Guidebook for Bellingham
Food Scene
It's close, in a very old, well kept building and it's in the Fairhaven Historical District. Walking home is a nice 20 minute uphill workout. Have a cup of coffee or whatever and then walk further to Marine Park or Boulevard Park.
18 locals recommend
Tony's Coffee House
1101 Harris AveIt's close, in a very old, well kept building and it's in the Fairhaven Historical District. Walking home is a nice 20 minute uphill workout. Have a cup of coffee or whatever and then walk further to Marine Park or Boulevard Park.
New York-style bagels. Along Railroad Avenue, full of great, funky restaurants and shops... on the edge of downtown.
25 locals recommend
Bagelry
1319 Railroad AveNew York-style bagels. Along Railroad Avenue, full of great, funky restaurants and shops... on the edge of downtown.
Rick's favorite lunch spot when he was working, because it was close to work and... terrific El Salvadorean food. Any excuse still gets him there for a spicy Asada Wonder burrito. A must try!
Super Mario's
3008 Northwest AveRick's favorite lunch spot when he was working, because it was close to work and... terrific El Salvadorean food. Any excuse still gets him there for a spicy Asada Wonder burrito. A must try!
This is also an excellent coffee shop, not just a performing arts center. And probably the closest coffee shop to our house... just outside of the Fairhaven Historical District.
6 locals recommend
Firehouse Arts and Events Center Bellingham
1314 Harris AveThis is also an excellent coffee shop, not just a performing arts center. And probably the closest coffee shop to our house... just outside of the Fairhaven Historical District.
Jalapeños Fairhaven
1007 Harris AveNice Mexican restaurant in the Fairhaven Historic District.
Cafe Akroteri
1219 Cornwall AveYou like Greek food? This is a good one... and downtown.
Seafood and vegetarian-friendly... an excellent, up-scale restaurant.
11 locals recommend
Hundred North
100 N Commercial StSeafood and vegetarian-friendly... an excellent, up-scale restaurant.
Great bakery, but good eats and coffee as well. And, again, another fine place in the Fairhaven Historic District.
19 locals recommend
Avenue Bread & Deli-Fairhaven
1135 11th StGreat bakery, but good eats and coffee as well. And, again, another fine place in the Fairhaven Historic District.
A classic drive-in... burgers, fries, shakes... classic and good!
9 locals recommend
Boomer's Drive-In
310 N Samish WayA classic drive-in... burgers, fries, shakes... classic and good!
Craft beer at its best, along with a fine restaurant... and a great community-oriented, local business. Some live music as well.
119 locals recommend
Boundary Bay Brewery & Bistro
1107 Railroad AveCraft beer at its best, along with a fine restaurant... and a great community-oriented, local business. Some live music as well.
Mallard Ice Cream
1323 Railroad AveHand-made, unique and local! Not to be missed!
One of our favorites! Gluten-free friendly. They've got a bar too.
16 locals recommend
Brandywine Kitchen
1317 Commercial StOne of our favorites! Gluten-free friendly. They've got a bar too.
Multiple locations regionally and this is the closest location to our house. Gourmet burgers galore!
13 locals recommend
Bob's Burgers & Brew
2955 Newmarket StMultiple locations regionally and this is the closest location to our house. Gourmet burgers galore!
A local, unique pizza place... unlike the massive franchises. You like pizza? Then go here.
17 locals recommend
Fat Pie Pizza
1015 Harris AveA local, unique pizza place... unlike the massive franchises. You like pizza? Then go here.
Freakin' amazing donuts... local and too good! Be careful.
7 locals recommend
Acme Valley Ice Cream Cafe
1021 Harris AveFreakin' amazing donuts... local and too good! Be careful.
Because its wood fired with a unique menu... and a great local company that intensely supports the local community.
29 locals recommend
La Fiamma Wood Fire Pizza
200 E Chestnut StBecause its wood fired with a unique menu... and a great local company that intensely supports the local community.
As far from a franchise outfit as you can get. Want a unique burger and experience? Go here.
14 locals recommend
Fiamma Burger
1309 Railroad AveAs far from a franchise outfit as you can get. Want a unique burger and experience? Go here.
The Birch Door Cafe
4192 Meridian StUp-scale breakfast joint... delicious! One of our favorites!
Want Italian? A great offering in the Fairhaven Historic District. Worthy of your visit.
23 locals recommend
Mambo Italiano Cafe
1303 12th StreetWant Italian? A great offering in the Fairhaven Historic District. Worthy of your visit.
A classic community farmers market housed, in part, in a building constructed with parts of a recycled and deconstructed bridge. Check their schedule to be sure they're still open.
73 locals recommend
Bellingham Farmers Market
1100 Railroad AveA classic community farmers market housed, in part, in a building constructed with parts of a recycled and deconstructed bridge. Check their schedule to be sure they're still open.
Drinks & Nightlife
Nice evening venue amidst the entertainment district... good wine and eats; rather noisy at times. Excellent venue after a movie or play or whatever...
35 locals recommend
Temple Bar
306 W Champion StNice evening venue amidst the entertainment district... good wine and eats; rather noisy at times. Excellent venue after a movie or play or whatever...
