Bellingham
Bellingham is a city in the North Cascades region of Washington State.
Understand
The City of Bellingham (aka the City of Subdued Excitement) is the northernmost city in the contiguous 48 states. This is not widely known, as the state of Maine in the Northeast often appears to be further north on many maps. It was formed in 1903 when the cities of New Whatcom and Fairhaven consolidated from what were once four separate settlements. The local economy got its start in resource extraction, notably coal and timber. The Georgia-Pacific mill on the waterfront, whose site is now being redeveloped into a dynamic mixed-use neighborhood, sustained the local economy for many years. Recently employment has diversified from heavy industry to education, services, tourism, and retail.
Situated on Bellingham Bay, you can venture from downtown and in minutes be in rural farmland, the North Cascades or out on the salt waters around the San Juan Islands. Bellingham is situated about 80 miles North of Seattle and 55 miles South of Vancouver, BC. Bellingham is the seat of Whatcom County.
The historic Fairhaven District at the south end of the city is probably the most tourist-oriented area, with a number of nice shops and restaurants. Many of the buildings in Fairhaven date back to the late 19th and early 20th century. Beautiful historic homes overlook the bay from the South Hill neighborhood, just north of Fairhaven. Western Washington University on the flank of Sehome Hill boasts an outdoor sculpture garden and adjoins the Sehome Hill Arboretum, with a number of trails and a lookout tower at the top. Downtown lies to the north of the University. Although less touristy than Fairhaven, it is still vibrant during regular business hours, and caters to college revelers at night.
Culture
Environmentally friendly practices, such as recycling, are part of the culture here. Bellingham is known for being a town that cares for its environment and its residents enjoy the many outdoor activities the region supports. Outdoor adventure is a key reason why people live and visit here. Activities range from skiing on nearby Mt. Baker to whale watching near the San Juan Islands.
The city's downtown has a variety of locally owned businesses, fine dining and nightlife options. It is also the cultural core of the city, with an eclectic mix of museums and performance venues all within blocks of each other. Coffee is a way of life in the Northwest, and Bellingham certainly has its share of local espresso stands.
Western Washington University attracts students from across the region to Bellingham. This keeps the city relatively young and vibrant, and contributes to an unusually rich local cultural scene. WWU is also home to one of the largest & finest collections of outdoor sculpture on the West Coast, featuring works of internationally renowned artists including Richard Serra, Isamu Noguchi, Beverly Pepper and Anthony Caro.
While the community is growing, it still retains much of its authentic self and its commitment to a laid back, progressive style.
Get in
Visit the Tourism Bureau's transporation page for more information on accessing Bellingham and travel within the region.
By plane
- Bellingham International Airport (BLI). has scheduled flights to Seattle, Las Vegas, and beginning January 2011, Honolulu, through Horizon Air and Alaska Airlines. Allegiant Air has service to Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Oakland, Palm Springs (seasonal), Phoenix, and San Diego. Frontier Airlines has service to Denver. San Juan Airlines has commuter flights to the island towns of Eastsound, Friday Harbor, Lopez, and Roche Harbor, plus Vancouver, Canada.
Major national rental car agencies at the Bellingham Airport include Avis, Hertz, Budget and Enterprise. For information on airport parking call +1 360 676-6286. The parking rate is $9 per 24 hour period.
By train
- Amtrak (Fairhaven Transportation Center), 401 Harris Avenue (I-5 Exit 250) (Take the bus number 401 from the train station to downtown Bellingham.). Amtrak Cascades offers service to Seattle, Portland, Eugene and Vancouver, Canada.
By car
Access to Bellingham is primarily from the seven exits off Interstate 5, although travelers using the Lynden/Aldergrove border crossing will arrive via State Route 539, a.k.a Guide Meridian. Fairhaven is served by Exit 250, and downtown is served by Exit 253 Lakeway Drive.
A scenic alternative when coming from the south is Chuckanut Drive (State Route 11), a winding road that follows the side of Chuckanut Mountain along the water overlooking the San Juan Islands. Turn off I-5 at Exit 231, reach the village of Bow at State Route 11, and turn right (north). Expect to take an extra twenty minutes to reach downtown. This route is also popular with cyclists (warning: narrow shoulders) and has been used frequently for national car commercials.
