Here’s a list of fun things to do this weekend in Bellingham and Whatcom County. From outdoor activities to theater performances, and everything in between, there is something for everyone. Friday, May 24 1889 WA Statehood History Exhibit – Bellingham All Is Not Lost Exhibit – Bellingham Fairhaven Fourth Friday Art Walk – Fairhaven Fever […]

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: Spend this Father’s Day Weekend exploring Bellingham and Whatcom County. Not sure where to start? Check out our list of things happening this weekend: Take Him Out […]

Although Bellingham has earned a reputation as a craft beer town, we are actually fans of all craft beverages, including wine, whiskey, cider, kombucha and cocktails. We’re also social creatures and we love to show off our local food and chefs. With this combination Bellingham and Whatcom County are filled with venues offering wine tasting, […]

Self-care is any activity we do to help improve our mental, emotional and physical health. As a writer, mom, and small business owner, I often bump self-care down on my deep “to do” list by other “more important” things. But really, when I don’t take care of myself, my health suffers and I’m not my […]

Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 12, 2019. 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. Mother’s Day Cruise with Schooner Zodiac Boarding time – 9:45 a.m., sail time 10 a.m. to […]

Have you ever explored Newhalem, WA in Whatcom County? Home to the North Cascades Visitor Center, this unique mountain town serves as the gateway to North Cascades National Park. Most visitors stop by for last-minute camping supplies (and a restroom break) on their way to hiking, backpacking, climbing, and paddling adventures in the park. But […]

Do you love animals and the natural world? Or dressing up and making your own costume? If so, you’ll love Bellingham’s Procession of the Species Parade as much I do.  Everyone is welcome to join in this parade that celebrates community, creativity and nature on the first Saturday of each May, this year on May […]

Spring is here, and Bellingham is bursting at the seams with beer buzz. Bellingham Beer Week 2019 takes place April 19 – 27! Now in its 8th year, the annual Bellingham Beer Week features parties, brewery events, speakers, craft beer releases, a beer festival, and more over the course of 9 days. With over 30 […]

10 “must do’s” in Bellingham if you love great tasting food, beautiful views and more. You can complete this list in any order and go home feeling like you’ve truly experienced Bellingham. (Warning: if you don’t mind getting a little dirty and sweaty, eating really awesome food, taking in gorgeous views, arts and books, you […]

It’s finally spring – and the Easter Bunny is on its way! Get out the baskets and get the kids ready to search for eggs and consume chocolate bunnies. Festivities happen throughout Bellingham and Whatcom County in April 2019, including Easter egg hunts, Easter Bunny photos, Easter Brunch and even an Easter Keg Hunt for […]

Looking for new trails to hike near Bellingham? Look no further than Lookout Mountain Forest Preserve. Home to over 8 miles of mixed-use hiking and biking trails, this up-and-coming outdoor recreation hub offers a quieter alternative to the popular Chuckanut Mountain trails. And with several miles of new trail built in 2018, you can now […]

Have you been to the new Illuminati Brewing Company in Bellingham? If you visited before 2019, the answer might be “no”. Illuminati Brewing Co. originally opened in 2017, becoming the 14th brewery in Whatcom County. At the time, it was the only dual winery-brewery in Washington state. Fast forward a couple years, and the taproom […]

My whole family is tired of Clue and Exploding Kittens, well, you know, the whole board flipping thing? That’s why Rook & Rogue, the first “board game pub” in Bellingham is such a breath of fresh air for locals and visitors of all ages. It’s great indoor fun year-round. With bookshelves and filing cabinets chock […]

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 […]

Seeking to elevate the work of female directors in the film industry, CASCADIA International Women’s Film Festival, is Bellingham’s newest film event, this year on April 11-14, 2019. Its mission and goals are noble and lofty. Now in its third year, the annual film festival showcases films directed by women from around the world while also providing: […]

Bellingham is home to a thriving music and film community. Throughout the year, this creative group hosts a number of Bellingham film festivals. The Bellingham Music Film Festival, this year on April 4-6, 2019, will present a collection of music videos, documentaries, and narrative pieces by regional, national, international and student filmmakers from around the world. […]

When it comes to celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, Bellingham and Whatcom County know how to do it right! It’s true, there is no place like Bellingham for St. Patrick’s Day (or Weekend.) It’s an annual affair, from a serious trail run featuring goofy green outfits to a green-themed grand parade, and lots of green beer, […]

