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Photo Contest
BE Wild
We want to see your wild side! Get out in Whatcom County and take some photos. Take new ones or enter the ones you already have in our latest contest.
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| Enter to Win
and the top three photos will get a PRIZE!
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| Log into Facebook and go toBellingham Experience to vote! |
Our Visitors Guide is an excellent start for anyone coming to Northwest Washington. Get information about different towns in the area and insight on shopping, outdoor activities, trails, scenic drives, golfing, annual festivals and much more! Stop in at the Visitor Center located at 904 Potter Street or our downtown location located at 1306 Commercial Street and pick up a copy. You can also view our Visitors Guide online.
Or request one by mail. |
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Our online calendar at
calendar.bellingham.org
under “Things to Do” is a highly utilized aspect of our website. Venues from throughout the county regularly post their activities here. Check it out for frequent new listings and fun ideas each month.
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Bellingham Experience App
Download the new Bellingham Experience App and get the insider scoop on Bellingham and Whatcom County.
Among the great features:
- Trip Itineraries
- Insider tips on things to do
- A map of Wi-Fi hotspots
- An event calendar
- Coupons
- Getting Around
Available for iPhone & Android. Search for “Bellingham Experience.”
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Our Website
Bellingham Whatcom County Tourism’s website
is a great resource for both locals and visitors. Find events, plan your trip, read our blog, watch videos and virtually explore Whatcom County.
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Bellingham Whatcom
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| Summer travel season is here! Pack your bags and head to Bellingham and Whatcom County where fun adventures, outdoor experiences, crafty food and weekend festivals await.
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It’s perfect weather to head to one of Whatcom County’s many golf courses. To see a full list, visit our golfing page. Here are just a few of our favorites: Homestead Golf & Country Club
Located just on the outskirts of Lynden, Homestead Golf and Country Club winds its way across what was once fertile dairy land and is now one of the real surprises of Northwest Washington golf. This is a true resort course, with wide landing areas and multiple tees for the recreational golfer and length, doglegs and hidden hazards to challenge players with some game.
Shuksan Golf Club
Shuksan is a course that varies over 100 feet in elevation. The layout occupies a rural setting split by Ten Mile Creek, which meanders through the fairways with alarming regularity. With terrain ranging from steep ridges to gentle meadows, the 6,737-yard course provides 18 distinct landscape canvases on which to paint your own masterpieces.
With the introduction of flowering meadows and gently rolling fairways, golfers at North Bellingham Golf Course in Bellingham will enjoy the panoramic views of Mt. Baker while being challenged by the prevailing gale winds sweeping across the landscape of this “Real Scottish Style Links Course.”
Designed by Arnold Palmer, Semiahmoo Golf & Country Club is one of Washington’s top 7 public courses as rated by Golfweek, 2010. This tree-lined masterpiece in Semiahmoo allows you to relax and enjoy nature at its best.
The Bellingham Sudden Valley Golf Club is considered a true masterpiece, stressing finesse and accuracy with water hazards on fourteen of the eighteen holes and some 47 bunkers sprinkled throughout the course.
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| Support Bay to Baker Trail |
Long in the planning process, the Bay to Baker Trail will be up for consideration in Whatcom County’s 2017-2018 budget. To help locals and visitors show support for the trail, a citizens group has developed a quick, 14-question survey and your input is invited.
Take the Survey HERE
For background details about the trail’s development, read this article posted by the Bicycle Alliance of Washington.
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Fairhaven Village Inn
In the heart of the Historic Fairhaven District of Bellingham, the Fairhaven Village Inn is footsteps to dining, waterfront trails, kayaking, entertainment, an outdoor market and unique shops. The hotel has spacious rooms with fireplace and bay side options. Porch, library and small meeting rooms make this an excellent spot for families or business meeting retreats. Enjoy free parking, high-speed Internet access, continental breakfasts and sunsets. |
Check out our Summer Activities page to get the full list of activities in the summer.
by Hilary
So many hikes, so little time!
Those of us who live in Whatcom County are fortunate to be surrounded by natural beauty every day. Many of us take advantage of our surroundings, getting out to bike, hike, paddle and more – but how many of us also get stuck in a rut, going to our old standbys, and not exploring a little further?
Read more Family Fun blogs |
Need a dining recommendation? Get your taste buds tempted by checking out Whatcom County Restaurants.