Another rural alternative in the eastern part of the county is State Route 9, which parallels Interstate 5 and can be accessed south of Whatcom County via Skagit County. This route carves through a valley east of Stewart Mountain and the Mt. baker foothills. On a two lane highway, you pass through small towns and by various farms, follow the south fork of the Nooksack River, and end up at the border community of Sumas on the U.S. and Canadian border. Be sure to stop in at Everybody's Store in Van Zandt for unique provisions and treats. To connect back to Bellingham, visitors should go west on Highway 542 when it intersects with Highway 9.
By bus
- Greyhound buses. arrive at the Fairhaven Transportation Center at the south end of town.
- Quick Shuttle buses. provides services from Vancouver and Seattle to the Bellingham Airport. From the Bellingham airport call the WTA in advance to book Bus #50 to take you into town or take a taxi from the airport.
- Whatcom Transportation Authority (WTA). buses provide service to the Bellingham bus station, which in turn provides service to most of the city as well as a number of towns in Whatcom County. Some buses travel as far north as Blaine (near the Canadian border) and as far south as Mount Vernon (in Skagit County).
- Airporter Shuttle/Bellair Charters. provides scheduled coach transportation from NW Washington to and from Sea/Tac Airport with connections to the Anacortes Ferry, Bellingham Airport, Mt. Vernon, Marysville and other points. Charter service available.
By boat
- Alaska State Ferry. offers weekly sailings between Fairhaven and Alaska for passengers and vehicles .
Get around
You can get around on foot within the Fairhaven district, downtown, and the University, but transportation between these areas is best by bicycle, car, or bus.
By car
Parking is 75¢ per hour downtown, and notably more expensive at the University. On-street parking is available at most hours, except in resident parking areas, and there are some free lots. Downtown Bellingham, though small, is something of a maze, with many odd angles and one-way streets. It may be helpful to have a detailed map handy when navigating this area. Free maps are available at the Visitor Center just off I-5 at exit 253. Some Whatcom County roads outside of Bellingham are referred to by locals with a preceding the: Guide Meridian is "The Guide," and so on.
Because traffic is relatively light and parking is relatively easy, most locals get around by car. Many students, some ecologically-minded souls, and other people walk, ride a bicycle, or use the local buses.
- Fountain Rental & Leasing, ☏ +1 360-733-7420. A family-run business with multiple types of vehicles for rent at affordable rates. In line with Bellingham's culture, they even offer electric cars for rent.
By bus
- WTA, ☏ +1 360-676-7433. $3.00 for a day pass.
By bicycle
There is a network of bike and pedestrian paths, with a map available online. Riding a bicycle upon a sidewalk in a business district is prohibited.
By taxi
- Designated Taxi, ☏ +1 360 201-0700. This local taxi company caters to Bellingham's lifestyle by providing bike racks on all of their hybrid, smoke free, cabs.
- Pacific Sea Taxi, 1 Bellwether Way, ☏ +1 360 393-7123, sean@pstaxi.com. Provides water taxi service between Bellingham and the San Juan Islands on a 30', 12-passenger motor boat. Price depends on number of people in boat, and distance of destination. Departs from the marina on Bellwether Way, to the north of downtown. $20-110/person; $28-50/person for 3-person group.
By powered wheelchair
Powered wheelchairs can give some visitors better mobility, but are difficult to transport on airliners. They can be rented from some stores, and a few are available for a donation from the local Lion's Club charity.
- Lion's Club Mobility Equipment Warehouse, 4141 Maplewood Ave, ☏ +1 360 752-5526. Mon, Th 9AM-11:30AM. An assortment of powered wheelchairs are available to visitors and residents alike. Also scooters, walkers, unpowered wheelchairs, commodes, crutches, and more. Donations accepted at the warehouse or by mail to Bellingham Central Lions, P.O. Box 602, Bellingham, WA 98227. Free, donations accepted, $100 deposit.
See
- Eldridge Ave Historical District.
- Hannigan Speedway.
- Lairmont Manor, 405 Fieldstone Road. A 1913 mansion built by Charles Xavier Larabee, a founder of Fairhaven.
