Guidebook for Bellingham
Food Scene
NW has mastered the sandwiches. Cafe Rumba is a great representation of how good a sandwich can really be. Do yourself a favor and grab lunch here. They also double as a Salsa dance club in the evenings.
Cafe Rumba
1140 N State StNW has mastered the sandwiches. Cafe Rumba is a great representation of how good a sandwich can really be. Do yourself a favor and grab lunch here. They also double as a Salsa dance club in the evenings.
Avenue Bread - Railroad Ave
1313 Railroad AveNW sandwich scene at its best.
Seriously good tacos. The menu has some fusion twists but it works. I love the veggie gyro tacos but seriously, all of their tacos are incredible and they have other goodies like lamb pasole as well. This is a 21+ restaurant with a full bar and local beers/ciders on tap.
46 locals raden deze aan
Black Sheep on Holly
211 West Holly StreetSeriously good tacos. The menu has some fusion twists but it works. I love the veggie gyro tacos but seriously, all of their tacos are incredible and they have other goodies like lamb pasole as well. This is a 21+ restaurant with a full bar and local beers/ciders on tap.
I am addicted to everything they make here. Best bakery in town, hands down. The owners come from the Upper West Side of Manhattan and their old neighborhood's French influence can be tasted in their baking. I'm not usually a scone fan, but their walnut scone will not disappoint. Definitely buy a focaccia for later.
11 locals raden deze aan
Iron Rooster Bakery
1208 10th StI am addicted to everything they make here. Best bakery in town, hands down. The owners come from the Upper West Side of Manhattan and their old neighborhood's French influence can be tasted in their baking. I'm not usually a scone fan, but their walnut scone will not disappoint. Definitely buy a focaccia for later.
A Bellingham classic. Friends meet friends at the Bagelry. They make New York style bagels here (not those squishy ones you'll find in Seattle) in about a dozen flavors with as many kinds of schmears. The soups are also good. Coffee is hit and miss since the new owners took over. Best go 3 doors down to Cafe Adagio for that.
25 locals raden deze aan
Bagelry
1319 Railroad AveA Bellingham classic. Friends meet friends at the Bagelry. They make New York style bagels here (not those squishy ones you'll find in Seattle) in about a dozen flavors with as many kinds of schmears. The soups are also good. Coffee is hit and miss since the new owners took over. Best go 3 doors down to Cafe Adagio for that.
This place is great for groups and the views are incredible. My only complaint is that the portions are just slightly smaller than I would like for the price.
18 locals raden deze aan
Bellingham Cider Company
205 Prospect StThis place is great for groups and the views are incredible. My only complaint is that the portions are just slightly smaller than I would like for the price.
Arts & Culture
Super interesting for all ages. Don't miss this local gem.
47 locals raden deze aan
SPARK Museum of Electrical Invention
1312 Bay StSuper interesting for all ages. Don't miss this local gem.
Kids and adults will love this science-themed hands on gallery. Great for a rainy day.
24 locals raden deze aan
Mindport
210 W Holly StKids and adults will love this science-themed hands on gallery. Great for a rainy day.
1. Lightcatcher (the modern art building) has great exhibits and is a beautiful space.
2. The Children's Museum at Lightcatcher is excellent
3. The wine bar at Lightcatcher is cool.
4. Old City Hall is possibly the oldest standing municipal building in the NW. It has an incredible collection of late 1800s photography (think 15 loggers standing on a single tree stump) and excellent local Native American history and artifacts. This is a great place to learn about the unique history and culture of the area.
55 locals raden deze aan
Whatcom Museum
121 Prospect St1. Lightcatcher (the modern art building) has great exhibits and is a beautiful space.
2. The Children's Museum at Lightcatcher is excellent
3. The wine bar at Lightcatcher is cool.
4. Old City Hall is possibly the oldest standing municipal building in the NW. It has an incredible collection of late 1800s photography (think 15 loggers standing on a single tree stump) and excellent local Native American history and artifacts. This is a great place to learn about the unique history and culture of the area.
Entertainment & Activities
Great, often underrated films in an intimate theater environment.
67 locals raden deze aan
Pickford Film Center
1318 Bay StGreat, often underrated films in an intimate theater environment.
Get your local comedy on! There are a few places downtown to see some standup, this place has been around for a long time.
24 locals raden deze aan
The Upfront Theatre
203 Prospect StGet your local comedy on! There are a few places downtown to see some standup, this place has been around for a long time.
Surprisingly big acts come through here. If you manage to catch one, you'll be treated to an intimate night with first rate talent.
39 locals raden deze aan
Wild Buffalo House Of Music
208 W Holly StSurprisingly big acts come through here. If you manage to catch one, you'll be treated to an intimate night with first rate talent.
Great local and traveling talent takes the stage nightly. Next door, at Red Light, you'll find cocktails and surprisingly good food. Best of all, these places are a very easy walk from the Cabin Apartment (10 minutes).
6 locals raden deze aan
The Firefly Lounge
1015 N State StGreat local and traveling talent takes the stage nightly. Next door, at Red Light, you'll find cocktails and surprisingly good food. Best of all, these places are a very easy walk from the Cabin Apartment (10 minutes).
Drinks & Nightlife
One of the many excellent local breweries, Wander features many award wining brews. The venue is family friendly, has a fire pit and eats, and offers a full view of the brewing operation.
