Regal Cinemas opened a 16-screen movie theatre at Bellingham’s Barkley Village (south of Barkely Boulevard and West of Woburn) in early December 2012. The new multiplex theatres offer movie-goers an IMAX theater, stadium seating and RealD 3D.

Whatcom Museum special exhibit: Vanishing Ice: Alpine and Polar Landscapes in Art 1775-2012 (Opens November 2, 2013)

Vanishing Ice at the Whatcom Museum in Bellingham will introduce the rich artistic legacy of the planet’s frozen frontiers now threatened by climate change, a phenomenon understood by the public primarily through news of devastating climactic events. The exhibition offers another perspective by providing visitors an opportunity to experience the majesty of sublime landscapes that have inspired artists, writers, and naturalists for more than two hundred years.

Interweaving science, history and art, and highlighting their historical interrelationships, the exhibition encourages audiences to value the preservation of alpine and polar environments for the wellbeing of both nature and culture. Comprised of 70 works of art, Vanishing Ice will unfold thematically and chronologically, tracing the visual impact of glaciers, icebergs, and fields of ice — unique and often fantastic formations – on artists’ imaginations. International in scope, the exhibition features artists from Australia, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, New Zealand, Norway, Peru, Russia, Switzerland, and the United States.

Silver Reef Hotel Casino Spa Expansion – May 2013

The Silver Reef Hotel Casino Spa is getting a huge addition in 2013. It plans to open an event center and The Cantina (new restaurant and bar with Mexican fare). New construction will include the 10,000-square foot Event Center and The Theater, a 150-seat tiered seminar theater with state-of-the-art audio/visual technology. Once completed, Silver Reef will have the largest convention and function space in Whatcom County. Silver Reef is also adding more than 300 new parking spaces and 225 slot machines to its gaming floor.

Book Direct from Bellingham.org: Trip-planners can now book their hotel or Bed and Breakfast reservation directly on Bellingham.org. We are all familiar with on-line booking sites –now there’s one place to go for all local properties (not all hotels are associated with the “bigger” sites like Expedia or hotels.com). Go to Bellingham/bookdirect.net to book a room today.

New Programs at The Willows on Lummi Island

• Fish, Forage and Farm is a culinary event developed for couples and small groups to showcase our island’s agricultural resources and products. Over two days, Tuesday and Wednesday each week, guests participate in the harvest, foraging and preparation of structured, “family-style” meals. Immersive and didactic, “Fish, Forage and Farm” engages guests in the creative development of meals and the social experience of private, professional cooking. Informed by the landscape and stories of Lummi Island, “Fish, Forage and Farm” is a hands-on, innovative program offering a rounded vision of Lummi Island and The Willows Inn’s cuisine. Guests will spend time on the farm, in a forest and on the beach.

• Also new at Willows: Catering and Off-site Events
  The Willows Inn is now offering a variety of custom catering products to prospective groups and corporate clients. These can vary from work lunches to holiday cocktail parties and private dinner parties. They will accommodate up to 30 guests in their offsite properties on the island and can structure menus to accommodate any needs.

San Juan Cruises expanding Sunset Cruises with beer and wine themes

San Juan Cruises will continue to offer their adventure day-trip cruises to San Juan Island (which include wildlife/whale watching and lunch onboard) in 2013, but they are expanding their evening trips. San Juan Cruises will be hosting beer cruises Wednesdays 6:30 – 8:00 pm July 10 – September 11 $35/adult. Each week Boundary Bay Brewery will serve a variety of their award-winning beers, joined by 2 other Northwest breweries serving up their best brews. Snacks that complement the beers will be available during the cruise. SJC also offers weekly unWINED wine tasting cruises Thursdays 6:30 – 8:00 pm July 11 – September 12 $35/adult.

Northwest Tandem Rally in Bellingham – July 2013

The Northwest Tandem Rally has traveled extensively throughout the northwest since 1986. The event is being held in Bellingham, WA this year over the Fourth of July weekend. It is produced as an all-volunteer event, designed to be family-oriented, grassroots and affordable. The Bellingham event will offer a different twist: paddling. Participants can opt for tandem biking or paddling.

Bellewood Acres open year-round, offering pickling classes – 2013

Bellewood Acres is now open daily, year round from 9:00am to 6:00pm. What once was a seasonal farm now features a distillery, bar, bistro, country store, music venue and picnic tables. Bellewood also offers a variety of classes on canning and pickling, outdoor concerts and regular tours (group and private) featuring its distillery and farm.

Bellingham Farmers Market expands to year-round – January 2013

The Bellingham Farmers Market will be open year-round, starting this winter. Its season was April – December. The Market in 2013 will be open the third Saturday of the month in January, February and March. Its hours are 10 AM – 3 PM and 35-60 vendors will participate, offering winter crops, meats, cheeses and crafts.

Boulevard Park to Cornwall Avenue Over-Water Walkway

The City of Bellingham is constructing a new over-water walkway on Bellingham Bay in 2013. The new trail will extend from the North end of Boulevard Park to the Bellingham Center Waterfront (former GP site). The anticipated construction completion date is in 2013.

Woods Coffee

The Lynden-based coffee shop chain, The Woods Coffee, will be expanding their local empire to Lakeway Drive in Bellingham and the new multiplex at Barkely Village in late 2012-early 2013. The Woods now has 12 shops (many with drive-thru’s) around Whatcom County. These two new shops will be their 13^th and 14^th locations.

New Edaleen Dairy Ice Cream Shop/Cafe in Lynden

Longtime Lynden Dairy, Edaleen Dairy, is opening a new store/café in downtown Lynden to sell its dairy products, soups and sandwiches, and its high-demand ice cream. Edaleen will also sell groceries and feature a “Whatcom County-only section” with locally produced items. The dairy opened its flagship store on the Guide Meridian in the seventies and another shop in the small border town of Sumas in 2011.

Spark Museum Electrical Show

With the addition of its new Megazapper (a Tesla Coil), Spark Museum now offers an Electrical Show every Saturday and Sunday at 2:30 PM. The museum describes it a sort of “Franklin meets Frankenstein – science reality meets science fiction fun.” Elements of the electrical show include a wide variety of eye-popping machines reminiscent of Frankenstein’s laboratory. The centerpiece is a fantastic Lightning Cage designed and built by world-renowned Steampunk sculptor Ric Allen.

Haunted Fairhaven

The Historic Fairhaven District in Bellingham, originally constructed as a frontier town in the 1890s, is filled with ghost stories. A new book about Fairhaven’s many haunted buildings, by author Taimi Dunn Gorman is now available in print . Gorman enlisted the help of psychics to make contact with the local spirits to tell their stories, as well as the tales of local business owners who have encountered them.