- Lake Padden, 4882 Samish Way (A couple miles southeast of town), ☏ +1 360 676-6985. 6AM-10PM daily. Motor boats are banned on this smaller lake, so it is ideal for relaxed kayaking, rowing, or swimming. The lake can be circled on shady paths in an hour or so of easy walking. Lake Padden also offers the best off leash dog park in the county with two acres of completely fenced area for dogs to run and socialize.
- Lake Whatcom. This lake lies to the East of the City. It is a 9.2-mile long lake that also serves as a drinking water reservoir for about 88,000 local residents. Bloedel-Donovan park offers a swimming area, and the North Lake Whatcom trail offers a good view of the less-developed half of the lake.
- Maritime Heritage Center, 2014 C St, ☏ +1 360 676-6806.
- The Mount Baker Theatre, 104 N. Commercial St, ☏ +1 360 734-6080. Built in 1927, is listed on the register of National Historic Places; its Moorish style architecture is a vibrant setting for Broadway shows, family programs, and rock acts.
- Roeder Home, 2600 Sunset Dr, ☏ +1 360 733-6897.
- Spark Museum of Electrical Innovation, 1312 Bay St, ☏ +1 360 738-3886. Houses a collection of over 1,000 vintage radios and offers visitors the chance to listen to old radio programs from the 1930's as well as a glimpse into a replica of the Titanic's radio room.
- Up Front Theatre, 1200 Bay St, ☏ +1 360 733-8855, info@theupfront.com. Th-Sa 19:30h and 21:30h. Founded by local improv comic Ryan Stiles, this theatre offers a mixture of improvisational comedy shows by local and touring performers. See the web site for details about current shows. Generally, the earlier show is more kid-friendly. The Up Front also offers classes in improv comedy. $10 ($8 with student ID).
- Whatcom Children's Museum, 227 Prospect St. Tue., Wed., and Sun. 12PM-5PM, Thur.-Sat. 10AM-5PM. admission $3.50/person.
- Whatcom Museum of History and Art, 121 Prospect St, ☏ +1 360 676-6981. Tue.-Sun. 10AM-5PM. Housed in the 1892 Old City Hall Building, a major red-brick presence in downtown, this museum has fixed collections of artwork and local history artifacts, plus some visiting exhibitions. The museum is also in three other buildings, which are also on Prospect Street between Central Avenue and Champion Street. The other buildings are: Syre Education Center, 201 Prospect Street, Photo archive open Wed.-Fri. 1PM-4:45PM, other parts open by appointment, admission free; ARCO Exhibits Building, 206 Prospect Street, Tue.-Sun. 12PM-5PM, admission free. Admission Free.
- Whatcom Falls Park, 1401 Electric Ave.. Open daily from dawn to dusk. A beautiful park at the center of the city with a depression-era sandstone bridge overlooking Whatcom Falls, a cascade of water that drops 20 feet directly towards the city, down to Whatcom Creek. Numerous paths connect to the city's system of bicycle and pedestrian trails. Part of this park was the site of a massive pipeline explosion in 1999.
Do
- Deming Log Show. Watch loggers perform daredevil maneuvers and feats of strength, and check out the equipment and truck displays.
- Scottish Highland Games.
- Ski to Sea. A historical race held in Bellingham. The race has been held annually since 1973. It consists of an eight man team that travels 85 miles from Mount Baker to Bellingham Bay, each individual does a different event. The events start with cross-country skiing, then it goes to downhill skiing, running, bicycling, canoeing, mountain biking and sea kayaking. The actual Ski to Sea takes place on Memorial Day weekend on Sunday May 27th. There are many other fun family activities leading up to the race also on Memorial Day weekend, such as parades, art shows, and boat shows. The weekend prior to the main race on May 20th, is the Junior Ski to Sea Race. This is a wonderful activity for all the kids.
- Whatcom Wine Tours, ☏ +1 360 224-7034. Saturdays and Sundays, Tours begin between 11-11:30AM, and guests are returned to their home or hotel between 4:30 and 5PM. Whatcom Wine Tours, a locally owned company, provides wine tasting tours to Whatcom County’s boutique wineries. Each tour includes guest pickup and drop off at a home or hotel, lunch, and a souvenir wine glass. Group tours are available. Each tour includes a visit to three wineries. There are currently nine boutique wineries in Whatcom County, also known as the Whatcom Wine Trail. $55-65 per person, depending on pickup location.
