We all love Village Books – I know I can browse those aisles for hours. Now there’s a new reason to visit this fabulous locale in Fairhaven district of Bellingham: its new, upstairs eatery, Evolve Chocolate & CafĂ©. Don’t get sidetracked by the chocolate. That’s just a teensy part of Christie and Shannon Fox’s culinary […]

I’ve been fascinated by classical music ever since I heard my first Mozart as a teen—Eine kleine Nachtmusik. I was blown away by the idea that one person could not only compose a moving piece for more than 20 instruments playing simultaneously, but that the universal language of music could be adored around the world, […]

What I like about beer podcasts are their versatility: with a pair of headphones, you can enjoy a good podcast almost anywhere. Podcasts don’t demand your undivided attention like other forms of education or entertainment (such as reading a book or watching a movie). You can listen while driving, walking, or washing the dishes. It’s […]

Halloween has always been my favorite holiday, way more than Christmas, and its never been about the candy. To me, Halloween is about becoming someone else for just one night, in your home made costume, running around silly in the darkness, and sharing that love of all things spooky with your friends and neighbors. Whatcom […]

Rachel taps her e-bracelet on the digital reader, pours herself a 6oz sample of Atwood Ales En Blanche, and takes a seat in the taproom. Sure, she’s a Cicerone Certified Beer Server with years of experience in the industry. But at Downtime Taps, you don’t have to be. Anyone age 21+ can pour their own […]

Get out your costumes and mark your calendars – it’s time to get spooky in Bellingham and Whatcom County! Activities take place throughout the month of October leading up to Halloween, Oct. 31, which is a Wednesday this year. Here’s an updated list to satisfy everyone from families to college students to the curious spirits […]

It’s September and harvest season is upon us. Along with crunchy leaves underfoot and jugs of fresh-pressed apple cider, the corn is as high as an elephant’s eye and just perfect for getting lost in a corn maze. In Whatcom County we have two corn mazes to explore, hosted by the Lynden FFA and Bellewood […]

More than five years in the making, the new art exhibition, Endangered Species: Artists on the Front Line of Biodiversity, at the Whatcom Museum in Bellingham, WA is a masterful collection of more than 80 works of art, from rare books, sculpture and exquisite paintings to photography and cutting edge video, that span the nineteenth, twentieth, […]

As its name implies, the Third Annual Bellingham SeaFeast will showcase Bellingham’s waterfront, maritime heritage, and its internationally-renowned fishing and seafood industry’s unsurpassed culinary bounty. But while you’re downing a local oyster or grilled wild salmon, don’t overlook the equally impressive visual and performing arts and musical entertainment they have planned for September 21 and 22, […]

A harvest festival celebrated since the early 1800’s, Oktoberfest is traditionally held during the month of September in Germany. Here in the Northwest, we mix it up, with some Oktoberfest events starting in September, and others held in October. Regardless of when they are held, Oktoberfest events are as good a reason as any to […]

If you’re looking for BIG Action on mountain bikes – head up to two of the new challenging trails on Galbraith Mountain – just on the outskirts of Bellingham. Mohawk and Spacewolf offer experienced riders two difficult and very different experiences: Flow and Steep respectively. Both are listed as Black Diamond runs on Trailforks– a […]

So much beer, so little time. With 15 brewery locations now operating in Bellingham and Whatcom County, it can be tricky to keep track of them all. And there are many variables to consider when choosing your watering hole. Which ones offer food? Can you bring the kids? Fido? Do they offer happy hour? Who’s […]

Choirs have always impressed me. Many different voices working together in a moving performance can bring me to tears. Whether they’re ancient, gospel or secular, I admire and appreciate the talent and cooperation it takes to sing well and honor the musical legacy. Belllingham and Whatcom County offer performances by many different groups throughout the […]

When I imagine the quintessential summer camping trip what I’m imagining is Silver Lake Park. Silver Lake Park is owned by Whatcom County and sits near the base of Mount Baker. Just 40 minutes from Bellingham, the park’s namesake lake is nestled in between the foothills and is picture-perfect pretty. Being so close to town, […]

Opening up the newly developed downtown Bellingham waterfront to the public, Waypoint Park is a welcome beacon for “Bellinghamsters” and visitors alike. Whether you’ve lived here a lifetime or are just passing through, public access to the waterfront in downtown, is recognized as a valuable attraction. Waypoint Park The City of Belingham explains on it’s […]

The dog days of summer have arrived, carrying Twin Sisters Brewing and Bellingham Beer Garden along with them. And you know what that means? We now have 15 breweries in Bellingham and Whatcom County! With so many breweries in a city of less than 90,000 residents, new ventures have to do more than offer good beer […]

In my household, it just wouldn’t be summer without a trip to the Northwest Washington Fair. In fact, I don’t know if it’s me or my kids who look forward to it more! This year the fair is Aug. 13-18, 2018. The basics Getting there – Located north of Bellingham, in the idyllic farming town […]

There’s no better way to celebrate summer than at an outdoor music festival and no better way to get to know the Bellingham and Whatcom County music scene than at the family-friendly Subdued Stringband Jamboree. Get your single-day or full weekend passes online now and help them celebrate their 18th Annual festival August 9 through 11, […]

The burgeoning brewery scene in Bellingham has people taking notice. If you are a craft beer connoisseur, you likely rejoice at all the variety. So many beers, so little time! But beer lovers who are also parents can be hard-pressed to get away without the kids to give the newest brews in town a try. […]

When summer hits in Bellingham it’s a game-changer. Suddenly, happy hikers head for the hills via Mount Baker Highway, whose ski area is transformed into a wildflower wonderland in the warmer months. We’ve covered year-round hikes and happy hours around Whatcom County, along with winter trails and ales.  Below, we’ve paired a few favorite summer-only […]

