The Beauty of Bellingham
Get Away to the Seaside City of Bellingham, Washington
Located in northwest Washington State, the seaside city of Bellingham feels remote, yet it’s just 90 minutes north of Seattle. Outdoorsy, creative, and laid back, with a distinct farm-to-table culture, craft drinks, and outstanding art and shopping, Bellingham ticks all the boxes for your next getaway.
Park It Here
Step out in Bellingham and it feels like there’s a park at almost every turn.
For an eye-max of scenery, visit Larrabee State Park—Washington’s first state park. The vast shoreline overlooks Samish Bay and the San Juan Islands.
Lake Whatcom is a Bellingham gem surrounded by rolling hills, forests of stately Douglas firs, hiking trails, and a namesake park. One of the best ways to see the lake from a bird’s-eye perspective is by hiking to the Chanterelle Overlook. This scenic vantage point is just under 2.5 miles (one way) from the start of the Chanterelle Trail. Within city limits, Bloedel Donovan Park is located on the north end of Lake Whatcom and is the perfect place to get out on a kayak or other boat rental. Or spread a blanket and relax at this park’s sandy beaches and sprawling lawns. Swimming is popular here too.
Bellingham’s Lake Padden Park on the south side of town is a 745-acre oasis with a scenic lakeside trail, and recreation like golfing, disc golf, and pickleball.
Whatcom Falls Park is nice for a barbecue or picnic. It has an off-leash dog area and four waterfalls.
Hiking trail photo, kayak photo, and hiker overlook photo by Visit Bellingham.
Creative Corner of the PNW
In Bellingham, the spirit of creativity is deeply rooted. This place is vibrant with storytellers, visual artists, and artisans, including writer Rena Priest—a member of the Lhaq’temish (Lummi) Nation and Washington State’s Poet Laureate from 2021 to 2023. Village Books is where locals and visitors alike go for their fill of literature in all genres, as well as community nights, writing and author events, and conversations at Evolve Chocolate + Café.
With a variety of local businesses, Fairhaven is a popular shopping destination. Whether it’s handcrafted jewelry, gifts, wood art, clothing, or event plants, Fairhaven offers much to experience.
New ideas and old traditions convene at the outstanding Whatcom Museum (a Smithsonian Affiliate) in Bellingham’s Arts District, downtown. The museum features rotating exhibits and intriguing permanent exhibits about Bellingham’s roots, including People of the Sea and Cedar, which centers on the voices and culture of the Lummi Nation and Nooksack Indian Tribe.
Add some spark to your exploration of downtown with a visit to the Spark Museum of Electrical Invention. Learn about the history of electricity and the seedings of technology. Interactive experiences like the Cage of Doom and the MegaZapper Show are, well, electrifying!
The whole family can see the stars of the Salish Sea at Bellingham’s Marine Life Center. In addition to actual sea stars like the intricate basket star, check out the quirky decorated warbonnet, the giant Pacific octopus, and plenty of other sea creatures.
Mural photo and Marine Life Center photo by Visit Bellingham. Spark Museum photos by Spark Museum.
Culinary Persuasions
Bellingham and the surrounding area is known for its sustainable food and beverage creations. The Farm to Table Trails system features 9 food trails for you to have a true culinary adventure by bike or car. With more than 50 destinations to choose from, you’ll have a lot of options for adventures in food and drinks. Use the digital trail to check in at places and maybe even win some prizes. Cheese, meat, fish, berries, you name it, a Farm to Table Trail has it.
Bellingham also boasts a thriving craft beer scene, with tons of breweries to choose from. At Otherlands Beer, you can pair your World Party (extra hoppy saison) with delicious Pierogi Shakshuka.
Voted Bellingham’s Best New Restaurant, Penny Farthing Bar & Restaurant in downtown spins old classics into fresh takes, like the Chicago-style “Pot Still” Pizza Pie and Eggplant Parmesan Sandwich. As part of Chuckanut Bay Distillery, the cocktail mixologists here have a reputation for being some of the best in the Pacific Northwest.
Just when you thought there couldn’t possibly be any new uses for shipping containers, along comes Bellingham’s The Portal Container Village, a hub on the waterfront with a rotation of shops operating out of restored containers. Rent a bike from Sun-E-Land and try out the pump track, treat yourself to a Selkie Scoop ice cream, or hit up a food truck and pair it with a pint at neighboring Kulshan Trackside Beer Garden—25,000 square feet of family-friendly grounds (and that includes dogs!)
Located in the historic Bellingham Herald Building, Rock & Rye Oyster House is a rock-solid recommendation for dining on sustainable local seafood. Architectural ambience combines with Washington oysters from nearby shellfish farms. Fish & chips, shrimp and polenta, and straight-up burgers are a few menu choices. It’s also got a great craft cocktail list, including non-alcohol creations like N/A Negroni.
Chicken and drinks. It’s very simple yet creative at Bellingham’s Bantam Kitchen & Bar. They serve everything from fried chicken tacos to deviled eggs and decadent mac and cheese. Snag a seat upstairs for a cozy library vibe.
Farmers market photo, Otherlands Beer photo, and Penny Farthing photo by Visit Bellingham. Second Trackside Portal Container photo by Maggie Kaiserman. First and third Trackside photos by Trackside Portal Container.
