Day Trip to Bainbridge Island – Fall Season Special

Hello everyone! Halloween season is upon us. Therefore, we decided to visit a pumpkin patch on Bainbridge Island. The best thing about this place is its connectivity via public transit and distance from Seattle. In this article, I will share my itinerary and details about the oldest continuously farmed land in Puget Sound. 

Reaching Bainbridge Island

Washington State Ferry is the only mode of transport available to reach Bainbridge Island from Seattle. The journey begins from Coleman Dock Pier 52, also known as Seattle Ferry Terminal, and takes about 35 minutes. The round trip costs $9 per person, and you can purchase the tickets from the counter at Pier 52. 

Traveling within Bainbridge Island without a car

Don’t have a car? Not a problem! Traveling within the island is easy, thanks to BI Ride Shuttles. It is the easiest way to get around the island for only $2 per ride. Just download the Ride Pingo app on your phone & book a ride to anywhere on the island. 

History of a Pumpkin Patch

A pumpkin patch is a piece of land where pumpkins are grown, harvested, and sold to the public. This vegetable is native to North America, Mexico, and Canada and being farmed for over 5000 years. But how did pumpkins become a household name during the fall season? According to Smithsonian Magazine, it was during industrialization that pumpkins became a fall icon. People were moving from rural to urban living and brought a variety of vegetables to the city. However, pumpkins remained in the rural farms, reminding the city folks of the sweeter time. It later made its way to the urban kitchen and cookbooks, leading to the discovery of Pumpkin Pie. 

Call it a ritual, but Americans love visiting pumpkin patches every Halloween season to pick freshly harvested pumpkins. It is a fun place to go on a family outing to pick pumpkins, corn, and flowers and drink freshly pressed apple cider.

Our itinerary for a day in Bainbridge Island 

We started at noon from Seattle and reached Bainbridge Island around 1 pm. We took the BI shuttle to the Suyematsu Farm Pumpkin Patch. 

Suyematsu Farm Pumpkin Patch History

Yasuji and Mitsou Suyematsu, two Japanese-born immigrants, bought 40 acres of land in 1928 in the name of their 7-year-old son Akio. They build a farm, a barn, a farmhouse, and outbuildings. In 2001, Akio sold 15 acres of land to the City of Bainbridge and 11 acres to the Bentryn family. In 2016, 5 acres of Suyematsu’s farmstead became a Historic District. Currently, Friends of the Farms, a non-profit, manages the farm. Annually Suyematsu Farms open their pumpkin patches to the public along with some fun activities. From a hay maze to a fun tractor ride through the farm. 

We spent a few hours exploring the pumpkin patch checking out several varieties of squashes, and walking through rows of blooming dahlias and lush vineyards. We also tried their fresh farm-pressed apple cider while enjoying the gorgeous views.

Downtown Bainbridge

Next, we hopped onto the BI Ride Shuttle and headed downtown. Downtown Bainbridge, also known as Winslow, has excellent restaurants, cafes, and shops. We spent some time checking out old and new books at the beautiful Eagle Harbor Book Company. We also visited a vintage store named Zutto. The store has a great collection of vintage handicrafts, jewelry, classy furniture, and home decor.

Next, we walked to Eagle Harbor Waterfront Park to catch the stunning sunset. The park has a tiny beach and a boat launch area. We walked up to the creek seeking nocturnal animals and spotted a couple of Raccoons scavenging for food and resting Mallards.

Food in Bainbridge Island

Finally, we got a delicious dinner at one of the hottest restaurants on the island, called Ba Sa, a Vietnamese restaurant. I’m a fan of Vietnamese Bahn mi and Pho. But this is the first time I came across Bun Cha Hanoi in Seattle. A traditional Vietnamese dish consisting of pork meat patties/ meatballs, pork skewers, a dipping sauce with broth-like consistency, and rice noodles. The food was incredibly delicious, especially the dipping sauce, a perfect combination of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors. I loved the restaurant as well, especially the ambiance. However, the service was slow but the delicious meal made up for it.

We popped into MORA Iced Creamery for desserts and got a seasonal special pumpkin pie ice cream. MORA is easily one of the best ice cream places in all of Seattle, a must-visit if you are on the island. They are known for their old-world flavored ice creams like Dulce de Leche and Gianduja; and their seasonal specialties like Jack-o-lantern and pumpkin pie.

Looking for a winery recommendation in Bainbridge Island? Here’s one we love.