47 locals raden deze aan
Wander Brewing
1807 Dean AveOne of the many excellent local breweries, Wander features many award wining brews. The venue is family friendly, has a fire pit and eats, and offers a full view of the brewing operation.
More of a hip sophisticated vibe than a lot of other Bellingham spots. Located on the 3rd story of a 1900s market building, The Black Cat, also known as Le Chat Noir, has great big windows perfect for watching the weather outside. Great date spot.
37 locals raden deze aan
The Black Cat
1200 Harris AveMore of a hip sophisticated vibe than a lot of other Bellingham spots. Located on the 3rd story of a 1900s market building, The Black Cat, also known as Le Chat Noir, has great big windows perfect for watching the weather outside. Great date spot.
Get your NW style going on with some live music, local brews and a fire pit at Stonesthrow.
42 locals raden deze aan
Fairhaven Stones Throw Brewery
1009 Larrabee AveGet your NW style going on with some live music, local brews and a fire pit at Stonesthrow.
Good place for dinner, great beers. In the summer they have nightly live music on their outside stage as well as sometime inside. A Bellingham institution. Go.
119 locals raden deze aan
Boundary Bay Brewery & Bistro
1107 Railroad AveGood place for dinner, great beers. In the summer they have nightly live music on their outside stage as well as sometime inside. A Bellingham institution. Go.
This is the closest brewery to our house (just walk straight north, it's one block past the Co-op grocery store). Good brews and surprisingly good food (try the bowls). They pull down a large screen on big game days and host live music during the summer. Family friendly.
104 locals raden deze aan
Aslan Brewing Company
1330 N Forest StThis is the closest brewery to our house (just walk straight north, it's one block past the Co-op grocery store). Good brews and surprisingly good food (try the bowls). They pull down a large screen on big game days and host live music during the summer. Family friendly.
Parks & Nature
10 minutes from the house and you are immersed in nature. Vistas at the top are stunning. See all the way to Baker and Canada.
11 locals raden deze aan
Sehome Arboretum View Tower
Huntoon Trail10 minutes from the house and you are immersed in nature. Vistas at the top are stunning. See all the way to Baker and Canada.
Zuanich Point Park
2600 N Harbor Loop DrInsane views of Bellingham Bay and Lummi Island.
A hidden local gem! Great for walking/running (2.25 mi around the lake), in the summer it's my go-to swimming hole. Padden has a good dog park, lots of grills, boat rentals, a great playground, lots of space for sports, and several miles of trails that go deep into the woods. In the winter the lake sometimes freezes over. I love Padden.
100 locals raden deze aan
Lake Padden Park
4882 S Samish WayA hidden local gem! Great for walking/running (2.25 mi around the lake), in the summer it's my go-to swimming hole. Padden has a good dog park, lots of grills, boat rentals, a great playground, lots of space for sports, and several miles of trails that go deep into the woods. In the winter the lake sometimes freezes over. I love Padden.
If you have a car, this is absolutely beautiful drive and only a few minutes away. Stop by Larrabee State Park (first state park in Washington!) while you are there. The shoreline is incredible. Or hike from the Larrabee parking lot up to Fragrance Lake. Maybe you'll see a spotted owl or a bald eagle! The oyster restaurants you'll drive by feature world class fresh local oysters. These are not inexpensive restaurants, but a wonderful treat.
6 locals raden deze aan
Chuckanut Drive
Chuckanut DriveIf you have a car, this is absolutely beautiful drive and only a few minutes away. Stop by Larrabee State Park (first state park in Washington!) while you are there. The shoreline is incredible. Or hike from the Larrabee parking lot up to Fragrance Lake. Maybe you'll see a spotted owl or a bald eagle! The oyster restaurants you'll drive by feature world class fresh local oysters. These are not inexpensive restaurants, but a wonderful treat.
This is super close to the Cabin Apt and worth a visit. The trail will take you to the park. Walk along the boardwalk over the water (especially at sunset). Stop by Woods Coffee Shop or spend the day working there with a view. Take the dog/kids to explore the ship themed playground and beaches. Walk the railroad tracks (if you dare) or continue on into Farihaven. When I was a kid this park was a lumber shipping yard.
South Bay Trail
South Bay TrailThis is super close to the Cabin Apt and worth a visit. The trail will take you to the park. Walk along the boardwalk over the water (especially at sunset). Stop by Woods Coffee Shop or spend the day working there with a view. Take the dog/kids to explore the ship themed playground and beaches. Walk the railroad tracks (if you dare) or continue on into Farihaven. When I was a kid this park was a lumber shipping yard.
Coffee
This is a great place to work/study or to meet people for coffee or wine. Large and inviting, located a short distance from the Cabin Apartment.
15 locals raden deze aan
Makeworth Market
1201 N State StThis is a great place to work/study or to meet people for coffee or wine. Large and inviting, located a short distance from the Cabin Apartment.
Great coffee, great vibe, great food. This little gem of a shop is located in the same building as the Black Cat, another favorite hang. The building itself is historic and really cool. Get you Americano and pastry and wander around, imagining what it was like back when Mark Twain hung out here.
7 locals raden deze aan
Shirlee Bird Cafe
1200 Harris AveGreat coffee, great vibe, great food. This little gem of a shop is located in the same building as the Black Cat, another favorite hang. The building itself is historic and really cool. Get you Americano and pastry and wander around, imagining what it was like back when Mark Twain hung out here.
Caffe Adagio
1435 Railroad AveA true NW coffee shop in all its glory. Coffee is good here.