Festivals
- April Brews Day. Bellingham's biggest party. On the last Saturday in April every year, this benefit event brings in local brewers (and some not-so-local) for a 5-hour-long beer tasting bash. Nearly two dozen brewers compete for judges' and people's choice awards. Proceeds go to the local Max Higbee Center, which provides recreational opportunities for the developmentally disabled.
- Chalk Art Festival. An August weekend festival in which people of all ages and skill levels are let loose to draw on the sidewalks of Downtown. Drawings are judged in various categories. It is amazing to walk through downtown in the weeks following and watch the chalk slowly wear away.
- Mt. Baker Blues Festival. Voted best blues event in the state, featuring three days of national and international blues and R&B acts.
- .
- True/False Film Festival.
Water
- Bellingham Sailing.
- Elakah Expeditions. Sea kayak tours. Day trips in Bellingham and multi-day trips in the San Juan Islands.
- Gato Verde Adventure Sailing. Sailing on the first plug in diesel electric hybrid charter boat on the West Coast
- Rosy Custom Cruises. Offers a personalized and private way to experience some of the area's lesser known islands
- Whale Watching. Island Mariner Cruises
Learn
Work
Major employers in Whatcom county represent about 25% of the total jobs in the county. The city encourages small business development and small businesses make up a large percentage of employment. The top ten employers in the county are:
- Alcoa Intalco Works
- Bellingham School District
- Bellis Fair Mall
- BP/Cherry Point Refinery
- Brown & Cole, Inc.
- Georgia-Pacific Corporation
- Haggen Foods
- ConocoPhillips Company
- St. Joseph Hospital
- Western Washington University
Buy
A major retail center is the Guide-Meridian Street, off I-5 in the North end of town. This includes Bellis Fair Mall and a variety of strip malls and major retail outlets.
For those in search of something authentic, downtown Bellingham and the historic district of Fairhaven offer a number of small one-of-a-kind shops, restaurants, bakeries and unique services. Nearby communities like Lynden and Ferndale are smaller, but have some interesting retail and dining options. Throughout the region there are seasonal produce stands and orchards that offer locally grown items.
- Farmers' Market. Located downtown at the corner of Railroad and Chestnut. Saturdays from April through October, 10AM-3PM. Pick up local fruits, vegetables, and meats (many organics) for a barbeque. Try any of the prepared food stalls for a quick and easy lunch. Though still called a farmers' market, there are several craft and souvenir tables as well.
- Vartanyan Estate Winery, 1628 Huntley Rd (I-5, exit 255, Mt Baker HWY-3 miles,left on Noon Rd-less than 1 mile, left on Huntley Rd.), ☏ +1 360 756-6770, +1 360 393-7633. Just 5 minutes from exit 255 I-5 there is a boutique Winery with its excellent wines to enjoy. Small, women owned and operated winery by Margarita Vartanyan produces some of the finest limited edition wines. Share the beauty and the bounty of magnificent Mount Baker view from Tasting Room/Gallery or outside patio with the fireplace. Sample wonderful wines and check the art of local artists!
- Village Books, 1200 11th St. Bellingham's largest independent bookstore.
Eat
| This page uses the following price ranges for a typical meal for one, including soft drink: | |
| Budget | less than $10 |
| Mid-range | $10 to 25 |
| Splurge | $25 or more |
Budget
- The Bagelry, 1319 Railroad (Between Holly and Magnolia), ☏ +1 360 676-5288, fax: +1 360 676-9703, info@thebagelry.biz. M-F 6:30AM–5PM; Sat 7:30AM–4PM; Su 8AM–3PM. 13 kinds of bagels, baked fresh on the premises. 12 cream cheese spreads. Bagel-based sandwiches and omelettes for breakfast, lunch, and snacks. Plenty of tables for eating with friends, rapid service for take-out. A twenty-year history in the community. The Bagelry is a great place for a bagel. Bagels $0.85, sandwiches $4.35-6.05, omelettes $4.85-6.45.