Jansen Art Center

Located in downtown Lynden, the new Jansen Art Center was once home to the Lynden City Hall and Fire Hall, but has been completely transformed into a gorgeous, modern building full of light and beauty.  It is a place for artists to create, teach, share and engage the community in appreciation of the arts.

Bellingham International Airport

More flights to Hawaii – Alaska Airlines and Allegiant Airlines are offering direct flights to Maui (OGG) from Bellingham International Airport.  Alaska already files direct to Honolulu from BLI. Travelers can fly direct to Las Vegas; Mesa, AZ; Oakland, CA; San Diego, CA; Long Beach, CA; Los Angeles, CA; and Seattle. Seasonal flights include Denver, CO and Portland, OR.

Mt Baker Theatre

New shows in 2013 include Rock of Ages, January 16; The Voca People, February 9; Shrek the Musical, March 5 & 6; B.B. King, March 9; and Disney’s Beauty & the Beast, May 6 & 7.

Restaurant Roundup (what’s new in 2013)

Bellingham has several new cafes and restaurants now open or opening in the fall or winter of 2012. They feature unique, delicious and locally-grown (and made) items. Several others have gone through major changes. And one local baker is enjoying some sweetly satisfying success! Get details.

New: Ciao Thyme, known to many locals as an upscale catering company, has now opened a café next to its kitchen (and private dining room) called On The Side. It opened in September 2012.

Cheese Meat(s) Beer is located inside the Whatcom Museum’s Lightcatcher and its rotating menu features locally-sourced ingredients (notice a theme here?) with an emphasis on pairings. It opened in April 2012.

Kulshan Brewery opened in 2012 in Bellingham’s Sunnyland neighborhood and has soon become a local favorite. Its brews are offered in its tap room and at establishments around Bellingham. Kulshan says “it’s all about the beer,” which is why they decided not to also become a restaurant. Instead rotating food trucks, carts and trailers of all fares and sizes park at Kulshan every day and night to serve hot food – to beer drinkers or otherwise.

Dine and Stay: Several hotels in the Bellingham area have gone through significant facelifts and renovations and hired new chefs. Hotel Bellwether’s restaurant is now called the Lighthouse Bar and Grill; Best Western Plus Lakeway Inn recently reopened its Poppe’s 360 Neighborhood Pub; and the Chyrsalis Inn & Spa will be opening the newly-designed Keenan’s Waterfront Grill, which offers a full-service bar and new menu items.

Coming soon:  One of Bellingham’s most popular pop-ups, Dashi Noodle, will be opening its doors next month on State Street (in downtown) after working the streets, farmers markets and pseudo-food truck phenomena. Rocket Donuts is hoping to open its second location in Bellingham in the Historic Fairhaven District by the end of the year.

Sweet Success: Katie’s Cupcakes was named champion of Cupcake Wars on the Food Network on Sunday, October 7. Her winning flavors include Banana Apricot, Chocolate Chip Cookie, Chocolate Peanut Butter Dolce de Leche and White Chocolate Macadamia Nut.

New Accolades for Bellingham and Whatcom Co:

Bellingham Receives Bicycle Friendly Award by the League of American Bicyclists. It made the list of Bicycle Friendly Communities due, in part, to its commitment to make biking safe and comfortable. They praise Bellingham for key accomplishments including new dedicated funding for bicycle and pedestrian, completion of the Northwest/Elm/Dupont corridor bike lane project, everybodyBIKE education classes and bike skills courses, and increasing numbers of bicycle trips city-wide.

Bellingham- Best Place to Retire by Smart Money.com. “Whether it’s skiing or whale-watching, hiking or fishing, experts say retirees can find it in Bellingham, which is nestled between the Puget Sound on the west and Mt. Baker on the east.”

Bellingham Farmers Market: Worth a Drive by Seattle Times. Why it’s special: “The market celebrates its 20th anniversary with cooking demos, kids’ vending days and 20-percent discounts on the first Saturday of the month.”

Bellingham – Best Ski Town: Powder Magazine named Bellingham (for its proximity to Mount Baker Ski Area) the fifth best ski town in North America (November, 2012)

• Low-budget (and possibly the most romantic): go directly to the source. Take a mid-day outing to Taylor Shellfish Farm on Chuckanut Drive. Bring your own table cloth, plates, silverware and picnic sides. Purchase fresh oysters in the little farm store, spread out your feast on the picnic tables around back overlooking Samish Bay, and barbecue them on the spot. As Rachel Ray would say, “Delish!”
• High-budget: Make a reservation at the Oyster Bar on Chuckanute Drive, located on the cliff above Taylor Shellfish. This gorgeous venue also overlooks Samish Bay. Get there before sunset for great views through the evergreens. Here the chef prepares a gorgeous array of oysters on the half shell, as well as baked oysters, fried oysters and variety of gourmet seafood dishes from halibut and salmon to abalone and lobster. The wine list is 27 pages, featuring the best selections from around the world.
• Mid-range budget: For an amazing oyster feast in a funky-fun location, try the Bayou on Bay Oyster Bar on Bay Street in downtown Bellingham. This is a classic cocktail bar, which takes pride in its selection of unique drinks, as well as its selection of local oysters. Try a taste test between: Kumamoto, Shigoku, Kusshi, Virginica, Penn Cove, Phantom Creek and Olympia varieties. Next door is the Bayou on Bay Restaurant, featuring unique creole and cajun food.

Steak & Lobster – The Steakhouse at Silver Reef was voted Best of the Northwest in 2012 and has won awards from Wine Spectator the past two years. The mood lighting in this tiny restaurant is perfect for romance, and the food is phenomenal. Enjoy a private booth for two and select from the extensive wine list. For extra romance, try a variety of entrees personally prepared by your server at the table, including the Ceasar salad, Chateaubriand for Two, Steak Diane, or Steak au Poivre. The steak & lobster is prepared in the kitchen, but romantically served under a silver dome. Be sure to see the amazing dessert cart as well. Who can resist Cherries Jubiliee flambéed tableside in Cherry Brandy?

Unique Meals – Have a once in a lifetime experience with an amazing, chef’s-choice, pre-set menu incorporating ultra local ingredients like you’ve never experienced them before. Ciao Thyme in Bellingham features creations by chef Mataio Gillis at his multi-course Incognitio dinners. The Willows Inn on Lummi Island is recognized as one of the best restaurants in the world worth a plane ride, for foraged and farmed genius of chef Blaine Wetzel. Both require reservations many weeks in advance.

