Under $100: Bainbridge Island

While this island may be small — about 28 square miles — there’s plenty to make you fall in love with the destination’s quaint atmosphere and natural beauty.

Start your day with the folks at Pegasus Coffee House, an island institute situated inside a reclaimed hardware store covered in Boston ivy. The dining area doubles as a display for local artists and you’ll find live music in the evenings. The doors open at 7:00 a.m. every weekday, and breakfast starts at around $8 for delicious options such as baked eggs in a red-chile sauce or a Dutch baby with maple syrup.

Rent a bike from Bike Barn Rentals and weave your way through the Bainbridge Island parks system. There are more than 30 miles of trails in the northern, central and southern parts of the island. Check the parks department’s website for information regarding various trail amenities, length and level of difficulty. You can rent a bike for two hours for $25.

Bainbridge Island, Washington © Peter Fuchs | Dreamstime

For lunch, stop by the carnivore’s paradise of Hitchcock Deli. Their charcuterie has received rave reviews, so you can expect their sandwiches to be top notch. Whatever your sandwich dream may be, you’ll find it here. No worries — if you or your traveling companion is of the vegetarian persuasion, there are tantalizing options for them as well. Sandwich prices range from $5 to $13.

Back of Beyond Outfitters rents kayaks, canoes and paddleboards at their rental dock at Waterfront Park for around $15 for one hour. Paddle your way around Puget Sound whether you’re a newcomer or an old pro.

The Washington State Ferry sailng past Bainbridge Island and the Olympic Mountains © Edmund Lowe | Dreamstime

If you’d rather keep your feet on dry land; however, you can always pay a visit to the Bainbridge Island Historical Museum. Open from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. each day, the museum’s entry fee is only $4 per adult. You’ll learn all about the island’s history, its original Native American inhabitants and significant past Bainbridge Island residents.

Head over to Mora Iced Creamery for a sweet treat to end your day. Their ice cream is made with the freshest, truest ingredients, with flavors inspired by the owners’ Buenos Aires origins. Their endless amount of flavors fall in and out of rotation, but you can almost always find dulce de leche, gianduja and marron glace on the menu.