Chuckanut Bay Distillery
1311 Cornwall AveCraft beer, good food, nice place, go there!
One of our favorites. Community-oriented. Passionate brewers of some of the best local beers. HUGE screen for sporting events.
104 locals recommend
Aslan Brewing Company
1330 N Forest StOne of our favorites. Community-oriented. Passionate brewers of some of the best local beers. HUGE screen for sporting events.
Wild Buffalo House Of Music
208 W Holly StPerhaps the best local, live music!
An eclectic neighborhood hang out. Where? You guessed it: in Fairhaven. A nice walk home after tipping a few. An uphill, cardio return walk! Great for mind and body.
42 locals recommend
Fairhaven Stones Throw Brewery
1009 Larrabee AveAn eclectic neighborhood hang out. Where? You guessed it: in Fairhaven. A nice walk home after tipping a few. An uphill, cardio return walk! Great for mind and body.
Looking for improv? GREAT improv? Then go here. Founded by famed local Ryan Stiles.
24 locals recommend
The Upfront Theatre
203 Prospect StLooking for improv? GREAT improv? Then go here. Founded by famed local Ryan Stiles.
Arts & Culture
Live plays performed herein. Check them out online for current shows. Neither of us have been disappointed with their offerings.
7 locals recommend
Bellingham Theatre Guild
1600 H StLive plays performed herein. Check them out online for current shows. Neither of us have been disappointed with their offerings.
Housed in an iconic building downtown... our largest theater for live performances. Go online and see if you can catch a show. Worth the visit just to see the interior space... it's world-class.
73 locals recommend
Mount Baker Theatre
104 N Commercial StHoused in an iconic building downtown... our largest theater for live performances. Go online and see if you can catch a show. Worth the visit just to see the interior space... it's world-class.
Our local downtown science museum focusing on exploration, education & creativity via interactive & fine-art exhibits.
24 locals recommend
Mindport
210 W Holly StOur local downtown science museum focusing on exploration, education & creativity via interactive & fine-art exhibits.
The Whatcom Museum was originally built in 1892 as the city hall for the former town of New Whatcom, before it was joined with surrounding towns to form Bellingham, Washington. They're committed to serving as both a community magnet and a regional destination for cultural experiences rooted in art, nature and northwest history. Check out their current exhibits online.
55 locals recommend
Whatcom Museum
121 Prospect StThe Whatcom Museum was originally built in 1892 as the city hall for the former town of New Whatcom, before it was joined with surrounding towns to form Bellingham, Washington. They're committed to serving as both a community magnet and a regional destination for cultural experiences rooted in art, nature and northwest history. Check out their current exhibits online.
Contemporary art & Northwest artifacts showcased in a modern facility with a unique curved wall.
19 locals recommend
Lightcatcher Building
250 Flora StContemporary art & Northwest artifacts showcased in a modern facility with a unique curved wall.
The SPARK Museum of Electrical Invention is a downtown, interactive museum which offers educational experiences for audiences of all ages through galleries and public programs that illustrate the development and use of electricity, radio and the related inventions that changed the course of human history. The museum features a collection of artifacts showcasing four centuries of human innovation from 1580 into the 1950s.
47 locals recommend
SPARK Museum of Electrical Invention
1312 Bay StThe SPARK Museum of Electrical Invention is a downtown, interactive museum which offers educational experiences for audiences of all ages through galleries and public programs that illustrate the development and use of electricity, radio and the related inventions that changed the course of human history. The museum features a collection of artifacts showcasing four centuries of human innovation from 1580 into the 1950s.
Make.Shift is a maker’s space located in the heart of Bellingham’s arts district supporting artists and bands by providing 21 studios, an award-winning gallery, a live music performance space and a low-power radio station KZAX 94.9. They are an all-ages space dedicated to a policy of no drugs, no jerks, no booze.
Super Cool: Make.Shift Art Space
306 Flora StMake.Shift is a maker’s space located in the heart of Bellingham’s arts district supporting artists and bands by providing 21 studios, an award-winning gallery, a live music performance space and a low-power radio station KZAX 94.9. They are an all-ages space dedicated to a policy of no drugs, no jerks, no booze.
You're a 5 minute walk from everything WWU has to offer. Go to their website and explore what's a short walk from our front door.
33 locals recommend
Western Washington University
516 High StYou're a 5 minute walk from everything WWU has to offer. Go to their website and explore what's a short walk from our front door.
Entertainment & Activities
3 local venues. Our local gem of an independent, community-supported theater! We adore this theater, especially their largest 2-screen location on Bay Street.
67 locals recommend
Pickford Film Center
1318 Bay St3 local venues. Our local gem of an independent, community-supported theater! We adore this theater, especially their largest 2-screen location on Bay Street.
16 screens including an IMAX screen. Located next to an excellent sushi restaurant... ZEN Sushi... as well as Woods Coffee and a few other offerings.
52 locals recommend
Barkley Village
3005 Cinema Pl16 screens including an IMAX screen. Located next to an excellent sushi restaurant... ZEN Sushi... as well as Woods Coffee and a few other offerings.
