Bellingham Travel Information
Bellingham is a moderately sized, tree-lined city that shoulders up to
Bellingham Bay with the bravado of a booming outdoors-oriented destination
that knows its worth. As the terminus for one end of the Alaska Marine
Highway, a hub for cruises to and from the San Juan Islands (and
Victoria, British Columbia), and a gateway to the mountains of northern
Washington (including Mount Baker, which sits on Bellingham's doorstep), it should come as no surprise to find that this is a place
popular with its residents and with the steady stream of visitors that
passes through year-round.
Though it rains often in these parts the climate is mostly mild, which
keeps this green-minded city flush and lush above and beyond their
eco-conscious ways - in fact, there's been a strong push to leave gas-guzzlers in the driveway and get a bit of good old-fashioned bit of
exercise by peddling to and from work. In many areas, biking lanes run
along main streets
and a network of trails traverse local parks providing easy
access to quiet walking trails. Those looking rather for a better sense of the sea can enjoy a glimpse of the bay from waterfront parks or on a
boat-tour, though for natural views its hard to top the city's big mountain, Mount
Baker, a 62-mile drive east, which sounds a siren song for hikers in summer and
snow-enthusiasts come winter.
Don't leave without stopping
for at least a look at, if not in, Whatcom Museum of History and Art, housed in the brick building built as City Hall in 1892.
A walking tour of the old downtown tops off an easy education in
historic Bellingham architecture - catch if you can one of the cultural events hosted here throughout the year for a more comprensive introduction to the best Bellingham has to offer.
And finally, when you decide that your days as a land-lubber
must end, rent a water-craft -- from kayak to yacht -- and sail away (to sea or around the safe confines of a local lake). The San Juan Islands are within range of sailboats and powered
vessels, though kayakers and canoers would be wise to assume these
trips a little too far to reach on an afternoon paddle.
Bellingham is 78 miles north of Seattle.
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