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Bellingham Whatcom County Tourism

Travel, Hotel and Visitor Information

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2019 Bellingham Snowsports Header
Home / Outdoors

Outdoors

Fresh air and wide-open spaces are plentiful in Bellingham and Whatcom County, which extends from the shores of the Salish Sea to the rugged mountains of North Cascades National Park. Enjoy hiking, biking, running, sailing, paddling, fishing, whale watching, snow sports, scenic drives, agricultural adventures and even outdoor dining.

Get the inside scoop on all the outdoor recreation opportunities in Whatcom County with our latest blog “Explore Scenic Bellingham & Whatcom like a local!”

While enjoying the outdoors, it is important to remember to Recreate Responsibly for our personal health, and the health of others. It is also important to remember which phase of Washington State’s Safe Start reopening plan your community is located in. Bellingham and Whatcom County are currently in Phase 2 with Covid-19 guidelines updated daily on our Travel Advisory page.


Snow Sports

During winter, Whatcom County transforms into a snowy playground. Most of the action happens near the end of Mount Baker Highway, at the Mount Baker Ski Area.

Mt. Baker Ski Area is legendary for its powder and annual snowfall! It has the longest season in Washington State and is known for getting the most snow in North America.

Whether you’re new to snowshoeing or a seasoned winter trekker, Whatcom County offers a variety of trails for all abilities. Check out our blog, “4 Snowshoe Routes on the Mount Baker Highway” or “The Nooksack Nordic Ski Club: Family Fun Just Above the Snow Line” to get started!


  • Artist Point Snowshoe Bfralic (6)

Mt. Baker Snow Booklet

Mt Baker Snow Guide

Get to know beautiful Mt. Baker in the snow. Select from a dozen remarkable snow adventures that allow you to experience some of the most spectacular scenery in Washington State. Click here to view the guide.


Bellingham is a great place to be no matter what you’re into – professional mountain bikers, ultra-runners, whitewater kayakers, and loads of other high-caliber outdoor athletes call Bellingham home.

Learn about how professional snowboarder Hana Beaman’s came to call Bellingham home and what her Bellingham Experience has been like!


  • Mount Baker Whatcom County Bellingham Scienic Drive Mountain 17
  • Mount Baker Whatcom County Bellingham Scienic Drive Mountain 16
  • Hana Bearman Mt Baker 1 2
  • Mount Baker Whatcom County Bellingham Scienic Drive Mountain 15

Biking

Stephen Ettinger is proud to refer to himself as a professional cyclist and when he’s not biking around Chuckanut Mountains and Galbraith, Ettinger spends his summer and fall running and backpacking and skiing in the winter.



Running

Jeremy Wolf has a professional hobby known as ultrarunning, which is longer than traditional marathons, with lengths that go farther than 26 miles. He loves the Bellingham area so much because he has access to many trails that he can train on all around Whatcom County. We have access to technical trails, runnable trails and everything in between. About 90% of his training is done through the trails around Lake Padden and Galbraith Mountain.


  • Jeremy Wolf, Ultra Runner

Krissy Moehl, an elite ultramarathon runner and a professionally sponsored athlete that runs around the world, says nothing can beat the trails in Bellingham.


  • Krissy Mohel Basecamp Bellingham
  • Krissy Mohel Basecamp Bellingham(4)
  • Krissy Mohel Basecamp Bellingham(3)

Multisports

In Bellingham people love to get outside and play every way they can. You can ski in the mountains and paddle in the ocean the same day.  The incredible terrain is part of what makes Bellingham the perfect hub for multisport events.  Home to a host of multisport races throughout the year you’re sure to find an event that matches your favorite activity. Pull together a team of friends, or go solo. Just make sure you get out there!


  • Ski To Sea Bellingham Whatcom County (67)
    Ski to Sea
  • Bellingham Swim Run
    Bellingham SwimRun
  • Lake Whatcom Triathlon Credit Darrensteinbach 2 1
    Lake Whatcom Triathlon

Kayaking

Whatcom County is home to 100+ miles of saltwater shoreline and freshwater lakes which offers plenty of kayaking opportunities, including Larrabee State Park, Birch Bay State Park, Lake Whatcom and Bellingham Bay.


  • Moondance Sea Kayaking Bellingham Larrabee 59
  • Moondance Sea Kayaking Bellingham

Outdoor Dining

As a creative solution to Washington State’s Phase 2 restrictions, the City of Bellingham is allowing street closures in the Downtown and Fairhaven businesses districts to give restaurants space for outdoor dining.

In Downtown Bellingham, Holly Street has been closed from Commercial Street to Bay Street to allow outdoor seating with additional parklet patios on State Street and Railroad Street.


  • Acme Ice Cream Bellingham Wa Fairhaven District (3)
  • My Ideal Day In Historic Fairhaven Bellingham Washington (222)
  • Onv Wood Fired Pizza Fairhaven District Bellingham Wa (3)
  • My Ideal Day In Historic Fairhaven Bellingham Washington Skylark Restaurant (2)
  • My Ideal Day In Historic Fairhaven Bellingham Washington Stones Throw Brewery (1)
  • My Ideal Day In Historic Fairhaven Bellingham Washington (305)
  • Fairhaven Village Books Colophone Cafe Bellingham Washington Brittany Fields

Restaurants in Downtown Bellingham with outdoor dining include Aslan Brewery & Depot, Bellingham Cider Co., Black Sheep, Boundary Bay Brewery, Cosmos Bistro, Downtown Jalapenos, La Fiamma, Pepper Sisters, Thousand Acre Cider House, The Racket, Schweinhaus Biergarten, and Storia Cucina.

2020 has been a year like no other and as we continue to adapt, we continue to find new ways to support local businesses like our local independent breweries and taphouses in Bellingham and Whatcom County. It’s time to embrace a new philosophy; enjoying drinks outdoors —no matter the weather. 

In Historic Fairhaven District, 10th Street, near the Fairhaven Village Inn and South Bay Trail, has been closed to allow for outdoor dining.

Bellingham breweries and taphouses have upgraded their patios, parking areas, and beer gardens to better serve you during the rainy season. Most have some sort of covered seating in the form of tents or temporary structures, as well as heaters. These open-air shelters provide fresh air and a roof overhead, so don’t let the rain keep you indoors — these establishments have got you covered!


  • Aslan Depot Downtown Bellingham Phase 2 (4)
    Aslan
  • La Fiamma Burger Downtown Bellingham Phase 2 (1)
    La Fiamma
  • Schweinhaus Biergarten Downtown Bellingham Beer Garden2
    Schweinhaus
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    Black Sheep
  • Thousand Acres Cider Downtown Bellingham Wa (1)
    Thousand Acre
  • Cosmos Bistro Downtown Bellingham 67 25
    Cosmos

Restaurants in Fairhaven with outdoor dining include Colophon Cafe, Edaleen Dairy, Fat Pie Pizza, Firehouse Cafe, Galloway’s Cocktail Bar, Fairhaven Jalapenos, Keenan’s at the Pier, Magdalena’s Creperie, OVN and The Filling Station.

Check out our insider blog “Sip Outside: Bellingham Breweries and Taprooms with Covered Outdoor Seating” for more!


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Bellingham Whatcom County Tourism
Visitor Center Located at I-5 Exit 253
904 Potter Street, Bellingham, WA 98229

Hours: Due to COVID-19, the Visitor Center is open limited hours: Friday, Saturday & Sunday 10am-3pm. Masks required.

Phone: 360-671-3990
Email: tourism@bellingham.org

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