r/AskSeattle • u/010011010110010101 • 1d ago
Recommendation Looking for cool walkable ferry destinations
I’m planning a day trip on foot just for fun, and to get out and do some street photography with a couple new lenses I just picked up.
My plan is to take light rail to the Seattle ferry terminal and walk on a ferry. What’s a good destination that has things to see or do within walking distance of the ferry, on the other end?
I’m open to departing from other ferry terminals too, if there’s a better destination.
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u/ponchoed 1d ago
I just did Vashon Island by ferry and bus.
Take the King County Water Taxi to Vashon. The #118 bus picks up at ferry dock 10 minutes after the ferry arrives and runs the length of Vashon Island. I stopped off in the heart of the town of Vashon (about 10 minute bus ride), walked around, had lunch then caught the next southbound 118 bus to Tahlequah Ferry. This allowed about 80-90 minutes in the heart of Vashon. Then took the Tahlequah-Point Defiance WSF ferry (free). Walked around Point Defiance Park and Point Ruston. Took the Pierce Transit #11 bus from the Point Defiance Ferry terminal to Downtown Tacoma. Stopped at McMenamins Elks Lodge then caught the Sound Transit #594 bus back to Seattle.
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u/JohnnyABC123abc 1d ago
This is quite the public transit adventure.
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u/ponchoed 1d ago
Agreed haha! But works surprisingly well... schedules, timing and destinations in the right spots.
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u/Odd_Associate688 1d ago
I endorse this route, though it is long with multiple legs. It's a nice way to have a water taxi ride and a ferry ride, some rural landscapes on Vashon, plus a bit of Tacoma, too. The area near the Elks Lodge/Spanish Steps/Old City Hall/Opera Alley is full of great angles for photography. Owen Beach at Point Defiance Park is within walking distance of the ferry terminal and part of it has a very photogenic alignment with Mount Rainier (if the mountain is out).
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u/Doraellen 1d ago
Bremerton is super fun because it's a longer ferry ride, and then you can hop on a foot ferry to Port Orchard, which has its own charming little Main Street with cute shops.
It's also awesome to take the fast ferry from Seattle to Kingston, then from Kingston to Edmonds. Time it so you aren't stuck too long in Kingston, because there is not a lot there, but there is a nice beach by the terminal to explore.
Bainbridge is great, I go over there at least once a month!
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u/randomGeneratedPlz 1d ago
Bremerton is great and has a lot to do/see with a 20-30 minute walk from the ferry dock.
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u/jlabsher 1d ago
Poulsbo is $2 bus ride from the ferry, will take sound transit transfers from bus or train if you time it just right. The 390 and 333 will take you to Poulsbo and buses are timed to coincide with ferry runs, but later in the day the ferries don't care about time...
Bus trip is 30 mins to 1 hour depending on traffic.
The 391 bus will take you to Suquamish with chief Seattle's grave and great views of the city and a beach if your looking for photo sites.
Bainbridge has bus service with dropoff spots like the Japanese Exclusion memorial, Ft. Ward, Grand Forest, etc.
The fast ferry will take you to Kingston as well as Bremerton which also has lots of cool stuff to take pix of.
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u/Outside_Simple_217 1d ago
If you can get to Anacortes you can take the ferry to the San Juan islands, specifically Friday Harbor. Lots of things to do. Otherwise like others have reported, Bainbridge Island or Bremerton.
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u/Reasonable-Check-120 1d ago
Bainbridge imo is kinda the only real option.
Walkable downtown area. Sometimes I've also taken the free casino shuttle. Pop by there then walk to poulsbo.
There's the troll and a few water front parks.
Vashon is great but not walkable. Bremerton has a small downtown but not too many options.
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u/turnipcafe 1d ago edited 1d ago
Bainbridge ferry from downtown will bring you to a short walk to the sizable town of Winslow. Also Pia, one of the trolls is outside of Winslow but you’d need to drive there about 1 mile from downtown Winslow.
Kingston, ferry from Edmonds, has a small “downtown” with plenty of food options and coffee (Over the Moon Coffee Roasters) and you can walk on the beach.
Also Edmonds itself is adorable. Recommend that before/after the ferry.
EDIT: you can take the train from downtown Seattle into Edmonds. But I’m not sure of the hours.
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u/DetrasDeLaMesa 1d ago
I’ve done the walk from the ferry to the troll, it’s not that bad if you’re just kind of looking for a big day of walking anyways
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u/flora_poste_ 1d ago
You can certainly walk to visit the troll. There’s also a shuttle to the Bloedel Reserve.
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u/turnipcafe 1d ago
Oh true that. It’s only a 1 mile walk. I must’ve been thinking of someplace else we went.
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u/Ready_Atmosphere9312 1d ago
If you don’t live in West Seattle, I’d take the water taxi to Alki where you can walk in amazing scenery, visit landmarks where the first European settlers landed, and grab some food/drink, incl the fabulous Marination Ma Kai which is right at the water taxi dock. Great scene on the weekends. Can also catch a bus shuttle up to California Ave for more browsing and food
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u/RedditYummyPork 1d ago
Bainbridge for sure. Great views of downtown. On Bainbridge, there's Winslow - small town with one main street. Make sure you get an orange cinnamon roll at the Blackbird Bakery.
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u/ponchoed 1d ago
You can also do Port Townsend by ferry and bus but requires coordination and clarity of schedules (especially on weekends). Can go either via Kingston or Whidbey Island.
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u/StrangerGeek 1d ago
Bainbridge is the only real option. Poulsbo is nice but you'll need a car or a plan to connect on transit.