It’s been 44 years since Patricia and Patrick Alesse first opened their C Shop in Birch Bay, and the candy, ice cream and pizza store remains a favorite summer destination among Birch Bay locals and visitors. Arrive on a hot summer evening and you’ll see bikes parked haphazardly outside, families trooping in after their barbeque dinner and young couples out on their first dates, hand-in-hand. Read more restaurant blogs
Busara Thai Cuisine
Busara, a Thai word meaning Yellow Topaz, is an authentic Siamese cuisine prepared by experienced Thai chefs using only the freshest natural ingredients and served in a contemporary atmosphere.
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by Todd
In Bellingham and around Whatcom County there are plenty of Events and Races (see Basecamp Bellingham) to choose from every month of the year. To help prepare for these events or just to connect with active locals- check out these groups and gatherings around the county. Below is a list of groups to join for Running, Paddling, Swimming, Hiking, Mountain Biking, Adventure Racing, Road Biking, Skiing and Social Groups. Read more Outdoor Adventure blogs |
Whatcom County has a wonderful variety of shopping experiences for visitors, from the traditional urban mall, to quaint boutique shops and locally-owned stores. See a full list of shopping ideas. Hardware Sales
Family owned since 1962, we carry over 120,000 items and provide exceptional customer service. Come see us for all of your hardware, rental equipment, and office furniture needs. Delivery available. It doesn’t get any more local than Hardware Sales. Find Exotic Spices and Flavorful Teas at Bellingham’s Spice Hut
Tucked on a side street off of the busy Guide Meridian Street in Bellingham is Spice Hut, a bright, colorful shop filled with everything you need to make your life a little more exotic – and a lot more flavorful. Read more Shopping blogs
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| Car Shows in Whatcom County |
Car Shows in Whatcom County
by Annette
Artistic curves, kaleidoscopic colors, and the shine – oh the shine. This is the view of a car show on a beautiful, cloudless summer day in Whatcom County. It’s the history that draws me in. I imagine a local family out for a slow Sundaydrive as I admire a 1911 Model T.
Dates of Upcoming Car Shows:
July 4 – Old Fashioned Show & Shine, Blaine, 8am to 3pm
July 11 – WCCA Firecracker Rod Run, Pioneer Park, Ferndale
July 18 – Razz & Shine Cruise In, Downtown Lynden, 10am to 3pm
July 19 – Vietnam Veterans 5th Annual Car Show, Sunset Square, Bellingham, 10am to 2pm
July 25 – Old Settler’s Car Show, Ferndale, 9am to 3pm
Aug 21-23 – Elites Summer Fun Rod Run, Deming Log Show Grounds
Sept. 6 – Antique Classic Car Show, Silver Reef, Ferndale
Sept. 12 – WCCA Fall Rod Run, Cedars RV Resort, Ferndale
Sept. 13 – Studebaker Club Classic Car Show, Ferndale
Sept. 19 – Northwood Casino Cruise In, Lynden
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Fourth of July Activities in Bellingham and Whatcom County
by Annette
Put on your red, white and blue and prepare to be festive. July 4 in Bellingham and surrounding communities is packed with fun things to do. View parades, classic cars, tandem bikes, and fireworks by land and sea.July 4
Blaine’s Old Fashioned 4th Festival
Downtown Blaine | 360.332.4544
All Day / FREE
Come spend the day celebrating the 4th of July in Blaine. Thousands of people come to celebrate the 4th with day-long activities that include a pancake breakfast, a parade at noon, an art & crafts street fair with over 80+ vendors, a show & shine, live entertainment, and plenty of good food.July 4
Bellingham’s 4th of July Celebration
Zuanich Point Park | 360.734.1330
2600 Harbor Loop, Bellingham
Enjoy vendor and craft booths, live bands and a beer garden, 11am – 10pm. at Zuanich Point Park in Squalicum Harbor. The spectacular fireworks show goes off around 10:30pm. Gather your friends and family at your favorite location and enjoy the show!July 3-19
Bellingham Festival of Music
Western Washington University | 360.201.6621
516 High Street, Bellingham / Cost Varies
One of America’s premier virtuoso orchestra festivals. Each summer the Festival returns to Bellingham to perform a repertoire of the finest symphonic music. bellinghamfestival.org
July 11
Art 2 Jazz Street Fair
Downtown Blaine | 360.332.6484
11AM-4PM / FREE
An arts & crafts fair that is held in conjuction with the Blaine Jazz Festival. The event features the work of local artists and artisans with free jazz concerts all afternoon.
