Another favorite go-to activity of ours, anytime of year, is to ride the ferry. Sometimes it’s as simple as walking on and riding it round trip from Fauntleroy to Southworth and back or taking the water taxi to the aquarium. Other times it's driving on for a day trip to Vashon or an overnight bikingpacking trip like we did this summer to Manchester State Park.
So here are oodles of ideas, starting from both the Fauntleroy ferry dock on the west side or the Water Taxi on the east side.
Fauntleroy Ferry
4829 SW Barton Street
Fauntleroy Ferry
4829 SW Barton Street
For a sailing schedule, click here.
- Walking
- Ride the ferry round trip to Vashon and/or Southworth.
An easy outing anytime of year. We'll try and catch the Southworth route for a longer trip but both are fun. And if you have extra time, check out the cool little park next to the Fauntleroy Ferry dock.
Parking: There's a handful of spots at the ferry dock but we’ve had better luck with street parking a block or two away. Just make sure to double check the parking signs so you don't get ticketed or towed. - Biking
- Bikepacking trip to Manchester State Park
This adventure was on our to-do list for a couple years and we finally did it this summer. You can read about it in my post from last month. - Driving
- Vashon
- Explore one of their many parks, inland and along the beach. Some even have mountain biking and horseback riding options along with hiking trails.
Go here for info and here for a map. - Make it a staycation by renting one of the keepers’ quarters at Point Robinson.
- Read this article from a local parenting magazine for a good overview of other things to do.
- Southworth
- Visit Manchester State Park
We did it by bike but would also make a good day or camping trip by car, especially since you could bring water toys for the beach. - Go mountain biking at Banner Forest
We went here years ago when we were first exploring more adventurous trail riding on bikes and it was super fun. We opted to drive over with our bikes since it's a bit uphill from the ferry dock but know families that could do it all by bike. - Bremerton
Again, it’s been a few years since we’ve done these but both made great day trips.
Seacrest Ferry Dock /1660 Harbor Avenue
A fun option to get to the waterfront/downtown area. Here are a handful of our favorite outings but there are plenty more depending on what you like, how far you’re up for going and your comfort level with crowds and/or being indoors. We also try to avoid busy weekends and times when cruise ships are coming in and out.
For water taxi times, fares and other info: click here.
- Along the waterfront
- Seattle Aquarium (10 mins / .5 mile walk from Seattle ferry dock)
Who does't love otters! And if you don’t have a membership you can try and get free passes through Seattle Public Library or King County Library museum programs. - Great Wheel (10 mins / .4 mile walk from Seattle ferry dock)
Have to do it at least once. - Olympic Sculpture Park (30 mins / 1.4 mile walk from Seattle ferry dock)
- A little farther
- Central Library (10 mins / .5 mile walk from Seattle ferry dock)
- Pike Place Market (15 mins / .7 mile walk from Seattle ferry dock)
Two words—mini donuts! - Seattle Center (40 mins /1.7 mile walk from Seattle ferry dock)
- Elliott Bay Trail
A waterfront trail that starts by the Olympic Sculpture Park (OSP) and heads north that you can walk or a ride a bike along. There's no extra charge to bring your bike on the ferry but do note when we did it we had to walk our bikes along the waterfront since it was crowded. Once we reached the sculpture park the path is nice and wide so we could ride from there. From the OSP to where the trail turns north is about a mile along the water one way. You can of course ride farther as well. Here is one description of the trail.
