Kitsap County is home to two stunning gardens: Bloedel Reserve on Bainbridge Island and Heronswood Botanical Garden in Kingston. Your late spring getaway is the perfect time to immerse yourself in the natural beauty. Situated at the north end of Bainbridge Island, Bloedel Reserve is one of America’s top ten botanical gardens, according to USA Today. Following your walk through the garden, head across the Agate Pass Bridge to visit the evolving landscape of Heronswood.
If you want to learn more about the Indigenous People of the Kitsap Peninsula, visit the Suquamish Museum on your way to Kingston. Following your visit to the Port S’Kallam tribe-owned Heronswood, drive back to Eagle Harbor Inn through Poulsbo. Some of our favorite things to do in Poulsbo include sitting outside at Poulsbohemian Coffeehouse, perched above Liberty Bay, or enjoying a glass of wine and a delicious meal at Sogno di Vino under the magnolia tree. Continue your scenic drive home along Lemolo Shore.
After your time in nature, retreat to your private room in our petit hotel. Eagle Harbor Inn is the top choice for lodging on Bainbridge Island. The only boutique hotel in the downtown area, our luxurious accommodations are ideally located to walk to many of the best restaurants, shops, and coffee shops our island offers. Book your room now.
Head out to the Bloedel Reserve, which is located at the north end of Bainbridge Island, for one of the most romantic walks. We recommend purchasing timed-entry tickets before you visit, as the number of visitors is limited. Open Tuesday through Sunday year-round, rain or shine.
The reserve is a 15-minute drive from our hotel on Bainbridge, with ample parking. No car? No problem. Two public transit options are provided from Winslow. You can take the #94 Agate Point Kitsap Transit bus Tuesday to Saturday. Alternatively, if the schedule doesn’t work for you or your planned visit is on a Sunday, BI Ride offers on-demand service via the Ride Pingo app.
Plan to spend approximately two hours at Bloedel Reserve. Once you enter through the gatehouse, a two-mile loop trail will lead you through meadows, an arboretum, a Japanese garden, and past natural and man-made ponds. Stop at the Wishing Bench overlooking the Japanese pond in the lower garden near the Japanese Guest House.
Once home to Prentice and Virginia Bloedel, the Residence is open to visitors during opening hours. The lower-floor living room, dining room, and library contain many of the original furnishings. Floral arrangements throughout the Residence use flowers grown in the Bloedel Reserve cutting garden. Docents are often available to answer questions. Don’t miss the view of Puget Sound from the back veranda.
The Bloedel Reserve is a perfect place to immerse yourself in nature. The lush textures and vibrant colors inspire artists of all stripes. Bloedel Reserve offers creative residencies, writing, and painting classes. In addition to creative programs and conservancy, Bloedel Reserve is committed to supporting well-being through nature through the Strolls for Well-Being program. Your visit and any nature-inspired gift purchases in the gift shop help support the mission.
Don't Miss Heronswood Botanical Garden
Heronswood Botanical Garden is located about 30 minutes from Winslow in Kingston. Well known for its rare plants, Heronswood is home to over 8,000 varieties of flora. Now owned by the Port S’Kallam Tribe, the goal of Heronswood is to preserve the link between nature and people. Its landscapes are inspiring, and visitors appreciate the diversity of plant life present.
Heronswood is home to six distinctive yet integrated gardens:
- The Formal Garden is one of the two original Heronswood gardens. Its European-style, pristine hedges contrast with the rest of the gardens.
- The Woodland garden is the largest and most glorious during the spring. The shady garden is home to about half the plants at Heronswood.
- The Renaissance Garden demonstrates the rebirth of a forest after a logging camp closure through re-creation. This garden contains over 250 varieties of ferns and many other shade-loving specimens.
- The Rock Garden highlights alpine and desert plants. It was created during the pandemic and now honors its victims and heroes.
- The Traveler’s Garden is home to rare plants collected from far-flung places. Learn how and what plant collectors do, and see plants from Chile, Vietnam, and other places around the world.
- The S’Kallam Connections garden is still under construction. Native plants play a significant role for the Strong People. This woodland garden demonstrates this with edible bulbs and berries. It features a pond with grasses used in traditional weaving.
Heronswood is open five days a week and is ADA-accessible. Tickets can be purchased at the office near the parking lot; there is no need to purchase advanced tickets. Heronswood sells plants and adorable gifts from the Pacific Northwest. The garden also offers classes and events, such as forest bathing and gardening classes.
After you visit the Bloedel Reserve and Heronswood gardens, return to the inn to relax in the courtyard with a glass of wine. Our petit hotel, the only downtown Bainbridge Island hotel, is private and quiet, an ideal place to unwind and reconnect. As one of the top-rated hotels on Bainbridge, we offer both guest rooms and townhome options built around a garden courtyard. All rooms are beautifully appointed, some with harbor views. Make your reservation now.
