Ultimate Travel Guide to Bellingham WA

Eclectic Charm and Subdued Excitement

Bellingham WA is a magical town located in NW Washington, mid-way between Seattle and Vancouver, B.C. I call it magical because many who come here for university never leave. Cue eerie music.

With mountains, lakes, oceans, culture, and proximity to two major cities do you blame them?

If you are not lucky enough to be able to live here, let me share my best recommendations for your next visit.

Fast Facts

Top Things to Do in Bellingham

Besides the parks and trails mentioned above, here are a few other things to explore in and around town.

Lake Padden

Blessed with three primary lakes (and even more small lakes), Lake Padden is the smallest of the three. An easy trail allows you to walk around the whole lake in about an hour. There are some small elevation gains on the south side of the lake. You can also kayak or take your rowboat out onto the lake. A small beach is flanked by a large grassy park like area with picnic facilities. Next door is a serene public golf course and driving range.

Lake Whatcom

The largest lake, at about 10 miles long, the recreational hub is at Bloedel Donovan Park. Grass, a playground, and a beach with swimming dock will help you spend a lazy summer day. Drive around to the southeast end of the lake and walk the Hertz trail, a mostly level path through the trees that follows the shore of the lake and passes streams and waterfalls.

Lake Samish is the third main lake and is along I-5 just south of Bellingham. This is a nice lake for boating.

Oyster Dome

Don’t be deterred by the elevation gain of nearly 1900 ft., this moderately challenging trail is doable for anyone reasonably fit. You can start near the top for a shorter hike, about an hour, or from further down for more of a challenge. The reward is the fantastic view over the bay from the top.

Galbraith Mountain

Very popular with mountain bikers, this privately owned land also welcomes guests on two legs (aka humans) and four hooves (aka horses) to ride, walk, or run through over 50 miles of trails. Grab views of Bellingham Bay along the way.

Taylor Dock/Boulevard Park

If you enjoy the outdoors at a more recreational pace, take a walk on the Taylor Dock Boardwalk between Boulevard Park and Fairhaven. Boulevard Park is a grassy spot along the bay that is popular with locals. Enjoy a coffee from local roasters Woods Coffee from their location right in the park, pull up a blanket, or whip out a frisbee. The boardwalk is an elevated path with portions out over the water.

Top Tours

Chuckanut Bay Distillery

This award-winning grain-to-glass distillery is located in the heart of downtown Bellingham and offers visitors a chance to taste and learn about their locally sourced spirits. Chuckanut Bay Distillery is located in a historic building in downtown Bellingham, Washington. The building dates back to the early 1900s.

The guided tours at Chuckanut Bay Distillery are a great way to learn about the distilling process. The knowledgeable guides will take you behind the scenes to show how locally grown grains are converted into whiskey, gin, vodka, and more. The tour lasts approximately one hour and includes a tasting flight of six spirits.

Bellinghistory with the Good Time Girls

Guided walking tours with costumed guides like the Sin and Gin tours feature the bawdy history of Fairhaven and Downtown, or if you are into the chills, try the Gore and Lore tour about all things spooky and sinister. Not so fun fact: Bellingham has a reputation for attracting serial killers, mostly passing through, but nonetheless…

Local Shopping

Whatcom Art Collective

This co-op gallery hosts works by a number of local artists. You’ll find photography, paintings, sculptures, and handmade items like jewelry and cards. Take home a souvenir that will be more authentic than a postcard.

Village Books

Beloved independent bookstore in Fairhaven. Includes both new and used books all mixed together on 3 levels.

Sweet Art Candy

Family owned chocolate shop on Railroad Ave. in downtown Bellingham with delicious confections. There does seem to be a disproportionate number of chocolate shops in town, but I’m not complaining.

Getting to Bellingham

By Car

Nearest Airport

Driving Distances to Major Cities with Airports

Place	Distance
Vancouver, B.C.	54 miles
Seattle, WA	89 miles

Amtrak

Bus

Weather

Best time to visit

July through early September is the driest and warmest time to visit. Despite the average temperatures below, in July and August temperatures between 75-85 F (and higher) are becoming more common. In Bellingham, the bay offers some cooling and temperatures rise as you move inland.

Nice weather (above 65 F) is possible April through October. Rain is possible September through June so be prepared. May is often nicer than June. Snow falls occasionally in the winter months but usually doesn’t last very long.

