The Blue Heron Guidebook
Food scene
Rifugio's Country Italian Cuisine
5415 Mt Baker HwyDelicious food just a few minutes away!
Best Cider in Bham. Their food is great too! The views and downtown location make this a place one of our favorites!
18 locals recommend
Bellingham Cider Company
205 Prospect StBest Cider in Bham. Their food is great too! The views and downtown location make this a place one of our favorites!
Tacos and cocktails, what more could you ask for?! A highlight when dining in downtown Bellingham!
46 locals recommend
Black Sheep on Holly
211 West Holly StreetTacos and cocktails, what more could you ask for?! A highlight when dining in downtown Bellingham!
Our go to for a yummy breakfast. Local Bham vibe that can't be beat.
50 locals recommend
Old Town Cafe
316 W Holly StOur go to for a yummy breakfast. Local Bham vibe that can't be beat.
Breakfast done right. If you love a rich, filling breakfast, then this place is for you. Best breakfast in Bellingham, but be prepared to wait a bit on the weekends!
14 locals recommend
The Birch Door Cafe
4192 Meridian StBreakfast done right. If you love a rich, filling breakfast, then this place is for you. Best breakfast in Bellingham, but be prepared to wait a bit on the weekends!
Did you come to Bellingham for the beer? This is where you want to be. While we encourage visits to all of the delicious breweries in Bham, this is a beer garden that has it all. Views, food trucks, a pump track, lawn games and fun all in the heart of the Ham.
14 locals recommend
Kulshan Trackside Beer Garden
298 West Laurel StreetDid you come to Bellingham for the beer? This is where you want to be. While we encourage visits to all of the delicious breweries in Bham, this is a beer garden that has it all. Views, food trucks, a pump track, lawn games and fun all in the heart of the Ham.
Made primarily out of shipping containers, this treasure is our beer escape! It's firepit seating and super cool setting is where you will want to be. Be sure to check the web for their food truck schedule. Perfect during a visit to downtown Fairhaven!
42 locals recommend
Fairhaven Stones Throw Brewery
1009 Larrabee AveMade primarily out of shipping containers, this treasure is our beer escape! It's firepit seating and super cool setting is where you will want to be. Be sure to check the web for their food truck schedule. Perfect during a visit to downtown Fairhaven!
Don't miss this place when visiting Mt. Baker. Perfect stop for pizza, beer, and other delicious food after a day of skiing or hiking in the Mt. Baker wilderness.
103 locals recommend
Chair 9 Pizza & Bar
10459 Mt Baker HwyDon't miss this place when visiting Mt. Baker. Perfect stop for pizza, beer, and other delicious food after a day of skiing or hiking in the Mt. Baker wilderness.
Twin Sisters Brewing Company
500 Carolina StBeer garden goodness in a cute neighborhood!
A staple for our family when we want convenient, delicious sushi, udon, stir fry or bento box. Always yummy and easy to get to. In Barkley Village.
6 locals recommend
Little Tokyo Restaurant
2915 Newmarket StA staple for our family when we want convenient, delicious sushi, udon, stir fry or bento box. Always yummy and easy to get to. In Barkley Village.
Cozy, friendly and delicious. Our favorite in Fairhaven on the Green next to Village Book Store. Try the African Peanut Soup, or any of their gourmet sandwiches!
19 locals recommend
Colophon Cafe
1208 11th StCozy, friendly and delicious. Our favorite in Fairhaven on the Green next to Village Book Store. Try the African Peanut Soup, or any of their gourmet sandwiches!
Samson Estates Winery
1861 Van Dyk RoadClose by with delicious wine and beautiful views.
Nice setting by Lake Whatcom. Good stop if you want to hike the North Lake Whatcom Trail down the road.
24 locals recommend
Fork At Agate Bay
2530 N Shore RdNice setting by Lake Whatcom. Good stop if you want to hike the North Lake Whatcom Trail down the road.
Grocery Store
Need groceries? Luckily we have this gem of a grocery store right around the corner! They also offer some really yummy selections from their deli counter. Perfect for packing the cooler for a picnic out Mt. Baker Highway!
7 locals recommend
Nugents Corner Market
3705 Mt Baker HwyNeed groceries? Luckily we have this gem of a grocery store right around the corner! They also offer some really yummy selections from their deli counter. Perfect for packing the cooler for a picnic out Mt. Baker Highway!
Rome Store
2908 Mt Baker HwyCute little grocery store with good meals from their deli.
Very nice grocery store with impressive produce and bakery options. This is our go to grocery store.
33 locals recommend
Haggen Food & Pharmacy
2814 Meridian StreetVery nice grocery store with impressive produce and bakery options. This is our go to grocery store.
Neighborhoods
Historic Fairhaven is an area that you don't want to miss visiting. Adjacent to downtown Bellingham, Fairhaven has excellent dining, shopping, and trails, all in a very picturesque historic waterfront location.
122 locals recommend
Fairhaven
Historic Fairhaven is an area that you don't want to miss visiting. Adjacent to downtown Bellingham, Fairhaven has excellent dining, shopping, and trails, all in a very picturesque historic waterfront location.
