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Bellingham is a lively college city of about 95,000 people on Bellingham Bay in the far northwest corner of Washington, about 90 miles north of Seattle and close to the Canadian border. With Mount Baker on the horizon and the San Juan Islands offshore, it is a hub for hiking, biking, kayaking and craft beer.
The historic Fairhaven district, built in the 1890s, has brick buildings full of bookstores, cafés and restaurants, and Boulevard Park links it to downtown along a boardwalk over the bay. Downtown Bellingham has the restored Mount Baker Theatre, breweries and the busy Saturday Bellingham Farmers Market, and Western Washington University's campus has an outdoor sculpture collection.
Whatcom Falls Park has waterfalls and trails through old forest in the middle of the city, Cornwall Park and Squalicum Creek offer more green space, and Chuckanut Drive winds south along cliffs above the water. The Mount Baker ski area and the Alaska ferry terminal add to the sense of being at the edge of the wild north.
Whatcom Museum has two main buildings downtown: the striking 1892 Old City Hall with local history exhibits, and the modern Lightcatcher building with art shows and a hands-on family gallery. One ticket covers both. Start at the Lightcatcher, then walk a block to the Old City Hall to see its tower.
SPARK Museum of Electrical Invention downtown displays early electrical devices, radios, phonographs and lightbulbs that trace the history of electricity. Its highlight is a live show with a huge Tesla coil, the MegaZapper. Check the schedule for the coil shows, usually on weekends, and arrive early to get seats.
Mount Baker Theatre is a historic 1927 movie palace in downtown Bellingham with a Spanish-Moorish interior and a tall lighthouse-shaped tower. It hosts concerts, Broadway tours, comedy and the Whatcom Symphony. Catch any show to see the restored hall, and park in the garage across the street.
Western Washington University sits on Sehome Hill above Bellingham Bay, with red-brick buildings, views of the water and a well-known outdoor sculpture collection spread across campus. Visitors can explore freely. Pick up a sculpture map from the campus website, and visit Red Square at the center.
Fairhaven is Bellingham's historic south side village, built in the 1890s boom, with red-brick buildings holding bookstores, cafes, pubs and galleries. Village Books is a local favorite. Walk the streets, then head to the waterfront, where the Alaska ferry terminal and trails to Boulevard Park are close by.
Bellingham Farmers Market runs on Saturdays from spring to fall at Depot Market Square downtown, a covered pavilion built in the style of an old train depot. Stalls sell local berries, vegetables, seafood, baked goods and crafts. Arrive in the morning, and try the fresh fruit and hot food stands.
Whatcom Falls Park is a forested city park along Whatcom Creek with several waterfalls, an old stone bridge built in the 1930s, swimming holes and miles of trails. A fish hatchery is also inside the park. Follow the main trail to the stone bridge for the classic falls view, and wear shoes with grip.
Boulevard Park is a waterfront park between downtown and Fairhaven on Bellingham Bay, with lawns, a coffee shop, a beach and an overwater boardwalk. Sunsets over the bay and the San Juan Islands are a highlight. Walk or bike the boardwalk on the South Bay Trail between downtown and Fairhaven.
Cornwall Park is a large, shady park in north Bellingham with tall evergreens, a creek, a rose garden, playgrounds and a spray park. Walking paths wind through the woods. It is a good family stop on summer days for the splash pad, and the old-growth trees make it a pleasant walk in any season.
Lake Padden Park is a large park on Bellingham's south side built around a forested lake, with a flat 2.6-mile loop trail, swimming beach, fishing, dog park and golf course. Mountain bike trails climb the hills around it. Walk the loop for an easy outing, and bring a fishing license if you plan to fish.
Sehome Hill Arboretum is a forested hilltop beside Western Washington University with trails through native trees, a tunnel and an observation tower overlooking the bay and Mount Baker on clear days. It is free and close to downtown. Climb the tower on a clear day, and stay on trails, as the slopes are steep.
Chuckanut Drive is a winding coastal road starting in Fairhaven and running south along cliffs above Samish Bay, with views of the San Juan Islands. It passes Larrabee State Park, trailheads and oyster farms. Drive it slowly, stop at pullouts for photos, and try the seafood restaurants along the way.
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Washington, United States
Washington, United States
Washington, United States
Washington, United States
Washington, United States
Washington, United States
Washington, United States
Washington, United States
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Photo: Robert Ashworth from Bellingham, WA., USA, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0