Both growing up and now as the mother of twins, I know how memorable and impactful children’s films can be in expanding and shaping a child’s view of the world. These films educate, bust the limits of imagination and stick with us on into adulthood. Sometimes they even influence us as parents. Filmmakers around the […]

During summer months (July – September), Artist Point at the end of Mount Baker Highway (WA State Route 542 East from Bellingham) is abuzz with hikers, backpackers, families, and photographers. Offering unbelievable mountain views from the parking lot, it’s the jumping off point for many a summer adventure. Winter is another story. When the road […]

Vital Climbing Gym in Bellingham may have saved my kids – and me – from climbing the walls. The winter weather we’ve been experiencing is, in many ways, a kid’s dream: school’s out, there’s plenty of snow for sledding, mom is likely to say “yes” to that request for hot chocolate. Eventually, though, the cold […]

During summer, Bellingham offers abundant outdoor drinking oases. Imbibers move indoors in the fall, and by the time winter and spring come around many of us are itching to get back outside. The cabin fever is real. Thankfully, many Bellingham breweries and taprooms continue operating their beer gardens during the cooler months. Want to warm […]

I’ve been a beginning yoga student off and on for almost 30 years and meditation has helped me relax, clear my racing mind (and fall asleep!) for at least 10 of those. Bellingham and Whatcom County are so fortunate to have a number of options to practice yoga and meditation. It’s become hugely popular among […]

The newest Bellingham Whatcom County Visitors Guide is now available as a digital online version, as well as in print. The visitors guide includes information about How to Get Here, Outdoor Adventures, Entertainment, Local Communities, Restaurants, Breweries, and Lodging options. Click on the image below to flip through the book page by page. To order […]

Heading off to Hawaii, or Las Vegas, or another exciting destination from Bellingham International Airport (BLI)? Wondering where to leave your car? Numerous hotels in Bellingham offer special Park and Fly packages which include extended parking at the hotel, an overnight stay, and free shuttle service when booked directly through the hotel’s front desk. Each […]

Calling all adventurers seeking to see the real Alaska: The best highway is on the water! In fact, the only highway to most of lower Alaska’s villages is by sea. Each Friday, the Alaska Ferry (officially called the Alaska Marine Highway System) departs from Bellingham, WA to access America’s remote north through the awe-inspiring Inside […]

Although the weather outside is frightful, the allure of the islands is delightful, and now is the time to dream of a summer sailing adventure in the Northwest. Bellingham, WA is the perfect place to board a small-ship cruise through the evergreen San Juan Islands. Within view of downtown Bellingham, the San Juan Archipelago encompasses […]

Winter in Bellingham includes a good dose of weather, and we enjoy a lot of outdoor adventure. Yet on a particularly wet Saturday my family decided NOT to brave the elements, instead choosing to be cozy and escape with a trip into virtual reality. Heady is Bellingham’s first virtual reality (VR) arcade. Located downtown at […]

For the nineteenth year in a row, Bellingham Human Rights Film Festival (BHRFF) will present thought-provoking films gathered from around the world. Their mission: to encourage the viewing community to explore and engage in critical human rights issues. Over the 10-day festival held February 21 through March 2, 2019, 23 films will be screened across 13 […]

  Some readers may recall attending Bellingham Cocktail Week (BCW) during its inaugural run back in 2015. My muddled memory of the launch party goes something like this: I’m sipping my Manhattan (or was it an Old Fashioned?) at Temple Bar while sampling toothpick hors-d’oeuvres served up by cocktail waitresses. There’s a subdued excitement in […]

I’ve been a beginning yoga student off and on for almost 30 years. I’ve seen aerial acrobats perform their strong and graceful routines at the Bellingham Circus Guild many times. But it never occurred to me that you could combine the two until I tried aerial yoga at Sienna Marie Aerial Yoga Studios. Conveniently located […]

Centered in Bellingham’s downtown arts district, the Whatcom Museum campus provides creative, thought-provoking educational programs and exhibitions about our changing cultural, natural, and historical landscapes. After celebrating its 75th Anniversary in 2016, Whatcom Museum continues to bring art, history, and nature to more than 70,000 people each year. Visitors can plan a day or weekend visit […]

