Bellingham is still a bit of a secret, but not for long. It’s been popping up on all sorts of “best of” lists, from college towns to places to retire. Seattleites should take a day or two to see what all the fuss is about. A detour off Interstate 5 will put road trippers on renowned Chuckanut Drive, which curves along lush forests and past sound views. Stop at Taylor Shellfish’s oyster bar in Bow for some fresh oysters on the waterfront, then continue to the end of the road, in Bellingham’s charming Fairhaven neighborhood. There, you can rent a paddleboard, kayak or rowboat at the Community Boating Center for an outing on Bellingham Bay, or if you prefer land adventures, rent bikes at Fairhaven Bicycles. And exploring the shops in this historic neighborhood is a must, starting with Village Books, one of the best independent bookstores in the state, where the focus is on local, from authors to Pacific Northwest–themed gifts, toys and more. Upstairs, the Evolve Chocolate and Cafe serves fantastic healthy fare, made from scratch, along with artisan chocolate treats—we recommend indulging in the sipping chocolate.
