What To Do in Lynden, WA: Spend a Day or a Weekend
Discover the Best Things to Do in Lynden
Lynden, Washington is a charming town located in the northwestern part of the state. It is known for its Dutch heritage and small-town feel, making it the perfect destination for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life.
It may be small, but there is plenty to do to keep you occupied for a day or even a weekend.
Fast Facts
Downtown
The place to start is in the town itself. A stroll through the downtown business district is my top recommendation.
Dutch Village Mall
One of two windmills in town is found downtown at the corner of Front and 7th street. While Lynden has long had a strong Dutch heritage, in the 1980’s a local business man tried to put Lynden on the tourist map like other Washington towns such as the Bavarian themed Leavenworth or Scandinavian Poulsbo.
The Dutch Village Mall was built to be the centerpiece of that plan, complete with a hotel in the windmill itself. Anchoring the other end of town was Dutch Mother’s restaurant (now Rustlers Front Street Grill). Other local businesses pitched in by adding Dutch inspired facades.
While Lynden attracts its share of visitors, it was never quite able to achieve the theme park in a town status of a Leavenworth.
After some changes in ownership, this micro-mall remains open and the base of the windmill is a restaurant and bar aptly named the Mill. Unfortunately, the hotel that used to occupy the upper portion of the windmill is now closed to the public.
Hanging Baskets: the “Lynden Basket”
But the mall is not the main attraction, the town itself is. The business district is only a few blocks long and can easily be strolled in a half an hour not including pit stops. In 2016, Lynden won a competition for the best Main Street in America.
Head Scratcher: Front Street is the main street, but there is another street in town called Main street that is not the main street. Don’t ask. I don’t know why.
If you make your visit in the summertime, you can see the Lynden hanging baskets decorating the town that are its pride and joy. These floral arrangements get to be massive so while it may sound like a joke that the hanging baskets are an attraction, I’m totally serious.
Books & Antiques
Browse for used books at Eucatastrophe, or new books at Village Books. The latter is a branch of the longstanding popular bookstore in nearby Bellingham.
There are also a couple of antique stores worth a look, even if antiques aren’t normally your thing. My favorite is the Alsum Trading Company.
Jansen Art Center
For the arts, stop by the Jansen Art Center. Find local art and artisans working and displaying their crafts all housed in a historic building. You might even plan your visit around taking one of the many classes offered in painting, ceramics, metalsmithing, textiles and more. Pick up a local souvenir from the gallery shop.
Lynden Heritage Museum
Stroll a little further east and you will find one of the best kept secrets in Whatcom county, the Lynden Pioneer museum. I’ve been in several local museums over the years and this one shines as one of the best.
How many small town museums have recreated a city block inside? You can easily spend an hour or two–it’s bigger than it looks from the outside. Lynden has a strong history as a farming community, so expect a healthy dose of old farm equipment in the exhibits.
Dutch Food & Stuff
Now, for a Dutch themed town you may notice a paucity of Dutch goods for sale. If you have been to Leavenworth or Poulsbo you will know that at least a few shops specialize in the merchandise of their respective cultures.
In Lynden, you won’t find that downtown. Instead, for the best selection of Dutch food and trinkets stop at the Food Pavilion grocery store on Guide Meridian street. Other options include the Edaleen Market on Grover Street, and to a lesser extent the Green Barn on Birch Bay Lynden Road.
Now that you’ve explored Front Street let’s look at some other things to do in and around town.
Explore the Great Outdoors
Once outside the downtown, much of what to do in Lynden revolves around outdoor activities, or special events.
Golf at Raspberry Ridge
This course is a few miles from downtown and features a well drained course suitable for all levels of players. You can play 9 holes or 18 holes nearly year round (the occasional snowfall may shut it down but that’s about it). There is a practice green, and a clubhouse with a restaurant.
In town is the more upscale Homestead Golf & Country Club. (Note: As of August 2023 the golf course is closed until legal issues are resolved).
Lynden City Park & Million Smiles Playground
This lovely park is a popular spot for locals. The Jim Kaemingk Sr. trail begins here so it is a great place to park and take a walk or bike ride (bring your own bike) along the path towards another park–Bender Fields.
A creek runs through the park and at times can be fished in. The rest of the summer, people cool off by wading in it. You’ll find picnic facilities, the remnants of an obstacle course in the trees, and benches to just sit and people watch.
The main attraction for the kids though is the Million Smiles playground. The city park has been around for decades, but in 2006 the community raised the money and built a new playground for both the little ones and the not so little.
The under 5 section has age appropriate swings, a wooden tractor, and a pint sized town with false storefronts.
The bigger kid section has a climbing wall, plenty of things to climb on and over, bigger slides and swings, and a large tower with a slide as the main attraction.
Bender Fields
If you took me up on the suggestion to walk the Kaemingk trail, you should find yourself at Bender Fields. This park has traditionally been mostly sports fields until recently when the local Rotary club raised funds to add an area of climbing rocks, basketball courts, pickleball courts, beach volleyball, and an outdoor chess board.
If you have your bike along, there is a pump course that is popular with the younger crowd. Have Fido with you? There is also an off leash area just east of the basketball courts where you can let your pooch let off some steam.
Didn’t think to pack sports equipment? There is a tub of loaner equipment located near the pickleball court which is a thoughtful touch.