Shopping
A good-size REI in Sehome Village, sharing the space with a Haggen grocery store, a RiteAid, Starbucks and numerous strip-mall offerings. And it's a cooperative worthy of being a member.
REI
400 36th StA good-size REI in Sehome Village, sharing the space with a Haggen grocery store, a RiteAid, Starbucks and numerous strip-mall offerings. And it's a cooperative worthy of being a member.
Housed in a huge, iconic Fairhaven building, this place is any community's dream of a book store. Don't miss meandering through its offerings. And it's yet another local business passionate in supporting this great community.
55 locals recommend
Village Books
1200 11th StHoused in a huge, iconic Fairhaven building, this place is any community's dream of a book store. Don't miss meandering through its offerings. And it's yet another local business passionate in supporting this great community.
A unique gift shop and art gallery worthy of your time. A great location to start a drive down Chuckanut Drive, an outstanding, winding route along the bay towards Skagit County.
Chuckanut Bay Gallery & Sculpture Garden
700 Chuckanut Dr NA unique gift shop and art gallery worthy of your time. A great location to start a drive down Chuckanut Drive, an outstanding, winding route along the bay towards Skagit County.
Because chocolate is an essential ingredient to a happy tummy. This place rocks! It's necessary...
Chocolate Necessities & Gelato
1408 Commercial StBecause chocolate is an essential ingredient to a happy tummy. This place rocks! It's necessary...
Fine woodworking at its best! You'll be floored by the local talent that resides around here.
Artwood Gallery
1000 Harris AveFine woodworking at its best! You'll be floored by the local talent that resides around here.
A brick 'n mortar home store... furniture and furnishings... upscale and comprehensive. A place we often start with when searching for kitchen and bathroom items.
Greenhouse
1235 Cornwall AveA brick 'n mortar home store... furniture and furnishings... upscale and comprehensive. A place we often start with when searching for kitchen and bathroom items.
A downtown store showcasing locally made, organic cotton & hemp clothes for women in classic styles.
Texture Clothing
1425 N State StA downtown store showcasing locally made, organic cotton & hemp clothes for women in classic styles.
You want help in a hardware store? Go nowhere else. The quantity of employees walking the aisles to help you will blow you away. We love this store!
Hardware Sales, Inc.
2034 James StYou want help in a hardware store? Go nowhere else. The quantity of employees walking the aisles to help you will blow you away. We love this store!
Whatcom County’s home store for the outdoors. Sporting goods, clothing, toys... virtually everything but food. A local treasure worthy of your time.
9 locals recommend
Yeager's Sporting Goods
3101 Northwest AveWhatcom County’s home store for the outdoors. Sporting goods, clothing, toys... virtually everything but food. A local treasure worthy of your time.
Turning trash to treasure, this place is everything about selling used building materials... and more. Rick served on their board for almost 20 years, helping to create one of the finest used building material stores in the nation. Go check it out!
6 locals recommend
The RE Store
2309 Meridian StTurning trash to treasure, this place is everything about selling used building materials... and more. Rick served on their board for almost 20 years, helping to create one of the finest used building material stores in the nation. Go check it out!
Essentials
In Sehome Village [36th St.] and another location in Fairhaven [1401 - 12th Street]... the closest comprehensive grocers to our house, both within walking distance [if you like to walk :)]
54 locals recommend
Haggen
1401 12th StIn Sehome Village [36th St.] and another location in Fairhaven [1401 - 12th Street]... the closest comprehensive grocers to our house, both within walking distance [if you like to walk :)]
What a fine food coop we're honored to have... with another location on the north end of town. The downtown location has an excellent, detached bakery, as well as the Swan Cafe.
59 locals recommend
Community Food Co-op Downtown
1220 N Forest StWhat a fine food coop we're honored to have... with another location on the north end of town. The downtown location has an excellent, detached bakery, as well as the Swan Cafe.
Sandalwood Salon and Spa is downtown Bellingham’s premier AVEDA™ Concept Salon, serving Whatcom County since 1995.
Sandalwood AVEDA Salon & Spa
114 W Magnolia StSandalwood Salon and Spa is downtown Bellingham’s premier AVEDA™ Concept Salon, serving Whatcom County since 1995.
Getting Around
The Whatcom Transportation Authority is the public transit authority of Whatcom County in northwestern Washington, based in the city of Bellingham. It provides bus service on 31 fixed routes, including branded "GO Lines" with 15-minute frequencies on weekdays, to cities in its service area.
17 locals recommend
Bellingham Station
205 E Magnolia StThe Whatcom Transportation Authority is the public transit authority of Whatcom County in northwestern Washington, based in the city of Bellingham. It provides bus service on 31 fixed routes, including branded "GO Lines" with 15-minute frequencies on weekdays, to cities in its service area.
Airporter Shuttle / Bellair Charters
1416 Whitehorn StA great, alternative path to and from Seattle.
You now the name. Go online and check out their services to and from Bellingham.
15 locals recommend
Fairhaven Station
401 Harris AveYou now the name. Go online and check out their services to and from Bellingham.