Sunsets Over Bellingham Bay – Two up-scale waterfront hotels in Bellingham offer amazing views of Bellingham Bay from their guest rooms – the perfect place to romantically watch the sunset. At The Chrysalis Inn & Spa, each bay view guest room has a window seat, fireplace, two-person tub, walk-in shower and spa amenities. Have a bottle of champagne delivered to your room and call it a night. Hotel Bellwether features a 3-story Lighthouse Suite, with a private 360-degree observation deck, living room, kitchen, powder room and fireplace. Cook a romantic dinner while watching the sun go down in style!

Spas for Two– If romance means being pampered from head to toe, a signature spa treatment may be just the ticket. Whatcom County is home to two hotels with full-service spas, each with unique offerings.

• Couples Mud Ritual at the Chrysalis Inn & Spa. Embark on exotic Middle Eastern ritual of Rhassoul. Experience together our soaking tub under a starry, fiber-optic sky prior to a full body exfoliation. Paint each other from head to toe with a rare Moroccan mud and relax on our heated bench in a traditional Turkish chamber. After a cascading waterfall and steamy rainforest rinse, enjoy an hour long massage.
• Couples Hot Stone Massage at Silver Reef Casino Hotel Spa. A Native American tradition, hot stone massage has the ability to increase circulation; providing full mind and body relaxation. Silver Reef Spa uses heated river stones in combination with luxurious massage oil, massaging the body from head to toe. You and your special someone can enjoy a relaxing one-hour massage, side by side in one of our lovely treatment rooms.

Wine Bars – Temple Bar has been voted Bellingham’s best Happy Hour the past four years in a row. This could be for its hours. Happy Hour runs 11 am to 7 pm every day, and Sunday 3pm to close. Enjoy a bottle of wine with your choice of: a little cheese plate, landjaegar with dijions and cornichons, or a little savory vegan plate for just $18.  In the Fairhaven Historic District, The Black Cat hosts Happy Hour daily from 4 pm to 6 pm with $5 glasses of wine on all open bottles. Late night Happy Hour begins at 10 pm and goes until the end of the night. Daphne’s is a romantic little Wine Bar chain with locations in Paris, New York, Edmonds and Fairhaven. It is open 7 days a week from 3 pm to midnight. Just right for a nightcap to a perfect evening.

Chocolate – Sweets for your sweetie? The finest grade Callebaut chocolate is imported from Belgium to create a full range of truffles at Chocolate Necessities in Bellingham. Bring your sweetheart into the shop to experience a taste-test, and a warm mug of drinking chocolate (drink of the Gods), as well as wine tasting and Italian gelato. Next door is Pure Bliss Desserts, specializing in cakes, cupcakes and cookies to be enjoyed alongside a glass of Port, Champagne, Wine or Mead.

Have a Beer and Get Married? – It’s not traditional, but for some, this is the most romantic spot in the world. Way up on the Mount Baker Highway is a place called North Fork Beer Shrine and Wedding Chapel. Owners Sandy and Vicki Savage produce hand-crafted, British-style ales in small batches on site, and serve hearty pizza. They also perform weddings! Vicki is an ordained minister who takes great pride in creating personal and sacred experiences for her guests in the Beer Shrine. This could be the place to pop the question, come back for the wedding and every anniversary thereafter. (A wedding license must be procured at least 3 days prior to the nuptial.)

On the south side of Bellingham (I-5 freeway exit 250) is the Fairhaven Historic District. This Victorian-era, 6-block village is loaded with cute shops featuring items from shoes and clothing, to books, art and household wares. Each year the district hosts the Fairhaven Holiday Festival from the day after Thanksgiving until the Saturday before Christmas. The 2012 Festival opens at 3 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 23 with a visit by Santa and the official igniting of thousands of holiday lights on the Village Green and along each street, illuminating the way for the Holiday Art Walk at dozens of shops. Each Saturday during the Festival, old-fashioned horse-drawn carriage rides depart from the Fairhaven Village Inn from 1 to 3 p.m. lending a nostalgic, slower-pace air to the shopping season.

In downtown Bellingham, many people are not aware that the Bellingham Farmer’s Market on Railroad Street continues each Saturday until Dec. 31. Gift items are a larger focus as the market enters November and December, and this is a primary outlet for many local artisans. The market is located inside Depot Market Square, which protects it from fall and winter weather and lends a fun atmosphere.

Downtown Bellingham (I-5 freeway exit 252) is also filled with interesting shops, and is home to the Cultural Arts District with many entertainment options including museums, theatres, and art galleries. Shopping highlights include fine housewares, clothing, used books, art, and food specialty items including artisan chocolate and locally-made ice cream. Restaurants are also plentiful throughout the downtown core.

Parents will be happy to know, the best secret location in Bellingham for a wide array of hard-to-find classic toys is the basement of Yeager’s Sporting Goods at 3101 Northwest Avenue. Park out front or in back and walk through the fishing and hunting gear to a small staircase at the  middle of the store. Walk downstairs, and voila! Here is aisle after aisle of games, puzzles, legos, trucks, dolls, horses, etc. It’s an experience you won’t want to miss.

In north Whatcom County, the small town of Lynden is celebrated by shoppers for its funky antiques stores along the picturesque Front Street. Lynden’s Dutch heritage is prevalent throughout the community, with architecture including traditional Dutch windmills and facades. Among the best kept secrets is the Lynden Pioneer Museum, which touts itself as the “biggest small museum in Washington State” and offers a unique gift store in its entry.

A full list of retail locations in Bellingham and Whatcom County is available on our shopping page, which also includes links to businesses and duty free shops.

Cheese Meat(s) Beer is located inside the Whatcom Museum’s Lightcatcher and its rotating menu features locally-sourced ingredients (notice a theme here?) with an emphasis on pairings. It opened in April 2012.

Dine and Stay: Several hotels in the Bellingham area have gone through significant facelifts and renovations and hired new chefs. Hotel Bellwether’s restaurant is now called the Lighthouse Bar and Grill; Best Western Plus Lakeway Inn recently reopened its Poppe’s 360 Neighborhood Pub; Semiahmoo Resort’s Stars Restaurant touts a new menu, cuisine, and chef; and the Chyrsalis Inn & Spa will be opening the newly-designed Keenan’s Waterfront Grill, which offers a full-service bar and new menu items.

