One of the best things to do on the island is visit the Bainbridge Island Art Museum—a welcome addition to any day trip, weekend getaway, or more extended vacation exploring our beautiful island in Puget Sound. It’s rare to find a celebration of art so focused on sharing and community that there is no entry fee! This completely free museum allows everyone to see some incredible works of art in many intriguing forms and mediums.
A visit to the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art, known by locals as BIMA, offers an enriching experience with rotating exhibitions highlighting contemporary art from the Puget Sound region. The museum features a wide range of media, including painting, sculpture, and multimedia installations. Visitors can also enjoy the museum’s beautiful architecture, outdoor areas, on-site Pegasus Coffee Shop and cafe, and gift shop, making it a well-rounded destination.
If you truly want to immerse yourself in the culture of our charming island in the Northwest, it’s best to plan to stay for a night or more! Our cozy petit hotel on Bainbridge is the perfect place to make your home away from home. With only five guest rooms and two luxury townhomes, our locally-owned boutique property is one of the best places to stay on Bainbridge Island. Book your lodging today!
Bainbridge Island Art Museum & More Things to do this Fall
Our island community welcomes visitors from all corners of the earth, and you’ll see that reflected in the works at the Bainbridge Island Art Museum. As you continue down our main street, Winslow Way, you’ll find plenty of other great museums, galleries, and boutiques to check out.
Here are our favorite places on Bainbridge for art lovers to add to their itinerary:
- Bainbridge Island Art Museum: This museum is open daily, with hours varying slightly depending on the season. BIMA features rotating exhibitions showcasing contemporary art from the Puget Sound region, a cafe for casual dining, and a museum store with unique gifts and local art. The location is easily accessible, just a short walk from the Bainbridge Island ferry terminal.
- Bainbridge Arts & Crafts: Founded in 1948 by a group of Bainbridge Island artists, this non-profit is one of the largest galleries in the region, supporting more than 200 Northwest artists. They showcase fine contemporary works of art in many mediums, including paintings, prints, glass, ceramics, jewelry, and sculpture—all at varying price points.
- JG Art Gallery: This local gallery on Bainbridge Island supports many local artists and features beautiful works in various mediums.
- Jeffrey Moose Gallery: As one of the oldest gallery spaces on the island, you’ll find an array of works from talented artists from near and far.
- Bainbridge History Museum: A visit to the Bainbridge Island Historical Museum offers an immersive experience of the island’s rich history, from its Indigenous roots to modern times. The museum features exhibits on topics like the Japanese American internment during WWII, early settler life, and the island’s maritime heritage. Visitors can explore a variety of artifacts, photographs, and interactive displays that bring the island’s past to life.
- Bainbridge Performing Arts: The brand-new Buxton Center is a lovely theater for musicals, the symphony, and local improv groups to put on a show! Adding a performance to your getaway is the perfect activity during your stay.
- Bainbridge Island Japanese Exclusion Memorial: If you want to learn more about the heartbreaking Japanese American internment during WWII, the memorial offers a poignant way to honor those who were displaced.
- Halls Hill Lookout & Labyrinth: This location on the island is a hidden gem for reflection in our beautiful surroundings. You’ll find a stone labyrinth, a bronze prayer wheel, and carvings by Northwest artists. There are winding paths among native trees and plants and a chair swing overlooking the quiet harbor from the high bluff.
The Best Boutique Hotel on Bainbridge Island
There’s something magical about exploring the beautiful works at the Bainbridge Island Art Museum, strolling down Winslow Way, and retreating to our petit hotel for a cozy evening. Our quiet community and downtown location are the perfect places to relax, with the fall colors shining, the crisp breeze rustling the leaves, and the salt sea air. You’ll wake refreshed and ready to experience all of the best things to do on Bainbridge Island during the fall.
The fall foliage is particularly beautiful from the ferry deck—which is another special touch about visiting our charming island in Puget Sound—not every vacation starts with a boat ride! From the ferry, you’ll just be a few minutes from our Bainbridge Island hotel. We’re right in the heart of Winslow but set back behind our garden courtyard walls for a peaceful retreat. This shared outdoor space is the perfect place to enjoy a fresh cup of locally brewed coffee from Pegasus just across the way (we provide complimentary coffee each morning in the lobby!)
We offer a range of accommodations, including cozy rooms designed for two and spacious townhouses for larger groups or families. The rooms feature elegant décor, northwest-inspired art, and modern amenities, perfect for a relaxing getaway. The townhouses provide additional space with multiple bedrooms, kitchens, and living areas, ideal for extended stays. Start planning your visit and book your lodging today!
