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Things To Do In Bellingham
Bellingham is one of the most underrated tourist destinations in Washington. It is a city located close to the border, located towards the northwestern side of the country. It is a coastal city with many popular tourist attractions. The city has pristine white beaches, exotic national parks, and several exciting avenues for outdoor recreation.
In addition to being a tourist town, Bellingham is also home to Western Washington University. This makes it the perfect campus town to visit if you enjoy learning more about Northwestern people and their culture. You can explore the region on a short weekend trip with your friends and family.
Go shopping at the Fairhaven Historic District
You must begin your visit to Bellingham by a visit to the town of Fairhaven. This is a famous seaport location that has had an important role in the history of the region. This town used to be the center of the logging industry. Fairhaven and other neighboring towns make up what we know as Bellingham today.
Fairhaven has several red brick Victorian buildings. This gives the area an old and mysterious charm, perfect for your travel photography. This legendary district is also home to the National Register of Historic Places.
This is the perfect place to go shopping. Once you have purchased souvenirs for all your friends back home, you can stop by a coffee shop as well. Village Books is a cozy corner of the city that is enjoyed by locals and tourists alike.
For those who like a little more adventure, the Bellingham Cruise Terminal is located in close proximity. You can enjoy a beautiful ride to San Juan Island. For instance, whale watching is another exciting activity that the cruise offers.
Please also read about unique things to do in Seatle, Washington.
Catch a live performance at the Mount Baker Theatre
The best way to know a place is by meeting the local community. Mount Baker Theatre is a symbol of Bellingham’s thriving local community. Hundreds of volunteers come together to organize amazing live performances at the theatre.
Mount Baker Theatre is located in the downtown area, in Bellingham’s Arts District. The theatre has three separate venues that host national and local performances. The theatre’s Main Stage auditorium is a sight to behold.
The theatre hosts a wide variety of events like comedy specials, plats, musicals, magic shows, and instrumentalists. In addition, Missoula Children’s Theatre Camp is also organized by Mount Baker Theatre.
Golf at the Lake Padden Park
Bellingham is a scenic town. The region is blessed with some of the most gorgeous mountain and lake views of the country. A game of golf is a very exciting way to enjoy the beautiful landscapes of Bellingham. Lake Padden Park has its very own public golf course with quick 18 holes.
The golf course is an ideal place to visit with your friends and family. There are enough options for beginners and advanced players of golf. Lake Padden Park has several hiking trails that carve through the woods. You can explore mountain biking, hiking, and walking around these trails. You can take a break from these adventures and also enjoy paddling in Lake Padden as the sunsets.
Skiing at Mount Baker
Truly, Bellingham is famous all across the world for its deep powder snow. This rich snow has made the region a popular favorite among ski enthusiasts. You must visit the Mount Baker ski area to explore snow activities like skiing, skating, and snowshoeing.
The ski area is more than 1000 acres wide, blessed with Mount Baker’s exciting slopes. The gorgeous backdrop of the mountains makes outdoor activities very thrilling. There are more than 600 inches of snowfall in the region every year. This allows the terrains to be fresh and perfect for snow activities.
During your stay in Bellingham, you can participate in the Mount baker Film Festival or the Legendary Banked Slalom race that takes place every year in February. Sports enthusiasts from all across the world visit the region during the winter months.
Scientific explorations at the SPARK Museum of Electrical Invention
Traveling is one of the best ways of nurturing our curiosity. Visiting new places enables us to know more about different cultures and their rich histories. Science museums are eye-opening all across the world. The SPARK Museum of Bellingham is a delightful establishment that curates many scientific displays.
This museum is also known as the Museum of Radio and Electricity by the local community. It has many displays about modern scientific explorations and achievements. You can visit the interactive museum to know more about the history of electronics.
SPARK Museum is famous for its five prominent collections. These collections are permanent, available on display throughout the year. They cover several important scientific topics like the birth of electricity and the golden age of radio.
In addition to these exhibitions, the museum also has recreations of the first light bulbs, vintage radios, and a nine-foot-long Tesla Coil. The MegZapper Electrical Show is a crowd-pulling event that is attended by many people, it takes place every Saturday and Sunday.
A game of basketball at the Whatcom Falls Park
Whatcom Falls Park is located towards the eastern edge of Bellingham. It is 240 acres wide and is a popular city park. The park has several exciting hiking trails, maintained by the staff. Moreover, the park is home to four exciting waterfalls that are connected to the Whatcom Creek in the park.
Furthermore, you can begin your exploration of the park by joining the Whatcom Creek Trail Loop. The region has several picnic spots, basketball courts, sitting areas, and other essential facilities. The Stone Bridge is an aesthetic viewpoint where you can click many memorable pictures.
Mountain Biking at the Galbraith Park
Galbraith Mountain is a breathtaking part of Bellingham. Galbraith Mountain Bike Park celebrates the scenic beauty of this mountain. There are as many as 50 mountain bike trails that you can embark upon. Of course, these trails are regularly groomed and maintained by the local staff.
You can also explore the hiking trails in the region. The park is taken care of by the Whatcom Mountain Bike Coalition, hence it is a safe and fun place to visit. You can enter the region either via the north entrance on Birch street or via the southern entrance near Samish Way.
Swimming at Boulevard Park
Boulevard Park is an urban park that was established in Bellingham in 1980. It is home to a 500 ft long beautiful boardwalk that extends into Bellingham Bay. The boardwalk area is known as Taylor Dock and it is one of the most picturesque places in Bellingham.
