48.7519° N
122.4787° W
COMPASS, WASHINGTON
A GU I DE TO
Bellingham
WAT E R F R O N T | H I S T O R I C | V I B R A N T PROGRESSIVE | OUTDOORS | TIGHT-KNIT
BELLINGHAM, WASHINGTON
WELCOME TO BELLINGHAM Nestled on the shores of the Puget Sound just 90 minutes north of Seattle, Bellingham is Whatcom County’s largest city and o ers unparalleled access to the best of Pacific Northwest outdoor recreation. From boating on the bay, to boarding on Mt. Baker, Bellingham is the true epitome of ‘mountain-to-sound lifestyle’ and its residents take full advantage, year-round. NEIGHBORHOOD SNAPSHOT The city is home to many distinct microneighborhoods including the Historic Fairhaven District; dine al fresco surrounded by brilliant brick buildings, stroll down winding streets and hidden corridors to find boutique shopping and art galleries, or explore the great outdoors in nearby Larrabee State Park. Just north toward Downtown, you’ll find Western Washington University and a community alive with youth, passion, and plenty of breweries and gastropubs to keep them fueled. But don’t worry, if bustling breweries aren’t your scene, just up the ridge you’ll find sprawling suburban neighborhoods like Columbia, Sunnyland, and more. Many of which o er sweeping territorial, water, or mountain views.
If you’re looking for big city conveniences with a small town feel, Bellingham is for you. Find easy access to well-known retailers alongside hidden gem, family-run businesses on tree-lined city streets that could be on a postcard.
SHOPPING & DINING
WHAT TO EXPECT
Brewing Backcountry Essentials Bayou on the Bay Black Sheep Boundary Bay Brewery & Bistro Fringe Boutique
People here have heart. They are passionate about their pocket of the Pacific Northwest and the community that inhabits it - treating others with kindness, respect, and acceptance. They don’t take themselves too seriously, dressing casually (flannels and socks with sandals included), and kicking back at one of the area's many breweries in the evenings and on weekends.
Kulshan Brewing La Fiamma Pizza Mount Bakery On Rice Thai Cuisine Something Found Twin Sisters Brewing Third Planet Village Books & Paper Dreams
UNEXPECTED APPEAL
Woods Coffee
THINGS TO DO
One of local residents’ favorite qualities about Bellingham, isn’t in Bellingham at all. On all sides, Bellingham is a gateway to other Pacific Northwest greats. With the San Juan Islands to the West, Vancouver B.C. to the North, the Cascade Mountain Range to the East, and plenty of lakes and small seaside towns to the South, a great day trip or weekend getaway is always just around the corner.
Acme Valley Ice Cream Aslan
Bellingham Bells Baseball Bellingham Boardwalk Bellis Fair Mall Bellingham Farmers Market Boulevard Park Family Interactive Gallery Larrabee State Park Marine Life Center Mount Baker Theatre San Juan Cruises & Whale Watching Sehome Hill Arboretum SPARK Museum of Electrical Invention Whatcom Falls Park Whatcom Museum
BELLINGHAM, WASHINGTON
Enjoy the variety of activities Bellingham has to o er.
SPOTLIGHT A trip to Bellingham isn’t complete without a visit to the iconic Whatcom Falls Park. Sited on 241 acres with more than 5 miles of trails, take in quintessential PNW views, including the namesake Whatcom Falls from a bridge constructed in 1940 from Chuckanut sandstone once part of a Downtown Bellingham building. Meaning ‘noisy water’ to the native Lummi People, ‘Whatcom’ is best personified by these emblematic falls.