5 Things to Do in Bellingham

When you live in Bellingham, there are so many options when it comes to entertainment. Here are just 5 of the many things to do in Bellingham, Washington.

One: Visit the Historic Fairhaven District

On the south side if the City of Bellingham is the Historic Fairhaven District. Fairhaven is famous for its colorful history in the 19th century. With a Chicago vision in mind, Fairhaven excitement was complete with hotels, taverns, an opera house, concert garden, restaurants and brothels. Today, Fairhaven is recognized with its historic buildings covered with red brick, and six blocks are federally designated as a historic district. This small-town feeling downtown area has many unique shops and local restaurants, such as the Abby Garden Tea Room, Creativitea, Village Books, the Black Cat, Archer Ale House, Dirty Dan Harris Steakhouse, Mambo Italiano, Harris Ave. Cafe and the Colophon Cafe just to name a few! Between shops and meals, take a minute to look at the gorgeous views of Bellingham Bay and the San Juan Islands.

Two:  Spend the day in Downtown Bellingham

The Downtown Bellingham area has something to offer families of all ages! Bellingham is a diverse city when it comes to age. The city is not only a college town, but also one of the top retirement communities in the U.S. The Downtown area has a mixture of everything for everyone to enjoy!  Dance clubs, bars and nightlife for the college and young adult crowd. Kid-friendly restaurants and places like Mallard Ice Cream and the Family Interactive Gallery in the Whatcom Museum for families with young children. Restaurants such as Temple Bar, Hearth Fire, Lighthouse Bar and Grill and Cliff House for a romantic night out with your loved one at any age. Downtown Bellingham also has many events throughout the year, including: Art walks, Farmer’s Markets, parades, Sky to Sea and many others! There are also several brewery’s in Bellingham, as well as delicious local restaurants, unique shops and of course coffee shops!

Three: Chuckanut Drive

Chuckanut Drive, or Route 11, is 21.28 miles of gorgeous, relaxing views of the Bellingham, Chuckanut and Samish Bays and beautiful, green wooded areas. Many locals also enjoy a variety of hiking and biking trails into the wooded areas and parks or down to the coast. There are also a few restaurants along the way, including: The Oyster Bar, Oyster Creek Inn and Chuckanut Manor Seafood & Grill. So take a drive, stop at the viewpoints for a hike or a picture and don’t forget to have a delicious meal along the way.

Four: Water Activities

When it comes to water sports, Bellingham has opportunities for all! Lake Whatcom and the Bellingham Bay offer great experiences for boating, kayaking, paddle boarding or swimming! The Boating Center offers several lessons for water sports as well as rentals! After you have a great day exercising on the water, why not relax on the Bay? The Bellingham Cruise Terminal has many themed evening dinner and wine cruises. Enjoy the gorgeous Pacific Northwest in Bellingham!

Five: Breweries

Bellingham and Beer definitely go hand in hand when it comes to the 21 and over community. Bellingham is home to several breweries such as Boundary Bay Brewery & Bistro, Chuckanut Brewery, Kulshan Brewery and the new Aslan Brewing Company and Wander Brewing. Bellingham has many local restaurants that feature these delicious brews. Boundary Bay Brewery & Bistro offers an atmosphere for everyone, in the taphouse, family-friendly bistro, outdoor deck or beer garden! Kulshan Brewery is “all about the beer” and has a tap room, a dartboard and a indoor or outdoor sitting area. Chuckanut Brewery features european style craft beers and locally influenced fresh American cuisine. Aslan Brewing Company and Wander Brewing are new to the Bellingham community and also soaring with popularity at their locations and in other local restaurants in town!

These are just five of the countless activities there is to enjoy! Owning a home or condo in Bellingham means that you have access to everything that Bellingham has to offer, all year long!