This is a perfect romantic getaway for visitors to Bellingham. The park has several facilities like mini beaches, a coffee house, a children’s playground, picnic spots, and a parking area. This place is perfect if you wish to cook a fresh meal outdoors with your friends and family.
You can plan a bayfront picnic with your group before you visit Boulevard Park. Swimming in Bellingham Bay as the sun sets is a splendid outdoor activity you can undertake.
Please also read about the best things to do in Washington State.
Listen to a history lecture at the Whatcom Museum
Washington is home to several Indigenous Nations. Whatcom Museum was established in the year 1892 to celebrate the indigenous and local history of Bellingham. The museum is located in the downtown region of the city.
This is a beautiful museum, built in the late Victorian-era style. The museum has several exhibitions that display the culture and art of the region. Whatcom museum organizes several functions, seminars, and entertainment programs throughout the year.
The museum displays the rich history of Native America. The galleries pay a tribute to the clothing, artwork, and social life of the past. There are several exhibitions that are dedicated to local wildlife as well. You can join a professional tour of the museum to know more about its artifacts.
Buy local handicrafts at the Bellingham Farmers’ Market
Bellingham has a thriving local community. They host elaborate farmers’ markets every Wednesday and Saturday. The farmers market is set up at the Depot Market Square, near downtown Bellingham.
It is a great place to go to if you wish to purchase local produce for the duration of your stay in the city. They sell fresh fruits, vegetables, and artisan foods- straight from the farms. In addition to being a food market, they also have a wide variety of stalls for artwork.
The stalls of the farmer’s market sell handicrafts, accessories, jewelry, clothes, shoes, and other items built by the local artists. The streets of the market are simmering with local culture and food. There are many street performances that you can witness during your visit.
The framers market holds several live cooking demonstrations as well. You can get a chance to know more about the culinary history of the region here. Visitors can also enjoy a full-body massage at affordable rates at the farmers’ market.
Visit the Big Rock Sculpture Garden
A stroll in a garden is always a rejuvenating experience. Big Rock Garden in Bellingham is one of the best garden parks in the city. It has many tranquil pathways and a collection of more than 30 sculptures!
Notable artists of the region have designed the sculptures of Big Rock Sculpture Garden. A proactive staff takes care of the sculptures.
You can take a walk along the length and breadth of the park to see that they come in all mediums- bronze, granite, steel, concrete, and more. All travelers can take a break and jog here, or play a game of cards at the gazebo. This is also a fun place to relax with your favorite book. Visit the Big Rock Sculpture Garden to experience the best of history and adventure.
Try local beer at the Fairhaven Stones Throw Brewery, Bellingham
Freshly brewed alcohol with a scenic backdrop is why we go on vacations! Bellingham is home to several breathtaking sites, and it also has the Fairhaven Stones Throw Brewery. This is a local favorite brewery, visited by enthusiasts across the region.
The brewery is a great venue for parties and get-togethers. You can let the staff take care of the alcohol and the food as your and your peers enjoy fresh beer. The brewery has its own outdoor seating area, a pet-friendly zone, and a garden patio.
During the long winters, you can sit by the fire pit or enjoy an outdoor barbeque. Grab a tall glass of wine at the brewery after a long day of exploring Bellingham. The brewery is accompanied by several food trucks that offer Indian, Mexican, and other mouth-watering cuisines.
Discover the flora of Bellingham at the Sehome Hill Arboretum
An arboretum is a place that houses living collections of plants, especially woody plants that can be scientifically studied. The Sehome Hill Arboretum is a unique green haven in the middle of the city. It is more than 180 acres wide and has public trails that can go on for up to 5 miles!
This place has countless plant species, a conservation area for the special flora of the region. You can climb the observation tower here, hoisted at a thrilling 80 feet above the ground. Exotic species of native plants also outline the tunnel in the park.
Marine explorations at the Marine Life Center Bellingham
Bellingham is a coastal town. It has its very own Marine Life Center which is an aquarium located on the shores of Bellingham Bay. This aquarium is home to several unique fish species, conserved in their natural habitat.
This is one of the best free-of-cost adventures you can enjoy in Bellingham. This aquarium is famous for its sean anemone, octopi, hermit crabs, sea cucumbers, and many other animal species. You will see all the images of fish you have seen come alive, right in front of your eyes!
Sightseeing at the Mount Baker Highway
The Mount Baker Highway extends from Bellingham city to the snow-capped mountain top of Mount Baker. It is an old highway, built in the nineteenth century. It is a historically relevant region, home to the logging trade industry of Bellingham.
The corridor will take you to the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. This is an evergreen forest area that will leave you awe-inspired with its beauty. Around the corner, the Artist Point offers stellar views of Mount Baker during the summers and in the winters, the highway will help you reach the Mount Baker ski area.
Taste delicious ice cream at Mallard Ice Cream Bellingham
Mallard Ice Cream is a vintage ice cream shop that seems to be straight out of a fairy tale. It has very cozy interiors and a pleasantly surprising collection of rubber ducks. The shop produces fresh ice cream made out of local ingredients every day.
In fact, the shop offers a wide assortment of flavors that you can choose from. The peppermint, chocolate and cookie, and cream flavors are present throughout the year. They periodically serve original recipes for the sour cream apple pie, drunk cherry, and triple nut crunch as well!
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