July 11 – August 29 (Saturdays)
Fairhaven Outdoor Cinema
Fairhaven Village Green |360.778.7000
1207 10th Street, Bellingham
Preshow 7-8PM, Movie at dusk/$5, 5 & under free
The Fairhaven Outdoor Cinema series utilizes this immense painted screen for the weekly films, as well as the grassy lawn in front of it for blanket seating, with limited bench and bring-your-own chair seating on the brick surrounding the lawn of the Green.
Mean Girls: July 11th
Jurassic Park: July 18th
Big Hero 6: July 25th
The Hunger Games Mockingjay: August 1st
Dirty Dancing: August 8th
Up: August 15th
Guardians of the Galaxy: August 22nd
The Princess Bride: August 29th
July 17-18
Northwest Raspberry Festival
Downtown Lynden | 360.354.5995
Fri 10AM-8PM/Sat 8AM-6PM/FREE
Celebrate the largest harvest of raspberries in North America! Activities for the kids; food including raspberry ice cream sundaes & pie; 3-on-3 basketball tournament, pancake breakfast, a walk/run and car show.
July 23-26
Old Settlers Picnic
Pioneer Park | 360.224.8128
2004 Cherry Street, Ferndale
FREE
Celebrate Pacific Northwest history and visit historic log cabin museums, take a horse-drawn carriage ride, or enjoy arts, crafts, food, a petting zoo and performances at this annual event.
July 25
Steampunk Festival
Fairhaven Village Green
1207 10th Street, Bellingham
Noon-5PM/FREE
Fairhaven will be invaded by The Fantastical Mr. Flip’s Carnival of Wonders and Curiosities, a Bellingham Steampunk festival and “spectacular showcase of music, art, and literature” now in its fourth year.
July 26-Aug 9
Marrowstone Music Festival
Western Washington University |360.650.2200
516 High Street, Bellingham
Marrowstone is the premier orchestra training program of the Pacific Northwest, featuring internationally acclaimed faculty and guest artists from the world’s most distinguished orchestras, conservatories and schools of music.
August 1-2
Drayton Harbor Days Street Festival
Blaine Boating Center | 360.322.6484
235 Marine Drive, Blaine
10AM-5PM/FREE
Kids games, crafts, scavenger hunt, the “Prestigious George Raft Race,” pirate costume judging contest, arts, crafts & food vendors, vintage steam boats and much more.
August 1-2
Point Roberts Music Festival
Lighthouse Marine Park
811 Marine Drive, Point Roberts
10AM-6PM/FREE
Family friendly music, art, children’s activities, festival food all on the beautiful beach area and boardwalk.
August 2 & 8
Marrowstone Festival Orchestras
Mt Baker Theatre | 360.734.6080
104 North Commercial Street, Bellingham
3PM/ $15-$39
Marrowstone’s two large orchestras deliver a blockbuster concert of inspiring music played by the next generation of leading artists.
August 14-16
Birch Bay Music Festival
Birch Bay Chamber | 360.371.5004
Birch Bay Drive, Blaine
11AM-6PM/ FREE
Great music with live bands, vendors, a children’s train ride, food booths, a beer/wine garden & the opportunity to win the coveted “Cronk Guitar” and much more! Fireworks at dawn.
August 17-22
Northwest Washington Fair
NW WA Fair & Event Center |360.354.4111
1775 Front Street, Lynden
All Day / $7-12 day pass, 5 & under free
Family entertainment, carnival rides, diverse attractions and educational opportunities for people of all ages. This year in the grandstands: Demolition Derby, PRCA Rodeo, Motocross, Terri Clark and Skillet.
August 29
Muds to Suds Race
Hovander Homestead Park | 360.746.8861
Hovander Homestead Park, Ferndale
9AM / Spectators FREE
A 2.5 mile course with 22 dirty obstacles including 8 mud pits. It is your ultimate childhood fantasy of playing in the mud.
August 29-30
Birch Bay Discovery Days
Birch Bay Chamber | 360.371.5004
Birch Bay Drive, Blaine
10AM-7PM(Sat), 10AM-5PM(Sun)/ FREE
Fun activities abound with a grand parade down Birch Bay Drive, arts/crafts fair and a variety of food vendors. Live Music, Crab Boil & Fireworks. |
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