Coming soon:  One of Bellingham’s most popular pop-ups, Dashi Noodle, will be opening its doors next month on State Street (in downtown) after working the streets, farmers markets and pseudo-food truck phenomena. Owner Joshua Silverman decided to try out the noodle bowl concept after closing Nimbus, the restaurant in the Bellingham Towers. Rocket Donuts is slated to be open its second location in Bellingham in the Historic Fairhaven District by the end of the year. This sci-fi themed donut shop will be located on the same block as the iconic Village Books.

Sweet Success: Katie’s Cupcakes was named champion of Cupcake Wars on the Food Network on Sunday, October 7. Her winning flavors include Banana Apricot, Chocolate Chip Cookie, Chocolate Peanut Butter Dolce de Leche and White Chocolate Macadamia Nut. Way to go, Katie!

10,781-foot Mount Baker is a popular destination in the winter for downhill skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, cross country skiing and sledding. It’s a huge draw for locals, Western Washington University students and visitors from Canada and the Seattle area, especially. The Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest also attracts snowmobilers and sledding enthusiasts in the winter months.

Mt Baker Ski Area quick facts

-Mt. Baker Ski Area is located 60 miles east of Bellingham, WA on highway 542.
-Locals like to say Mt. Baker is where snowboarding was virtually invented (but skiers and snowboarders of all skills are welcome on the mountain of course).
-Mt. Baker Ski Area ranked 18th in the nation, and number one in the state of Washington, based on a survey of ski professionals by Skiing Magazine (2005).
-Mt. Baker holds the world’s record for highest annual snowfall with 1,140 inches in 1998-1999.
-Mt. Baker Ski Area has the longest ski season in Washington State (November through April), and the earliest snow in the state.
-Mt. Baker Ski area has 38 trails and 9 chairlifts (7 quads; 2 rope tows), and is perfect for downhill and cross-country skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing.
-Runs: 11 beginner, 16 intermediate, 7 advanced, 4 expert..
-Average snowfall 647 inches (1,638 cm); Vertical rise 1,500 ft (455 m)
-Heather Meadows elevation 4,300 ft (1,300m).
-White Salmon elevation 3,500 ft (1,060m).
-Rideable Acreage: 1,000 acres.
-contact info: www.mtbaker.us; (360) 734-6711; (360) 671-0211 (snow report)

Mt. Baker Ski Area provides snowboarders and skiers with a variety of terrain, day lodges, ski lessons and rentals. Lifts run daily from 9 am-3:30 pm. Open operating days and hours wholly depend on conditions and weather. Weather and conditions can be a factor affecting the days and time of opening.

Passes and lift tickets/vouchers can be purchased at Mt. Baker Ski Area office (1019 Iowa St, Bellingham, WA 98229) or at the mountain during the ski season. Prices range from $50 for adult weekends & holidays to $35 for a super senior (70+) on non-holiday weekdays. Children ages 6 and under ski for free.

Chains are required by state law in your vehicle from November until April. Check with Washington State Department of Transportation for details.

Cross Country Skiing
There is a 4-kilometer trail which begins at the Heather Meadows ski area parking lot. Cost is by donation at a self-pay station at the trail head. Telemark skis are available for rent for a more challenging experience on the slopes.

Hannegan Pass provides up to 13 miles of cross-country ski trail depending on snow. Trails are groomed on a volunteer basis and is not guaranteed. Trail use is free, but a Sno-Park Permit is required to park at the trail head. The trail is located about 13 miles beyond the town of Glacier on the Mt. Baker Highway, State Route 542 (between mileposts 46/47), and is across the road from Silver Fir Campground (Razor Hone Road #3070 and Anderson Road #3071). For other trails and current trail conditions go to the Nooksack Nordic Ski Club website www.nooksacknordicskiclub.org.

Salmon Ridge Cross Country Trail
Managed by the Nooksack Nordic Ski Club
www.nooksacknordicskiclub.org
(360) 371-3554

Snowshoeing
Snowshoers can use the Salmon Ridge Trail, but not in the ski tracks. Contact the Mt. Baker Ranger District in Sedro-Woolley for other trail information at (360) 856-5700 or Glacier Public Service Center at (360) 599-2714.

New Trail in 2012:

The finishing touches are being made on a new 2-mile snowshoe route near the Mt Baker Ski area. Snowshoers will enjoy this new loop that starts at White Salmon Road, goes over the Razor Hone Creek Recreation Bridge, then back up a different route to complete the loop. In 2011, a different new snowshoe route was established leading from White Salmon Road to the lower trail system around Razor Hone Road.

Bellingham-based organizations like Whatcom Events (the group that organizes the annual Ski to Sea Race) and the Mount Baker Club and REI are working together, along with volunteers to establish more snowshoe routes and events in Whatcom County.

Snowshoeing trails off the Mt. Baker Highway (SR 542)
Coal Pass, FS 39: Just east of the town of Glacier and milepost 34, turn south on Glacier Creek Rd/FS 39.
Excelsior Trail: There is a sizeable parking lot at the trailhead on the north side of SR 542, east of milepost 42. A steep, forested trail leads to the open meadows of Welcome Pass. Route finding skills recommended.
Hannegan Pass: Just east of the DOT equipment sheds by milepost 46. There is a sizeable parking area where Hannegan Road meets SR 542.
Silver Fir Campground: Across from the large SnoPark east of milepost 46. Flat, amid old growth, by the Nooksack River.
Bagley Lakes: Just west of Mt. Baker Ski Area. Drive SR 542 to the end. Park in the farthest corner of the farthest parking lot to access the Bagley Lakes Trail.
Artist Point: Follow SR 542 to the end. Park in the farthest corner of the farthest parking lot.

Snowmobiling
There are two groomed trails off the Mt. Baker Highway 542; Canyon Creek (Road #31) and Glacier Creek (Road #39). Snowmobiling is allowed when the road systems are closed to vehicles and there is sufficient snow pack (24”). These trails are designated Washington State Sno-Park and you need to show your permit in your vehicle window when parked at Sno-Parks.

And if you are a snowmobile fan, this State Parks Web site has information on the Glacier and Canyon Creek Snoparks along the Mt. Baker Highway (State Route 542).

Sledding
For customer & public safety, Mt. Baker Ski Area strictly prohibits sledding and snowplay within ski area boundaries. Sledding and snowplay may be exercised at your own risk on the National Forest Service land, located outside the ski area. Sledding is permitted and usually viable year-round outside of the ski area.

