The 11 best things to do in Bellingham, WA

Originally a separate town south of downtown Bellingham, today Fairhaven makes the perfect place to step back in time through the well-maintained 19th-century brick buildings in Italianate and Romanesque styles. Harris Avenue and 11th Street have the highest concentration of historic structures.

Time Out tip: Plan to visit later in the day when a higher concentration of businesses are open. I recommend starting with lunch at either Övn Wood Fired Pizza or the Colophon Cafe.

Address: Fairhaven, Bellingham, WA 98225

If you only have time for one hike, prioritize Oyster Dome. The trek up Blanchard Mountain is a moderate five-miler with 1,050 feet of elevation gain, round-trip. Sweeping views of Samish Bay, the Skagit River flats, Lummi and Orcas Islands, and even the Olympic Mountains across the water await you. A word of caution: The rounded rocky viewpoint has a very steep and sudden drop-off. Please keep dogs leashed and children close.

Time Out tip: On a clear night, the sherbet colors of the setting sun from Oyster Dome are unmatched. Don’t forget your headlamps for the descent!

Address: Samish Overlook Parking, Lake Samish Rd, Bow, WA 98232

Note: The address above is for the official parking lot, the preferred access point as determined by the Department of Natural Resources. The road can be very rough in spots; lower-clearance vehicles should be prepared to drive slowly.

Price: Discover Pass for Washington State Parks, $10 for the day or $45 for the year. Buy online ahead of time.

Spend a few hours in a nostalgic state of mind while walking among lecture halls and undergrads. Western Washington University has plenty of charm and massive outdoor sculptures throughout. Visitors will enjoy the Western Gallery and Geology Museum, both with free admission.

Time Out tip: Parking can be limited. Consider taking the bus or a ride share.

Address: 516 High St, Bellingham, WA 98225

Price: $2/hr for parking

Hours:

Western Gallery: Mon–Fri 10am–4pm, Sat noon–4pm, closed Sun and during semester breaks and university holidays.

Geology Museum: Mon–Fri 7am–9:30pm, Sat 7am–6pm, Sun 7:30am-9:30pm. If visiting during semester break, check building hours.

All travelers should take lovely Chuckanut Drive into town. This road passes right by Larrabee State Park, a wide-reaching area from the lakes and peaks of the Chuckanut Mountains to the confluence of Samish and Bellingham Bay. Many park trails feature roaring cascades en route to lakes that feel much further into wilderness than you’d expect. Lost Lake and Fragrance Lake are personal favorites. If donning hiking boots isn’t really your thing, park south of the campground along the water and walk a little over a half mile (one-way) to Clayton Beach.

Time Out tip: The address below is to the trailhead parking area in the mountains. Those looking for the beach should follow signs for the Larrabee State Park Campground, then drive south for a half mile before reaching the beach trail.

Address: 245 Chuckanut Dr, Bellingham, WA 98229 

Price: Discover Pass for Washington State Parks, $10 for the day or $45 for the year.  Buy online ahead of time.

Hours: Summer: 6:30am–dusk. Winter: 8am–dusk.

People associate Northwest craft brew with Seattle, but Bellingham breweries have plenty to offer. Visitors can self-guide through local breweries, each with their own signature. Kulshan Brewing (1538 Kentucky St) is known for small-batch brews you likely won’t see again. Aslan (1330 N Forest St) has sustainable practices like collecting rainwater and sourcing food from Washington farmers. Boundary Bay (954 N State St) is a Washington state establishment everyone needs to visit at least once. El Sueñito (1926 Humboldt St) serves Mexican-inspired craft brews. Wander Brewing (1807 Dean Ave) is an experience in itself; an establishment made out of shipping containers gives it a unique feel. And then there’s Larrabee Lager (4151 Guide Meridian Rd) for those sick of West Coast IPAs.

Time Out tip: I’d recommend spreading out brewery visits over a few days, that way you can enjoy numerous beers at each spot responsibly and with some of the amazing food served at each location. Ride share is available throughout Bellingham.

Hours: Varies, but breweries typically open at noon.

Whatcom Falls Park is the ideal place for hikers of all abilities to connect with nature. Come for the titular waterfall, but stay for the chill trail system and colorful flora, which ranges from verdant to brilliant oranges and reds throughout the year. Please note the various paths wind and intersect, so bringing a copy of the trail guide is a good idea. There’s also a map posted at the parking lot.

