Bellingham: The Best of the Pacific Northwest
Bellingham has delightfully mild weather year around, making it the ideal climate for comfortable living. Tree lined streets and neighborhood parks full of blooming plants create a beautiful cityscape in every season.
Western Washington University students make up a large segment of the population during most of the year with an enrollment of over 11,000 fulltime students. Situated high on a hill overlooking the Bay, award winning WWU is renowned among other things for its diverse educational opportunities as well as its famous outdoor sculptures, (http://www.ac.wwu.edu/~artdept/galleries_sculptures.html), and beautiful campus. It is well worth a visit.
Outdoor activity is a given in this beautiful city. Bike lanes are common on the busier streets and well-kept hiking and biking trails abound throughout the city and beyond. There are at least two off-leash dog parks that are enjoyed by Bellingham’s lucky dogs and their owners. City parks range from the small, reflective Big Rock park on top of Alabama Hill to the large, expansive Whatcom Falls Park, complete with a thundering waterfall, tennis courts, and trails. Lake Whatcom, Lake Padden, and Lake Samish are not just wonderful fishing holes, but offer public swimming areas, picnic sites, tennis courts, horseshoe pits and other amenities as well. Marina Park adjoins the Port of Bellingham where the famous Alaska Ferry (http://www.akmhs.com) docks at the terminal on the southwest side of Bellingham in the beautifully restored Fairhaven District. Most popular with the college students is Boulevard Park where one can watch, or take part in, Frisbee games enjoyed by young and old alike. Joggers and walkers enjoy the beautiful new boardwalk built right out over the bay, that follows the curving shoreline from Boulevard Park all the way to the exclusive Chrysalis Inn
(http://www.selectregistry.com) in the Fairhaven District. It’s the perfect place to watch shorebirds wheeling above the water, floating serenely on the tide watching for thrown tidbits, or resting on the rocky shore.
Golf fanatics rave about the many golf courses throughout the Bellingham area, including the Semiahmoo Golf Course designed by Arnold Palmer. Lakes, rivers, and the Bay are used by kayakers, sailors, and windsurfers as well as fishermen. The Bellingham Yacht Club and Squalicum marina are home to a variety of motor and sailboats moored in the safe harbor of the Bay.
In what is known as the Civic Field Complex, Bellingham also boasts an ice skating rink, public swimming pool, and Joe Martin Stadium where the city’s favorite baseball team, the Bellingham Bells (http://www.bellinghambells.com
) plays during the summer months. Civic Field hosts Western Washington University’s football games as well as track meets and other special events.
Noticeably absent from Bellingham are skyscrapers. City planners have thoughtfully prohibited skyscrapers to allow the city to remain beautiful from many perspectives. Still prominent in the skyline is the spire from the old City Hall building from 1888, now the Whatcom County Museum. Also missing from Bellingham are subways, noise pollution, and typical tourist traps. Instead, the city has a friendly, open feel; more like a small town than a rapidly growing metropolis.
Shoppers can browse and buy to their heart’s content in several distinct areas. Fairhaven District, already mentioned, is a small but bustling area of nineteenth century brick buildings decorated with old wrought iron carefully restored to its former elegance. Cobblestone streets add to the ambiance as shoppers stroll through the specialty shops and pause for refreshment in one of the many unique cafes and coffee shops or treat themselves to a luxurious meal. Even the modern buildings are built to match the nineteenth century period architectural design.
Teens flock to Bellis Fair Mall where Macy’s, Mervyns, Target, Sears, JC Penneys, and many other stores can be found as well as a movie theatre. For the less ambitious shopper, a walk through downtown Bellingham is a real treat. The downtown district is rapidly become a more upscale option, with stores like The Downtown Hound pet boutique
(http://www.thedowntownhound.com
), Landlubber Gifts, and The Greenhouse where you can find anything for the home. Parking in the downtown Parkade is reasonably priced, easy to find, and central to downtown shopping.
While downtown, a visit to the unique American Radio Museum
(
http://www.americanradiomuseum.com) and the Whatcom County Museum of History is a must. If children are present, they will enjoy Mindport Exhibits (http://www.mindport.com
) immensely with all of its educational hands-on activities.
Farmers markets are popular choices with many during the spring and summer months and are enjoyable to meander through, shopping among colorful displays of freshly picked local produce and floral bouquets. Also displayed for admiration and the shoppers delight are the handiwork of local craftsmen.
Cultural events are common place in Bellingham. Downtown Bellingham has two popular theaters: the historic Mt. Baker Theatre and Ryan Stiles’ Upfront Theatre. The Whatcom County Symphony performs year-round, calling the Mt. Baker Theater their home venue. Art galleries abound, including the Mark Bergsma Gallery located near the Hotel Bellwether alongside the marina.
As with anywhere in the Pacific Northwest, Starbucks (http://www.starbucks.com
) can be found everywhere as can many other espresso stands, including Bellingham’s own Cruisin’ Coffee (http://www.cruisincoffee.com
), so take advantage of the choices and enjoy a cup of your favorite espresso as you tour this culturally rich city.
Getting to Bellingham is easy. Only a ninety mile drive north of Seattle, Bellingham straddles Interstate 5. Any one of the eight freeway off ramps will lead the adventurous to downtown Bellingham. AmTrak (http://www.amtrak.com
) and Greyhound share a newly built station by the Alaska Ferry Terminal in the Fairhaven district. North Bellingham even has a small international airport, serviced by several airlines including Horizon Air (http://www.portofbellingham.com/airport/default.htm
).
There are many places to stay in Bellingham, including the usual hotel and motel chains. For a unique experience, try one of the many bed and breakfasts or stay at the Fairhaven Village Inn (
http://www.fairhavenvillageinn.com), Chrysalis Inn, or the Hotel Bellwether (http://www.hotelbellwether.com
).
My suggestion? Come for a day, a week, or a lifetime�but come. Bellingham is well worth it!