Equipment Rentals
Fairhaven Bike & Mtn. Sports in Bellingham, (360) 733-4433
Glacier Ski Shop, (360) 599-1943
Mt. Baker Ski Area, (360) 734-6771
Mt. Baker Snowboard Shop, (360) 599-2008
REI in Bellingham, (360) 647-8955
Yeager’s in Bellingham, (360) 733-1080
Back Country Essentials in Bellingham, (360) 534-5678

Events on Mt. Baker

Banked Slalom — Feb 8,9 and 10, 2013
Mt. Baker is home to the Legendary Banked Slalom (LBS), a snowboarding contest held annually since 1985 at Mt. Baker Ski Area, in Washington State near Bellingham. The LBS is regarded as the predecessor to the “boardercross” event, and has been won by some of the biggest names in the history of snowboarding. The winner receives a Duct Tape trophy and an embroidered Carhartt jacket.

The first race was held in 1985, organized by Bob Barci and Tom Sims. With only 14 riders at the top of the 500-foot-long (150 m) course, they raced through 15 gates with only a few spectators present. The decision to put on the banked slalom at Mt. Baker came about because it was one of the few ski areas in North America that welcomed snowboarders at that time.

Ski to Sea — May 26, 2013
The Ski to Sea Festival consists of a 100 mile relay race of seven venues encompassing seven different sports, a historical hometown parade, and other special events provide a wide variety of entertainment and adventure for all who participate. A Ski to Sea Race team consists of 8 racers (2 in the canoe leg) for the seven race legs (Cross Country Ski; Downhill Ski/Snowboard; Running; Road Bike; Canoe; Mountain Bike; Kayak). A racer can only be on one team, and only complete one leg. From the top of Mt. Baker to Bellingham Bay, discover Whatcom County’s recreational playground and the ‘Ski to Sea’ Experience.

http://www.skitosea.com/

“We have been a part of revitalizing the cultural arts district for about two years,” said Wes Herman, owner of The Woods Coffee, which now has a location on Bay Street.  “We have seen some amazing changes with the Spark Museum and Pickford Film Center to go along with our own transformation of the Flatiron building. We were initially excited about the new space for our use, but we really had no idea how the changes would impact from this downtown block. It has come alive!”

In 2012, Spark Museum of Electrical Invention officially launched its new name and its monthly attendance has already doubled since Jan. 1. On Oct. 13-14, the museum will also launch an eye-popping new Electrical Extravaganza Show for thrill-seekers, as part of the grand celebration of its new name.

“Our name change has been a huge success,” said John Jenkins, Spark Museum President. “The incredible magnitude of our collection features the inventions that have changed the course of human history. The electrical show has also been a vision of ours for many years, and we are thrilled to finally make it a reality.” Read the full news release here. The show will also be offered on a regular basis for visitors throughout the year. Spark Museum is open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wed. – Sat. and noon – 4 on Sunday.

Next door is the state-of-the art Pickford Film Center – a haven for independent film lovers throughout the region, which has also doubled in attendance since opening at this new Bay Street location in April 2011, and has doubled its membership numbers. Located in a remodeled historic building, the Pickford includes two theaters and a generous lobby. The upscale snack bar features a selection of wine and cheese plates that can be enjoyed in the theaters as well. Unique film events and festivals throughout the year include: Bellingham Bike-in, Doctober (documentaries month), Bellingham Children’s Film Festival, Guerilla Film Project, and Northwest Projections Film Festival.

Visiors also find a range of food choices on the block range from a quick latte and sandwich at Woods Coffee to hearty Cajun-style fare at Bayou on Bay, which is open for lunch and dinner and includes a full bar. Temple Bar and Mount Bakery also face Bay Street, each providing European flavor to the block, from fromage and baguettes to French-style crepes and pastries.

A unique, jeweled scepter sculpture invites the curious to enter the street. Sidewalks have been recently improved by the City of Bellingham and parking has been enhanced with electronic pay stations.

“We seem to be at the apex of the new “old town” district as well as the cultural arts district in Bellingham,” said Herman. “We are seeing people come into this area just to be in old town, which features also several antique stores and art galleries. First Friday art walk has been a great addition to bring people walking around seeing all there is to see. The Woods Coffee has their free singer songwriter series on those nights which adds a new dimension to the arts.”

Each summer, the Downtown Bellingham Partnership also presents the Downtown Sounds music concert series on Bay Street, featuring live performances, local food and a beer garden on Wednesday evenings from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Attendance averages 1,500 people per night with a high of 3,000 in a single evening. The events and the location have become a hub of community interaction in Bellingham’s downtown core.

June 8, 2012

Media Contact:

Jacqueline Cartier, Marketing Director

Bellingham Whatcom County Tourism

360-671-3990; jacqueline@bellingham.org

(Bellingham, WA) – The Bellingham area offers exceptional venues for events, retreats, weddings, and meetings.  Options range from rustic cabins in the mountains to deluxe resorts by the bay, classroom-style meeting space on a college campus to theatre space at our historic theater in the downtown Arts District. Bring your group, your party or your business to Bellingham, WA for a truly unique getaway and event.

Events

Bellingham, WA is home to Western Washington University, which can accommodate larger groups and conventions, both for housing and meeting space.  WWU has many options to custom fit various events’ needs.  Nearby Whatcom Community College can handle large groups, up to 1200 people.  Bellingham has two local theatres, The Mount Baker Theatre and the Pickford Film Center, and they can accommodate hundreds of guests; Northwest Washington Fair and Event Center in nearby Lynden can hold up to 5,000 people for an event.  If you’re looking for a cozier retreat, cabins are available for rent through Mount Baker Lodging ranging from 1-6 bedrooms.

Weddings

You don’t have to travel far in Whatcom County to find a scenic, festive and unique venue for a wedding. Hotel Bellwether is a waterfront boutique, European-style hotel with a large ballroom and several small rooms perfect for any sized wedding.  The Port of Bellingham has several waterfront facilities, including the Cruise Terminal, the gateway terminal for the Alaska Marine Highway. The Port’s Squalicum Boathouse boasts an open design with high-beamed ceilings, natural woods and stone; it’s perfect for smaller events and offers incredible views of Bellingham Bay and San Juan Islands.  In nearby Lynden, Homestead Golf & Country Club will impress your guests with its small town feel and gorgeous views of nearby farms and mountains.

Conferences

Bellingham’s conference facilities offer a nice change of pace compared to big city hotels. Silver Reef Hotel Casino Spa has 6 meeting rooms varying in capacity and size, along with several restaurants and over 100 rooms and suites. New in 2013: Silver Reef Hotel Casino Spa is opening a new convention center, which will include an event center, a theatre with 150 fixed seats in a tiered configuration and state‐of‐the art audio‐visual capabilities, and The Cantina, a venue offering Mexican cuisine with a fun atmosphere. Silver Reef Hotel Casino Spa will be adding 225 new machines, bringing their total gaming machine count to 1,200.