Bellingham’s Lake Padden Park has a lot to offer in the summer months. You can rent single and tandem sit on top kayaks and stand up paddleboards (SUPs) from Yeager’s Sporting Goods in the park to get out on the water and try these fun fair weather sports. Whether you’re a local or a visitor to […]

Previously on this blog, I detailed 6 Classic Bellingham Beers to introduce newcomers to the Bellingham beer scene. This time around, we’ll take a look at Bellingham’s new classics — the second wave of breweries that defined our local beer scene in 2014-2015. The New Classics 2014 was a big year in the Bellingham beer […]

The hidden gem of the Samish Crest Trail is a piece of the puzzle that the Bellingham Greenways levy helps accomplish – connecting Bellingham neighborhoods with trails and parks. The trail brings you up to a lookout over the city and bay. It also continues from Racine Street through to Lake Padden for the adventurous […]

Now in its 14th year, Downtown Sounds, is a free outdoor concert series that brings local and nationally touring bands, area food vendors, and a beverage garden to Bay Street on five Wednesday nights in July and August. One of my favorite summer events in Bellingham, it began as a small gathering hosted in an alley but […]

Put on your red, white and blue and prepare to be festive. July 4, 2018 is packed with fun things to do in Bellingham and Whatcom County. View parades, classic cars, and baseball. Enjoy old-time games, outdoor music, craft beer, delicious BBQ and fireworks by land and sea, while you celebrate Independence Day in style. […]

When it comes to beer — like most things in life — we’ve all gotta start somewhere. My love for Bellingham beer began at Boundary Bay on my 21st birthday nearly a decade ago. In the years since I have observed the Bellingham beer scene blossom — from a two-brewery town to today’s boomtown of […]

Western Washington University’s (WWU) Theatre Arts Program trains emerging actors, writers, directors and theatre technicians. Each summer as part of Western Summer Theatre (WST) these artists get the chance to practice their craft immersively, on stage, while on break from classes, often alongside their accomplished professors and with thespians visiting from around the world. This gives the […]

The Commercial Street Night Market combines a little bit of food, art, music and, of course, shopping into one of downtown Bellingham’s newest evening attractions. The event is hosted by the Downtown Bellingham Partnership, the same organization that puts on Downtown Sounds. For this event, Commercial Street is closed down for vendors, food trucks and […]

Classical music has always impressed me. I tend to study the performers while they play. I enjoy seeing the differences between them, the passion and focus of each artist, and how they deliver the emotion of each piece through their craft. So many talented musicians coming together from diverse backgrounds, sometimes with little rehearsal, under the […]

Sunday, June 17 is the day to honor Dad with a fun activity he’s sure to enjoy. Here’s a list of ideas in Bellingham and throughout the county: Take Him Out to the Ballgame This year, the Bellingham Bells are home on Father’s Day, against the Portland Pickles at 3:05 p.m. What could be more […]

Consistently listed as one of the top places to live and visit in America, Bellingham and Whatcom County are experiencing rapid population growth. For example, the area’s Hispanic and Sikh populations have significantly increased in the past few years. This growth has not only stimulated our local economy but also resulted in a greater awareness […]

Established in 2014, Aslan Brewing is one of the most widely-known breweries in Bellingham. Slick marketing, organic beer, and a vibrant, trendy brewpub culture have propelled Aslan to top-of-mind for many beer lovers inside and outside Whatcom County. And in 2018, Aslan opened its second location, Aslan Depot, just one block away from the original […]

Offering the best Dam Tours inside North Cascades National Park you have three great options with Skagit Tours for taking in the majestic mountains and the man-made marvels that have helped power the growing needs of Seattle since 1924! Our group was able to pack in a full day and experience the legacy of Seattle […]

The Pacific Northwest may be known for its rainy winter season, but Bellingham and Whatcom County are also known for their incredible summer beauty. So when the weather is good I like to appreciate the diverse, thought-provoking outdoor art. The best part is, viewing is free and I can explore at my own pace. The […]

I am a lifelong cyclist. I ride to work and for fun and in all those years, I’ve yet to go on a bike tour/camp out. With the advances in technology in regard to bikes and camping, I figured it was about time to crack this nut. To get started, I re-purposed an old “hardtail” […]

A border town surrounded by glorious views of the Drayton Harbor with Mount Baker in the distance, Blaine, Wash. is re-emerging as a new destination for fresh seafood. Drayton Harbor Oyster Company’s Pacific oysters are one of the many reasons why people are visiting from far and wide. Those who make the visit argue that […]

When Wander Brewing first opened its doors in 2014, the Bellingham beer landscape looked a little different than it does today. Only a handful of breweries — Boundary Bay, Chuckanut, and Kulshan — existed in town before Wander came along. During the four short years since, Wander has propelled itself from “new kid on the […]

An abundance of trails weaves through Bellingham’s Fairhaven Park and the Chuckanut Community Forest, which leads you to the Hundred Acre Wood. The trails consist of a two-mile loop, over easily walkable ground, and lets you have great access to nature. You can access the Hundred Acre Wood through Fairhaven Park, where parking and bathrooms are […]

Artistic curves, kaleidoscopic colors, and the shine – oh the shine. This is the view of a car show on a beautiful, cloudless summer day in Whatcom County. It’s the history that draws me in. I imagine a local family out for a slow Sunday drive as I admire a 1911 Model T. Or I […]

There’s no better way to get to know a town than by going to their public market. In addition to the Saturday Farmers Market, Downtown Bellingham has taken it one step further. The Commercial Street Night Market, hosted by the Downtown Bellingham Partnership, is the perfect way to kick off a weekend and get to […]