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Bellingham Whatcom County Tourism

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Galbraith Bellingham
Home / Things to Do

Things to Do

Bellingham has something for everyone. With a thriving downtown arts district, delicious beer scene and incredible access to the outdoors, it’s easy to plan a day or a week in the City of Subdued Excitement.

From shopping in Fairhaven to flying down the mountain bike trails on Galbraith, Bellingham offers something for everyone. Bring your bike and peddle from Bellingham to Fairhaven on the South Bay Trail, take a day trip to the Mt. Baker Ski Area for unforgettable views of the North Cascades, or rent kayaks at our Community Boating Center to explore the bay. Whatever floats your boat, it’s waiting for you here in Bellingham.


Downtown Sounds 2017 (aaron Brick Photographer)

Events Calendar 

Discover what is going on in Whatcom County.


Farmers Market By Beau

Agricultural

With 140 miles of marine shoreline and 100,000 acres of highly productive farmland, Bellingham and Whatcom County, Washington are a fresh food haven stretching deliciously between the Salish Sea and snow-capped Mount Baker, near the U.S. – Canada border.


Bellewood Acres

Attractions

Bellingham and its surrounding communities are filled with fun things to do. Unique attractions range from minor league baseball to walking tours and motor sports. 


Mountain Biking Galbraith

Bicycling

Biking is one of the most popular activities in the Bellingham area on trails, tracks and city streets.  Whatcom County also offers endless country roads and miles of  trails to explore.


Blue Heron in Blaine

Bird Watching

Whatcom County, in the northwest corner of Washington State, is home to six key locations on the Audubon Society’s Great Washington State Birding Trail, Cascade Loop. Patient bird-watchers, looking to fill in their checklists, find a rich variety of viewing sites to spot hundreds of species, especially waterfowl and birds of prey.


Casino

Casinos

Local casinos offer a wide range of games including electronic machines. Other appealing features include great food, entertainment, and an exciting atmosphere!


Fly Fishing Lake Padden

Fishing

With over ten different lakes, Bellingham Bay and the Nooksack River to choose from, Bellingham is a fisherman’s paradise. Schedule your visit by time of year to find your dream catch or check out our list of fishing locations to see what’s open and active. 


North Bellingham Golf Course Club House Sunset

Golfing

Whatcom County has plenty of courses to choose from – twelve (10 public/2 private including one that just reopened in Point Roberts).


Hiking Mount Baker

Hiking

Year-round hiking is plentiful in the Bellingham region, with easy proximity to hundreds of miles of trails in the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest and the Chuckanut Mountains, as well as miles of opportunities within Whatcom County, including North Cascades National Park. 


Lightcatcher Building in Bellingham

Museums & Galleries

Whatcom County shines with arts and heritage activities. A combination of nationally touring and locally produced museum exhibits, gallery tours, theater productions, symphony performances, comedy shows, science and history exhibits provide an active and diverse calendar of events throughout the year.


Running in Bellingham

Running

Every mile counts when you’re running. Check out our running page to make sure you have everything you need.


Chuckanut Drive, Bellingham, Bartek Wernicki Photo

Scenic Drives

From sunsets on saltwater to classic fall foliage, Bellingham is home to two iconic highway routes, both of which are officially designated as scenic drives.


Shopping In Bellingham

Shopping

The best shopping in the Bellingham region is available in several areas. Both Downtown Bellingham and the Historic Fairhaven District feature shops with locally made items. Front Street in Lynden is also a hub for local shops and antiques stores.


Mt Baker Ski Area

Snow Sports

Snowboarders and skiers enjoy a variety of terrain, day lodges, ski lessons and rentals. Mt. Baker Ski Area has the longest season in the state and often the most snow in North America.


The Chrysalis Spa

Spas & Health

Whether you plan to spend your time in Bellingham hiking at Whatcom Falls, skiing Mount Baker or eating and drinking as much local food and beer as you can, you’ll eventually need to take a break.


Baker Lake

Water Adventures

With more than 100 miles of beautiful Salish Sea shoreline, Whatcom County is home to Chuckanut Bay, Bellingham Bay, Lummi Island, Lummi Bay, Cherry Point, Birch Bay, Drayton Harbor and Point Roberts.


Downtown Bellingham

Winter Activities

Head up to Mount Baker to experience all of your favorite snow sports including skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Stop by downtown Bellingham and Historic Fairhaven for shopping or visit the theatres, museums & galleries.


Chuckanut Drive View

Spring Activities

Get outdoors and take advantage of the amazing hiking, biking and fishing around Whatcom County. It’s a perfect time to take a scenic drive or go golfing. Bellingham also has a variety of theater, music, museum and galleries to choose from for those rainy spring days.


Diablo Lake in the North Cascades

Summer Activities

Go for a hike or take a scenic drive along Mount Baker Highway or Chuckanut Drive. Head out to Bellingham Bay for a day of boating, paddling and kayaking. Visit Galbraith Mountain for endless county roads to bike or attend one of Bellingham’s famous bike races. Or stop by one of Whatcom’s 14 golf courses for a day on the green.


Mount Shuksan photo by Robert James

Fall Activities

There are many reasons why we love fall in Whatcom County. It is a perfect time of year to take a scenic drive, go hiking or biking, consider the lifecycle of a salmon on the Bellingham Traverse, or take in some of the local art with theaters/music and museums/galleries.


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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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