Weather By Month

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sept	Oct	Nov	Dec
Temp	40	41	45	49	54	60	64	65	59	51	44	40
Prec.	14	13	14	11	9	6	3	4	6	12	17	16

What to wear

Casual dress is just fine almost anywhere in this area. Anywhere in the Pacific Northwest, layers are your best bet. Bring a winter coat between late October through March, and a light jacket the rest of the year. Summer clothes are recommended in July and August, but be sure to pack some long pants as well.

An umbrella will brand you as a tourist in the Pacific Northwest. A hood on your coat will allow you to stay dry and inconspicuous. Want to fit in? Wear socks with your Birkenstock sandals.

Where to Stay in Bellingham

Neighborhoods (Hotels)

Bellingham Airport/Bakerview:

There are a couple hotels right near the airport, and a few more across the interstate freeway on Bakerview. Most of these are newer chain hotels and the area is fairly safe. The area is mostly retail, commercial, and some residential.

The Holiday Inn is located next to the airport, and the Best Western is the next closest to the airport, but not enough to be practical to walk to for most people.

Across the freeway, the LaQuinta is adjacent a Fred Meyer store. There is also a Hampton, two Marriott’s next to each other (Springhill Suites and TownePlace Suites) and a Hilton Home2Go. All have easy access to the freeway and are a short drive to downtown.

Meridian Street:

This area is along a main highway and is predominantly retail, restaurants and other businesses.

There are some older chain hotels here, including Comfort Inn, Quality Inn, Baymont (Wyndham), Holiday Inn Express, and the newest–Oxford Suites. If you are looking to save some money the former are more economical but of this group, I would recommend the Holiday Inn or the Oxford Suites. The latter is right across the street from Bellis Fair mall and dining options.

Downtown:

There are fewer options right downtown. The Hotel Leo is a historic hotel building that for a time was senior housing, but now is a hotel again. It is centrally located in the heart of downtown.

The Hotel Bellwether is an upscale hotel right along the water where there are several dining options and the marina nearby. For a splurge, stay in the Lighthouse suite.

The Heliotrope is slightly out of town and was remodeled from being a faded motel to a modern surprise. It is located in a more residential area, so may be a bit quieter, but also not within walking distance of downtown.

Lakeway:

The Four Points Sheraton is located right along the freeway and is near a Fred Meyer store. Formerly a Best Western, it has been remodeled and is popular for hosting conferences. This area is primarily retail and some restaurants. This is fairly close to WWU if you are visiting campus.

Samish Way:

This was once an area with some decent hotels near the university. Many have been replaced by apartment buildings and retail and what is left is mostly “you get what you pay for.” If you are visiting kids at WWU

Fairhaven:

Primarily upscale options here–the Fairhaven Inn is in the Fairhaven Historic District with shops and dining at your doorstep. Just a few hundred yards away, the Chrysalis Inn is a splurge with waterfront views, dining, and a spa on the premises. It boasts a prime location by the Taylor Dock walkway.

Vacation Rentals:

If you are looking for a vacation rental there are few areas of town that I would suggest avoiding. Even in some of the less desirable neighborhoods there are charming gems so it is difficult to make generalizations.

In general, the Lettered Streets just NW of downtown is less desirable, but just a few blocks further along Eldridge Dr. are beautiful historic homes (and a mansion or two) overlooking the water from high on the bluff (beware there are train tracks below if you are a light sleeper). Just don’t go too far along Eldridge/Marine Drive–once you pass Bennett Drive things go south again (even though you are driving north).

The Roosevelt area between Alabama and Lakeway and between I-5 and Woburn is also an area of smaller, older homes. Historically it has not been considered one of the better parts of town.

So what are the swanky areas? Around Lake Whatcom, Edgemoor, South Hill (between WWU and Fairhaven), and Eldridge. Barkley is a newer area of mixed residential and retail/professional and is also recommended.

Campgrounds:

There are limited camping options near town. The Bellingham RV Park is a private facility for, err, RV’s (i.e. not tents) that is near both the freeway and the airport.

My top pick would be Larrabee State Park just south of town. A great setting along the bay yet in the trees with hiking and beaches steps away. About 30 minutes north, is a lovely KOA campground in Lynden. If you are exploring into Canada this puts you near the border.

Where to Eat in Bellingham

There are tons of great restaurants in the area. Here are just a few highlights of all local choices (i.e. not chains).

The Black Cat

The Black Cat is located in Bellingham’s historic Fairhaven district and has undergone a few changes of ownership over the years, but its popularity endures. This charming restaurant offers great food and drinks in a cozy atmosphere, located in an historic and haunted building. They serve lunch and dinner daily.

