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What's a good car-free day trip from Seattle?

I have a friend visiting for the weekend, but my car is on the fritz. We're thinking of taking a ferry to Bainbridge or Vashon (neither of which I've been to) and walking around. Should we rent bikes? Are there better destinations?

Joshua asked in City Living over 3 years ago | Report
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  • John_collins_200x300_small
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    Jon

    Bellingham is nice for day trips. Take an Amtrak and it will drop you off in the Fairhaven neighborhood, a historic district with lots of great shopping and food. It's also a quick walk down to a beach park from there, or a quick taxi ride to downtown Bellingham, where you'll find Bounary Bay Brewery, lots of history, and more good shopping, restaurants, and bars.

    Do you mind long bike rides? You could start at Golden Gardens and take the Burke-Gilman and Sammamish trails to Woodenville, then hit up some wineries or the Redhook Ale Brewery.

    I'm also partial to a ferry ride to Bremerton. You'll get some stunning sound views, then as the ferry nears Bremerton you'll be treated to a slow meander along some beautiful Puget Sound coastline. You don't even have to stay in Bremerton, though there are some bars and other things within walking distance. If you time your return trip so that the sun is setting over the Seattle skyline, you won't be disappointed.

    Any ferry ride works, really. Bremerton is a longer ride than Bainbridge, so you get more time to enjoy that. On the other hand, Bremerton is kind of a ghost town, BUT none of the Bainbridge attractions are close to the ferry terminal like in Bremerton. You have to hike up a bit of a hill to get to the Bainbridge town center from the terminal. As others have pointed out, Vashon is good for biking.

    Jon answered in City Living over 3 years ago | Report
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  • 201621_small
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    the ferries are charming, but so is a good bag of weed

    Kimberly answered in City Living over 3 years ago | Report
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  • Gold-head_small
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    Bikes on Bainbridge is a good idea; Vashon even better -- but remember Vashon leaves from Fauntleroy, a fairly long bus ride away in West Seattle, not downtown. The passenger ferry from downtown to Vashon is weekday-only.

    There's a bike-rental shop on Vashon, but it's not at the ferry dock; it's down in the town center. There's a Metro bus that runs that route, but it doesn't run on weekends. It's a bit of a hike.

    Fnarf answered in City Living over 3 years ago | Report
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  • Kevinland_small
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    You can take the Bremerton ferry, then catch the passenger ferry from the Bremerton dock to Port Orchard. Port Orchard is nice enough for the adventure of the ferrying. Have some lunch, a couple of pints, and walk around and see if you can't find something you like at one of the antique shops.

    Kevin Shurtluff answered in City Living over 3 years ago | Report
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  • Photo_on_2012-01-03_at_17
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    Have you thought about taking a train ride? Like maybe to Portland and back...or Vancouver B.C. and back? Train rides can be quite enjoyable and I seem to remember they aren't too expensive. :) Ridin' the rails! Yah!

    Yes, ferry rides are always fun too, especially in the beautiful weather!

    Kristin Bell answered in City Living over 3 years ago | Report
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