Berthusen Park
Berthusen Park is a beautiful park that offers a wide variety of outdoor activities. The park features a playground, picnic areas, and hiking trails.
Once home to the Berthusen family in the late 1800’s through the first half of the 1900’s, they willed the property to the city and it has existed as a park since that time. The huge historic barn still stands.
This park is just a few miles from town and is quieter than the parks within city limits. This park is best for those who relish a walk in the woods.
Where to Eat in Lynden
Browse the Farmers Market
One of the best ways to experience local flavor is by visiting the Lynden Farmers Market. This outdoor market is held from June through September and features a variety of local vendors selling fresh produce, baked goods, and handmade crafts. In 2023, the market will be on Saturdays from 10am – 2pm.
Indulge in Dutch Treats at Lynden Dutch Bakery
Lynden is known for its Dutch heritage, and there’s no better place to experience it than at the Lynden Dutch Bakery. This family-owned bakery has been serving up delicious treats since 1907, and their famous Dutch pastries and pies are a must-try. You can also find their sister store Just Desserts in the Fairway Shopping Center at Front and 17th.
Avenue Bread
In 2008 an arsonist set fire to the historic Delft Square in downtown Lynden. The building has been restored and houses Village Books, the Inn at Lynden, Overflow Taps, and Avenue Bread. The latter is a wonderful place for lunch, featuring their own breads and a rustic atmosphere.
Honorable mentions:
The Mill. The interior has an old world charm to it, and you can also dine outdoors weather permitting. The menu has been pared down (like many restaurants post-pandemic) but the Mill serves simple bistro fare well.
Fairway Cafe. This is a Lynden institution and the kind of place your Grandpa goes to get a no frills home cooking style meal and plenty of it. Diner food in generous portions.
Newsroom Pub. Pub food and local ice cream with indoor and outdoor seating. Serving beer, cider and wine. Kids menu.
Marta’s Cocina. There are plenty of excellent Mexican restaurants to choose from in Whatcom county, this is one of my favorites in Lynden. Friendly, fast, and flavorful.
Attend Fun Events
Lynden has it’s share of events and festivals throughout the year. Here are some of the most popular annual events in Lynden.
Northwest Washington Fair.
The Fair is a beloved event that takes place every August. Visitors can enjoy carnival rides, live music, food vendors, and a variety of exhibits and competitions.
The fair is a great place for families to spend a day together, with plenty of activities for kids of all ages.
This is a farm fair so there are plenty of animals to view tended by local 4H kids such as cows, horses, draft horses, goats, pigs, rabbits, and chickens.
The fairgrounds are on Front Street.
Lynden Music Festival
The Lynden Music Festival is a celebration of local and international musicians of all genres. Visitors can enjoy live music in a variety of venues throughout the town, including parks, restaurants, and bars. Takes place in October.
Lynden Lighted Christmas Parade
The Lynden Lighted Christmas Parade is a festive event that usually takes place the first Saturday in December. Visitors can enjoy a parade of brightly lit floats and vehicles, as well as live music and other entertainment. The parade is a great way to get into the holiday spirit and enjoy the festive atmosphere of Lynden. The parade starts at the Fairway Center shopping center but the most popular place to view is downtown.
Vintage Farming Days
The Antique Tractor Fair is a unique event that takes place August 2-5, 2023. Visitors can enjoy a variety of antique tractors and other farm equipment, food vendors, antiques, a tractor/lawnmower pull and more.
This event is a great way to learn about the history of farming in the region and enjoy a fun day out with the family. Takes place in Berthusen Park.
Raspberry Festival & Car Show
Berries are one of the main local crops and the area is particularly known for fantastic raspberries. This is my favorite event of the year, with a street fair, a car show, and a 3 on 3 kids basketball tournament for the sports minded. And of course, taste and eat raspberry-centric treats.
Come for the day, or for the weekend. Time your visit to one of the many events in town to maximize your visit.
Travel Guide
How to get to Lynden:
From Canada, take the Trans Canada to the Aldergrove/264th street exit. Head south on 264th through the Aldergrove/Lynden Border crossing. Continue south on Guide Meridian a few miles. Turn left on Front street (enter the town between its two cemeteries) and proceed east to reach the downtown.
From Seattle. Take I-5 north. Take exit 256A Meridian Street (stay to the right when exiting the freeway). Turn on Meridian and continue north for about 12 miles. Turn right on Front Street and continue east until you reach downtown.
Where to Stay:
You can find most major chain hotels in nearby Bellingham. Hotels in Bellingham are centered around the Bellis Fair Mall area (closest to Lynden), and to the northwest of town near the Bellingham International Airport.
In Lynden, The Inn at Lynden is a charming boutique hotel. There is also a KOA campground east of town.
For a unique experience, stay on a working farm at the Oostema Farmstead.
Weather:
The Pacific Northwest is a four season location, and roughly 3 of the those seasons involve rain. July through September sees temperatures between 65 and 90 F with little rainfall.
In the spring and fall, temps average in the low 50’s to low 70’s.
In winter, temperatures can drop to just below freezing, however Lynden can be subjected to fierce winds coming from the Fraser Valley to the northeast making it feel much colder. These winds tend to be strongest in the winter and usually start in November. Snowfall is usually limited to a few days each year.
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.