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 […]

Here’s a list of fun things to do this weekend in Bellingham and Whatcom County. From outdoor activities to theatre performances, and everything in between, there is something for everyone. Friday, July 20 Northwest Raspberry Festival, Lynden Schooner Zodiac Salmon Dinner Sail, Bellingham Commercial Street Night Market, Bellingham Downtown Sin and Gin Walking Tour, Bellingham […]

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 […]

With the recent opening of the Ruckus Room, Bellingham suddenly has enough arcade bars and gaming lounges around town for a proper roundup. From kids to adults; old-school pinball wizards to modern console gamers, there’s an arcade for everyone in Whatcom County. And local craft beer lovers rejoice: each of these four arcades serve up […]

Whatcom County is filled with an array of city and county parks from Blaine to Bellingham. If you’re looking for some suggestions for where to take your little on a sunny day, here are some highlights of parks throughout the county. The parks range from playgrounds to other attractions and amenities. Who knows parks better […]

Growlers are a great alternative to cans and bottles for carrying beer. Their use reduces waste and facilitates the consumption of fresh beer, straight from the keg. But growlers have their drawbacks as well. Fills can be expensive (upwards of $15 for 64-ounces), and growler-clad beer doesn’t typically stay fresh for more than a couple […]

One of my favorite ways to appreciate music and art is at an outdoor festival. Luckily, Whatcom County has a natural outdoor venue designed for just that purpose. Lookout Arts Quarry located south of Bellingham on Old Highway 99 N is an arts collective that produces and hosts new creative, culturally-diverse works of all disciplines through […]

Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 13, 2018. Looking for gift ideas? Moms love to spend time with their families, so how about giving her a local experience? Here’s a list of great Mother’s Day Activities in Bellingham and Whatcom County. 1. Mother’s Day Cruise with Schooner Zodiac Boarding time – 9:45 a.m., sail time 10 a.m. to […]

It’s April, and Bellingham is bursting at the seams with a beer buzz. Bellingham Beer Week 2018 takes place April 20th – 28th! The 7th annual Bellingham Beer Week will feature everything from special beer releases and author events to a paper airplane contest and dog walking. With 14 breweries in Whatcom County, 2018 is […]

Earth Day is an opportunity to give back to the planet we all call home. There are several outdoor activities happening in Whatcom County to show some love to the earth and the community. Whether you prefer cleaning up local beaches or getting your hands dirty potting plants, there is something for everyone among the […]

Bellingham and Whatcom County offer an abundance of galleries and museums to showcase the work of a wide variety of local and touring visual artists. This week I had the pleasure of meeting Bellingham’s most prolific street artist, known by many names, including ‘Ruckas,’ ‘PKLZ’ and his given name, Shawn Cass. This Bellingham-based graffiti artist turned […]

The Mount Baker Highway (SR 542) from Bellingham provides access to groomed cross-country skiing trails in the Mt. Baker Snoqualmie National Forest. Salmon Ridge Sno Park is just 13 miles past the community of Glacier, which is the last outpost for supplies before you enter the wilderness. Heads up: To park, a Washington State Sno-Park Pass is required to […]

What do you get when you combine a bottle shop, taphouse, cafe, and catering business under a single roof? Greene’s Corner, of course! If you haven’t checked it out yet, this budding community hub at 2208 James Street should be your next stop for beer in Bellingham. Owners Lance Bailey and Kristine Kager first opened […]