EXPLORE: Secret Summer with Molly Brahmer
EXPLORE NOT-SO-SECRET SPOTS TO EAT, SHOP & ADVENTURE THAT LOCALS RECOMMEND THIS SPRING & SUMMER!
Secret Summer gives you the scoop on the restaurants, shops, parks and places to explore that Kitsap community leaders & small business owners love to experience during the sunny months. Look for new Secret Summer articles on the regular around here and start planning your Summer adventures today!
molly brahmer
molly Brahmer art, owner
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Bainbridge Postcard Mural
Instagram
Molly makes magic happen all over Bainbridge Island and beyond with just the flick of her wrist. Whether she’s sketching your pet or throwing paint at a wall, or covering an entire building in color, one thing is for sure: Molly’s creating a joyful experience for both visitors and locals. Keep an eye out for Molly sightings on your next trip to Bainbridge Island - not sure where to start? Follow Molly’s 3-day trip itinerary at the bottom of the page.
{This photo is courtesy of Anna Carson}
WE CAUGHT UP WITH Molly and asked her to share the watering holes, restaurants, local businesses, places to explore, and the spots she loves to take friends when they visit Kitsap.
EXPLORE KITSAP LIKE A LOCAL!
Molly, WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT KITSAP?
Molly’s Favorite Local Meal:
“Bainbridge Tapas! Anything on the menu but some of my favs are the Manchego & Membrillo, Empanadas, Pincho Moruno, Lamb Tagine, Pollo A La Brava & Basque Cheesecake! It’s SO yum. They also have a great wine selection as well. We also love Whiskey Gulch {photos below} - we enjoy it all, it’s right on the water with views of the Bremerton waterfront (watch the ferries come and go), the Bremerton-Annapolis ferry docks right next door, they have outdoor seating, an entire wall of whiskey options, local beer on tap, friendly staff, you can’t go wrong with anything there!”
Molly’s Favorite Local Drink:
“Gosh, there are too many choices!! Here’s a couple of my faves.
‘Man-mosas’ + Bloody Mary’s - The Garage
Wine - Fletcher Bay
Craft Cocktails - The Islander, Whiskey Gulch, and Restaurant Lola
Coffee – Blackbird Bakery and Pegasus Coffeehouse are a must!”
Molly’s favorite place to get outside:
“Guillemot Cove is a hidden gem! It’s a peaceful walk to such a beautiful beach! Make sure to stop and admire the ‘stumphouse’.”
Molly’s Favorite Sunny/rainy Day Activity:
“My favorite thing to do in the rain is to snuggle up under a blanket and watch it come down!
My favorite thing to do in the sun is to get outside - anywhere! There are so many options for hiking, biking, paddle boarding, relaxing, and anything that doesn’t involve being inside is my favorite thing to do on a beautiful day.”
Here’s a list of lakes we love to paddle, kayak and swim!
Molly’s Favorite weekend activity:
“I’m a morning person and I love to watch the sunrise and then hit up a farmers market. The market always makes for a great way to start the day!”
Molly’s Favorite Spot to Take First-Time Visitors:
“First thing I think of is the ferry - nothing beats riding the ferry, especially on a clear sunny day when Mount Rainier is out! So, I’d definitely make sure that my friends travel to the island via the Seattle-Bainbridge ferry terminal, and then from there we would stop at Pegasus Coffeehouse for caffeine before driving to Bloedel Reserve, a picturesque nature reserve on the island!”
Kitsap is home to several gardens, nurseries, and parks, here’s a great list to get you started.
From Mollys’s Camera Roll:
A perfect summer itinerary, by Molly
Friday: Bainbridge Island
Eat: Dine at Bainbridge Tapas after an afternoon of wandering and exploring Bainbridge. Eat as many small plates as you like - you earned it!
Explore: Blodel Reserve, a 140-acre wonder of nature enveloped by a rough-hewn forest.
Experience: The iconic Washington State Ferry ride from downtown Seattle to Bainbridge Island
SATURDAY: GuilLemot Cove
Eat: As you leave Bainbridge Island, stop at Pegasus Coffeehouse - the most picturesque coffee spot in Kitsap - before beginning your drive to Seabeck.
Explore: Guillemot Cove is a treasure trove of experiences and an all-day hangout spot. Explore the wooded trails and walk through boardwalked marshes. Search out the Stumphouse and then make your way to the end of the trail, a calm beach along the Hood Canal, and plunge right in!
Experience: The town of Seabeck is a tiny little blip on the map, but we highly encourage you to stop and take it all in. Order pizza at the flagship location of Seabeck Pizza, grab a drink, and don’t forget your Seabeck swag inside the General Store.
Sunday: Port Orchard
Eat: Burgers, whiskey, (and tater tots!) at Whiskey Gulch.
Explore: Port Orchard Farmers Market, the longest-running farmers market in Kitsap. Right on the waterfront, views of the ferries and the Olympic mountains.
Experience: Carlisle II - the 100+ year old passenger-only ferry transporting visitors between the Bremerton and Port Orchard waterfront.
Stay in Kitsap
Scroll through to see some of our favorite Bainbridge Island options.
explore more of kitsap!
A beautiful, petite boutique hotel overlooking the Bainbridge Island waterfront, The Eagle Harbor Inn offers relaxing overnight accommodations in five one-of-a-kind hotel rooms and two custom townhomes.