Bainbridge Island or Whidbey Island?

Submitted by throwaway6300011 t3_zflt2l in Washington

So I’ll be in Seattle again and last time I was there I spent a few days on Bainbridge island which I absolutely loved.

I stayed at an amazing Airbnb steps away from the Grand Forest and enjoyed taking in all the greenery and forest.

I’ve heard good things about Whidbey island too and I’m not sure if I should check it out and if I’d like it based on my personal preference, or go back to Bainbridge!

Whidbey island (correct me if I’m wrong) seems more water and less greenery and forests and I’m definitely a forest and greenery girl over water.

Let me know your thoughts please!

EDIT: I will NOT have a car, if that makes a difference, which island is easier without a personal car!

8

Comments

You must log in or register to comment.

1dad1kid t1_izcq9sa wrote

I'd normally say Whidbey, but if you don't have a car Bainbridge is probably a better option

11

Neros64 t1_izkbozp wrote

The public transit on the island is free to ride in case that is an option. I grew up there.

1

Toppot35 t1_izcheok wrote

Whidbey Island. It's bigger and you have more hikes, each of which is bigger in scale than those on Bainbridge: fort Casey, Ebbys landing, Deception pass.

9

throwaway6300011 OP t1_izcj4hi wrote

Thank you I love hiking so that sounds perfect for me the more hikes the better :)

1

Spork_Facepunch t1_izchs1e wrote

Whidbey is a much better vibe, in my opinion. Smaller towns, more rural. Plenty of forest trails.

Whidbey is sizable, so there is quite a bit of variety.

7

Norwester77 t1_izd89kf wrote

> Smaller towns, more rural.

If you stay away from Oak Harbor, that is!

2

throwaway6300011 OP t1_izcj6cf wrote

Ooh thank you I love the rural vibe and forest trails and variety is also good :)

1

rourobouros t1_izckpvq wrote

Why are you coming? Primarily for vacation or primarily to do something in Seattle? Whidbey Island is not close to Seattle. You would need a car to get to Seattle from there and the travel time is at least an hour - ferry to Mukilteo and then car south on I-5 to Seattle. Bainbridge has public transportation into Seattle proper, as it's immediately adjacent.

3

TomorrowWeWereBorn t1_izcpo4x wrote

Look further into the transportation situation before choosing Whidbey. Buses are free but limited in where they go and how often/how late, and they don't run on weekends. Island Transit is the name to Google for that. There is no Uber/Lyft on Whidbey. Taxis are extremely limited as well, south of Oak Harbor it's I think just one company with only a couple cars/drivers so it can be a long wait and costly (though not always... Plan ahead, call them and make reservations). Depending on where you want to go and when, it could be awesome, but without a car I'd definitely check those details first. I don't know at all how this compares to Bainbridge.

Also Whidbey has tons of forested areas especially on the south end. South Whidbey State Park, Trillium forest, and Saratoga Woods are all forested and awesome trails to check out. Greenbank Farm also has a portion of trails that go through the forest (and great views from the non-forested off-leash dog area. And of course like another commenter said, Fort Ebey, Fort Casey, and Deception Pass are all worth visiting.

Edit: Island Transit does have some routes on Saturdays, none on Sundays.

3

Lupine-lover t1_izevu2p wrote

Pizza in Freeland and Coupeville visit.

3

Nixx_Mazda t1_izekpx9 wrote

Whidbey is big, there is some farmland and open areas.

Deception Pass area is beautiful. Plenty of big trees, hiking, beaches, views, and the bridge.

With no car it would be a challenge, but there is a bus on the island.

2

SarcasticServal t1_izfxhti wrote

Bainbridge has amazing food (BaSa for lunch, blackbird bakery for breakfast). Very walkable downtown with a great bookstore (Eagle Harbor), and lots of fun shops to poke through. Very small town vibe this time of year. If you can, get tickets out to Bloedel Reserve and spend time there. A truly stunning property (there’s a bus that stops there).

2

a_Little_Mascara t1_izg7wa1 wrote

That's good info; the Bloedel Reserve is worth a day trip in and of itself - that moss garden!

1

SarcasticServal t1_izhujn0 wrote

And Danger. If there’s any holiday shopping, Danger and Bon Bon. And L’Atelier and their liege waffles and chocolates…

There is also a gorgeous hike from Gazzam like down to the water. Beautiful on a dry day, maybe a little treacherous on a wet day.

1

Future_Huckleberry71 t1_izegdj8 wrote

Bainbridge ferry provides easy access to downtown Seattle without a vehicle. Both green and watery. Bainbridge is a very nice suburb with lots of commuters. Whidbey is out of daily commute range from downtown and is more rural generally though the largest town is much bigger than any Bainbrige urban center.

1

littlehikerbird t1_izf4euo wrote

Since you don’t have a car, go to Bainbridge.

1

LoneBear1 t1_izfgcqt wrote

Without a car Bainbridge is going to be a lot easier. It also gives you easy access to the ferry system. From Seattle the Kitsap fast ferries can get you to Kingston (highly recommend Sourdough Willy's Pizzeria) or Bremerton if you're at all interested in seeing them. Or there are the Argosy cruises.

You might like Fort Ward or the Bloedel Reserve on Bainbridge. Kitsap Transit can get you to North Kitsap Heritage Park if you wanted to do some hiking there.

If you do get out here with a car some time Orcas Island is the best.

1