5 minute read
THE BEAUTY OF Bellingham
BY LAUREN KRAMER
Visit Bellingham, and you can’t deny the beauty of this city, with its winning combination of mountains, lakes, oceans and forests. Fairhaven is where the city began, a neighborhood with a rich history that’s easily experienced on a stroll through its streets and into the mom-and-pop retailers selling handmade jewelry, pottery, woodwork and art. Add the energy of a small college town replete with great bookshops, cozy cafes and restaurants and a full year-round roster of fun events on the calendar, and there’s never a bad time to visit. While the rain may drive you indoors in the winter, there’s still lots to do. Spend an afternoon browsing in the Spark Museum of Electrical Invention or attend a performance at the historic Mount Baker Theatre. And when the rain stops, there’s so much to do outside you’ll wish you had more time!
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Don’t let the cold weather keep you away from a brisk walk, hike or bike ride. If you’re biking, the Interurban
Trail crisscrosses the city on a forested path that takes you on an historic bridge over the powerful, churning water of Whatcom Falls. Ready for a hike? Head to the Chanterelle Trail in Lake Whatcom Park. The five-mile round-trip hike winds 1,000 feet up the mountain and yields incredible vistas of the lake and mountains on a clear day.
There’s no better way to warm up than on the tasty creations of local craft brewers, spirit and cider makers. The county is home to almost 20 craft breweries, most of them family-friendly establishments and many that offer a great food menu, too. If you’re in town in February, sign up for the Spirits and Cider Stroll, a downtown Bellingham festival where you can taste samples in pop-up tasting rooms while exploring the history of the downtown core.
For skiers, snowboarders and sledders, Mount Baker is just 90 minutes from the city, with long, rolling groomer trails, lots of freeride terrain and a top elevation of 5,000 feet.
If you’re a birdwatcher, bring your binoculars in March, when migratory birds take to the Pacific Flyway and birdwatching opportunities are at their best. Head to Boulevard Park to spot herons, eagles, cormorants and harlequin ducks, or take a short drive north to the Semiahmoo Spit, close to the Canadian border. This shallow marine habitat is a great place to see loons, brant, grebes, dunlin, bufflehead and other migrating aquatic birds that flock here in high numbers.
And if you love flowers, don’t miss the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival in April. To get there, take Bellingham’s Chuckanut Drive Scenic Byway, a magnificent drive that hugs the shoreline and offers exhilarating views of the Salish Sea, Chuckanut Island and the surrounding forests. The route ends in Burlington, a quick 10-minute drive to the tulip fields, where the burst of vibrant color across acres of farmland is nothing short of inspiring.
Stay
The Fairhaven Village Inn perfectly captures the Bellingham vibe. Nestled in the heart of historic Fairhaven, its 22 spacious rooms are comfortably outfitted with period furniture and is steps away from great restaurants, cafes, bookshops and independent retailers.
The Hotel Bellwether is a well-appointed boutique property located on the water. It’s just minutes from the manicured walking trails that wind past the harbor and through the waterfront, with great dining options on-site and close by. Its Lighthouse Bar and Grill often features live music and is a favorite summer hangout for locals.
Another great place to stay is the Leopold Hotel, a historic building in downtown Bellingham that was recently lovingly restored to its former glory. Rooms feature modern design and contemporary amenities, and the building is filled with fun communal spaces where you can grab a meal on the run, peruse books from the library or play a game of pool.
Dine
There’s nothing like a hearty soup on a cold day, and Fairhaven’s Colophon Café has been ladling locals’ favorite clam chowder, split pea soup and African peanut soup for decades.
If you’re in the mood for something meaty, choose Carnal in downtown Bellingham, where the roasted hanger steak, seared black cod and slow cooked short rib will leave your belly warm and grateful.
Need something lighter? Stop for lunch at Leaf & Ladle, a small, locally owned eatery specializing in salads, wraps and sandwiches with meat, meat-free and gluten free options. A local favorite? The vegan BLT wrap or salad which is served with an unforgettably delicious vegan tempeh coconut bacon!
And don’t forget to save space for something sweet at Pure Bliss Desserts, a delightful eatery where the cake and cupcake selection is off the charts. Whether it’s creamy coconut cake, cheesecake or a rich chocolate confection that catches your eye, this is a perfect venue for a slice of heaven paired with a glass of wine, cider or beer.
