll find most fun spots to shop / taste some wine / take in some art / wander around.

At the end of Winslow Way - you'll run into Madison - you'll also be facing the Winslow Green. If you head into the Winslow Green check out Rancho Winslow -or Island Nest - both fabulous new shops. If you head left, downhill on Madison you'll find - the Living Room - cool new wine bar - a new Japanese tea house - keep going down the hill and you'll run into the marina where you'll find the Harbor Public House (the Pub) - great spot to sit out on the deck - watch the ferries come and go and enjoy a cold beer.

Have a wonderful trip!