Heart and Soul is an absolute MUST if you live on or come to visit Bainbridge Island. Owned by one…read moreof the most creative people I know, this place has SO MUCH to offer! There are so many options if you want to come create a ceramic piece of art. Adults and kids will both have a blast with all the options they have to offer. Karey (the shop owner) is also incredibly thoughtful with all of the art options she has to offer in the store. So if ceramics aren't your thing, you can always try glass fusing, mosaics, etc. In addition to daily drop in offerings, Karey provides exciting camps for kiddos (both during summer and the school year), with an extensive offering of art options. There are plenty of kid nights planned throughout the year, which my daughter (age 7) LOVES attending! I have also had two birthday parties at Heart and Soul, and Karey worked with me thoughtfully to curate experiences that my children were beyond excited for. You won't want to miss a visit to Heart and Soul for an afternoon or evening of fun!

We had a lovely time painting ceramics at this little shop. It's very relaxed and there are many…read moreoptions for simple projects. It's fantastic for kids and there is also a tank with an axolotl for them to look at. The pieces were fired pretty quickly too, compared to other ceramics experiences that we've had.

This is an amazing facility - from entry, directly across the road from the water, the beach and…read morethe General Store, Seabeck Conference Center is warm, inviting and beautifully arranged for guests of all ages. We attended a multi-generational gathering, over three days, and everything from the property, to the buildings/rooms, to the staff and food were excellent. The parking ample, the amenities sparse but completely satisfactory. We were most impressed by the young staff - in the dining hall and the grounds/facilities keepers - were so smiley, friendly, warm and seemed happy to be of service. We truly loved our first visit and stay and look forward to more opportunities to be at Seabeck Conference Center again.

I wanted to like this place. But its best days are clearly behind it. The family facilities were…read morebadly dated. The playground hadn't been updated in many years. Of the three swings at the main play area, one was broken. There was a single half-court basketball court. The lone tetherball pole was broken. There was a badminton court but no racquets. The food service was woefully inadequate. We had a vegetarian option, selected and paid for in advance. On day two dinner, they served us a tiny portion, perhaps 300 calories. Breakfast the third day the kitchen staff told us they were out of vegetarian food and it wouldn't be replenished that day. There was no manager of expo in the dining room at any time. Indeed, I never saw a manager or anyone besides kitchen serving staff at all during the whole weekend. The facility said no snacks were allowed for the family camp, but there were no snacks available on site at all during the weekend, a very odd omission for a family focused camp. It was an incredibly disappointing trip. The accommodations were very dated and dusty but reasonably clean. The value for the dollar was very poor. It was twice as expensive as Camp Orkila, but aside from 1960s era motel accommodation, it was inferior in every way.

I like the fun and welcoming atmosphere at YMCA Camp Seymour. From the moment we arrived, the staff…read moremade us feel right at home. The counselors are enthusiastic, supportive, and clearly care about creating a safe and memorable experience for every camper. My child came home each day full of stories about the outdoor adventures, new friends, and exciting activities like archery, canoeing, and campfire songs. One of the things I appreciate most is how the camp helps kids grow in independence. Away from their usual routines and screens, campers learn to make decisions for themselves--whether it's choosing a new activity to try, solving small challenges, or managing their time during the day. That sense of ownership builds confidence and resilience. Camp Seymour also does a great job of encouraging goal setting. Each camper is guided to set personal goals--big or small--and work toward achieving them. It might be something like trying the climbing wall for the first time or learning how to paddle a canoe. These goals help kids feel accomplished and proud of what they can do, especially when they step out of their comfort zones and succeed. The camp's values of community, respect, and personal growth really shine through in everything they do. It's a place where kids can be themselves, try new things, and build skills that stick with them long after camp is over. We're already looking forward to next summer!

