If you want to visit the less touristy side of Bainbridge Island, and you still want to shop and find a great place to eat, be sure to visit Lynwood Center. Lynwood Center is a gathering place, located on Bainbridge Island’s westside, with wide sidewalks and outdoor seating in front of every storefront and restaurant. It’s also a short walk to some great hiking trails and beaches.

Getting to Lynwood Center

From the ferry, you can take a cab, an Uber/Lyft, or you can ride your bicycle over. Lynwood Center is a 30 minute bike ride (3.6 miles) from the ferry terminal and a regular pitstop on the annual Chilly Hilly.

• Places to eat: Treehouse Café (pizza/sandwiches), Sawan Thai Kitchen, Hammy’s (burgers) and a relative newcomer Joe’s Restaurant @ Pleasant Beach.
• Places to just drink: Earth & Vine Wine Bar (wine)
• Dessert: Island Cool (froyo)
• Coffee: The Marketplace
• Places to shop: PAWS of Bainbridge Island and North Kitsap (take home a cat!), Heyday Farm Store (farm products), Pane d’Amore Artisan Bakery, The Barn Cat (gifts)

Visiting Lynwood Center on a Rainy Day?

Check out what’s showing at the Lynwood Theater. Opened in 1936, the Lynwood Theater shows films that lean toward the independent variety and occasionally includes subtitles (sorry kids). Otherwise, plan on venturing out and spending time on the beaches and trails near Lynwood Center. My favorite trail starts at Schel Chelb Park, connects with Peters Trail, and leads to the Gazzam Lake Nature Preserve. It’s an up and down walk that includes Gazzam Lake and could take you to a private west island beach. Be sure to have your mobile phone fully charged because it’s easy to lose your way.

If you’re looking for a beach, head over to Lytle Beach. If you want to venture further, you could take the ‘less than a mile‘ walk from Lynwood Center to Pleasant Beach Drive NE and head into Fort Ward Park. It’s not as much a beach experience as it is a great place to walk along Rich Passage, check out WWI era gun batteries and detour to some neat hiking trails. No matter where you decide to go, be sure to stop at Walt’s Lynwood Market before you head out. They’ll have food, drinks and items (bug spray, BBQ,) you might’ve forgotten.