Bellingham
Around Bellingham
Photo: PersusjCP · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Metro area · Washington · 234k people
Bellingham
“City of Subdued Excitement”
Where the mountains meet the sea, and the coffee is always fresh.
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Welcome to Bellingham! Whether you're here for the mountain views, the craft beer, or the salty bay air, you'll find a community that loves the outdoors and good times. Grab a coffee, take a walk along the waterfront, and get ready to feel at home.
Clubs for Bellingham
No clubs for Bellingham yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Bellingham. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Bellingham. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Mount Baker Iconic snow-capped peak, a backdrop for the region.
- Whatcom Falls Park Waterfalls and trails along Whatcom Creek.
- Boulevard Park Boardwalk with views of Bellingham Bay.
- Fairhaven Historic District Brick buildings, shops, and restaurants.
- Western Washington University Public university with a scenic hilltop campus.
- Larrabee State Park First state park in Washington, on Chuckanut Drive.
- Outdoors Hiking on Chuckanut Mountain trails
- Outdoors Kayaking or paddleboarding in Bellingham Bay
- With kids Whatcom Falls Park playground and picnic areas
- With kids SPARK Museum of Electrical Invention
- Evenings Live music at the Wild Buffalo
- Evenings Brewery taprooms with outdoor seating
- Locals love Craft breweries and taprooms
- Locals love Coffee roasters and cafes
Through the year
- Ski to Sea Race May Relay race from Mount Baker to Bellingham Bay.
- Bellingham Bay Marathon September Scenic marathon along the waterfront.
- Whatcom County Fair August County fair with livestock, rides, and exhibits.
- Bellingham Festival of Music July Classical music performances with guest artists.
- Bellingham Beer Week April Celebration of local craft breweries.
Bellingham has a mild marine climate with wet winters and dry summers. The best time to be out is July through September when it's warm and sunny. Best: July through September
Talk like a local
- “The 'Ham”
- Nickname for Bellingham.
- “B-ham”
- Short for Bellingham.
- “Chuckanut”
- Refers to the drive, mountain, or area.
- “The mountain”
- Mount Baker, always visible.
Getaways
- Vancouver, BC Big city attractions, dining, and culture.
- Mount Vernon Tulip festival in spring and Skagit Valley farms.
- Oak Harbor Beaches and Deception Pass State Park.
- Port Townsend Victorian seaport with galleries and forts.
Local flavour
Teams
- Bellingham Bells West Coast League
- Bellingham Blazers USPHL
Also rooting for Seattle Seahawks (NFL), Seattle Mariners (MLB), Seattle Sounders FC (MLS), Vancouver Canucks (NHL)
Eat and drink
- Fresh Pacific salmon Wild-caught, often grilled or smoked
- Dungeness crab Local delicacy, often served whole or in cakes
- Craft beer Numerous local breweries, part of the PNW beer culture
- Blackberry pie Made from wild blackberries that grow abundantly in summer
Where people go
- Craft breweries and taprooms Bellingham has one of the highest breweries per capita in the US
- Coffee roasters and cafes Known for its independent coffee shops
- Hiking trails and mountain viewpoints Mount Baker and the North Cascades are a short drive away
- Waterfront parks and marinas Fairhaven and Boulevard Park offer stunning bay views
- Farmers markets Local produce, crafts, and community gathering
- Ski resorts Mount Baker Ski Area is legendary for its snowfall
Heritage and traditions
Bellingham is proud of its outdoor lifestyle, vibrant craft beer and coffee culture, and its tight-knit community nestled between Mount Baker and Bellingham Bay.
This time of year in Bellingham
- Salmon runs Fall Salmon runs in the Nooksack River.
Say it like a local: “the mountain” — Mount Baker
Festivals
- Lynden Dutch Heritage Festival June Celebrates Lynden's Dutch roots with parades, wooden shoes, and Dutch food.
- Bellingham SeaFeast September A seafood festival celebrating the local fishing industry with tastings and cooking demos.
