Located 25 minutes from Bellingham is the idyllic town of Lynden, Washington, known for being Washington State’s largest Dutch settlement and the largest producer of raspberries in the nation.
Established in 1874, Lynden is also known for its rich history, which lives on in the city and its businesses. The original City Hall building was transformed into what is now the Jansen Art Center, the Lynden Pioneer Museum is located in what was the John Deere dealership for Northwest Washington, and the Inn at Lynden is located in the 100-year-old newly restored Waples Mercantile Building.
They say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day and Avenue Bread would most certainly agree.
Located inside the Waples Building, with the Inn at Lynden and Village Books, Avenue Bread is the perfect place to cozy up and enjoy fresh-baked bread and pastries. They are also open for lunch and dinner where they serve a variety of sandwiches, soups, burgers and a Lynden favorite, Shepherd’s Pie.
The Jansen Art Center is every art lover’s dream. From their ceramic’s studio and jewelry workshop to their dance and textile studio, the Jansen Art Center has it all. More commonly known as the J, the Jansen Art Center is full of history and community support.
The building, which was Lynden’s original City Hall, has been transformed into a non-profit center for the community, where people can learn about and share their art.
Immerse yourself in the history of Lynden and Whatcom County at The Lynden Heritage Museum! With over 28,000 square-feet of space, the Heritage Museum is full of unique displays, including the largest horse-drawn buggy collection west of the Mississippi River and a miniature village of historic Front Street from 1885 - 1935.
Village Books has been “building their community one book at a time,” since 1980, and in 2015 they were able to expand outside their original location in Bellingham's Fairhaven Village. Village Books opened its second location in the Waples Mercantile Building after its total renovation for the future Inn at Lynden.
After Village Books, head next door to Cheeks for designer jeans, sweaters and Sorel Boots.
A Whatcom County favorite, it’s hard to beat a day on Western Washington’s largest apple orchard. Visit Bellewood Farms in the fall to pick fresh apples and enjoy epic views of Mount Baker in the distance.
Since opening to the public in 2002, Bellewood has grown to include the Bellewood Farm store and café. And in 2019, they opened Bellewood’s Distillery, where they serve farm-to-bottle flavors including their Bellewood Honeycrisp Vodka and Barrel-Aged Gin.
Lynden is home to some of Whatcom County's best parks! If you're looking for the best playground in Lynden, head to City Park, also known as Million Smiles.
There is also Berthusen Park, a farm homestead built by Hans Berthusen and his wife Lida Hawley in 1883. The park includes picnic areas, a playground, old-growth forest for hiking, and a collection of antique tractors. In 1944, the Berthusen's 236-acre farm and barn was given to the City of Lynden to enjoy. In 2003, the barn and park was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
Last but not least is Bender Fields! Also known as Bender Family Recreation Park, visitors can enjoy the baseball, soccer and lacrosse fields, picnic tables, bocci ball court, playground and a brand-new pump track.
Insider Tip: Bellingham is home to two other pump tracks; one located near Waypoint Park in Downtown Bellingham and one at Whatcom Falls Park.
Eight years after the Waples Mercantile Building was almost destroyed by a fire, it became Lynden’s first boutique hotel, the Inn at Lynden. Located on the corner of 5th and Front Street, the Inn has become a central point for the town's historic downtown. It officially opened on December 28, 2015 and brought life back into the 100-year-old building.
It’s the perfect place to stay if you’re planning a visit to Lynden or Whatcom County. In addition to 35 modern, comfortable rooms and prime location in Downtown Lynden, the Inn shares the building with several other local businesses like Avenue Bread, Village Books, and Overflow Taps. If you’re considering staying at the Inn, remember that you will have access to beer, books, and bread without leaving the hotel!
Travel Tip: If you stay overnight at the Inn, it includes complimentary use of the Inn's Dutch-style bikes! Grab a bike trail map and plan your perfect adventure! The bike map includes a picnic ride, coffee ride, ice cream ride, fitness ride and a favorite, the margarita ride!
Located on Homestead Farms Golf Course, Steakhouse 9 can’t be beat. Executive Chef Joseph Merkling has spent 25+ years in the restaurant industry and has helped open several Whatcom County restaurants including Scotty Browns in Bellingham's Barkley Village. Stop by for a delicious meal indoors or on their porch overlooking the green! Dining options on Front Street include Rustlers, Lynden Dutch Bakery and The Mill, a restaurant inside a windmill with in-person and outdoor dining.
From 100 cows and a handful of workers in 1975 to now having five locations throughout Whatcom County, Edaleen Dairy features cow-to-cone flavors and the best tasting milk around. Originally founded in Lynden by Ed and Alieen Bransma, Edaleen Dairy has over 24 different flavors to choose from including chocolate raspberry cookie, birthday cake, caramel cashew and classics like cookies and cream.
Located inside the Waples Building, Overflow Taps is a must-do for anyone staying at the Inn at Lynden or visiting Downtown Front Street. They are currently open for dine-in with outdoor seating available and new personal pizza to enjoy with your beer, wine or cider.
The real mission of Overflow Taps isn’t to bring delicious beer to Lynden, for every pint sold Overflow Taps donates 25 cents to the Charity Water, a non-profit focused on providing water to underdeveloped countries.
