Bellingham is a waterfront city with lively music, theatre and literary scenes, along with a range of renowned breweries and annual festivals. As well as contemporary art and historical museums, Bellingham grants convenient access to some of Washington’s best state parks and mountain hiking.
Things to do in Bellingham
Bellingham is the perfect destination for cosmopolitan travellers seeking a rich modern culture, thanks to its numerous live music venues and beloved local bookstores, such as Village Books. Theatregoers will appreciate the city’s love for the theatrical arts, especially at the historic Bellingham Theatre Guild, Moorish-style Mount Baker Theatre and award-winning iDiOM Theatre, which specialises in independent shows.
Bellingham’s downtown neighbourhood is constantly abuzz throughout the week, especially on Saturdays for the local Bellingham Farmers Market and on Wednesdays during the Downtown Sounds. The latter takes place during summer and features food stalls, beer gardens and live music. Don’t forget about the Commercial Street Night Market between May and September, which boasts artisan vendors, local musicians and craft stalls.
Nature lovers have numerous sightseeing experiences to choose from, including the central Whatcom Falls Park, which has a fishing pond, waterfalls, manicured gardens and playgrounds. Those who prefer the coast should visit Larrabee State Park for calm bay waters, freshwater lakes and biking trails.
Are you keen on a physical challenge? Venture slightly outside of Bellingham to take on the Chuckanut Mountains, which can be traversed on foot or with a mountain bike. You can combine history with riverside tranquillity at Hovander Homestead, where a historic house and antique harvesting equipment sit alongside cute farm animals.
Getting around Bellingham
Bellingham is about 15 minutes’ drive from Bellingham International Airport and about 2.5 hours’ drive north of Seattle. The city is serviced by a number of Amtrak trains and long-distance buses, as well as airport shuttles and ferries. Taxis also offer transport around Bellingham.