Long known as a beer town, Bellingham is becoming a hot spot for craft beverages of all kinds. The latest trend? Craft cider. In 2018, three new cideries opened in Bellingham — joining a long-time favorite and transforming the once-sleepy cider scene into an up-and-coming industry. So grab your Tap Trail map and start sipping. Here’s […]

Throughout the winter in Whatcom County, the Mt. Baker Ski Area gets blanketed in snow, oftentimes deeper than anywhere else in the country. Bellingham locals and visitors alike flock to the mountain for a variety of winter activities. From sledding and snowball fights in the parking lot to chasing friends at light speed in waist […]

Bellingham and Whatcom County are fortunate to be the home of Western Washington University (WWU). The campus art galleries, renown outdoor sculpture collection, installations and exhibitions, performing arts, museums and historical archives deepen the arts and cultural experience of students, visitors and locals. Below is an overview of the opportunities available to appreciate the art, […]

Bellingham, Washington is located in the northwest corner of the United States, within Whatcm County, and 20 miles south of the U.S.-Canada border. The City of Bellingham is just 90 miles (145 km) north of Seattle, WA and 55 miles (88 km) south of Vancouver, British Columbia. As the largest city and the seat of […]

Who’s ready for juice? If you’re a juice-lover or a juicer looking for inspiration, Bellingham is the right place to be. The city is home to two restaurants that celebrate juicing and the consumption of super-healthy food, whether in liquid or solid form. And locals are flocking to their doors. They’re foregoing their caffeine rush […]

The forecast was showing that it was going to be a bluebird day around the Northwest. So, I suggested, “Let’s go play in the snow!” We’re not talking skiing or snowboarding, we’re talking playing. Since we were headed up into the winter wilderness, we needed a checklist to make sure we had what we would […]

Here’s a riddle: How do you get teen and pre-teen siblings to agree on something? Great question! Who knows? Actually, I have found a solution: A night at the Upfront Theatre. The Upfront Theatre is Bellingham’s home-grown improv comedy club, owned by an honest-to-goodness funny guy, Ryan Stiles. The Upfront has been entertaining ‘Hamsters since […]

Fans of Hops ‘N Headz — the family-friendly taphouse on Northwest Avenue in Bellingham — may have noticed some changes lately. That’s because the space is under new ownership, with a new logo and rebrand to boot. While the business has a fresh new face, its core elements — 30 craft taps, Asian-inspired food offerings, […]

Full of Dutch heritage, adorable Lynden, WA is just a short drive from Bellingham, only two hours from Seattle and five miles from the Canadian border at Aldergrove. The whole family can appreciate the arts year round in this cute little hamlet. Music, dance, stage productions, fine arts and crafts and an entire museum of Dutch […]

Looking for a great holiday meal? Here is a list of restaurants open for Christmas Eve or Christmas Day in Bellingham and Whatcom County. Most require reservations, so be sure to call ahead. (This post has been updated for 2018.) Semiahmoo Resort, 9565 Semiahmoo Pkwy., Blaine, WA, 360-318-2000 Christmas Eve, Packers Restaurant and Bar will […]

No matter what your age, haven’t you been fascinated by the ‘magic’ of the forces we cannot see and therefore struggle to understand? Wireless technology, radio and television transmission, and magnetism all seem to defy the confines of our physical world. And yet our daily existence takes them all for granted. That’s why my family […]

The holidays are here, and gift-giving time has arrived. Are there any beer lovers on your list? If so, Bellingham breweries offer everything from bottles and cans to swag and seasonal events. Savor the season with these beer gifts and event ideas in Whatcom County. Seasonal Beers Once upon a time, when there were just […]

That jolly old elf Saint Nick is making the rounds to public places throughout Bellingham and Whatcom County to hear the Christmas wishes of all the good little girls and boys. Haven’t caught up with him yet? There’s still time before the reindeer fly! Here’s where you can find him: Olde Fashioned Christmas One of […]

Sustainable Connections Online Gift Guide To make shopping for local gifts in Bellingham easy this holiday season Sustainable Connections has created a new online gift guide featuring a plethora of local businesses from around Whatcom County. Find the perfect holiday gift, and easily sort by gift type or budget. Explore gift ideas for friends and […]