- 1 The Daisy Café, 114 W. Magnolia St., #102 (at Cornwall Street), ☏ +1 360 733-8996. Mon–Fri 7:30AM–2:30PM, Sat–Sun 7:30AM–2PM. Breakfasts (pancakes, omelettes, and the like) and lunches (burgers, pizzas, and the like) in a bright, friendly environment. $7-11.
- Mallard Ice Cream, 1323 Railroad Ave, ☏ +1 360 734-3884. M-W 8:30AM-10PM, Th-F 8:30AM-11PM, Sa 11AM-11PM, Su 11AM-10PM. Located in downtown. Serves a wide variety of ice cream and other deserts. Favorite of locals, and the servers are very friendly.
- Rudy's Pizzeria, 1230 N. State, ☏ +1 360 647-7547. M-Th 11:00-23:00h, Fri 11:00-24:00h, Sat 12:00-24:00h, Sunday 16:00-22:00h, free delivery starting at 17:00h (12:00h Saturdays). Located in a converted bar with hardwood floors, giving it an ambience somewhere between beer hall and coffee house. A wide range of toppings, from "Avocado" to "Zucchini", plus Taco, Greek, and White pizzas. Friendly, low-key service. Great for groups with appetites. Single pizza slice + drink + salad $6; pizza "pocket" $6-10; full sized, single topping pizza $10-20.
- The Swan Café & Deli, 1220 N. Forest and 315 Westerly Rd, ☏ +1 360 734-8158. 7:00-21:00h. Located in the Community Food Co-op The Swan Cafe offers a variety of healthy organic food with numerous vegetarian dishes and an in-house bakery with options for those with allergies or other dietary restrictions. $8-10.
- Taco Lobo, 117 W Magnolia St (downtown). A great place to get fresh, inexpensive Mexican food and many kinds of homemade salsa. It's the best Mexican in town.
Mid-range
- 2 Asian 1, 4285 Meridian St #101 (North of Bellis Fair, in shopping center with CostCo, on Meridian side of parking lot), ☏ +1 360 752-2422, fax: +1 360 752-2423, feedback@padthai.us. Sun–Thu 11AM-9:30PM, Fri-Sat 11AM-10PM, closed some holidays. Don't be unnerved by the curious presence of sushi in a Thai restaurant. The tasty menu has some interesting touches, such as the option of dishes made with Splenda instead of sugar, and a range of vegan and vegetarian items. The large dining room includes a cocktail bar and sushi bar. Rises above the uninspiring standards of Bellis Fair-Guide Meridian area restaurants. $10-15/person.
- Boundary Bay Brewery and Bistro, 1107 Railroad Ave, ☏ +1 360 647-5593, fax: +1 360 671-5897. Opens 11AM daily. This brewery, bar, and restaurant is a good place for a drink or food. Minors are welcome in the restaurant. Seafood, steaks, and Mexican food on the menu. Try the beer sampler with a friend to get an idea of all the brews they produce. $8-25.
- The Colophon Cafe, 1208 11th St, ☏ +1 360 647-0092. M-Sa, 9AM-10PM. Serves soups, salads, sandwiched, and others. Located in wonderful, historic Fairhaven. Also has great desserts! $7-15.
- Diego's Mexican Grill, 300 N. Samish Way, ☏ +1 360 714-9426. Winter hours: M-Sa, 11AM-9PM, Sunday 11:30AM-8PM. Summer hours: M-Th 11AM-10PM, F-Sa 11AM-11PM, Su 11AM-9PM. Popular eating spot for university students, excellent salsa, free wi-fi!
- Dos Padres, 1111 Harris Ave, ☏ +1 360 733-9900. Su-Th 11AM-9PM, F-Sa 11AM-10PM, Bar until midnight daily. Standard Mexican food such as fajitas, burritos, and so on. The restaurant side is comfortable and relaxed. Note the separate bar entrance to the right if you are mainly interested in the margaritas. The building was extensivly damaged by fire but re-opened Nov '07.