Time Out tip: Seasonality affects the water flow, so I recommend October through May for the best viewing. The falls can be significantly reduced in the warmer months, still nice, but don’t expect roaring water.

Address: 1401 Electric Ave, Bellingham, WA 98229

Price: Free

Hours: Daily 6am–10pm

One wildlife experience travelers to the Evergreen State dream of is spotting these magnificent marine mammals in their natural habitat. For visitors to Bellingham between the months of May and September, San Juan Cruises operates regular tours from the Bellingham Cruise Terminal.

Depending on the month, you’ll catch glimpses of orcas, grays, humpbacks, minkes and maybe a cheeky seal or two! San Juan Cruises has a pretty confident line, so if you don’t see any whales, they’ll give you 50% off another cruise.

Time Out tip: The cruise terminal, the departure and return point of the tour, is located next to the Fairhaven District. Thus, the two are a great combo day. Grab coffee in the neighborhood before boarding and then walk right off the boat to dinner.

Address: 355 Harris Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225

Price: $129 per adult

Hours: 11am departure for a 5 to 6 hour outing

Bellingham and Whatcom County boast numerous opportunities to get out onto the water. And what better way than your own personal water vehicle, a kayak? Options abound, from exploring the San Juan Islands on a full- or multi-day excursion to shorter experiences at sunset or after dark to catch bioluminescence.

Reputable tour companies include Moondance Sea Kayak Adventures and Dragonfly Outfitters. Both also offer lessons or intro sessions for those newer to the water.

Time Out tip: Tours, especially in the summer, can book up, so make sure to book your slot as soon as possible. 

Price: From $105 for half-day tours to $675 for multi-day bookings

The Pacific Northwest has more than just salmon to delight taste buds. Taylor Shellfish has been catching and serving the finest Puget Sound has to offer for five generations and has earned a regional reputation for being a premier stop for oyster-lovers. The oyster bar and marketplace is an idyllic setting on the water to devour a dozen or so oysters after a day of adventuring. If oysters aren’t your thing, seasonal fresh-caught fish, Dungeness crab and prawns are also available. The market is also there if you’d like to take some to go.

Time Out tip: During the summer, the limited parking can fill up. I recommend going in off-hours between typical lunch and dinner times.

Address: 2182 Chuckanut Dr, Bow, WA 98232

Hours: Daily 11am–7:30pm

A local favorite day trip, Lummi is just a quick five-minute ferry ride from Bellingham. It’s rarely crowded and provides a relaxed respite to spend a few hours or a full day. The island best serves those looking to enjoy its beauty. At just 9.25 square miles, Lummi is the perfect size for a day-trip. The southern side is mountainous, perfect for hiking, and the north side, closer to sea-level, great for biking. Food and businesses are sparse, so bring a picnic or be prepared to enjoy whatever the Legoe Bay Reefnetter has to offer.

Gas is not available to purchase on-island. On that note, biking around is a great way to see Lummi, just bring your own or rent in Bellingham, as rentals aren’t available.

Address: Gooseberry Point/Whatcom Chief Ferry, Unnamed Road, Bellingham, WA 98226. Directions are provided on the ferry website page here.

Price: $24 for a vehicle and passenger, or $10 for other passengers or pedestrians.

Hours: Weekdays 5:50am–12:10am. Weekends and holidays 7:10 am–12:30 am. Check the schedule here.

One cannot visit Washington without spending some time in the Cascades. From Bellingham, Mount Baker is just a 45-minute drive. In winter, the mountain and its surroundings are blanketed in snow, ideal for skiing or snowshoeing. In summer, the Artist Point road extends and marks the starting point for wonderful hikes such as the Chain Lake Loops or Table Mountain. 

Alternatively, the North Cascades Highway to the south is, in my opinion, the state’s most beautiful drive, with every couple of miles offering up brilliant blue lakes, rocky mountain peaks and Washington’s signature evergreens. Take a drive to the Washington Pass Overlook, visit the Ross Lake Education Center, or hike Diablo or Blue Lake.

Time Out tip: The North Cascades Highway closes annually between November and late May. If you visit during those months, take a trip to Baker. Check the Washington State Department of Transportation for updated road statuses.