Tag: Seattle guide

Day Trip to Bainbridge Island

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If you’re look for a quick day trip from the Seattle area with plenty of shopping, food, and beautiful scenery, Bainbridge Island is the perfect destination for you.

Bainbridge Island is a small island in the Puget Sound located just a short ferry ride from downtown Seattle. The ferry ride itself is part of fun, as it offers stunning views of the Seattle skyline. Even with cloudy weather, the city’s beauty truly shines through, and I highly recommend heading to the ferry deck to catch a glimpse for yourself.

Once you arrive on Bainbridge Island, I suggest making Pegasus Coffee Company your first stop. Pegasus Coffee Company is a quaint coffeeshop that looks plucked straight from the English countryside. Inside, the shop is cozy and welcoming, with delicious coffee and pastry options – including some awesome vegan treats as well!

After warming up with some coffee, make your way over to Riverfront Park, where you can catch beautiful views of sailboats, costal homes, and maybe even some some sea life! We were lucky enough to spot a family of otters playing and swimming around the dock when we visited.

After a stroll through the park, return to the downtown area to do some shopping. There are loads of cute shops and boutiques lining the main street through town, and there’s definitely something for everyone in the family to enjoy. One of my favorites was Town & Country Market, a quaint supermarket with lots of local goodies, like candles and chocolates.
If you need another pick-me-up, I recommend Coquette Bake Shop, a walk-up coffee stand conveniently located right downtown.

Once lunchtime rolls around, you’ll find plenty of options to satisfy a variety of cravings. From American classics at Doc’s Marina Grill to delicious pies at Westside Pizza, you’re sure to find something yummy.
A half-day is plenty of time to experience Bainbridge Island, but there are plenty of other activities if you’d like to make a full day or weekend of it. From museums to wine-tasting to hiking, the quaint island has a lot to offer.

I can’t wait to return and explore even more of Bainbridge, and I hope this guide helps you as you plan a visit for yourself!

A Moody Day in the PNW

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I’m finally back in Washington for another visit and decided to take advantage of the cloudy, moody weather that greeted me the first day by doing some of my favorite PNW activities.

I started the day by visiting several different coffee stands and enjoying some specialty drinks. If you didn’t know, I run an Instagram called @pnw_coffeestands where I feature a new coffee stand around the Pacific Northwest every week. Since I’m not currently living in the PNW, I have to visit loads every time I visit so that I have plenty of content throughout the year!

Pro tip: make sure to do some basic research before you pop into a coffee stand or you may find yourself at a bikini coffee stand, which might not be your cup of tea! Oftentimes the stands will say “family-friendly” to let you know the baristas will be fully clothed!

After loading up on plenty of caffeine, I made my way over to Ivar’s Mukilteo Landing. Ivar’s is an old-school seafood chain with a variety of locations throughout Washington that vary from walk-up seafood bar to sit-down dining. The Mukilteo Landing location is one of my favorites because you get fantastic views of the Puget Sound. On a cloudy day, nothing is more comforting than enjoying a cup of warm clam chowder and watching the ferries go by.

After lunch, I strolled over to a nearby pier and watched some gentlemen fishing and crabbing. You should always keep your eyes peeled when you’re near the water because you may catch glimpses of sea life such as starfish or seals!

Pro tip: bring plenty of layers, and always carry a good rain jacket with you. Even though I was fine in a short sleeve shirt during lunch, I quickly had to layer on another jacket as I strolled by the water.

Next up, I walked over to the Mukilteo Lighthouse, a quaint little park featuring an over 100-year-old lighthouse that still works to this day. This park is a gorgeous little spot to stroll through and catch some amazing waterfront views.

From the lighthouse park you can easily make your way to the docks and continue your stroll along the shoreline. It’s not uncommon to see seagulls feasting on things like mussels and crabs, and I love watching the sailboats head out onto the Sound.

After a cozy and relaxing afternoon in Mukilteo I made my way up to Barclay Lake for a quick early evening hike, though you’ll have to stay tuned for that photo diary!

If you ever find yourself in Washington and want to experience some classic moody PNW vibes, I highly recommend enjoying some seafood along the Sound. Let me know your favorite ways to take advantage of cloudy PNW weather, and stay tuned for my next post!