This was my daughter's first year at Camp Seymour. She is 9-years-old. She had THE BEST time ever!…read moreI have genuinely never seen her so happy coming back from something. She was excited when we signed up, but a little apprehensive when I dropped her off. I was nervous that she was a bit too young, but this was definitely not the case. She came home wanting to go right back, already talking about next summer, and how she wants to work with her when she is older. The staff are wonderful, they have great food, including a vegetarian option for her (so important), and it's a beautiful place. Definitely recommend!

I'm curious where the dollars go for maintenance. During the night, the cabin door blew open from…read morethe wind (around 2 AM). The boys were dramatic about it, but I thought, "this is an easy/cheap fix." That said, if it's a stormy night, prepare yourself for spotty sleep (especially on the 2" foam pads). PRO TIP: double up the pads if you can. Also, there was no cycle on the heater (just on/off) and it ran all night. I woke up in the middle of the night with my mouth/tongue severely dried out like I was lost/adrift at sea. Kids did enjoy the activities - I think archery won the day(s). Fire-starting was also a hit. The camp guides did a pretty decent job incorporating learning and doing their best to keep kids engaged. Their personalities were spirited/fun and I especially enjoyed their effort with skit night (some drama majors I think). Overall the meals could be improved, some basic cabin upgrades, and perhaps a new Director (ponytailed milk toast dude who had a kind of, "don't have time for you" vibe).

Came here for Diabetes camp with ADA American diabetes association. a lot of activities and great…read morestaff to help facilitate. Staff have very good attitudes and are upbeat and helpful! Good Sleeping quarters. They have a camp for summer and a camp with heated rooms for winter. Campgrounds are clean. The food prepared was tasty and with a lot of choices. Definitely an awesome place to spend time at !!

This place is like being transported into a Nicholas Sparks novel/movie…read more It's even more beautiful than the secret garden. Every single place you look at is breathtaking. If you are an animal lover.... This is your dream spot!!! We got to feed the goats, hang out with ducks, a bunny, chickens , and two dogs. They have an awesome four legged tour guide that showed us around the property. She doesn't care for summer so she immediately went swimming. Once she cooled down she wagged her tail with excitement and led us down a path with a gorgeous view of the pond and a picnic table and fire pit. Exploring the flower gardens was so romantic. They say Ram (our second four legged tour guide ) is eight years old going on one! He doesn't care for swimming so he will lead you through the gardens to see the ducks, bunnies, and chickens. But once you have his attention.... You better give him all the petting! He will demand it Kevin and Denise are an incredible team! I'm blown away on how wonderful this place is. Kevin and Denise..... you guys put your hearts into this place and it shows. Thank you so much for sharing it . We travel a ton and we both agree that this is hands down our favorite spot!

