If you’ve breezed through the City of Blaine, Washington, situated on the doorstep of the US-Canadian border at the Peace Arch and Pacific Highway border crossings, you’ve likely experienced a quiet place with not much in the way of excitement. Don’t be fooled by your first impressions, though. Linger a little longer and you’ll discover the charms of this city, perched on the cusp of Drayton Harbor. What’s there to do in Blaine, you ask? Plenty. Here are our top picks.
Peace Arch Park’s rolling green lawns and beautifully landscaped garden beds provide the backdrop for many a wedding and family celebration. The arch itself represents the only international gateway ever erected in the interest of peace among nations and was dedicated back in 1921 by Washington businessman and philanthropist Samuel Hill.
Look out for the flower beds planted to resemble the US and Canadian flags each summer – they are eminently photograph-worthy. And take a stroll through the gardens to peek at the rotating series of outdoor sculptures.
Blaine is a great destination for birders. The area attracts thousands of water fowl and other birds each year, along with the humans who enjoy watching and photographing them.
If you're looking for things to do in Blaine during March, the Annual Wings Over Water Birding Festival celebrates the variety of migratory birds that flock here every year.
Semiahmoo Spit is also a lovely, flat walk great for bird-watching in Blaine year-round.
No visit to Blaine is complete without a delicious meal out, especially if you crave seafood. Head to Packers Kitchen + Bar at Semiahmoo Resort for lamb burgers, flatbreads, and beer-battered fish and chips.
Another good option is the Great Blue Heron Grill, located in Semiahmoo Golf & Country Club and open to the public. Enjoy burgers, French dips, pulled pork, and more.
One of the best things to do in Blaine is feast on oysters. If you're looking for a place to eat oysters in Blaine, you’ll enjoy the Drayton Harbor Oyster Company on Peace Portal Drive, which sells shucked oysters by the dozen.
Blaine Marine Park offers walking trails and benches for enjoying views across Boundary Bay and Semiahmoo Bay. In fact, you can see all the way to Point Roberts, White Rock, and the San Juan Islands.
Combined with a walk to the Blaine Public Pier and Marina, the area offers a 2-mile waterfront stroll. Marine Park also contains an outdoor amphitheater with bench seating and an open lawn. Kids will have a blast on the beautiful nautical-themed playground. Come out and take a look!
The 300-acre Semiahmoo Resort is the ultimate Pacific Northwest getaway and one of the best things to do in Blaine. The casual seaside resort boasts a tremendous range of things to do, play, create, eat, and explore — for adults and children alike. Enjoy a health club, indoor/outdoor pool, two tennis courts, racquetball, beach volleyball, wellness center and salon, beach bonfires, onsite kayaking, and more.
Runs Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Take the historic Plover passenger ferry from Blaine Harbor to the shores of Semiahmoo Resort. Built in 1944, this historic 32-foot vessel is the oldest foot passenger ferry in Washington State and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was built to carry cannery workers back and forth across the channel between Blaine and the former APA salmon cannery on Semiahmoo Spit, and today it plies pretty much the same route.
En route, the two-person crew provides commentary on the Plover’s restoration and the many diverse sights along the short crossing, which includes British Columbia's Coast Mountains, seals, eagles, and herons.
The Plover also provides a pleasant shortcut for cyclists pedaling the coast and makes a great water taxi from Blaine to a midday meal at Semiahmoo Resort.
