20 Things To Do In Bellingham Washington

1. Begin Your Trip Form Whatcom Fall Park

Whatcom Fall Park, situated between the Salish Sea and the North Cascade Mountains, is an excellent starting point for your visit. This park offers various adventures, a place of towering peaks, calm forests, and limitless options for outdoor activity.

One of the Bellingham Washington attractions is the gorgeous waterfalls; inside this park, you will hear the sound of cascading water, pulling you towards the main falls. It also provides a magnificent walking track, and an extensive network of walking and hiking trails through lush forests, along babbling brooks, and past silent ponds.

This location is good for picnic sports due to the combination of waterfalls and gorgeous vistas. There are several picnic spots available, making it an ideal setting for a family vacation.

2. Watch Sunset From Chuckanut Drive

Chuckanut Drive on State Route 11 is ideal for viewing an awesome sunset. Visitors to this 21-mile park enjoy breathtaking vistas of the Puget Sound, San Juan Islands, and lush Pacific North forest.

This walk will introduce you to nature at its best when you pass through dense forests of tall evergreens, ferns, and moss-covered trees, which are ideal places to stop and explore.

If you're looking for a tranquil and scenic trip, the Chuckanut Drive has something for everyone visually. This attraction is ideal since it offers numerous recreational options, making it a must-see in the Bellingham area.

3. Historic Artifacts And Interactive Exhibits At Spark Museum

Spark Museum draws anyone's interest in the history of electricity and how it affects people's daily lives. Through engaging displays, visitors will learn about the history of electricity and how it was originally introduced into everyday life.

The museum's knowledgeable staff will provide information and demonstrations of the MegaZapper display, in which Telsa coils make stunning electrical arches, allowing visitors to learn about the power and beauty of electricity, which serves as a sustainable energy source to save the environment.

Visitors will learn and be entertained while exploring the SPARK Museum at their leisure, engaging and observing the enthusiasts of electrical history and its application.

4. Learn The Journey Of Railroad History Inside Bellingham Railway Museum

The Bellingham Railway Museum welcomes visitors to a nostalgic encounter with the rich heritage of trains in the Pacific Northwest. It provides an overview of the evolution and influence of railroads in this region.

Visitors of all ages will be able to participate in the museum, which offers educational programs for students, families, and railway history researchers.

You will have the opportunity to learn about railway technology and history, as well as participate in workshops on locomotive mechanics and railway safety. After completing the engagement, you will have connections and memories with this institution.

The museum is located in downtown Bellingham and is easily accessible. You can visit the location and meet the pleasant personnel, who will share their expertise on railway growth, learn about steam engines, train models, and how it has impacted people's daily lives since it was introduced into local towns.

5. Enjoy The Scenic Landscapes At Lake Padden Park

Bellingham has many outdoor activity areas, including Lake Padden Park, which offers a picturesque view of Bellingham, Washington. This park is well-known for its scenic lake, thick woodland, and well-structured hiking trails, making it an ideal site for outdoor activities with the family.

Hiking is the first thing to do in Bellingham, inside the park. Follow the trail for several miles through the deep forest and enjoy the gorgeous views of the lake. Through varying difficulty levels of trekking, you will be greeted by wildflowers that dot the trails and bring brilliant colors to the leaves.

The lake's quiet waters are great for paddlers, offering a peaceful atmosphere in which to explore at leisure and are things to do in Bellingham WA. During the picnic, families can fish from the beach or by boat for trout and other freshwater fish in the lake.

6. Celebrate Bellingham's Maritime With Seafeast

Bellingham hosts Seafest every September in honor of the city's marine heritage and food from the sea. Locals and visitors alike love a wide variety of seafood dishes, including shellfish, trout, grilled salmon, and seafood soup.

They will provide seafood with a feast, a festival atmosphere with live music performances by local bands and artists, and cultural performances such as dancing, all of which will enhance the celebratory ambiance.

Experience maritime-themed arts and crafts, as well as local handmade goods that can be taken home. This feast is planned to be a welcoming event with an absolutely exciting environment for all ages, especially children, who may enjoy face painting, hands-on art projects, and a thoroughly interactive program with maritime culture.

