The Puget Sound might be the only thing that makes Seattle traffic worth complaining about. Ferry trips in the fall are honestly underrated! When the air starts to get a small chill, the tourist crowd thins out, the trees become golden, and you get the small tail end of whale season. Some of the best destinations can only be reached by ferry, which is arguably one of the best forms of transportation! You can’t rush the ferry, there is no shortcut, no fast lane, nothing. Taking the ferry forces everyone to slow down and enjoy the breathtaking views of the Pacific Northwest.
If you’ve been itching to get out of the city before the weather turns, fall time is the perfect window. Here are our Trending Northwest-approved ferry trips that are well worth the ferry journey.
Bainbridge Island
Bainbridge Island is a natural starting point, as it leaves straight from the Seattle dock. The ferry ride lasts about thirty-five minutes and ends right on the edge of downtown Bainbridge Island. A huge highlight of the Seattle-Bainbridge ferry journey is that you don’t need a car (going either direction), and you can walk across and not have to worry about a car. I would highly recommend this option if you are doing a short day trip!
Downtown Bainbridge Island (or Winslow) is right off the ferry dock!
I recommend stopping at Pegasus Coffee House; it’s popular amongst the locals and tourists and has earned itself the reputation as one of the best independent coffee shops. Blackbird Bakery is a great second option if there’s a line, or if you’re just looking for something slightly less crowded. From either coffee shop, it’s a short walk around downtown. If you did bring a vehicle, a few miles north is the Bloedel Reserve. Rockaway Beach is a great spot for whale watching or just a scenic sunset over the water. Don’t forget to stop and see one of Bainbridge Island’s celebrities, the giant troll statue!
And fun fact, pickleball was invented on Bainbridge Island! The original court is on private property, but the island has a dozen public courts if you want to pay tribute.
Kingston & Kitsap Peninsula
Kingston doesn’t get nearly the attention Bainbridge does, which is part of the appeal. Our Kingston recommendations are Kingston Ale House, which pours a rotating lineup of Pacific Northwest beer. J’aime Les Crêpes has the closest thing to real French crêpes. Island Cool Ice Cream (previously ‘Mora’) is the move if you’re in the mood for a sweet treat. The waterfront views are breathtaking as always!
If you’ve brought a car, the rest of the Kitsap Peninsula opens up from there! About fifteen minutes away is Port Gamble, a preserved 19th-century mill town, now a National Historic Landmark! Poulsbo leans hard into its Norwegian roots and has some incredible restaurants and shops! Port Gamble as a whole spans only 120 acres, which makes for a quick trip outside of Kingston!
The planning to Kingston takes a bit more planning! Traveling about fifteen minutes north to Edmonds, that ferry will take you straight across to Kingston! We would recommend checking the wait times before making the journey over, as it can get backed up regularly.
The San Juan Islands
San Juan Island is the biggest of the group! Most ferries land in Friday Harbor (Exclusive Friday Harbor article here). There are tons to see here! As a coffee enthusiast, I always suggest grabbing a coffee (San Juan Island Roasters, or hit Roy’s Drive Thru if you’re in a hurry). Swing by Salty Fox for a bite before heading out to explore. On the west side of the island, Lime Kiln Point State Park is one of the best land-based spots on earth to see orcas.
Ferries to the San Juans leave from Anacortes, about an hour and forty-five minutes from Seattle by car. If you’re bringing a vehicle, reserve ahead of time! Since these ferries are slightly smaller, space via car tends to fill up faster, so definitely check before making the journey over.
Victoria, B.C.
Victoria, BC is the perfect fall photo opportunity with its cobblestone streets, ivy-covered brick, and a downtown built almost entirely around its harbor. For the classic Victoria experience, book high tea at the Empress Hotel well in advance, and set aside a half day for the Butchart Gardens! If you’d rather be on the water than looking at it, there’s no shortage of kayaking, paddleboarding, and whale-watching tours. If you’re looking for a more relaxing weekend, strolling the streets is also just as fun and filled with coffee shops, cultural food spots, and shopping.
Getting to Victoria depends on what kind of trip you’re after. The Victoria Clipper is a passenger-only high-speed ferry that runs directly from Pier 69 in downtown Seattle to Victoria’s Inner Harbour, no car and just under three hours. If you’d rather bring a vehicle, the Coho ferry out of Port Angeles is the move, about an hour and a half on the water, though you’ll need to drive out to Port Angeles first (roughly two and a half hours from Seattle).
Olympic Peninsula
If you’ve made it as far as Kingston or Bainbridge and aren’t quite ready to turn around, keep heading west. The Washington coast is a natural extension of the trip, and this is where a ferry ride can easily turn into a full fall getaway. Drive through Port Gamble and continue toward Port Angeles, where there are plenty of reasons to make a stop. If you have the time, Hurricane Ridge is worth the detour, but a Discovery Pass is needed! If you want to go further, check out the Hoh Rainforest before picking a beach to explore. Ruby Beach, Kalaloch, and Rialto Beach are all within reach, and you really can’t go wrong with any of them.
If you’re not looking for a hike, downtown Port Angeles is another stop we definitely recommend. There are some amazing local businesses worth getting out of the car for. Our TNW recommendations include El Taco Loco for a delicious Mexican meal, Atomic Bagels for a quick bite before getting back on the road, Port Book and News for a new cozy read, and Moss for some PNW shopping. If you’re making a weekend out of it, Sequim, Port Angeles, and Forks all make great home bases depending on how far west you’re planning to go.