This Washington town was named one of the safest small towns in the U.S.

One Washington community recently appeared on World Atlas’ latest list of the safest small towns in the United States.

Bainbridge Island was the only town in the Pacific Northwest to be featured on World Atlas’ list, which included a total of eight communities across the country.

The travel website specifically highlighted its low violent crime rate and variety of things to do. It also noted the island’s art museum, local bookstore, seasonal farmers market, and gardens, along with its ferry connection to Seattle.

Here’s what World Atlas said about the Washington community.

Why did Bainbridge Island make the list?

WorldAtlas cited crime figures from SafeWise’s 2026 Washington report, which lists Bainbridge Island’s violent crime rate at 0.4 incidents per 1,000 residents.

SafeWise ranked Bainbridge Island fourth among Washington’s safest cities, behind Sedro-Woolley, Sammamish, and Camas. Its report lists the island’s property crime rate at 10.1 incidents per 1,000 residents.

The two lists are separate though. While WorldAtlas included Bainbridge Island in a national roundup, SafeWise compared Washington communities using reported crime data.

WorldAtlas did not publish a scoring system or explain how it selected the eight towns.

What can visitors do on Bainbridge Island?

A visit can start a short walk from the ferry terminal at the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art. The museum offers free admission year-round and is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., though some special events require tickets.

Its location on Winslow Way makes it an easy first stop before spending time downtown. WorldAtlas also highlighted Eagle Harbor Book Co. and the island’s seasonal farmers market.

For a longer outing, Bloedel Reserve covers 140 acres of gardens and forest on the island’s north end. Visitors can explore landscaped gardens and wooded areas, with timed tickets recommended.

The museum and reserve offer two different ways to plan a visit: start with art near the ferry, or set aside additional time to explore the gardens farther from downtown.

Can you visit without bringing a car?

The museum is about a five-minute walk from the Bainbridge Island ferry terminal, so visitors can make it their first stop after walking aboard in Seattle.

A trip that includes Bloedel Reserve takes more planning because it is on a different part of the island. Check transportation options, reserve admission, and review the ferry schedule before heading out.