I took a $10 ferry to a scenic island just a few miles from Seattle. Its cute shops and restaurants make it a must-visit for tourists.

• I took two ferries to get from Bremerton to Bainbridge Island in Washington.

• Both ferries were clean, spacious, and comfortable, so I enjoyed the journey.

• I loved downtown Bainbridge Island's independent stores and restaurants.

Since I moved to Washington, I've been trying to explore my area more. Recently, I took two ferries to Bainbridge Island, a popular spot for daytrippers.

Bainbridge Island is home to about 25,000 people, and the downtown area is full of independent stores, museums, restaurants, and bars. The island, located only a few miles from Seattle, is also known for its natural beauty and scenic nature trails.

Like many excited visitors, I looked forward to seeing the beautiful waterways and shops on the island, which USA Today readers named one of the best small towns in the West.

I took a day trip to the island from my home in Bremerton, which is about 16 miles from Seattle. For this trip, I took two vessels through the Washington State Department of Transportation, which operates the largest ferry system in the US.

Here's what the journey was like.

I started my journey to Bainbridge Island in Bremerton, the city where I live.

Despite being separated by less than a mile of water, it takes about an hour to drive from Bremerton to Bainbridge Island. I didn't want to drive, so I figured the ferries would be the best option.

For the first part of my journey, I headed to the ferry terminal in Bremerton and boarded the Walla Walla Ferry.

The ferry from Bremerton to Seattle took about an hour.

Traveling via the Washington State Ferries from Bremerton to Seattle was free, and no ticket was required for a single ride.

The ferry was pretty large and could carry up to 2,000 passengers, with a maximum of 188 vehicles able to fit on board. I didn't want to bring my car along on this journey, but it's good to know I have the option for future trips.

The Walla Walla ferry had plenty of seating and other amenities.

I noticed plenty of seating options inside and outside the cabin, including booths and individual seats.

The ferry was accessible with ramps and elevators, and had an outdoor deck, restrooms, and vending machines. However, there was no WiFi.

I enjoyed the views from my booth.

My favorite part about taking the ferries in Washington is the scenery. On a previous journey from Bremerton to Seattle, I spotted a pod of orcas.

This time, I chose a window seat in a booth and admired the view throughout the hourlong journey. I even thought the large cushions were quite comfortable for a commuter ferry.

Though it was a long journey, it was a peaceful and relaxing ride thanks to the slow speed and the views of glistening water, evergreen trees, and, eventually, the Seattle skyline.

I needed a ticket to board the next ferry for the second part of my journey.

When I arrived in Seattle, I disembarked the Walla Walla ferry and went inside the terminal building to wait for the next vessel.

Tickets for walk-on passengers could be purchased online or at the terminal booth. They cost about $9.90 for adults and $4.90 for those 65 and older, though they were free for passengers under 18.

There was a 20-minute wait between the ferries, so I sat in the terminal lounge, which had lots of seating, visitor information, vending machines, and restrooms.

The ride from Seattle to Bainbridge Island took 35 minutes.

My journey from Seattle to Bainbridge Island was aboard the Tacoma vessel, which frequents this route along with the Chimacum ferry.

The Tacoma is slightly larger than the Walla Walla and can fit 2,499 passengers and a maximum of 202 vehicles.

The Tacoma ferry featured a full-service restaurant, bar, and coffee shop.

Both ferries were similar, but this vessel had more amenities, including a coffee shop, bar, and restaurant. I noticed many tables, booths, and armchair-style seats.

Like the Walla Walla, this boat had an outdoor deck and was accessible with elevators and ramps. Unfortunately, this ferry didn't have WiFi either.

I grabbed a coffee and enjoyed the comfortable ferry ride.

I decided to grab a cappuccino at the on-board café before sitting down. Like my first journey, I opted for a window seat in a booth — but this time, I had a table.

Despite the shorter journey, this part of the trip was more comfortable due to the ferry's amenities, like the table and coffee shop.

Once we arrived, I spent four hours exploring Bainbridge Island's downtown area.

Downtown Bainbridge Island, also known as Winslow, seemed very walkable. The area is home to many independent stores, cafés, restaurants, bars, and the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art.

Pickleball was invented on Bainbridge Island, so many of the local shops played into this theme.

Most gift stores I visited carried pickleball-themed goods, like paddles, clothing, homeware, and stationary, because Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum invented the game on Bainbridge Island in 1965.

I stopped for a tasty lunch, too.

After checking out some stores, I headed to a seafood restaurant called Proper Fish for lunch. I ordered the British fish and chips, which closely matched the dish I would enjoy in my native England.

Overall, the ferries were a great way to explore Bainbridge Island.

Although the journey times were long, the ferries were a great way to explore Washington, especially without a car.

Both ferries were clean and comfortable, and the free Walla Walla ferry and low prices for the Tacoma made them accessible for many budgets. Depending on the season, passengers may even get lucky and spot some wildlife on the rides.

I can't wait to take the ferry and see more of my state again.

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