Why we love Bellingham, WA

It’s no secret that Washington is Eric and I’s favorite state in the United States, followed closely by Oregon. We visit the Pacific Northwest as often as possible. One of the reasons we love this area is because it is a walking paradise. Notice I said walking, not hiking. Most people think hiking when they plan a trip here, and for good reason. The North Cascades, Mt. Rainier and Olympic Mountains offer epic hikes, but zoom in closer on the map and you’ll discover endless possibilities.

A Walking Friendly Town

A walking friendly town is one that offers a diverse range of trails, easy to challenging, with enough options to keep you active for several days. State parks, national forests, and municipal trails surround the greater Seattle area. Practically every neighborhood along Washington’s Pacific coast and Puget Sound has a walking trail nearby. And I don’t mean an asphalt path around a city park. I’m talking about soft paths through a cedar forest with steep hills and wildlife and maybe a waterfall or babbling brook. Our past trips to San Juan Islands, Vashon Island, and the Leavenworth area have all included excellent walking paths, and we recently added a new town to the list.

Why Bellingham

Eric and I recently spent 3 nights in Bellingham and would have stayed longer if we could. This lovely university town is nestled between an expansive bay and the more remote part of North Cascades National Park. It’s about 1.5 hrs north of Seattle (depending on traffic). Sehome Hill Arboretum is at the heart of Bellingham, between the campus of Western Washington University and Sehome Hill Historic District. The Arboretum has 6 miles of forest trails with enough elevation changes to get your heart rate up and an observation tower for scenic views.

Drive down scenic Hwy 11 (aka Chuckanut Drive) and you’ll find hidden gems like Teddy Bear Cove and Clark’s Point, steep short paths down to hidden beaches with views of Bellingham Bay and a railroad. Bellingham has done a phenomenal job converting old railroad routes to pathways, including the Interurban Trail which connects Arroyo Park and Larrabee State Park. Additional walking options nearby include Fragrance Lake, Chuckanut Mountain trails, Whatcom Falls Park, Stimpson Family Nature Reserve, Connelly Creek Trail and more.

Walk to Fairhaven

Those who want water views and a little town life can park at the Bellingham Boardwalk and walk to the quaint town of Fairhaven. This is an easy 2 mile round trip walk with public toilets and coffee shops along the way. We especially loved Shirlee Bird Cafe, which is housed in a beautifully restored 1890s building with staircases reminiscent of Hogwarts. We had delicious sandwiches in the atrium of this building, which used to be the Wisconsin Grocery Store and is now an assortment of restaurants and businesses. It also has a ghost, according to locals.

1216 Harris Ave, Fairhaven

A place for book lovers

Bibliophiles like myself will feel right at home in Fairhaven and Bellingham, which boast amazing used bookstores like Henderson Books and Eclipse Bookstore. Eric could have spent hours perusing cookbooks and I definitely could have buried myself in all their vintage romance novels. For new books, Fairhaven has Village Books and Paper Dreams, where I had a nice chat with Mr. Twain and complimented him on his excellent selection of hiking guides. The librarians over here also have a sense of humor. We noticed a Sasquatch sign in someone’s yard that said “I believe in libraries,” which is part of Whatcom County Library’s Library Card Sign-Up campaign.

Where to stay in Bellingham

We stayed at Sehome Garden Inn, an intimate bed and breakfast in the historic district with easy access to the arboretum. Hosts Walter and Joseph, along with their friendly labs Odetta Rose and Porter, made us feel very welcome and I especially appreciated their excellent sense of design and good espresso. Eric would go back just for Joseph’s gluten free homemade biscuits and plum jam.

Fairhaven Village Inn is also a great option, as it’s on the water and directly situated on the boardwalk path and within walking distance to all the dining and shopping options in Fairhaven. For a luxurious escape, upgrade to the Chrysalis Inn & Spa or a unique AirBnB stay in a treehouse.

Where to eat in Bellingham

Another reason we love Bellingham is that it has fabulous dining options and well-stocked grocery stores, which isn’t always the case this close to the mountains. We took our innkeepers’ advice and had seafood with a view at the Oyster Bar in Bow. The drive down Hwy 11 made it a worthy choice even before we tasted their delicious halibut chowder and salmon. This region has been shaped by Japanese immigrants so sushi is a must if it’s something you like. We opted for Blue Fin Sushi because it was within walking distance of our lodging and had excellent takeout options. Carnal was also recommended by our innkeepers. For more suggestions, visit Eater’s 12 Great Places to Eat in Bellingham.

But wait, there’s more…

Bellingham is a great jumping off point for some of the most beautiful parts of Washington state. We spent three weeks in this region, beginning our trip in Bellingham. Follow us for more as we take you on epic hikes in the North Cascades, visit coastal towns and islands, gorge ourselves on pie, and end with a rainy stay in the land of mythical beasts.