Other venues that will shine for your large conference or meeting are the Best Western Plus Lakeway Inn, a 132-room convention hotel with more than 12,000 square feet of meeting space and Semiahmoo Resort, a 200-room seaside resort just 20 miles north of Bellingham.  While Best Western Plus Lakeway Inn is close to lots of services in downtown Bellingham, Historic Fairhaven, and Interstate-5, Semiahmoo Resort offers a more quiet experience for guests with several golf courses, waterfront wildlife, and beachside trails.

What else can I do with my group? Why Bellingham?

Bellingham, WA consistently ranks among the top 10 cities with the cleanest air nationwide, as one of the best places to live, retire and “hippest, healthiest and most adventure-packed” small cities in America.  It’s a great place to bring events, weddings and conferences because of its top-rated restaurants and caterers, Arts District, historic walking tours, charter boats, and hundreds of biking and hiking trails. You can also get your employees inspired by signing up for a creative staff development workshop called BizProv (offered by our local improv troupe at The Upfront Theatre). It boosts morale, positive communication and collaborative teamwork, as well as creativity and innovation within any company or organization.

For more information on event, wedding and conference planning, contact Membership and Sales Director of Bellingham Whatcom County Tourism, Mike Mors, at mike@bellingham.org or check out www.bellingham.org/event-planning.

***

Founded in 1978, Bellingham Whatcom County Tourism is the official tourism agency for Whatcom County. Its mission is to improve the local economy by attracting visitors who stay longer. For more information on Bellingham and Whatcom County, visit www.bellingham.org.

###

Bellewood Acres Farm will open the county’s largest distillery in a brand new, 12,000-square-foot facility this June. The 62-acre farm, located at 231 Ten Mile Road in Lynden, is known throughout the region for its apple production, especially Honeycrisp, from its 25,000 trees. Apples will be the key ingredient in the distillery’s spirits, including vodka, brandy and gin. Owners John and  Dorie Belisle were the first in the state to file a distillery license for production on their own farm. The spacious new facility includes a 250-gallon still for vodka, and another 150-gallon still for the other specialty spirits, as well as room for a bakery, gift shop, deli space, eating area and community room. Visitors are also welcome to tour the orchards, which feature a gorgeous view of Mt. Baker.

In Bellingham, Chuckanut Bay Distillery is located at 1115 Railroad Ave, across the street from Bellingham Farmer’s Market, near Boundary Bay Brewery. Co-owners Matt Howell and Kelly Andrews have installed a 150-gallon pot still to produce vodka and gin from local ingredients. They plan to experiment with a variety of in-season flavors, and the tasting room will provide an opportunity for direct input from customers.

Smaller in scale, but packing a huge punch, Mount Baker Distillery in Bellingham plans to offer 100-proof moonshine whiskey, as well as 80-proof vodka produced in 15-gallon stills made from re-purposed beer kegs. Moonshine is a part of owner Troy Smith’s family heritage, reaching back to just after the Civil War. He plans to honor the memory of his great-great grandfather by calling the product Abe Smith’s Mt. Baker Moonshine. The distillery and tasting room is located at 1305 Fraser Street, Suite D2.

Nov. 18 – Dec. 24: 32^nd Annual Allied Arts Holiday Festival of the Arts

This six week long arts festival in Bellingham features the work of more than 100 local artisans and craftspeople. The affordable handmade products range from jewelry to paintings to wearable art to specialty foods. Weekends are packed with activities; hear live local music, catch some of our artists in action, and bring the kids in for fun art projects. Wed – Sun., 10 – 6, also open Mon., Dec. 20 and Tues., Dec. 21. The festival will close at 3 p.m. on Dec. 24. www.alliedarts.org

Nov. 25 – Dec. 24: Fairhaven Holiday Festival

The month-long Fairhaven Holiday Festival kicks on the day after Thanksgiving with the official lighting of the historic district at 5 p.m. Local shops will be open late on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 25 -26 from 5 to 9 p.m. for a Holiday Art Walk. The fun continues each Saturday, with horse-drawn carriage rides through the streets of Fairhaven from noon to 3 p.m. Visitors will also find photo ops with the Grinch each Saturday and Sunday. www.fairhaven.com

Dec. 2 – 4: Olde Fashioned Christmas in Ferndale’s Log Cabins

Memories of Christmas Past is the theme for the 2011 Old Fashioned Christmas in Ferndale hosted by the Ferndale Heritage Society in Pioneer Park. Costumed volunteers welcome guests and deck the halls of 12 authentic log cabins built by early settlers. Activities include holiday cheer, crafts for kids, refreshments, live entertainment, horse drawn wagon rides, and a visit with Santa. Friday 5 – 9 p.m., Saturday 1 – 9 p.m., Sunday 1 – 4 p.m. Bring a camera for family photos. 360-384-6461. www.ferndaleheritagesociety.com.

Dec. 3: Lighted Christmas Parade in Lynden

Dutch roots and small town charm twinkles at Lynden’s Lighted Christmas parade featuring floats, wagons, farm equipment, trucks, cars and more, warming Front Street from 6 to 7 p.m. Bring blankets, lawn chairs, warm coats and hot cocoa to kick off the holiday season. 360-354-5995. www.lynden.org.

Dec 2 – 4: Holiday Port Festival in Bellingham

Youth, families, adults, seniors, businesses and professional bakers all compete in a Gingerbread House Contest as part of the Holiday Port Festival at the Bellingham Cruise Terminal. Visitors have the joy of touring the sugary creations at this family-friendly event that includes music, dance performances, Santa Claus and more from noon to 8 p.m. each day. www.portofbellingham.com. 360-676-2500.

Dec 3: Christmas Tree Lighting in Blaine

Blaine’s annual holiday event features a day of music, caroling, refreshments, Mr. & Mrs. Santa, free candy canes, hot ciders & prize drawing. The Christmas Tree is illuminated at 5 p.m., while the boats in the harbor sail with their holiday lights aglow. The Blaine Library also hosts its annual winter book sale, and Loomis Hall art galleries showcase a special exhibit. www.blainechamber.com, 800-624-3555.

Dec. 4: Whatcom Symphony Orchestra Holiday Treasures Concert

The Western Washington University Concert Choir returns for this annual Whatcom Symphony event, at the Mount Baker Theatre at 3 p.m. Filled with beloved holiday melodies, traditional carols, and a few special surprises, this concert sets Bellingham’s holiday mood, including the traditional candlelit Silent Night. 360-734-6080. www.whatcomsymphony.com.