- Horseshoe Cafe, 113 E. Holly St, ☏ +1 360 734-0380. The. located on Holly Street since 1886, is an old-fashioned diner with breakfast most of the day and burgers for lunch and dinner, enough modern sensibility to offer free wireless internet access, and waitstaff that call you "honey" and/or sport the latest piercings. Reasonably priced. $7-15.
- La FiAMMA Wood Fire Pizza, 200 E. Chestnut (at Railroad Ave in downtown), ☏ +1 360 647-0060. Mo-Th 11AM-9:30PM, Fr-Sa 11AM-10PM, Su 12PM-9:30PM. Excellent pizza in loud, friendly environment. $10-25.
- Mount Bakery, 308C West Champion, ☏ +1 360 715-2195. M-F 08:30-16:30h. A crêperie crossed with a café. Eggs Benedict breakfast $10.55 (served all day), Crepes with soup, salad, or potatoes $8.95, quiche, salads. Family owned and operated by Olivier Vrambout. Their "slow food" approach allows gastronomic pleasure and fun with the waiters, but means a lunch can take two hours. 15% off any one item when you arrive by bike. Cash or checks only, no credit cards. $10-20.
- Old Town Café, 316 W Holly St (between Champion and Bay streets), ☏ +1 360 671-4431. M-Sa 7AM-3PM, Su 8AM-2AM. One of the local hot-spots for weekend breakfasts, they offer a diner menu. A rich assortment of pancakes, omelettes, and home fries for breakfast. Sandwiches and grilled items for lunch. Plenty of vegetarian, organic, and locally-sourced options. They don't take reservations, so sign your name on the wait list and sit on the bench (or at the kids play area) until your turn comes up. breakfast $10-15.
- Skylarks Hidden Cafe, 1308 11th St, ☏ +1 360 715-3642. In the historic Fairhaven district serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner and has a late night menu. Courtyard dining next to the fire is a nice option on cool, spring evenings. Sometimes has live music. $7-23.
- Tony's Coffee (12th Street in Fairhaven District).
Splurge
- San Juan Cruises, 355 Harris Avenue #104 (Fairhaven District / Bellingham Cruise Terminal), ☏ +1 360 738-8099. Chuckanut Cracked Crab dinner cruises, wine and beer tasting cruises, and a full-day San Juan Adventure tour that includes whale watching, lunch and a 2-hour stop in Friday Harbor. $25-99 / adult.
Drink
Sleep
| This guide uses the following price ranges for a standard double room: | |
| Budget | less than $80 |
| Mid-range | $80 to $150 |
| Splurge | $150 or more |
Budget
- EconoLodge Inn & Suites, 3750 Meridian (just off of I-5 at the Bellis Fair Mall exit), ☏ +1 360 671-4600. $59–99.
- Rodeway Inn, 3710 Meridian, ☏ +1 360 738-6000. A Choice Hotel. $59–99.
Mid-range
- Best Western Lakeway Inn, 714 Lakeway Dr, ☏ +1 360 671-1011. A full service hotel including two restaurants, a martini bar, indoor pool and hot tub. "The Lakeway" is often used for conventions and meetings. Prices range from $99 to over $159.
- 1 Comfort Inn, 4282 Meridian St, ☏ +1 360 738-1100, comfort@baronhm.com. Comfortable rooms for business or leisure travel. Offers and indoor pool, spa, and sauna. Free wireless internet, local phone calls, and local newspaper. Close to Bellis Fair mall. $109-179.
- 2 GuestHouse Inn, 805 Lakeway Dr, ☏ +1 360 671-9600, toll-free: +1-800-214-8378, fax: +1 360-671-8323. Serves both tourists and business travellers. Free wireless internet. Free hot continental breakfast. Some pet-friendly rooms. $105-115.
Splurge
- The Chrysalis Inn and Spa, 804 10th St, ☏ +1 360 756-1005. A waterfront boutique hotel with day spa facilities and wine bar within walking distance to the Fairhaven Historic district. With oversized jetted tubs in each room and one of the most complete spa menus in the Northwest this is the place to go for a pampered stay.
