Its my GF's last weekend here before she goes back to school in chicago, asking around, people mentioned taking her to Bainbridge Island would be a good place to go for a day trip. From my understanding, you take a ferry across. So, being that I've never been there, I had a few questions. Is it a good idea to take the car across on the ferry, or park it and walk around the island. Is that even possible? If I take a car, do you recommend leaving the G35 at home and taking her RAV4? I don't want it to get damaged on the ferry or anything. Finally, what are some good recommendations for things to do on the island?
TIA

 

Great trip and awesome views of the mountain on the way. don't take the car. as far as what to do EAT. There are great resaurants and cool hang pads in town. or drop down to the beach for a walk.

 

I personally would take your car. And get a map that shows all the roads. The only thing to worry about on the ferry is if they put you on the "up ramps". If you a real low you might scrape.

 

Take the Car!! I did similar drive just a few months ago. All you have to do is, just ask to stay away from steep side ramp when you're payin' the toll. They will let you.

I took the Ferry from Edmonds to Kingston and easy drive through islands and took the Bainbridge Ferry back to Seattle. I would grab dinner or something on the island and wait till when the Sun is setting or dark. The view of downtown from Ferry is one of the best views you'll ever see. So I took the Kingston Ferry to save the view till the end... Guarantee to get some after that....

Print the map up on mapquest.

 

leave your car in Seattle, take the ferry over and go to Clearwater Casino, they have a very nice hotel and spa

 

Winslow (the previous name for "downtown" Bainbridge is pretty small as is Kingston(Edmonds-Kingston Ferry). If you're just going for the Ferry ride and to get a bite, then there is no point in taking a car. If you want to drive around the rural island you need the car. The island itself is worth seeing..... once.

There are dozens of drives in Kitsap way superior to Bainbridge Island.
Ideas: 1)Hood Canal Floating Bride, 2)Seabeck, 3) the loop from Bremerton along the water to Tracyton, Silverdale, Chico, and back to Bremerton,4)Bremerton to Port Orchard along the water then Retsil, Manchester, and the Seattle-Fauntleroy Ferry from Southworth(near Manchester).

If you are mostly going for the Ferry ride from downtown Seattle with no car, definitely take the Bremerton Ferry at the same terminal. It costs the same and the trip is an hour instead of 30 minutes each way and winds through Rich Passage with a hell of a lot more to see. Bremerton is less touristy with major renewal construction, but has a museum, art shops, Anthony's restaurant, and of course the huge Navy ships just past the ferry landing. There is also a foot ferry at the terminal that goes from Bremerton to Port Orchard, across Sinclair Inlet to Port Orchard (10 minutes by water). There are even more shops, restaurants, street fairs and great marine views there. You can do it all without a car or bus or parking (except where you left your car on the Seattle side). Taking a car on the Ferry cost over $20 for car and driver. Google WA. State Ferries for fares and scedules.

Good luck. If you want to go on some real Z or G35 drives over here including the more remote areas, PM me.

 

Last weekend my gf and I took my Z to Olympic Nat'l Park. At first I was hesitant like you too because I was worried about the narrow lanes in the ferry and loading dock ramps. From what I experience, taking the Z on the ferry is pretty safe. If you're taking the Kingston-Edmonds ferry, as you're entering the ferry dock, there's a bump on the road you have to be careful of when crossing the railroad track. I just went on it at an angle and was very slow (i didnt care if others behind me were waiting). Outside of that, everything was fine. In fact, we took the Z to Hurrican Ridge and Crescent Lake (NW of Port Angeles). The drive up on hwy 101 was fantastic for the Z. Except this guy in an Eclipse AWD was riding on my *** most of the time. Cost of ferry is about $20, and $14 return.

Also, there are very few Z/Gs there. So your car will turn a lot of heads...

take your car there, drive it around, take some nice pics...