New Bainbridge residents should brace themselves for a deluge of visitors curious about the fabulous life on an island in the Pacific Northwest. Once you’ve hit the high spots of the island, where do you take them?
We have a few suggestions for great day trips from Bainbridge Island to the rest of Kitsap County and beyond.
- Poulsbo – About a 20-minute drive from Bainbridge, Poulsbo reinvented itself many years ago to embrace its Scandinavian history and enhance their downtown area. Shoppers will love their galleries, shops, restaurants and saloons lining the main street.
- Hansville – Due north of Bainbridge Island, coastal Hansville rests at the tip of Kitsap County. It’s a great destination for a picnic at Point No Point County Park. Visit the lighthouse, walk the beaches and try some salmon fishing for good measure.
- Port Gamble – Just before you’d cross the Hood Canal bridge, drive north and you’ll find Port Gamble, pop. 916. Yes, tiny, but this community has a few delicious restaurants, a fascinating historic cemetery and a revitalized theater in its few blocks of town, which is a U.S. National Historic Landmark. It’s even hosted civil war reenactments!
- Port Townsend – An hour-and-a-half drive off the island will land you in this picturesque town, full of fantastic food, shops and many annual festivals that draw crowds from miles around. A haven of Victorian style architecture, the Port Townsend Historic District is a U.S. National Historic Landmark District.
