A Ferry Trip Back in Time and Across Elliott Bay

Last Friday, I woke up a bit late. It was a sunny day, and the idea of taking the ferry to one of the nearby islands was much more appealing than the previous rainy day, typical of a Seattle winter. After showering and having breakfast, my son and I got in the car. This second winter break is unheard of! I wish we had something like that when I was in high school.

We arrived at Seattle’s ferry station. It had come a long way since my first visit before we moved here. I was visiting Seattle for a conference and had an extra day before going home. I took the ferry to Bainbridge Island then, a short 45-minute trip offering some of the best ways to appreciate Seattle’s skyline and the beautiful mountain ranges around it. The ferry station back then was old and musty. You had to wait in an open but dark area with little natural light, and the restrooms were small and dirty. Even these inconveniences didn’t take away from my experience riding the ferry. As soon as I got on and we started moving away from land, I realized how magical this trip would be.

Luckily, we arrived just 10 minutes before the next ferry was leaving, and there was still room for us and our car. After a five-minute wait, we were on the boat. Once parked, we got out and went up to the top platform. On the ferry, everyone can get out of their cars and walk around or enjoy the view from comfortable seats.

For the best unobstructed views, head outside to the top platform. It’s always windy up there, but it’s worth it. You’re essentially in the middle of Elliott Bay, with Seattle right in front of you, the iconic Space Needle on the left, and the giant Ferris wheel taking center stage. On a clear day, you can appreciate the majestic Mount Rainier and the two mountain ranges: the Cascades to the east and the Olympics to the west. There’s truly no better way to see the city skyline and its beautiful natural surroundings on a clear day. Even on a rainy day, the view and the feeling of the rain are refreshing and nostalgic.

The ferry itself is comfortable, with drinks and snacks for sale. Some seats have large tables where you can spread out with a group and eat or play games. My favorite activity is to walk around and take photos of the retro-looking seats, large windows, and, of course, stand on the top platform and soak in the view.

The Bainbridge ferry trip always feels shorter than it actually is. Perhaps it’s because I’m like a dog in a car with its head out the window, just enjoying the ride, the wind, the view, everything. Once the ferry trip was done, my son and I got in our car and drove out towards Bainbridge’s Winslow Way E, the busiest area on the island. This street is lined with shops and restaurants, and parking is easy to find along the street or in one of the many parking lots. That day, we were lucky to find an empty space right on Winslow Way E, close to everything. We walked around and stopped at a few shops, including the Eagle Harbor Book Co, a great independent bookstore full of new and used books. We probably spent most of our time there, slowly browsing the store, looking at book covers, and leafing through the pages of photo books.

After our walk, we decided to drive around the island before getting in line for the ferry back to Seattle. We drove for about 20 minutes, enjoying the views, especially near the island’s southwest region.

On the ferry trip back to Seattle, we went upstairs again to enjoy the views once more. It was near sunset, and the views were even more spectacular than those on our way to Bainbridge Island.

Last Friday was a different kind of day, and I enjoyed it very much. I don’t get to spend a lot of time with any of my kids alone anymore. They’ve grown up and are busy with their own lives – work, school, friends, partners, hobbies, and the like. I’m incredibly proud of them and will continue to cherish watching them grow. My wife and I also plan on discovering more places and creating more experiences. That’s how I like to spend my free time – there’s nothing better than that. And yes, visiting bookstores and cafes count as “new places” too.

Cheers!