- Bellingham Arts Walk First Friday monthly Monthly gallery walk showcasing local artists in downtown and Fairhaven.
- Bellingham Highland Games July Scottish games with caber toss, bagpipes, and dancing.
- Lummi Stommish June Water festival with canoe races and traditional dancing at the Lummi Nation.
Landmarks with a story
- Whatcom Museum Housed in the 1892 City Hall building, showcases local history and art.
- Lynden Dutch Village A replica Dutch village with windmill and canal, celebrating Lynden's heritage.
- Peace Arch A 67-foot arch at the US-Canada border symbolizing peace between the two nations.
- Mount Baker Theatre A historic 1927 movie palace hosting concerts and performances.
- Heritage Flight Museum Aviation museum with historic aircraft, located at Bellingham International Airport.
Food traditions
- Chuckanut oysters Oyster farming in Chuckanut Bay, a local delicacy served at waterfront restaurants.
- Lynden Dutch pastries Dutch bakeries in Lynden offer speculaas, banket, and other treats brought by Dutch settlers.
- Birch Bay clam digging Low-tide clam digging at Birch Bay, a family tradition for generations.
- Huckleberry desserts Huckleberry picking in the foothills, used in pies and jams.
- Salmon bake Traditional salmon baking at Lummi gatherings, cooked over open fires.
Music and arts
- Indie rock scene Bellingham's indie music scene gave rise to Death Cab for Cutie and other bands.
- Bellingham Festival of Music Classical music festival featuring international artists each summer.
- Public murals Colorful murals throughout downtown and the waterfront.
- Fairhaven art galleries A cluster of galleries in the historic Fairhaven district.
A little history
- 1852 First European settlers arrive in Whatcom County.
- 1860s Coal mining boom in Bellingham Bay area.
- 1880s Salmon canneries and lumber mills drive the economy.
- 1893 Western Washington University is founded.
- 1921 Peace Arch is dedicated at the border.
Rivalries
- WWU vs. Central Washington College football rivalry.
- Bellingham vs. Lynden Friendly high school sports rivalry.
- Bellingham Bells vs. Wenatchee AppleSox Baseball rivalry in the West Coast League.
- Game day Chuckanut 50K trail race
- Game day Friday night high school football
- Outdoors Clam digging at Birch Bay
- Outdoors Berry picking
- With kids Lynden Dutch Village
- With kids Mindport
People in Bellingham speak with a Pacific Northwest accent, often using local terms like 'the 5' for I-5 and 'the mountain' for Mount Baker. You might hear Chinook jargon like 'skookum' (good/strong) and a friendly 'eh' from Canadian neighbors.
Only here
- You can ski at Mount Baker in the morning and sail on Bellingham Bay in the afternoon (the Ski to Sea spirit).
- The Peace Arch at the border is a symbol of friendship between the US and Canada.
- Chuckanut Drive is one of the most scenic coastal drives in the state.
- Bellingham is the last US city on I-5 before Canada.
New here? A few tips
- Bring a rain jacket; it rains often, but it's usually light.
- Learn to say 'Bell-ing-ham' (not 'Bell-in-ham').
- Get a car; public transit is limited.
- Cross the border to Canada for a day trip; bring your passport.
- Try the local coffee; Bellingham has a strong coffee culture.
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Nearby
Every areaAbbotsford–MissionBritish ColumbiaWhere the Fraser Valley feels like home.Skagit ValleyWashingtonWhere tulips bloom and tides turn.San Juan IslandsWashingtonWhere the Salish Sea meets the sky.Oak HarborWashingtonIsland calm, Pacific Northwest soulChilliwackBritish ColumbiaWhere the mountains meet the fieldsVancouverBritish ColumbiaWhere the sea meets the skyVictoriaBritish ColumbiaWhere the ocean whispers and gardens bloom.Port TownsendWashingtonWhere the mountains meet the sea, and history sails on.
Bellingham, WA. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.