From the mountains to the Bay, Bellingham, Washington is a dream for those who love the outdoors. The city and its immediate surroundings offer a wide range of recreational activities from hiking and biking, to kayaking, whale watching, paddle boarding, wine tasting and a lively art and music culture. Outside Magazine has named Bellingham as “Quintessential Northwest” and the winner of their 2006 “Best Town” in the United States. National Geographic Adventure named Bellingham one of its “50 Best Places to Live and Play.”
If you’re the type that prefers to relax during your stay, you’ll find everything from shopping and sailing to fine dining and spa treatments within the Bellwether Plaza and community. There are no bounds on the activities and sights that Bellingham and Whatcom County offer. How will you spend your vacation?
For more information about these and other recreational activities in Bellingham, visit Things to Do in Bellingham on TripAdivor or Bellingham Whatcom County Tourism. You may also contact the Hotel Bellwether’s Front Desk at 360.392.3100, toll free 877.411.1200, or by email at info@hotelbellwether.com.
Bellingham Tap Trail
Bellingham Tap Trail has all of your favorite breweries and tap houses in one location and we’ve brought them all together to better promote Bellingham’s amazing beer culture. We have 7 breweries right now and at least 2 more on the way. From Boundary Bay Brewery to Aslan Brewery, Bellingham’s brewing is eclectic.
Whale Watching Adventure
Enjoy a fully narrated whale watching tour in the scenic San Juan Islands from San Juan Cruises! It’s a great opportunity to see Orca whales, bald eagles, seals, porpoises, sea lions, Minke whales and more, as the captain tells you about the history, wildlife and geology of the area. At noon, a delicious Northwest wild salmon and BBQ chicken lunch is served, with a variety of side dishes and dessert included. Onboard, there is a full bar with Northwest wines, beers, and cocktails. The trip also has a two hour shore visit in Friday Harbor – enough time to visit local attractions and the Friday Harbor Whale Museum. Tours start in May and continue through September, subject to availability. Tours last from approximately 9:30am-5:30pm.
Hiking and Biking
In the summer, enjoy mountain biking and miles of beautiful hiking trails in the Mt. Baker area. A little closer is Chuckanut Drive, which offers a scenic drive or world-class hiking and biking trails with beautiful views of the Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands.
Yacht Charters
Sit back, relax, and explore the Pacific Northwest in style on one of the Bellwether Yacht Charters. Enjoy the luxury of our privately owned yachts as we take you around the San Juan Islands, where you can see hundreds of beautiful islands and coves, local Orca whales, and soaring eagles. Visit www.bellwetheryachtcharters.com or call 360-224-5282 for more information on this one of a kind experience.
Art and Music
Bellingham comes alive in the art and music scene. From exceptional galleries and museums to talented performers at the Mount Baker Theatre and the Western Washington University Performing Arts Center, to a range of films at the Pickford Film Center, there is never a shortage of things to do and see.
BelleWood Distillery Tours
Our spirits are hand crafted in small batches from the finest farm products Washington has to offer. From the orchard at BelleWood, to locally grown berries from our neighbors, to the fine grains of Washington, premium quality products in our stills means premium quality in your glass. Be sure to sign up for a tour to learn the process from growing to fermenting, to distilling, to enjoying. The farm-fresh products in our farm store, along the tasty delights in our bistro and bakery, combined with the fine spirits of BelleWood make our farm a wonderful adult afternoon or evening destination. Come and be a part of BelleWood Acres and BelleWood Distilling.
Skiing & Snowboarding
Bellingham, WA is located just 55 miles West of the world-famous Mount Baker Ski Area. Each year, Mountain Baker proves itself as having the best snow for skiing and snowboarding in the entire Northwest. Locals in Bellingham have a 10″ rule; more than 10 inches of snowfall overnight equates skipping class or work and heading up to the mountain. Come join in on the winter festivities this season. Don’t miss Ski to Sea or the The Legendary Banked Slalom.
Photo by Ryan Duclos
Paddle Boarding
Bellingham Bay offers a fun and unique opportunity for the popular recreational water activity, paddle boarding! The Bellingham Kite-Paddle-Surf shop near Hotel Bellwether offers kiteboarding, kitesurfing, paddleboarding (SUP) and other fun water activities. Visit the Bellingham Kite-Paddle-Surf website for more information.
Kayaking
Bellingham Bay offers excellent kayaking opportunities and lots of fun areas to kayak and explore. Moondance Sea Kayak Adventures offers guided sea kayaking tours and offers half-day, full-day, multi-day & custom adventure trip options. Visit the Moondance website or call 360-738-7664 for more information.
Golfing
Lake Padden Golf Course
Lake Padden Golf course is an award winning golf course in Bellingham, WA that is woven through a second-generation old growth forest. This 18-hole golf course is the perfect location for serenity and peace. Visit the Lake Padden Golf Course website or call 360.738.7400 for more information.
Shuksan Golf Course
Shuksan Golf Course consists of a layout split by Ten Mile Creek and has a terrain ranging from steep ridges to gentle meadows. Shuksan course varies over 100 feet in elevation. Visit the Shuksan Golf Course website or call 360.398.8888 for more information.