7. Relax By The Waterfront At Boulevard Park

Boulevard Park is an ideal location for walking, jogging, and cycling through the beautiful scenery and along the waterways. Not only does this park provide playgrounds, an area with swings, slides, and a climbing structure for children, but it is also full of fun and safe places for kids to play within the natural beauty of the park.

Picnicking is a real things to do Bellingham WA area, so bring tables and charcoal grills outside to enjoy meals with family and friends.

Boulevard Park hosts community-level activities and festivals, such as live music performances, exhibitions, and farmer markets, preserving parks as cultural and social gathering places.

8. Interactive Science And Art Exhibits At Mindport Exhibits

Mindport, which opened in downtown Bellingham in 1995, is a learning and experimental place for artistic and scientific research. Allows for incorporating components of physics, mechanics, optics, and sensory experiments.

Visitors can engage in hands-on learning and participate in a tour of scientific phenomena that includes direct involvement. You will have the opportunity to experiment with the aesthetic qualities of the exhibit, including innovative material use, visual design, and kinetic sculptures.

Mindprot is specifically intended for school groups and families to learn about informal learning in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and have an effect on their lives.

9. Stepping Back To Past In Fair Haven History

Fair Haven's history reveals that it was a crowded port town during the Alaska Gold Rush in the late 1800s. This district is named after Daniel Jefferson Harris, sometimes known as "Dirty Dan," who discovered this town in 1883. It is an area of old buildings that provides a dynamic feeling of the past and a sensation of stepping back in time.

This is a popular spot for a scenic promenade through historic buildings; brick structures and vintage facades line the street, with each building carrying back, one story on its own.

However, we cannot miss the seaside views along the South Bay Trail, which give a pleasant mood, as well as Fairhaven Village Green, a spot to sit while taking in the surroundings.

10. Community Gathering Hub: Farmers Market

Every Saturday at Depot Market Square in downtown Bellingham, local peasants gather with their fresh local products to sell at Farmer Market. The community celebrates the local food and crafts, neighbours meet, and families spend time together where visitors taste the local culture of Bellingham.

This market supports the local farmers and their products and arts, allowing visitors to observe local life and goods, and fostering connectivity with the local environment. This environment becomes lively with live music and dance performed by the local musicians in colourful genres. 

11. Have A Drink At Nation's Largest Brewpub

Boundary Bay Brewery was founded by ED Bennett in 1995, and was awarded as the nation's largest Brewpub in 2008 in international beer competitions. 

Boundry Bay Brewery (BBB) is popular for a wide selection of craft beers, produced in multiple styles like IPA, a hoppy, beer that tastes bitter and citrus, scotch ale, and cedar dust IPA, all items from the craft of breweries. 

You can have it with delicious food, the brewery kitchen serves you a menu of burgers and sandwiches made with fresh and local ingredients in a warm atmosphere of live music. 

12. Explore Sculpture Collection At Western Washington University

Western Washington University (WWU) of Bellingham, Washington, has been collecting the sculpture since the late 1960s as part of its university commitment. Outdoor sculpture columns are in one of the largest and most diverse collections among all universities in the United States. 

The collection is a unique aspect of the campus, where visitors will be surrounded by various styles with natural and architectural designs. Encounters with notable pieces like "Skyviewing Sculpture" by Isamu Noguchi, viewers will find a reflex of the sky through its abstract form, another of Mark di Suvero's "For Handel," and "India" by Anthony Caro. 

You will begin to think as you go through the campus, just looking at the sculptures. The sculptures inside the museum engage everyone, making it a must-see trip in Bellingham.

13. Experience The Trails And Natural Beauty Of Cornwall Park

Cornwall Park, located in the bustling urban area of Bellingham, is often visited by locals and visitors. It is also known as the hub for outdoor and recreational activities. Each trail in the park carries a unique perspective on the park's beauty, making it the perfect location for children to enjoy. 

The 70-acre park is a rich setting to explore and enjoy, belatedly adorned with lush greenery, and towering trees kept in perfect management. This park has open meadows with desh forest and meandering waters of Squalicum Creek.

Cornwall Park has multiple options for recreational activities; it has a tennis course for the public, an 18-hole disc golf course, open to beginner and experienced players, a field for soccer, a baseball field, and pickleball. It is a complete package for a perfect outing.

