Western Washington University Students' Guide to Bellingham

Stroll Along Taylor Dock

Explore Historic Fairhaven and Downtown Bellingham by way of Boulevard Park and Taylor Dock, one of Bellingham’s most popular trails. Taylor Dock is part of the South Bay Trail making it the perfect walk to visit Fairhaven before heading to Downtown Bellingham. Taylor is one of the most popular trails and the best way to explore Bellingham Bay and the waterfront. 

Explore Whatcom Falls Park

Known for its namesake waterfall, there is something for everyone at Whatcom Falls Park. The park features 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.

Whatcom is full of water trails making it a true kayak paradise. From the Salish Sea and Bellingham Bay to rivers and lakes, we have it all. To help locals and visitors, the Port of Bellingham recently created the Whatcom Water Trails map which highlights 22 of our most popular water trails. 

Whatcom County is also home to two companies that offer recreational kayak excursions: Moondance Kayak, owned by Kristi Kucera, and Dragonfly Kayak Tours, owned by Victoria Ayres. Both are women-owned companies and great for anyone looking to rent gear and take a guided tour!

Insider Tip: The Water Trails Map can be found online here or you can email info@bellingham.org and request to have a map mailed to you if you’re planning your water adventure from home!

Heading up to Mt. Baker is an essential activity this season. Did you know professional snowboarder Hana Beaman calls Bellingham home? Hit the slopes just like Hana or, if cross country skiing is more your style, try out the Nooksack Nordic Ski Club. This local group maintains the trails and helps to build the community around the sport. 

Snowboarders and skiers alike can enjoy a variety of terrain, day lodges, ski lessons, and rentals at the Mt. Baker Ski Area, which has the longest season in the state and often the most snow in North America. In Bellingham, you can also rent snowshoes, skis, and more at Backcountry Essentials.  

Check out our Snowsports page for even more information, including a digital Mount Baker winter guide. 

See a Live Show or Music Performance 

If you would rather stay closer to sea level, there are also a variety of indoor activities to keep you entertained with local experiences. 

The historic Mount Baker Theatre features musicians (both local artists and nationally recognized acts), movies, comedians, the Bellingham Symphony Orchestra, and other events throughout the year. You never know what is going to pop up at MBT!  

There's also plenty of places to see live music, like The Wild Buffalo, the Shakedown, and Boundary Bay Brewery. 

Get Electrified at the SPARK Museum 

Discover the SPARK Museum of Electrical Invention! Explore world-class collection of artifacts and objects that highlight the history and development of electricity, radio, and early technology. On weekends, catch the hour-long MegaZapper Electrical Show, featuring one of the largest Tesla coils in the US.

Catch a Movie or Take a Walking Tour

Leave the planning to us! Use our new Culture Crawl Quest Pass to discover the incredible arts and culture around Whatcom County. The pass also includes The Pickford Film Center, history-themed tours with the Good Time Girls, and a variety of murals including the largest mural in Washington and the brand new 720-foot long mural by Lummi artist Jason LaClair. 

Explore Downtown During First Fridays Art Walk 

Head downtown on the first Friday of every month for the First Fridays art walk! Typically over a dozen downtown businesses host artists, with a bunch of other fun events ranging from signature dishes at local restaurants to pop-up stages and live music. It's the perfect time to explore Downtown Bellingham and discover a new favorite spot.

First Fridays have been a Bellingham tradition for over 20 years and is a great way to experience the community and connect with Whatcom County artists and locals.

Go to a Game Bar in Downtown Bellingham

When it doubt, putt putt it out!! Head to downtown Bellingham for a fun day or evening of trendy indoor sports. Flatstick Pub features nine holes of mini-golf, local beer, brick oven pizaa plus other unique games.

Bellingham Axe Throwing is exactly what it sounds like – a place to toss an axe in a sport similar to throwing darts, but with some extra excitement and flair.  

Coffee & Dessert

Through rain and snow, or the occasional crisp weather sun break, a mug of coffee fuels the PNW. Whether you are hitting the books or slopes this winter, Bellingham has a variety of local coffee shops where you can pick up your favorite drink or dessert. 

Breweries & Taprooms

Whatcom County is also home to 17 different breweries! We have created a FAQ sheet to help you keep track of family-friendly options, happy hours, pet-friendly spots, and get the inside scoop on what makes each brewery unique. 

Restaurants & Dining 

Restaurants in this area (some of which are award-winning) take pride in using as many locally sourced ingredients as possible from surrounding area farms. We also encourage you to save time by making reservations or order take-out and enjoy the scenery. Open Table is a good starting point for booking reservations around the county. You can also check out the restaurant’s website to see if they offer reservations or order online and enjoy a meal on the go!  

21 & Under

Not 21? No worries. Bellingham and Whatcom County have plenty of options for college students who aren't of drinking age. Catch a show at The Blue Room or grab a mocktail at Quantum Leaf. Before 7pm, people under 21 can play around at Flatstick Pub. 

There could be a time when you have family coming up to help you move in or a friend visiting that would like to see the area. Check out our lodging page for a waterfront resort, mid-price hotels, or a bed & breakfast.  

Getting around Bellingham is easy, especially if you're starting at or near the Western Washington University campus. 

By bus: 

The Whatcom Transportation Authority (WTA) offers unlimited and free transit for WWU students. WWU students can use their Student Bus Pass to ride anywhere within WTA's bus system, including to Mount Vernon.

Western's campus is on the BLUE Line, which means that every 15 minutes, one bus departs toward Downtown and another departs down Bill McDonald Parkway. Routes on the BLUE Line have three-digit numbers (107, 190, etc.). 

By bike: 

Bellingham is an extremely bike-friendly town. With lots of roomy bike lanes, established bike routes, and greenways that help you avoid road traffic, biking is a a great alternative to driving or taking the bus.