BELLINGHAM AREA

Chuckanut Drive
Put the top down!

Getting There: Take the Old Fairhaven Parkway exit from I-5. Follow signs for
Chuckanut Drive.

South of Fairhaven lies Chuckanut Drive, a narrow, winding, madrona-lined road that skirts along the rocky hills overlooking Juan de Fuca Strait and will lead you to Anacortes. Along the way, the road passes fine dining restaurants and art galleries and there are a number of places where you can admire the view of the northern-most portion of Puget Sound and the San Juan island archilapego.

Turning off the Old Fairhaven Parkway, there is a great store named Quel Fromage that is a must for cheeselovers. Following Chuckanut south leads to two of Skagit Valley’s best-kept secrets: the reclusive towns of Bow and Edison. There, one can sample fresh, organic bread in Edison’s Breadfarm bakery or pick up a wedge of organic Samish Bay gouda cheese or a local pinot grigio next door.

Another popular spot is Clayton Beach in Larrabee State Park. Uncrowded, it has beautiful sandstone rock formations accessible by hiking or biking the InterUrban Trail, a 5.5-mile former railroad route that connects Larrabee with Fairhaven.

Don’t miss:
• The Taylor Shellfish farm.
• Any of the three fine restaurants on the drive.
•The many hiking trails on Chuckanut.

Fairhaven
Turn of the 19th Century charm...

Getting There: Take the Old Fairhaven Parkway exit off I-5 and head west.

South of downtown Bellingham, Fairhaven once was a Northwest center for maritime trade and commerce. That tradition lives on– Fairhaven is the southern terminus of the Alaska ferry as well as an Amtrak stop on the Vancouver to Seattle to Portland run. For those wishing to explore the San Juan islands, Victoria/San Juan Cruises offers sailings in the summer. It’s also the southern terminus of the Alaska ferry. With kayakers, grizzled old men with equally grizzled old dogs, anxious families – this isn’t the typical ferry journey.

Fairhaven itself still retains much of its turn-of-the-century maritime architecture and flavor. Many of the old buildings with their colorful and intricate stonework have been restored and trolley tracks still line the streets.

Have a coffee at Tony’s Coffeehouse; check out the unusual kites at Marine Park. Surrounding the transportation hub are boatyards, docks and marine fabricators.
Along Harris Street, visitors can see the historic Sycamore Square Building housing Le Chat Noir, or the black cat, a casual-yet-upscale French restaurant and favorite among locals here.

Two other must-see stops are the Colophon Cafe and Village Books. The cafe is nationally-recognized and the bookstore is one of Washington’s largest independently-owned bookstores and is on the traveling writer circuit so even if you miss your favorite author’s talk you’ll likely be able to find an autographed book.

If you’re really interested in slowing down, visit The Spa at the Chrysalis Hotel. They offer all kinds of services that will give you a fresh outlook on life.

Bellingham

Getting There: Traveling north or south on I-5, take exits 266 or 270 and follow the signs west.

Considered one of the most livable small cities on the West Coast, Bellingham appeals to the casual visitor with a range of attractions from the physical to the cerebral. Hiking, biking, and kayaking seem to be the summer outdoor activities of choice but you don’t have to stop there.

First opened in 1927, the Mt. Baker Theatre is a beautifully restored old-time theater. Check the web for upcoming shows.

Whatcom Museum of History and Art has four components. The first is housed in the old city hall building, built in 1892, and features contemporary art, Victorian clothing, history exhibits and the Watch Museum. The second building features Northwest Indian and Inuit exhibits, as well as logging and settlement displays. The third exhibit space changes regularly, displaying art and historical topics. Finally, there is the Whatcom Children’s Museum – a hands-on museum for young children with interactive exhibits.

Western Washington University, situated near Fairhaven, has a beautiful, tree-lined campus. Particularly worthwhile for a look-see is the campus’s world-class outdoor sculpture collection.

On the west side of Bellingham lies Squalicum Harbor, a year-round public moorage for more than 1,800 commercial and private boats. The harbor is home to one of the largest commercial fishing fleets on the west coast. One of the latest additions to the harbor facilities is the Hotel Bellwether complex.

The inn itself is a charming, boutique hotel offering beautiful waterfront surroundings and personalized service. Higher-end shops and galleries add to the complex. Take a close look at the architectural elements that have been designed to evoke the sea.

A bit further down the road is Marina Square. A busy collection of marine-related stores and businesses, restaurants and shops, it’s very pleasant to stroll about on a sunny day. Walk out to Zuanich Point to see the memorial to fishermen who have left for sea and never returned.

Don’t miss:
• Take an open water walk on the Taylor Avenue Dock and boardwalk to Boulevard Park.
• A concert at the Mt. Baker Theatre.

Events

Bellingham

Saturdays: Farmer’s Market on Railroad Ave & Chestnut St.
June 13: Downtown Gallery Walk
July 5 – 20: 15th Annual Bellingham Festival of Music
July 16 – August 6: Downtown Bellingham Alley Concerts
August 8 – 10: Sand in the City Sand sculpting competition
August 9: Bite of Bellingham
16th Annual Chalk Art Festival

Fairhaven

May 25: Ski to Sea Race
June 4: Farmer’s Market on the Village Green.
June 20: Fairhaven Summer Solstice Tour D’Art Gallery Walk:
June 28 – August 30: Fairhaven Outdoor Cinema
August 2: Tour de Whatcom Charity Bike Ride