The City of Bellingham (aka the City of Subdued Excitement) formed in 1903 when the cities of New Whatcom and Fairhaven consolidated from what were once four separate settlements (Fairhaven, Whatcom, Sehome, and Bellingham). The local economy got its start in resource extraction, notably coal and timber. The Georgia-Pacific mill on the waterfront, whose site is now being into a dynamic mixed-use neighborhood, sustained the local economy for many years. Recently employment has diversified from heavy industry to education, services, tourism, and retail. Bellingham is the seat of Whatcom County.
Situated on Bellingham Bay, you can venture from downtown and in minutes be in rural farmland, the North Cascades or out on the salt waters around the San Juan Islands. Bellingham is situated about 80 miles North of Seattle and 55 miles South of Vancouver, BC. Environmentally friendly practices such as recycling are part of the culture here. Bellingham is known for being a town that cares for its environment and its residents enjoy the many outdoor activities the region supports.
Outdoor adventure has become a big part of the reasons why people live and visit here. From skiing at nearby Mt. Baker to whale watching near the San Juan Islands, the region offers many attractions. While the community is growing, it still retains much of its authentic self and commitment to its laid back, progressive style.
Downtown thrives with a variety of locally owned businesses, fine dining and nightlife options. It is also the cultural core of the city, with an eclectic mix of museums and performance venues all within blocks of each other. The historic Mt. Baker Theatre hosts a variety of live performances year-round. The nearby Whatcom Museum of History & Art showcases exhibitions of contemporary art and regional history in four buildings.
Down on Bay Street is the American Museum of Radio and Electricity. It links the scientific exploration of the phenomenon called “electricity” with the development of radio into its Golden Age. Compelling, interactive exhibits spanning three centuries feature a world-class collection of unique electrical objects and radios.
Nearby on Commercial Street is the Bellingham Railway Museum. This facility traces the history of the railway in Bellingham through a variety of hands-on exhibits and simulators. The Museum's Lionel and tinplate exhibit features a collection of pre- and post-war Lionel, Marx and Ives toy trains and the accessories that went with them.
Western Washington University attracts students from across the region to Bellingham. This keeps the city relatively young and vibrant, and contributes to an unusually rich local cultural scene. WWU is also home to one of the largest & finest collections of outdoor sculpture on the West Coast, featuring works of internationally renowned artists including Richard Serra, Isamu Noguchi, Beverly Pepper and Anthony Caro.
Fairhavenis noted for its colorful, 19th century history. With hopes of being the next Chicago, Fairhaven bustled with hotels, taverns, an opera house, concert garden, restaurants and brothels. The boom, driven initially by demand for lumber, coal and fish, was further fueled by the rumor that Fairhaven was to become the western terminus of the second northern transcontinental railroad.
Today, several red brick relics of Fairhaven's era survive in the federally designated historic district's six square-blocks. They (and other structures) are now home to a variety of unique local restaurants, pubs, art galleries, antique shops, bookstores, boutique hotel plus an inn and spa. The district has blossomed into a major destination and residential community.
As coffee is a way of life in the Northwest, the region certainly has its share of local espresso stands. Whatcom County holds the record for the most drive-up espresso stands per-capita in Washington (state). More than 50 stands dot the landscape, with such lively names as "Brewed Awakening", "I Wanna Moka", "Jitters Cafe", "Shot in the Dark" and "Well Latte Dah".
Bellingham Whatcom County Tourism, is the central resource for community information. 800-487-2032 toll free in US and Canada, 360-671-3990. They have an info center at Interstate 5, Exit 253 City Center. Open daily 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
The Most Frequently Asked Travel Questions about Bellingham (Washington)
Where To Stay & Best Hotels in Bellingham (Washington) - updated May 2024
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Bellingham (Washington) Travel Guide from Wikitravel. Many thanks to all Wikitravel contributors. Text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0, images are available under various licenses, see each image for details.
