Far from the hustle and bustle of city life, the coastal village of Winslow, Bainbridge Island offers its residents a safe harbor and tranquil lifestyle. A pearl nestled amongst a chain of beautiful islands, Bainbridge is a sanctuary that regenerates your soul and allows its residents to enjoy life to its fullest.
Only a ferry boat ride away from Seattle lays a charming village by the bay. Embarking from the ferry terminal to downtown Winslow, the crowd splits to the left of the terminal, where busses await, or to the right side, where taxis and parked cars line up. 
Signs are posted to direct foot traffic to a quaint downtown Winslow, which is an easy, slightly uphill jaunt from the ferry. Winslow Way is essentially Main Street on the island. A quick stop at the Town and Country Grocery store (on the left side of the street just a few blocks) can yield a deli-built custom sandwich, and then you may want to wander through a connoisseurs salad bar. To the south through the park, all the way to the water's edge, a picnic table awaits you. Or rent a boat from the dock, and in a few minutes your picnic lunch can be transformed to a shoreline cruise. Enjoy watching the boats in the harbor before exploring some favorite shops downtown. Eagle Harbor Books boasts a special selection of local author's writings, always fun to peruse. A variety of clothing shops and gift stores line the streets, then cross the street to browse through Winslow Mall (don't be disappointed that the "mall" is a far cry from Seattle shopping) and wander through the specialty shops. For those who enjoy a knitting project, The Church mouse has an amazing selection of yarns and hand work projects. Mora ice cream boasts locally produced frozen confections, much more than "ice cream".
Madison intersects Winslow Way and to the left, down the hill, is a walk along Eagle Harbor, a couple of pubs (Docs chowder is great, and the Harbor Pub is not-to-be-missed for gourmet pub food). As you 
turn the corner towards the water at the end of Winslow Way, you might want to grab a latte at Andante's with the locals, and enjoy some local art or make some of your own at the Painting Brush. A number of art galleries feature regional artists, and several times a year a weekend is devoted to the Art walk, where local talents are displayed in a number of downtown store fronts. Going up the street to Winslow Green is another row of fun and unique shops, and another great bakery if you need a cookie and a cup of tea!
Traveling north on Madison a little distance, is the children's museum, an interactive child's delight, and a favorite local stop. To the right of the street are the City Hall, Playhouse, and the old school house, which houses the local museum. On an unhurried afternoon, the Pavilion has a number of matinees playing and a number of eateries at your service.
Winslow boasts a variety of ethnic food, including Thai, Mexican, Indian and Asian restaurants, and on the corner of Winslow and Madison are two wonderful lunch or dinner spots- the Winslow Cafe of Cafe Nola. Hiding down a short alley is some of the best Sushi available at Shima's. For a leisurely and fine dining experience, The Four Swallows is a lovely historic home destination next to the Pavilion (reservations are recommended).
Now that you've shopped and eaten your way thru downtown, a trip through the countryside gives you the real feel of Bainbridge. A slow afternoon ramble through Bainbridge Gardens 
inspires you to get home and redesign the landscape. Walking through the Grand Forest, you may feel transported to another era, and wonder if fairies still live there. Whether you choose to walk about downtown or discover forested lanes and hidden neighborhoods, Bainbridge is a unique island experience not to be missed!
