Kitsap County is Bloedel Reserve on Bainbridge Island and Heronswood Botanical Garden in Kingston. Immerse yourself in the natural beauty of both during your getaway.

Bainbridge Island and Kitsap County are ideal places to visit in the late spring. Outdoor activities. Along the way to Heronswood, stop at Suqaumish Museum

Drive back through Poulsbo on Liberty Bay. Nordiska, coffee, lunch, or dinner Sogno di Vino under the magnolia tree.

After your time in nature, retreat to your private room in our petit hotel. The top choice for lodging on Bainbridge Island because we are the only boutique hotel in the downtown area. Ideally located to walk to many of the best restaurants, shops and coffee shops our island has to offer. Book your room now.

 

 

 

Plan Your Walk Through Bloedel Reserve

Located at the north end of Bainbridge Island, one of the best things to do is visit the Bloedel Reserve. 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 the inn, with ample parking. No car? No problem. Two public transit options provide service from Winslow. Tuesday through Saturday, you can take the #94 Agate Point Kitsap Transit bus. 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. 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. The Residence, once home to Prentice and Virginia Bloedel, 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 use flowers grown in the 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 offers creative residencies as well as writing and painting classes. In addition to creative programs and conservancy, Bloedel is committed to supporting well-being through nature by way of the Strolls for Well-Being program. Your visit, as well as any nature-inspired gift purchases in the gift shop help support to mission of Bloedel Reserve.

 

 

 

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 plants. Now owned by the Port S’Kallam Tribe, the goal of Heronswood is to preserve the link between plants and people. Its landscapes are inspiring, and visitors appreciate the diversity of plant life present.

Heronswood is home to six distinctive yet integrated gardens:

1. The Formal Garden is one of the two original Heronswood gardens. Its European-style, pristine hedges contrast with the rest of the gardens.
2. The Woodland garden is the largest and most glorious during the spring. The shady garden is home to about half the plants at Heronswood.
3. 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 plants.
4. The Rock Garden highlights alpine and desert plants. It was created during the pandemic and now honors its victims and heroes.
5. 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.
6. 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 during your visit. Heronswood sells plants and adorable gifts from the Pacific Northwest. The garden also offers classes and events, such as forest bathing, plant sales, and gardening classes. After your visit, return to the inn to relax in the courtyard with a glass of wine. Book your room today.