Dec. 11: Whatcom Chorale

The Whatcom Chorale will present Tidings of Comfort and Joy, featuring Menotti’s Amahl and the Night Visitors and several beloved carols at Bellingham High School at 3 p.m. 2011 is the 100^th anniversary of Menotti’s birth and the 60^th anniversary of the premier of Amahl. www.whatcomchorale.org.

Dec. 23: Debby Boone, Christmas Memories

Bellingham’s Mount Baker Theatre will host Debby Boone in a special Christmas performance at 8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 23. One of America’s musical sweethearts, Debby will offer some of her holiday favorites interspersed with selections from her original recordings and a few personal reminiscences. For tickets contact www.mountbakertheatre.com or call 360-734-6080.

Dec. 31: Annual Ring of Fire & Hope

Although the sky is dark, the crescent shaped shoreline of Birch Bay lights up at 7 p.m., with hundreds of road flares to create a ring of fire signifying hope for the coming year. Visitors are welcome to participate. www.birchbaychamber.com

Jan. 1, 2012: 28^th Annual Birch Bay Polar Bear Plunge

Quickly becoming an international tradition, at noon hundreds of shivering brave souls collectively plunge into the icy waters of Birch Bay as a New Year ritual. 360-371-5004. www.birchbaychamber.com

Have you ever stood in two countries at the same time? Give it a try at the Peace Arch State Park in Blaine,WA (I-5 exit 276). Look for the obelisk that officially marks the U.S. – Canada border running right through the middle of the grassy park. The unmistakable centerpiece of the park is the 67-foot tall, white classical structure known as the Peace Arch, which straddles the border. It bears two mottos, “Children of a Common Mother,” and “Brethren Dwelling Together in Unity.” It was built in 1921 to commemorate the first 100 years of peace between the U.S. and Canada (1814 – 1914). Peace Arch State Park hosts an annual outdoor sculpture exhibit, scenic gardens and a children’s playground area.

Blaine is also home to a classic, family-friendly Old Fashioned 4^th of July Parade through the business district on Peace Portal Drive. Bring your American flags and bucket to store your treats! www.ci.blaine.wa.us.

To the west of Blaine is Birch Bay – a fun seaside community with lots of activity for kids. Check the tide tables before you go at www.birchbayvillage.com/tides/tidetables.jsp. A negative tide of three feet or more during daylight hours means a massive beach has been exposed giving kids acres of room to roam and dig in the sand. The C Shop is a fun pit stop in a bright yellow building on Alderson Rd. Kids love the old fashioned snow cones, ice cream and homemade candy, as well as the pizza and sandwiches. Just across the street is the Bay Café Espresso and Deli serving clam chowder, hamburgers, sandwiches and coffee. A full list of dining and maps are at www.birchbaychamber.com.

If you bring your galoshes and your binoculars, you are likely to make discoveries in the tideflats and witness a variety of migrating birds at Point Whitehorn Marine Reserve, near Birch Bay. Featuring 54 acres of forest, bluff and beach, with a ¾ mile fully accessible trail to spectacular viewpoints of the Straight of Georgia and San Juan Islands. A switchback path descends from the bluff to access a windswept cobble beach. From I-5, take the Grandview exit 266 and drive west toward Birch Bay for 8.5 miles. Follow the road as it curves left and becomes Koehn Road, then look for the parking lot on the left. Maps are at www.co.whatcom.wa.us/parks/pointwhitehornmarinereserve.jsp

Ferndale is home to a classic, small-town Main Street. and three great parks for kids. Located along the Nooksack River, Pioneer Park contains one of the finest collections of original slab-cedar log cabins in the Northwest. Built by pioneers, each of the cabins sat abandoned in old growth forests to deteriorate until they were rescued by volunteers and placed in a village-like setting in Ferndale. Today, families can sit at a desk in a one-room school house, browse in the general store and purchase penny candy, visit a home with a wood stove in the kitchen and see horse drawn wagon used on Ferndale’s first postal route. Tour guides in period costume are available through the summer months. A play ground and picnic shelter are also available nearby. Hours: May – September 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. www.ferndaleheritagesociety.com

On the opposite side of the river, a giant-size red and white barn built in 1913 anchors the historic farm setting at Hovander Homestead Park, alongside the original farmhouse built by Swedish homesteader Hakan Hovander in 1903. The park features 720 acres, including the original 60-acre Hovander Homestead. Kids love seeing the many farm animals, climbing on old-fashioned tractors and running through acres of grass. Adults also enjoy viewing the blacksmith shop, antique farm equipment and historic structures. Picnic tables and a children’s play structure are available. Follow a pedestrian trail on quarter mile to Tennant Lake. Hours: 8 a.m. to dusk. www.co.whatcom.wa.us/parks/hovander/hovander.jsp

Just a short walk, or a short drive, from Hovander Homestead Park, the Tennant Lake complex includes one of Washington’s most spectacular wetlands. An elevated boardwalk leads through the woods and passes by several habitats along the edge of the shallow lake, providing a chance to view birds, identify vegetation and see aquatic animals. Upon entering, visitors pass through an award-winning Fragrance Garden, where they can touch and smell 200 varieties of herbs and flowers. Kids especially love the observation tower with inside stairs and an outside deck at the top. A viewing camera on the tower also provides disabled visitors with a wide range of vistas from the ground level. Hours: 8 a.m. to dusk. www.co.whatcom.wa.us/parks/tennantlake/index.jsp

A great lunch option in Ferndale is to stop the Haggen grocery store just off the freeway to pick up a picnic on your way to the park or eat at the store’s spacious indoor seating area. Haggen offers a deli counter, Chinese food, salad bar, bakery and Starbucks Coffee. Families also enjoy Chihuahua’s Mexican Food in downtown Ferndale. Take Main St. west to Third Ave. Turn left for one block. Chihuahua’s is on the corner of Third and Vista Ave.

To the northeast, Lynden is a farming community that clings passionately to its Dutch roots. It is Washington State‘s largest Dutch settlement currently with about 30% of its residents having Dutch ancestry. It’s also the heart of the region’s farmland. Upon reaching the four-block span of Front Street, known as Dutch Old Town, visitors are greeted by a 72-foot tall working windmill that towers over the street.  Adjacent is the Dutch Village Mall featuring shops with Dutch imports and a canal running through the mall. The Lynden Pioneer Museum is a fun kid destination. It is home to the largest collection of horse-drawn buggies west of the Mississippi and features an indoor, two-story replica of Lynden as it was in 1900. www.lyndenpioneermuseum.com.

