If you love great tasting food, beautiful views and local experience then these top 10 things to do in Bellingham are for you. It’s the perfect itinerary and will send you home feeling like you’ve truly experienced Bellingham.
1. Chuckanut Drive
Chuckanut Drive 
San Juan Islands
If you’re a sucker for gorgeous views, epic sunsets and easy-to-get-to trailheads then Chuckanut Drive is your route! Built as Washington State’s first scenic byway, Chuckanut Drive connects Skagit County to Bellingham along the rugged shoreline, with views of the San Juan Islands in the distance, and the oyster beds of the Samish flats in the water just below.
The Drive will take you right into Bellingham’s historic Fairhaven District which is the perfect place to start your trip.
2. Taylor Dock & Boulevard Park
After the drive, head for a stroll or catch the sunset at Taylor Dock and Boulevard Park. And the best part is, it’s a beautiful location for a walk for every season of the year. The park is more lively during the summer with Frisbees, puppies and water activities but even in the chilly months this walk is a great way to get from Historic Fairhaven to Downtown Bellingham. .
3. Check out Washington State Muralist Gretchen Leggit
Horseshoe Cafe 
Kona Bike 
PSE Building
From small designs like the Kombucha Town’s mural to the largest mural in Washington State located on Puget Sound Energy’s building that spans the length of two football fields, Gretchen Leggitt is leaving her mark on Bellingham and Washington State.
- The Kona Bike Shop: 1622 N State St., Bellingham
- Puget Sound Energy: 915 Cornwall Ave., Bellingham
- Horseshoe Cafe: 113 E Holly St., Bellingham
- Ciao Thyme: 207 Unity St., Bellingham
- Kombucha Town: 210 E Chestnut St., Bellingham
4. Enjoy the Local Flavor
Twin Sisters Brewery 
Cosmos Bistro 
Aslan Brewing 
Bantam46 
Bantam46 
Cosmos 
Chuckanut Brewery
Take a night at home to the next level with delivery! Support a local restaurant and enjoy a delicious meal sourced in Whatcom County. Take Bantam46 for example, specializing in all things chicken it’s the perfect way to bring the local flavors to you.
Travel Tip: Check out our blog “Take Out Food, Curbside Pickup and Delivery in Bellingham and Whatcom County” for a complete list!
5. Scenic Mount Baker Highway & Picture Lake
Mount Baker Highway 
Picture Lake
See two for one when you visit the most photographed landscape in the United States. Capture stunning views of Picture Lake with Mount Shuksan in the background, just off the Mount Baker Highway (WA State Route 542).
6. Lake Padden
Lake Padden is a scenic beauty that offers outstanding recreational opportunities for everybody. The park is located on the south end of Bellingham, with a 2.6-mile trail around the lake. The views are stunning, especially if you push yourself to make a lap or two. Great for an adventurous walk, hardy jog or quick off-road bike ride. It has beaches for those sunny days.
There is a fenced-in dog park at the south end of the lake. From the back gate of the spacious dog-designated area, you (and your dog) can enter the off-leash area and venture out into the network of trails adjacent to the golf course. These are popular running and biking trails- especially for dog-owners!
7. Explore Bellingham’s Art District
You can spend the whole day exploring the nationally and locally produced museum exhibits and gallery tours in but that would only begin to cover Bellingham’s vibrant arts and culture scene.
Stay tuned for more on how to access Downtown Bellingham’s art district online.
8. Whatcom Falls Park
Best known for its namesake waterfall, the park’s main attraction could easily be checked off your Bellingham bucket list in as little as 15 minutes. But there’s so much more to discover beyond the falls. Spend an hour or two wandering Whatcom Falls Park’s 241 acres, and you’ll find everything from miles of serene, forested trails to a 100-year-old railroad trestle standing silently over Whatcom Creek.
Travel Tip: Check out our insider blog “Exploring the Hidden Treasures in Whatcom Falls Park.”
9. Pick Your Hotel
Bellwether 
The Chrysalis 
Hotel Leo
From simple motels to 4-star hotels with panoramic views Bellingham has the right hotel for every guest. For those looking for a waterfront getaway, I recommend the Hotel Bellwether located near Bellingham’s marina or the Chrysalis Inn and Spa located in the Historic Fairhaven District. For anyone interested in staying downtown the newly renovated Hotel Leo will give you access to Bellingham’s growing art scene.
Travel Tip: Check out our insider blog on “High Cleaning Standards at Bellingham and Whatcom County Hotels and Businesses.”
10. Beer, beer and more beer
Stemma Brewing 
Twin Sisters Brewery & Bellingham Beer Garden 
Twin Sisters Brewing Co. 
Chuckanut Brewery & Kitchen 
122 West Brewing Co. 
North Fork Brewery
It’s difficult to recommend just one place in Bellingham for an amazing beer especially when Whatcom County is home to more than 16 different breweries. The best way to pick, check out our list of restaurants to find out where to fill up growlers or order cans to go!
