A day in Bellingham. That’s all you have to spend in Bellingham? Hopefully this article will give you a few ideas to make your visit more enjoyable! Let’s take a look at a few things you can do, from breakfast to dinner in just one day! That’s all you have to spend in Bellingham? Hopefully this article will give you a few ideas to make your visit more enjoyable! Let’s take a look at a few things you can do, from breakfast to dinner.
Breakfast
Truth is, I am not a big breakfast fan. But when I do enjoy it, I like to eat at a local favorite — Homeskillet. Homeskillet is decorated rather eclectically, but don’t let its appearance fool you. In fact, it will add to the experience for sure! Every dish is cooked to order, and you along with about 30 or so patrons can taste it in every bite. Although a bit on the small size, Homeskillet excels when it comes to the quality of ingredients. You can get all your breakfast favorites, including chicken fried steak, regular eggs and even vegetarian skillets! The main attraction here is the home fries — you can’t go wrong with them. Cooked to a delicious golden brown, the fries are an absolute hit.
Don’t miss out! Give yourself a little extra time as this location can be very busy — so make sure you plan ahead. Nothing larger than groups of four are accepted.
Outdoors
For a day in Bellingham you need to get outside and explore so once you have filled up it’s time to head over to Whatcom Falls Park for a nature hike. The park has approximately 5.5 miles of trails, with the majority fairly easy to hike. While enjoying the beautiful scenery, a must see is the historic sandstone bridge, directly adjacent to the main waterfall.
This iconic bridge was finished in 1939 by the Works Progress Administration, part of President Roosevelt’s New Deal. Head northeast up the trail and you will find another feature- the fish hatchery. Built in 1936, this hatchery provides thousands of trout to enhance the local fishing experience. Just a bit further down the trail is the old railroad trestle from 1916. A great place to stop and take photos of another piece of history! If you have small children with you, the park boasts two playgrounds and a picnic area to keep them entertained.
Lunch
Ready to replace those home fries calories you burned off? Time to head down to the Fairhaven district for some more history and of course, food. The Colophon Café sits adjacent to the Fairhaven Green, an outdoor space that is usually filled to capacity during the summer months. The Café makes every meal to order, and has a large variety of vegetarian and gluten-free alternatives. Founded in 1985, the Café serves delicious soups for those cold winter days, and their sandwiches are simply amazing. I would recommend trying the African Peanut Soup and pairing it with a B-Bat Sandwich- bacon, basil, avocado and tomato. You won’t go wrong with that selection!
Explore
Now that you have fed your belly, time to see what’s around. Spend a bit of time enjoying Fairhaven. Visit the statue of Dirty Dan Harris, who founded Fairhaven in 1883. There are numerous shops to visit, and the area has a very old town feeling. You can even head down to the Alaska Ferry Terminal, the southernmost end of the Alaska Marine Highway System. While you’re at it, make the short trip down Taylor Dock towards Bellingham Bay. The views are sure to be stunning, even on a rainy day. Follow the boardwalk towards Boulevard Park, another favorite local hangout. With a large green space, and a small playground, this is a great location to take a break and enjoy the bay. Since you are here, make sure you stop in at the Woods Coffee and grab yourself some local java.
Happy Hour/Dinner
Well, your visit is just about done. Before you head back to wherever you might be visiting from, head to downtown Bellingham for one more meal. The Local Public House is located on Railroad Avenue across the street from the bus station. Happy hour is EVERYDAY here from 4-6 p.m. How is that a bad thing? A tap house and restaurant, the Local boasts 25 different brews on draft, along with one cask. They serve beers from the Cascadia Region with a focus on micro-breweries. A kid-friendly restaurant, the food is all made from scratch, including their delicious sausages.
The Local attempts to source all food locally, and this is reflected in the flavors of their diverse menu. Some of the staff’s favorites are the curry fish and chips, and for vegetarians the spinach artichoke dip with pita chips. The menu rotates quarterly, so you are always assured of something new to look forward to! Take some time to speak with the staff and enjoy all they have to offer.
Dessert
Well, you’re just down the street from a great ice cream place, so you might as well swing in to Mallard for a sweet treat. Mallard makes all their ice cream locally, and therefore you are guaranteed fresh flavors! With just nine permanent flavors, Mallard continuously switches things up so the flavor profiles are amazing. Mixing fresh ingredients, the shop churns 5 gallons at a time. Look for the seasonal flavors for a real flavor experience.
I hope you enjoyed your day in Bellingham. There are so many things to do here that this list is of course not all inclusive. There is something for everyone, and you will not be disappointed. Cheers!
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