14. Access To Picnic In Peace At Marine Park

Marine Park is a popular tourist destination in Bellingham because of its tranquil and lovely setting. This park is a fantastic gateway to stunning landscapes; it is a favourite site for both locals and visitors.

The marine park's major feature is its beach, where visitors can explore tide pools and rest by the ocean in the bay. The waves from the salty sea create a calming atmosphere on the beach. Beach sections are ideal for picnicking, with picnic tables dispersed around the marine park.

Diverse seabirds and other species, such as seagulls, herons, and eagles, make it ideal for birdwatchers.

15.A Beautiful Vistas From Sehome Hill Arboretum

The 180-acre land of Sehome Hill Arboretum has lush forested trails, a striking lookout tower and stunning vistas for its visitors. The arboretum is connected to the Western Washington University campus, serves as everyday greenery for the students and welcomes locals and tourists to visit.

This arboretum stands as a Bellingham Washington attractions. It has a long network of six-mile trails for hikers of all levels in a tranquil setting under diverse landscapes of dense forest. On a short hike, you will meet the Sehome Hill Look Out Tower, a landmark that offers panoramic views. 

This tower allows for a lot of things at a time. On a clear day, visitors can enjoy views of San Juan Island, the distant peaks of the Cascade and up to the Olympic mountain range, the perfect spot for bird watching and photography.

16. Explore Sculptures At Big Rock Garden Park

Big Rock Garden Park boasts an amazing collection of outdoor sculptures set against a tranquil backdrop of picturesque scenery. This park features 30 sculptures produced by local and international artists.

Materials such as stone, metal, wood, and other mixed media have been used by artists to create these sculptures. Visitors to the rock garden are allowed to touch, sit near, and photograph these artworks.

Observing the sculpture collection is not the only thing to do in Bellingham; this place is also noteworthy for its lively surroundings, which change with the seasons. It is home to colourful flowers such as rhododendrons and azaleas during the spring and summer months.

17. Organize Your Picnic At Zuanich Point Park

Zuanich Point Park is located at Squalicum Harbor in Bellingham, a delightful waterfront park, that allows for wandering or just relaxing on the bench while watching the landscapes, a popular picnicking and boating spot. 

It is a perfect picnic area, providing picnic tables for the setup of the picnic offers beautiful views to enjoy the meal that you have carried on in full relaxation.

During your dinner, you can see a variety of boats, including fishing vessels, sailboats, yachts, and more. After you've finished your dinner, take a walk down the park's coastline to get a closer look at the yacht.

18. Mountain Biking At Galbraith Mountain

Galbraith Mountain is a recreational location for both locals and visitors, allowing them to enjoy nature, take on the challenge of biking, and experience adventure in the mountains, which is managed properly from the community level. 

Anyone can enjoy a biking experience in this location; when mountain biking, one can discover panoramic landscapes. Many trails have technical elements such as berms, jumps, and drops designed to challenge and delight riders.

If riding isn't your thing, this route also offers hiking paths through lush forests and meadows. Keep an eye out for deer, birds, and other wildlife in the region.

19. Try Seasonal Food With Relax At The Temple Bar

The Temple Bar is a comfortable place to enjoy dinner in a sophisticated and relaxing atmosphere. They have been serving local wine and seasonal food since 2002, which makes this place unique and popular among locals and visitors.

It is a quiet place, you can come with your friends and have quality time in a musical environment, performed by the local bands and dancers. 

Once you enter the bar, you have to try the sally tomato recommended by the farmer, which is made from jalapeno and garlic-infused vodka and tomato juice. 

20. Be Part Of Hiking And Biking In Larrabee State Park

Larrabee State Park is the first state park in Washington, established in 1915, located on Samish Bay in the west part of Chukanut Mountain. This park covers an area of 6 miles and provides fishing, boating, bird watching, and mountain trails for hiking and biking for locals and visitors.

This place is popular for the views of Juan Island and Samish, with landscape views of rugged cliffs, lush forests, and rocky shorelines. Observing the wildlife is also available, like spotting deer, racoons, and various species of birds in the park. 

Inside the park area, visitors are allowed to engage in boating and fishing at Samish Bay.