As the days shorten, and the cozy nights lengthen, fireplaces and candles are lit in Washington’s northern communities of Bellingham, Ferndale, Lynden, Birch Bay and Blaine, while thoughts turn to holiday festivities. Shoppers are greeted in friendly local stores, music fills the air, Santa is sighted and memories are made. Numerous visitor-friendly holiday events in [...]

In it’s Feb. 2011 issue, Sunset Magazine ranked Bellingham and Whatcom County the west’s “Best Place to Play Year-Round,” and we agree! Whatcom County is filled with outdoor and indoor fun for kids and adults of all ages. Have you ever stood in two countries at the same time? Give it a try at the [...]

Getting on a bike and getting into the fresh air is easy in Bellingham and Whatcom County. Miles of urban bike lanes, back-woods trails and country roads await riders, as do specialized maps, weekly and annual bike events, and numerous support organizations. See our recent series of short videos on mountain biking, road biking and [...]

Locavores who love their spirits find plenty to rave about in Washington’s far northwest corner. The region’s natural beauty and community-focused population has inspired a range of talented winemakers and brew masters here. Bellingham and Whatcom County are now home to 8 boutique wineries, 3 renown brewpubs and a popular mead winery. These are ideal [...]

Whatcom County has plenty of ways to enjoy the winter months – from a quiet snowshoe in the national forest to an adrenaline-filled day down the slopes of Mt. Baker. 10,781-foot Mount Baker is a popular destination in the winter for downhill skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, cross country skiing and sledding. It’s a huge draw for [...]

Sometimes you just need to get away and relax…and Bellingham and its surrounding Whatcom County is just the place for a peaceful respite.

There are several full-service spas in Whatcom County that offer massage, facials, manicures, pedicures, and a variety of other pampering services. Many are near or inside higher-end hotels and offer specials for hotel guests, as well as services for non-guests. Visitors can enjoy delectable treatments at the Chrysalis Inn and Spa, Zazen Salon Spa near the Hotel Bellwether, the Spa at Silver Reef Hotel and Casino and the Spa at Semiahmoo Resort.

Charming small town rituals are the focus of the holidays throughout Bellingham and Whatcom County, including must-see events in Ferndale, Lynden, Birch Bay and Blaine.

Combining art with American history, the Whatcom Museum’s acclaimed Lightcatcher building currently features 1934: A New Deal for Artists.

Travelers looking for a getaway on a budget find numerous deals in Bellingham and Whatcom County, WA throughout the fall and winter seasons. Discounts abound at hotels and many local activities are free including: scenic drives, beautiful parks, and plentiful trails for walking, hiking and biking. Harvest activities are also in full swing throughout the county, inviting visitors to discover farmer’s markets, apple farms, and pumpkin patches.

What do you do with a 10,781 mountain in your back yard? In Bellingham the answer is: play on it, and play hard.

The Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest is one of the most visited forests in the United States. It is located on the western slopes of the Cascade mountain range extending over 140 miles between Seattle, Washington and Vancouver, British Columbia. Here you will find glacier-covered peaks, spectacular mountain meadows and old-growth forests.