Hop, Skip & Ferry to Vashon Island

Sometimes, you just need a mini escape from the city—and lucky for us Seattle folks, the nearby islands make that super easy. On a recent nannying day, I planned a little playdate adventure for the kiddo and my niece. The plan? A ferry ride, yummy food, a troll sighting, and a mini hike. Yes, all in a half-day.

We started in West Seattle, where I scooped up my sister and her little one, and we carpooled to the Fauntleroy ferry terminal. The wait wasn’t too bad—always a gamble with two toddlers in tow (2.5 and 3 years old, to be exact)—but they kept each other entertained and time flew by.

Once we landed on Vashon, our first order of business was food. We couldn’t decide between pastries or lunch, so we headed to Snapdragon, which thankfully does both well. The kids immediately zeroed in on the pastry case—blueberry muffins with whipped cream were the clear winners. I had a tougher time choosing: the giant cinnamon roll? The cookie the size of a small plate? Or the cherry danish with sweetened cream cheese? (If only it had been strawberry…) In a surprise twist, I went with the cherry danish. We also shared a flatbread pizza and a caramelized onion and kale breakfast toast with a perfectly runny egg. Snapdragon had plenty of space, a relaxed vibe, and was super family- and dog-friendly.

With full bellies, it was time for some exploring. Our next stop was Oscar the Bird King, one of the magical Thomas Danbo troll installations scattered throughout the Pacific Northwest. A short, woodsy stroll from the parking lot brought us to the towering troll hidden in the trees. The kids loved the adventure—picking dandelions, climbing logs, and feeling like they were on a big treasure hunt.

We capped off the outing with a visit to Point Robinson Lighthouse. The beach there was perfect for stacking rocks and climbing on driftwood, and the lighthouse gave us those coastal views that make a ferry ride feel extra worth it.

By the time we got back to the car, the kids were out cold—nap mission accomplished. All in all, we spent about five hours on this little island escape, and it couldn’t have been better.

Where to next?