- 3 Fairhaven Village Inn, 1200 10th St, ☏ +1 360 733-1311. Charming, unique Inn four blocks from the ferry and train stations in Bellingham's historic Fairhaven district. Restaurants, live music, and boutique shopping, all right out the front door, with Western Washington University just over a mile away. Complimentary breakfast, private parking, and wireless internet. Bayside rooms have a fireplace and a small balcony overlooking the harbor. Fresh cookies everyday at 3 and tea and coffee in the library. AAA and WWU rates. $159 and up.
- Hotel Bellwether, One Bellwether Way, ☏ +1 360 392-100, toll-free: +1-877-411-1200. High-end lodging on the waterfront with walking access to fine dining, specialty shops.
- Schnauzer Crossing, 4421 Lakeway Dr, ☏ +1 360 734-2808, +1 360 733-0055, toll-free: +1-800-562-2808, fax: +1 360 734-2808, lodging@schnauzercrossing.com. Check-in: 4PM-6PM or by arrangement, check-out: 11AM. Enjoy lake views from the veranda as you eat a truly amazing breakfast cooked fresh with local ingredients. This small B&B has one double room, one suite, one detached cottage, and an outdoor hot tub jacuzzi. The owners have taken great care in furnishing the rooms in this long established inn. As the name implies, be prepared to be greeted by a schnauzer or two on arrival. The dogs are trained and very well behaved around guests. $140-225 ($30 extra for a third guest in rooms).
Stay safe
Crime
The crime rate is relatively low for an urban area by American standards. Violent crime perpetrated by strangers is nearly unheard of, but property crime is more common. If you are parked at a trailhead or in a park, keep your valuables out of sight, or better yet leave them where you're staying.
There are few areas of the city that couldn't be considered safe at all hours of the day and night. The downtown bar scene sometimes attracts a drunk and somewhat rowdy crowd at night, and a few street corners downtown attract groups of loiterers that have occasionally become belligerent. But overall no unusual precautions need be taken. Certain areas in Alabama neighbourhood should be avoided.
Rail/Trail Crossings
When hiking in the area it's not unusual to have to cross the railroad tracks that hug the shoreline south of the city, or in some cases walk along the tracks (though both are technically considered trespassing). Be sure to stay alert; while the numerous freight trains that pass through make plenty of noise, the passenger trains are surprisingly quiet and can easily sneak up on an unwary hiker.
Cope
Bellingham's winters are often long and rainy, and it's the northernmost city of its size in the lower 48 states. If you visit between the months of October and May be prepared for a good deal of wind and precipitation.
Go next
- Mount Baker: A glacier-covered volcano with a popular outdoor recreation area and ski resort, located east of Bellingham on Mount Baker Highway, Highway 542.
- Chuckanut Mountains has numerous hiking trails exist south of the city. Lookout (Galbraith) Mountain offers some of the best mountain biking in the area. Chuckanut Drive (state route 11) is a scenic drive leading south of Bellingham overlooking the Salish Sea, while hugging the cliffs of these mountains
- North Lake Whatcom Trail is a treat on hot summer days, as it has numerous spots to take a dip in the lake or just take in the scenery. Follow North Shore Drive nearly to the end and follow the signs to the trail head. Come early, as the insects can be a bit overwhelming in the evening.
- Bellingham Bay and the local rivers and lakes provide for some great boating opportunities. Rent a sailboat or kayak on the Bay or Lake Whatcom. Join a charter trip to the stunning San Juan Islands or Victoria. Watch the mighty Orca whales glide majestically in their home waterways. Take an exhilarating raft trip on the Nooksack River. Spending time on the water is a great way to experience Bellingham.
- North Cascades Highway: No major city in Washington has quicker access. Take I-5 south to exit 232 Cook Road, and turn left. Make another left turn when you meet the highway in the town of Sedro Woolley (4.5 miles).
- San Juan Islands by boat, or commuter plane from the airport
- Vancouver: Just an hour north of Bellingham across the border in Canada, this beautiful city hosted the 2010 Winter Olympics.
- Seattle: Surrounded by water, mountains and picturesque isles, this city has something for everyone. About 2 hours south of Bellingham on I-5.
| Routes through Bellingham |
| Vancouver ← Ferndale ← | N  S
|
→ Burlington → Seattle |
| Langley ← Lynden ← | N  S
|
→ END |
| Vancouver ← | N  S
|
→ Mount Vernon → Seattle |