Bayou on the Bay

A taste of New Orleans on the west coast, featuring Cajun food in a vibrant atmosphere filled with wonderful aromas. The menu is a full of Southern classics. Try their jambalaya or seafood gumbo, which is packed with fresh seafood and rich, hearty broth.

Keenan’s At the Pier

Moving back to the Northwest, this casual yet elegant restaurant offers delicious food and gorgeous views. The menu showcases fresh, local Northwest cuisine with creative twists on classic dishes. Located in the Chrysalis hotel and overlooks the bay and Taylor Dock walkway.

The Filling Station

I can’t resist a good burger. With two locations – one in historic Fairhaven and another in the Sunnyland neighborhood – they’ve become a staple of the local casual dining scene. Besides burgers, they have a great selection of local beers.

Rock and Rye Oyster House

This locally-owned gem is housed in the historic Bellingham Herald building. The menu at Rock and Rye focuses on fresh, sustainable seafood and locally-sourced ingredients. They offer a rotating selection of draft beers and ciders, as well as a well-curated wine list. While the food and drinks lean towards fine dining, the atmosphere remains comfortably casual. 

Mambo Italiano

This charming Italian eatery has been serving up delicious meals since 2001, and it’s easy to see why it’s become a local favorite. Located in the same historic building as the Black Cat in Fairhaven, it serves house made pastas and pizza.

Birch Door

One of the best, and most popular breakfast spots in town. On weekends you can expect to wait up to an hour for a table. But yes, it is worth it. They serve breakfast only on the weekends, and both breakfast and lunch on weekdays.

El Gitano

No list would be complete without a Mexican restaurant recommendation, which tends to be fabulous in Whatcom and Skagit county. There are many great options in town, but for the best blend of wonderful food and a great atmosphere give El Gitano a try.

Bellingham By Season 

What to Do in Winter

• Take a winter walk through Whatcom Falls Park or Lake Padden
• Stroll historic Fairhaven. Check out their Christmas/Winter festivities if you visit in late November through December
• Go ice skating at the Bellingham Sportsplex
• Ski Mt. Baker. Located roughly 2 hours from Bellingham, this ski area often has deep snowfalls in winter.
• Warm up from the inside out, tasting local brews and spirits in the many breweries and distilleries located throughout town
• Get pampered at the Chrysalis Inn & Spa. This is a splurge, but the location near the water makes it a special treat.
• Get in from the rain at one of the local museums: SPARK or Whatcom Museum

What to Do in Spring

• Anything on the winter list or fall list. It can still be cold and rainy in March. April is hit and miss, and May is usually pretty mild and a little drier.
• Plan for a mix of outdoor and indoor options from the winter and fall lists
• If you are here at the end of May, check out the Ski to Sea race, one of the town’s biggest annual events

What to Do in Summer

• Stroll Taylor Dock out over the water, continue to Boulevard Park and have a coffee and treat by the water
• Hike Oyster Dome for stunning views of the water and islands
• Visit the Bellingham Farmers Market for a selection of local goods and produce, runs April to December
• Take a boat ride out on the bay, either renting a kayak, or on a local cruise operator
• Hang out by the water–my favorites are Lake Padden, Larrabee State Park, and Lake Whatcom
• Hop the ferry to Alaska (yes–ferry!). Obviously this is a whole trip in itself, but how many places can you think of where you can do this? You can travel with or without a car.

What to Do in Fall

• Walk or bike the Interurban trail from Fairhaven to Larrabee (or turn around part way if you are not that ambitious). If you time it right, you may see salmon spawning in the stream (September/October).
• Check out the SPARK or Whatcom Museum if it rains
• Take a drive and see some fall color: Chuckanut Drive is my top pick, but if you are early in the fall, the drive up to Mt. Baker is lovely as well.

Safety & Crime

No place it 100% safe so you should always take general precautions:

• Lock your vehicle
• Don’t leave valuables where others may see them
• Don’t walk alone in dark areas
• Walk with confidence, don’t pull out maps or other clues that brand you a tourist and possibly a target
• Use common sense at all times

Like many cities in the U.S. there has been an increase in recent years of unhoused persons and panhandling along the streets. You may encounter persons with mental issues, or those using drugs.

Aside from this, Bellingham is generally safe and tourists taking reasonable precautions should not encounter any problems. Cars are generally safe, but be sure to lock them.

Crime Data for 2023

Auto Theft: <30 per month

Vehicle Prowls: 30-60 per month

Crimes against another person: 12-27 per month

Theft (non-residential): 175-250 per month

Homicides (total for 2023): 3