If it wasn't for Airbnb, I probably would have never found Courter Country Farm...but I am oh so…read morethankful that we did! Looking for a place to stay overnight in the Poulsbo area on the app, I happened upon a listing for a renovated greenhouse with glass walls and ceiling, perfect for stargazing, that would make for a perfect, romantic weekend getaway for my wife and I. I booked it immediately. Upon arrival, we learned that the greenhouse was only one fantastic feature of a similarly incredible property. Courter Country Farm, run by a husband and wife combo, Kevin and Denise (fantastic, welcoming people!), is equal parts functioning farm, event venue (weddings in particular), campground, and country store. Apart from the main farmhouse, there's an attached "saloon" (open from 6am to 10pm) with functions as a community gathering place, complete with kitchenette, restrooms, pool table, chairs, patio deck and modest farm store, with items such as soaps and snacks available for purchase. The expansive property also includes a petting zoo, containing (at the time) the cutest little bunny I've ever seen (for sale! $25! we almost took him home!), goats in an adjacent fenced barn, alpacas down the hill, and a chicken run with at least one talented jailbreaking rooster, who apparently loves to show off his Houdini-esque escape act! Further down the hill, you will find the converted greenhouse/Airbnb rental, adjacent to the tent-covered, patio event space, where most of the larger events are held. Now, I know what you're thinking: glass house, glass walls...no privacy. No problem! The hosts make themselves scarce no later than 8pm, so you are left to your own devices in the evening. Campers staying at the single camp space, tucked away down a short forest path along a creek, are similarly encouraged to give the glass house a wide berth. It's important to note that, as it is a greenhouse with transparent walls, it can grow extremely warm when exposed to the summer sun, and lacking insulation, bitterly cold in the winter. Don't plan on spending the day hanging out inside during warm weather: let it cool down in the evening, and you'll be just fine when it's time for bed. A powerful fan is provided, if needed. Similarly, for the colder months, a heated mattress pad is provided; the hosts informed us that some previous patrons booked the room in the dead of winter, when the whole structure was encased in snow, and they loved the warm, cozy feeling of snuggling into a heated bed while the world froze around them. Honestly, that sounds pretty great, too! Additional features include a firepit, yard games, hiking paths, and porta-potties (for any after-hours needs, since the saloon closes between 10pm and 6am) help make Courter Country Farm a truly special destination for anyone looking for a cozy weekend getaway, without venturing too far from civilization. Proximity to Poulsbo is a huge plus; anyone who hasn't explored this Nordic novelty needs to do so, promptly! One of our favorite towns in the Pacific Northwest! Additionally, Port Gamble and Port Townsend are 15 and 45 minutes by car, respectively, meaning there is no shortage of amazing places to visit, just a short drive away! One more thing that definitely needs to be mentioned: if you are planning on hosting an event here, such as a wedding, Kevin and Denise will work gladly with your choice of caterer! Most other event venues require that you use whichever they are contracted with, but fortunately, Courter Country Farm doesn't have that requirement. Courter Country Farm is the sort of place I would love to own, develop and dwell in myself, if I had the talent and resources. Lacking both, my wife and I are thankful that Kevin and Denise are such fantastic stewards and hosts, who have put a substantial amount of work, care and love into making this place a magical venue for prospective newlyweds, overnight campers, and couples looking for a romantic weekend escape in one of the most unique BNB experiences out there. After staying in the glass house, I can safely say that have no stones to throw; Kevin and Denise will just have to make do with gushing praise instead.

This was a fantastic stop on our Bainbridge Island trip. This is a part of the American…read moreHorticultural Society, so my botanical garden membership from home worked here. It's a HUGE reserve and just absolutely stunning. You're provided with a map when you come in. There is also ample parking available. There is plenty of walking trails and different flora surrounding the space. There are benches scattered around the reserve if you want to take a moment to soak it all in. It's a great forest bathing space. I loved visiting it.

beautiful. just beautiful. I've lived in Washington my entire life and found out about this place…read morevia Instagram and I'm so glad I was able to go. Tickets are bit on the pricier side but once you see how well the reserve is maintained you don't really bat an eye. I went to see the weeping willow and was not disappointed. A must see if you go to bainbridge island

What a fun experience - my grandson and I had a blast! Thank you and don't forget to make a…read moredonation

Hey this little train ride is pretty fun! After seeing this on TV, it was added to our list of…read more"cheaper things to do on the weekends" and it's totally worth it! First thing I suggest is to make sure they are running the trains, their schedule is only on select days so it's worth it to check it out before heading over. Second, get there early! We got here right at opening and the line was already getting long. Though it moved pretty quickly once the trains started running. And finally bring the kids lol, our two year old did just fine and he had a blast! The trains are easy to sit on and once it gets going there's plenty for the little ones to see. They operate via donations so keep that in mind and support this awesome service!

Perfect family activity. Staff are fun and friendly. The camps are a must for creative little…read moreones. This little gem will not disappoint.

I took my 6 year old to one of their hosted canvas and cupcake art classes and she loved it. The…read morestep by step instruction was great, although I think my daughter would have preferred to do it all on her own.The woman/women who hosted it was very nice and respectful and smiled from beginning to end. They were organized and class started and ended on time. There were cupcakes half way through class. I love how the instructor walked around and encouraged all of the younger artist. While it was a guided class, the artists got to choose what they wanted within the guidelines and the younger ones has more flexibility. I will definitely sign my daughter up for another class at some point and would recommend this art studio.