If you live in Seattle is a 1 night trip to Bellingham,Washington worthwhile?? (Vancouver: rental, hotels)

[annonymous0381]

Currently I have a friend who live in Vancouver,BC. He refuses to visit me in Seattle but he drives to Bellingham all the time to shop at Trader Joes.

I was thinking I could take the Greyhound bus from Seattle to Bellingham and spend a night in a motel. My question here is there anything to see in Bellingham or is Bellingham like Fresno or Bakersfield??

[homesinseattle]

Bellingham is beautiful compared to those two places you mentioned, not even in the same league. It actually was voted the best small city in the USA a number of years ago. Bellingham is a groovy, connected community with a surprisingly vibrant music, art and cultural scene. It's right on the water (Bellingham Bay), the Fairhaven Historic District is lovely. If you or your buddy have access to a car, the drive just south of Bellingham on Chuckanut Drive is drop dead gorgeous. You could also take the Amtrak from Seattle.

[Tac-Sea]

Bellingham is awesome. Beautiful city.

[annonymous0381]

Originally Posted by homesinseattle

Bellingham is beautiful compared to those two places you mentioned, not even in the same league. It actually was voted the best small city in the USA a number of years ago. Bellingham is a groovy, connected community with a surprisingly vibrant music, art and cultural scene. It's right on the water (Bellingham Bay), the Fairhaven Historic District is lovely. If you or your buddy have access to a car, the drive just south of Bellingham on Chuckanut Drive is drop dead gorgeous. You could also take the Amtrak from Seattle.

Bellingham sounds like Ashland,Oregon or San Luis Obispo,California

[AleeGee]

Bellingham has little museums, breweries, parks, trails, restaurants, bars and beaches. They have big city attractions on a smaller scale. It's a pretty city, and people there aren't tainted or de-sensitized like in Seattle. Check it out. You might like it. Western Wa. U is in Bellingham, so it's also a college town. I like Bellingham. One note; Don't find yourself w/out a place to stay or somewhere to go. It shuts completely down at night, as in you are the only person on the street.

[mayfair]

Whatcom Falls Park has a cool waterfall right in town and a trout hatchery. The waterfront (on the Sound) has a boardwalk and coffee shop, and there's a small marine life aquarium to the north. There are galleries, shops and restaurants- it's worth a trip.

[CrazyDonkey]

Yes, take Amtrak to Bellingham ($36 RT) - train leaves at 7:45am, arrives at 9:57am. Very scenic, runs along Puget Sound much of the way. Return train leaves at 8:32am. Or buy two oneways - 7:45am from Seattle ($31) and 7:37pm from Bellingham ($18) the next day, which would give you 31.5 hours in Bellingham.

The cheapest motels are along Samish Way N.: https://www.google.com/maps/search/h...22.4692298,17z

Places to check out:

* The Horseshoe Cafe (since 1886, Downtown), Bellingham's historic greasy spoon (and oldest restaurant in Washington). Comfortable like an old shoe (it ain't fancy)...

* Old Town Cafe - breakfast/lunch. (Old Town = Bellingham's funky district, near the train station.)

* Downtown shops - just wander.

* Lots of breweries and brewpubs.

* Whatcom Falls Park & Lake Whatcom.

* Boulevard Park, on Bellingham Bay (on the way to Fairhaven).

* Fairhaven Historical District.

* Whatcom Museum.

* Mount Baker Theatre (since 1927) - music shows, musical theatre, comedy, etc.

* Bellingham Railway Museum (Downtown).

* Spark Museum of Electrical Invention.

* WWU Campus & Sehome Hill Arboretum.

* Larrabee State Park (Chuckanut Drive).

* Clayton Beach (Chuckanut Drive, trailhead south of Larrabee).

* Whale watching tours.

[Macrina]

Originally Posted by annonymous0381

Currently I have a friend who live in Vancouver,BC. He refuses to visit me in Seattle but he drives to Bellingham all the time to shop at Trader Joes.

I was thinking I could take the Greyhound bus from Seattle to Bellingham and spend a night in a motel. My question here is there anything to see in Bellingham or is Bellingham like Fresno or Bakersfield??

. Nothing is quite like Fresno or Bakersfield.....just sayin' . Take Amtrak, if you can, it will be a beautiful ride.

There is a lot to chose from, for things to do and I think your BC friend may well know the best places.


.

[perigee]

You'll be arriving in Fairhaven, a cute little part of town and I believe they have a small farmers market on Wednesdays, a little bit more of walking will take you to Boulevard Park, where there is a nice stretch of the walkway that extends over the water.

Bellingham's unofficial slogan is the city of subdued excitement, so don't expect big city attractions, where it really shines is the ability to get out and enjoy the water, trails and mountains.

In town, Lake Padden, Lake Whatcom, Whatcom Falls Park are great if you want to get out and walk around in nature. If you do the Chuckanut Drive, stop at Larrabee state park, it's right on the water and try to time it at low tide. Bringing bikes or renting them and hitting the interurban trail is a treat, you can even cheat, bike as far as you want and if you plan it right, you can take the bus back to the car or rental shop.

If your friend is up for a bit of a drive, print out a day pass and head to Artist Point, it recently opened and the views at the top are amazing. Either before you head up the switch backs or after, stop at Picture Lake and take some stunning pictures, it really does live up to it's name. Oh and make sure you stop at Nooksack Falls.

Lots of craft beer, food trucks, you can even take a tour of Bellwood Farms, they have a farm to distillery tour that I have heard is fun.

If any of these posts sound appealing then yes a trip up to Bellingham would be worth it. One final note, the bus system of course can't compare to a large metro area, but you can still get around, you just need to plan a little more.

Final note, you might want to look into Airbnbs.

[homesinseattle]

Taylor Oyster Farm is really cool to visit: https://www.taylorshellfishfarms.com...ellfish-market