A great place to play in Lynden is Million Smiles Park, with over 25 different activities, this 22,000 square foot play area was built with donation and volunteer labor in only 9 days! www.lynden.org . Grab a tasty lunch at Jake’s Western Grill.

Stretching out from Lynden, thousands of acres of green farmland lie at the foot of snow-capped Mt. Baker, creating breath-taking views. Whatcom County is America’s largest producer of red-raspberries, harvesting 65% of the raspberries grown in the nation for jam and juice processing. The region is also first in the nation in milk production per cow. This is a place where tractors are frequently seen on the roads and animals are plentiful. The annual Whatcom Food & Farm Finder lists dozens of locations that are open to the public. Each August the Northwest Washington Fair is held in Lynden, featuring more than 12,000 exhibits, agricultural displays, carnival, and grandstand entertainment. www.nwwafair.com.

Families also enjoy the Mt. Baker Scenic Byway (State Route 542). This 58-mile paved highway starts at I-5 exit 253 in Bellingham, passes through many small towns, including Deming, Maple Falls and Glacier, winds along the scenic North Fork Nooksack River, and climbs to an elevation of 5,140 feet, where it ends at its well-named destination, Artist Point, which is generally open in August, September and October.  Artist Point is legendary for its spectacular views of Mt. Baker and Mt. Shuksan. Often there is still snow on the ground at this elevation and what kid can resist snowplay on a summer day?

Just below Artist Point, at milepost 55, a Visitors Center is open daily in summer months at Heather Meadows (10 am – 4 pm). Easy access to family friendly trails from this location include: Bagley Lakes Trail, Fire and Ice Trail, and Picture Lake Trail. The view alternates from lava rock to black basalt, dotted with clear water lakes and 900-year-old hemlock. Exhibits inside the historical Heather Meadows Visitor Center offer a glimpse into the area’s colorful cultural history.

In Bellingham, an abundance of city parks are a kid’s delight. Among the largest, featuring grassy lawns, play equipment and numerous trails through evergreens are Cornwall Park, Whatcom Falls Park, Lake Padden Park and Fairhaven Park. Kids also enjoy Bloedel Donovan Park on the edge of Lake Whatcom and Boulevard Park on the edge of Bellingham Bay. A favorite spot for kite flying is Zuanich Point Park near the marina at Squalicum Harbor.

Downtown Bellingham (I-5 exit 252) is home to multiple museums that welcome the whole family. Start at the Family Interactive Gallery (FIG) inside the Whatcom Museum’s innovative Lightcatcher building at 250 Flora Street.  Hours: Tues – Sun, noon – 5 p.m. Admission: $10 general, $4.50 children under 5. This exciting and beautiful new space connects people of all ages, including toddlers, with art related activities that also have a connection to our environment. It features activities that invite children to create, role play, and interact with experiential activities. A resource reading space allows for story time and provides materials on art exhibits found in the other galleries. Throughout the day, ARTCARTS can be rolled out for spontaneous activities for youth. The Lightcatcher also houses several art galleries and features an innovative green roof! www.whatcommuseum.org

Within two blocks are three additional museum venues sure that are sure to entertain. The American Museum of Radio & Electricity is located at 1312 Bay Street. Hours: Wed – Sat 11 – 4 p.m.  Sun noon – 4 p.m. Admission $5 adults, $2 children under 12. Although not appropriate for toddlers, youngsters age 5 and older will enjoy this unique museum featuring a world-class collection of historic radios and early electrical equipment used for experiments. Kids can learn about Benjamin Franklin, experience great grandpa’s childhood in a 1930s era living room with a working radio set and NO TV, see a replica of the radio room on board the Titantic, listen to a Thomas Edison era phonograph recording, and more. www.amre.us

Around the corner is Mindport Exhibits at 210 W. Holly St. Hours: Wed-Fri noon – 6 p.m., Sat 10 – 5 p.m., Sun noon – 4 p.m. Admission: $2 per person. This unique venue offers visitors of all ages an opportunity to have fun “playing” with scientific and artistic creations to gain new perspectives of the world around us. The exhibits at Mindport are sure to inspire new inventions of your own! www.mindport.org

Bellingham Railway Museum 1320 Commercial Street. Hours: Tues/Thurs/Fri/ Sat  Noon – 5 p.m.  Admission: $4 adults, $1 kids 2 – 16. Kids can take the controls to operate historic model trains on 5 separate tracks, as they learn about logging and historic railroads of the area. Then try an I Spy adventure throughout the facility. Layouts at the Bellingham Railway Museum include G gauge (the largest of the indoor trains) and a nostalgic Lionel exhibit with a push button and transformer control system. www.bellinghamrailwaymuseum.org

For lunch with the kids in downtown Bellingham, the Mount Bakery specializes in gooey pastries and artisan sandwiches, as well as hot chocolate and coffee. It is located on W. Champion St., near the American Museum of Radio & Electricity. Old Town Café is Bellingham’s very casual place for breakfast/brunch. It offers a veg-friendly menu with a corner of toys and musicians. Just around the corner from the Bellingham Railway Museum, on W. Magnolia St., is the low-key Mexican restaurant Taco Lobo, with a variety of inexpensive lunch specials. The Bagelry at 1319 Railroad Ave is quintessential Bellingham, featuring freshly made bagels, yummy cream cheese, soups and sandwiches – try the black bottom muffins too! And don’t miss Mallard Ice Cream at 1323 Railroad Avenue, where locally made ice cream comes in dozens of fun and unusual flavors.

On the south side of Bellingham Bay, the Fairhaven Historic District (I-5 exit 250) began as a separate city in 1883. Many of the quaint red-brick buildings were built in the 1890s. Although it officially merged with Bellingham in 1903, the locals still refer to the historic district as Fairhaven and it seems to have its own identity. The six blocks of shops are a fun area for kids and grown-ups to explore. Parking is free and sidewalks are wide. Be sure to look for the toy store, the book store, the double-decker bus that serves fish-n-chips, the ice cream and cupcake shops and the grassy Village Green. www.fairhaven.com.

From Fairhaven, it is also an easy walk to Boulevard Park. A gravel trail leads from the Fairhaven Village Inn, past the granite monument marking the spot where Fairhaven and Bellingham became one, to the Chrysalis Inn. From here the Taylor Dock boardwalk expands over the water, past sailboats and island views, to the awaiting lawns, shoreline and playground of Boulevard Park. This is a great place to toss a Frisbee and see the sunset. In need of another espresso or hot cocoa? The Woods Coffee inside the park makes a great pit stop before the walk back to Fairhaven.