City/town information
So much to see and do - too much to list here! Bellingham is our town! A short 15 minute drive gets you to tons of restaurants, shopping, a marina, museums, breweries, parks, beaches, and hiking trails.
61 locals recommend
Bellingham
So much to see and do - too much to list here! Bellingham is our town! A short 15 minute drive gets you to tons of restaurants, shopping, a marina, museums, breweries, parks, beaches, and hiking trails.
Small town with a great summer beach feel. Gorgeous walks any time of year.
36 locals recommend
Birch Bay
Small town with a great summer beach feel. Gorgeous walks any time of year.
Don't forget, Canada is just a hop, skip and a jump away! Try Stanley Park in Vancouver for a day trip!
215 locals recommend
Vancouver
Don't forget, Canada is just a hop, skip and a jump away! Try Stanley Park in Vancouver for a day trip!
Downtown Lynden is one of the cutest areas around! Antiques and pie and all the quaint charm you can handle!
25 locals recommend
Lynden
Downtown Lynden is one of the cutest areas around! Antiques and pie and all the quaint charm you can handle!
Activities
Skiing, snowboarding, sledding, snowshoeing, hiking, camping and sightseeing- Mt. Baker has it all. No matter the season, the adventure is only a short 40 minute or less drive out Mt. Baker Highway! Don't miss a drive all the way up to Artist Point in the summer and early fall! Simply breathtaking scenery.
106 locals recommend
Mt. Baker Ski Area
Mount Baker HighwaySkiing, snowboarding, sledding, snowshoeing, hiking, camping and sightseeing- Mt. Baker has it all. No matter the season, the adventure is only a short 40 minute or less drive out Mt. Baker Highway! Don't miss a drive all the way up to Artist Point in the summer and early fall! Simply breathtaking scenery.
Is mountain biking your jam? Here's your spot!
43 locals recommend
Galbraith Mountain Bike Park North Entrance
1206 Birch StIs mountain biking your jam? Here's your spot!
This website has a fantastic map with all the info you need to hike any trail in Washington!
15 locals recommend
Washington Trails Association
705 2nd AveThis website has a fantastic map with all the info you need to hike any trail in Washington!
Bloedel Boat Rentals
2200 Electric AvenueRent a kayak and paddle Lake Whatcom.
Sightseeing
Washington State Ferry offer day trips to many of the San Juan Islands out of Anacortes, WA. Orcas Island or Friday Harbor are favorite destinations for a day trip or overnight stay.
48 locals recommend
San Juan Islands
Washington State Ferry offer day trips to many of the San Juan Islands out of Anacortes, WA. Orcas Island or Friday Harbor are favorite destinations for a day trip or overnight stay.
Whale watching, lunch cruises, dinner cruises, brews cruise! Leaving out of Fairhaven, any San Juan Cruise is sure to be a highlight of your trip!
20 locals recommend
San Juan Cruises
355 Harris AveWhale watching, lunch cruises, dinner cruises, brews cruise! Leaving out of Fairhaven, any San Juan Cruise is sure to be a highlight of your trip!
This is a must see park in Bellingham. A 10 minute drive from the Blue Heron, you won't believe the beauty in this incredible waterfall filled park. Bring your walking shoes and explore miles of trails full of PNW scenery!
124 locals recommend
Whatcom Falls Park
1401 Electric AveThis is a must see park in Bellingham. A 10 minute drive from the Blue Heron, you won't believe the beauty in this incredible waterfall filled park. Bring your walking shoes and explore miles of trails full of PNW scenery!
Beaches, walking and water views (not to mention the cutest waterfront coffee shop - Woods Coffee), Boulevard Park and Taylor Dock are the perfect picnic spot, with a wonderful stroll or bike ride, that allows for some of the best views of the San Juan Islands!
40 locals recommend
Boulevard Park
470 Bayview AveBeaches, walking and water views (not to mention the cutest waterfront coffee shop - Woods Coffee), Boulevard Park and Taylor Dock are the perfect picnic spot, with a wonderful stroll or bike ride, that allows for some of the best views of the San Juan Islands!
Chuckanut Drive North
Chuckanut Drive NorthIn the mood for a scenic drive? This is one of the best!
Outdoor sculpture park. Close drive. Include this stop when you visit Lake Whatcom and Whatcom Falls Park.
19 locals recommend
Big Rock Garden
2900 Sylvan StOutdoor sculpture park. Close drive. Include this stop when you visit Lake Whatcom and Whatcom Falls Park.
Silver Lake Park
9006 Silver Lake RdBoat rentals, scenery, fishing, hiking, camping, picnics…
Schools
The outdoor sculptures are just one highlight of this gorgeous campus located between downtown Bellingham and Fairhaven beside beautiful Bellingham Bay.
33 locals recommend
Western Washington University
516 High StThe outdoor sculptures are just one highlight of this gorgeous campus located between downtown Bellingham and Fairhaven beside beautiful Bellingham Bay.