Bellingham, a coastal city built around the deep water of Bellingham Bay in Whatcom County, lies 23 miles south of the Canadian border and 90 miles north of Seattle in northwest Washington. Washington has no state income tax.
Bellingham Temperature Range
Winter 32/51
Spring 40/67
Summer 48/71
Fall 33/58
Annual Precipitation 36.17"
Annual Snowfall 8.60"
Yahoo Introduction to Bellingham, WA
BELLINGHAM - a happy blend of industry, Victorian architecture and college-town liveliness - runs ten miles along a broad curve of Bellingham Bay, 85 miles north of Seattle and just eighteen miles south of the Canadian border. Its notoriety is largely due to its being the southern terminus of the Alaska Marine Highway. The ferries sail from the Cruise Terminal on the edge of the brick-and-sandstone Fairhaven district - three miles south of downtown (I-5 exit 250) - which, with its hip bookstores, cafés and clothing stores, is easily Bellingham's most appealing area. In contrast, downtown itself (I-5 exit 253) is fairly mundane, but likeable enough and has a few good restaurants.
Bellingham's chief attraction, however, is its access to a wide range of excellent parks - set among the bluffs and forests surrounding the city, with myriad hiking trails - and, further east, the foothills of Mount Baker, 56 scenic miles along Hwy-542. Lummi tribal myths have the mountain as a sort of Ararat, surviving the Great Flood to provide sanctuary for a Native American Noah in his giant canoe, but it's better known today for its skiing, with a seven-month season from early November until late May.
Forbes.com ranked Bellingham number 2 on its list of the Greenest Cities in the U.S. released in April, 2006. The rankings were based on the American Lung Association's 2005 statistics for ozone and small particle pollution. Outside Magazine's August 2006 issue ranked Bellingham the Best Paddling Town in the U.S.
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Wikipedia Info on Bellingham
#35 on Forbes 2009 list of Best Small Places for Business and Careers
Bellingham's Top Ten
1. Scenic Drives - Mt. Baker Highway & Chuckanut Drive
Mt. Baker Highway (State Highway 542) beckons one towards the mountain, a 10,778 ft. glacier-covered volcano and the world-record setter for the most annual snowfall. Mt. Baker is consistently rated by national publications as one of the best snowboarding, skiing, snowshoeing & hiking havens in the nation. A trip up the 58-mile scenic byway is breathtaking, including views of farms, the Nooksack River, a winery, hatcheries, eagle watching park, and forestry center. Feel the immense energy of Mother Nature at Nooksack Falls, a 100-foot waterfall! Photograph Mt. Shuksan reflecting on Picture Lake before finishing at Artist Point -- it's the apex of my adventures!
Chuckanut Drive (State Hwy 11), once the major connecting route between Seattle and Bellingham, is one of the best scenic drives north of Big Sur. This 21-mile winding road hugs the coastline and offers extraordinary views of Chuckanut and Samish Bays, Orcas, Lummi and Guemes Islands. Water view restaurants and galleries dot the roadside. The drive connects Bellingham and the Skagit Valley taking you through tunnels of towering trees, Larrabee State park and farmlands.
2. Historic Fairhaven District
http://www.fairhaven.com
This waterfront district is noted for its colorful 19th century history, including an 1880's developer and ex-rum-runner named "Dirty Dan." With hopes of being the next Chicago, Fairhaven bustled with hotels, taverns, an opera house and brothels. Today, original brick relics survive among new buildings whose architecture reflect that of Fairhavenâs era and are home to a variety of unique eateries, pubs, art galleries, bookstores and a boutique hotel. Sidewalk markers and brass plaques on buildings tell wild tales of Fairhaven's past.
3. Lynden - Dutch Town
http://www.lynden.org Located north of Bellingham on Highway 539, Lynden clings passionately to its authentic Dutch roots. As Washington State's largest Dutch settlement, about 30% of its residents have Dutch ancestry. It's also the heart of the region's farmland. The four-block span of Front Street, known as Dutch Old Town, greets visitors with a 72-foot tall working windmill that towers over the street. You can even make reservations to spend the night in the windmill. Adjacent is the Dutch Village Mall, complete with canal and featuring shops with Dutch goods. Savor traditional Dutch food at a local restaurant and bakery. Reserve at least an hour to tour the Lynden Pioneer Museum with its premier collection of 40 antique buggies and its two-story replica old Lynden.
4. Bellingham Waterfront
Offering spectacular views of Bellingham Bay, Mount Baker, the San Juan Islands and the Olympic Mountains, the waterfront features Squalicum Harbor (commercial & private marina), Zuanich Point and Boulevard Parks, promenades, specialty shops, restaurants, Chrysalis Inn and Spa, Hotel Bellwether, and the Bellingham Cruise Terminal where the Alaska ferry and seasonal cruises depart.
5. Trail Town USA
The American Hiking Society and the National Park Service designate Bellingham as a Trail Town USA. Only 30 cities nationwide have been so honored. Bellingham's city park system has 70 miles of pedestrian, bicycle and equestrian trails. The ten largest parks comprise most of the nearly 2800 acres of park space.
6. Culture
The Bellingham Mt. Baker region boasts culture-rich communities with offerings such as the Whatcom Museum of History & Art, Mount Baker Theatre, Lynden Pioneer Museum and the American Museum of Radio & Electricity. Western Washington University has galleries, outstanding performing arts, Distinguished Lecture Series and the Outdoor Sculpture Collection. Events include the world-class Bellingham Festival of Music, Chalk Art Festival, as well as gallery walks & tours, symphony concerts, renowned author readings, and many theatre and live music venues.
7. Orca Whales
http://www.orcawatch.com
The region's close proximity to the Georgia Strait affords our vessels quick and easy access to waters inhabited by pods of Orcas. There are several whale watch and nature cruises that depart from Bellingham late May-September, in search of these enchanting creatures. Visitors may also see Minke whales, harbor seals on rock outcroppings, Dall's porpoises surfing in ship wakes, Bald Eagles, grebes, loons and blue herons.
More links: www.whales.com , www.orcawhales.com
8. Peace Arch Park, Blaine
Blaine is home to the Peace Arch, an alabaster-white 67-foot symbol of friendly relations between Canada and the U.S. Samuel Hill spearheaded the project, built in 1921, and partially funded from coins donated by school children in Washington State and British Columbia. Thousands of visitors walk through the arch each year, and May-September the International Sculpture Exhibition graces the landscape.
9. Dairies, Berries and Chocolate
Bellingham Mt. Baker region's agricultural acreage ranks among the top 3% in the nation. A plant in Lynden is the second largest producer of milk byproducts in the U.S. More than 65% of the nation's red raspberries are also produced here. Visitors can reference a Farm Map & Guide with more than 40 farms open to the public. Attend one of many farmers' markets spring-fall for the fresh produce and unique crafts. Local chefs frequently take this advantage to create dishes exclusive to our area. Nothing tops off a fine meal as well as chocolate. Connoisseurs migrate to Chocolate Necessities in Bellingham where truffles are handcrafted using Callebaut chocolate.
10. Spectacular Festivals & Events (just to name a few!)
MAY: Holland Days in Dutch Old Town, Lynden
The community celebrates its heritage with an annual festival, which features washing of the streets, parade of Dutch costumes, music, food and merriments.
MAY: Ski to Sea Race, Festival & Carnival
This Memorial Day weekend Northwest tradition draws thousands each year. The 85-mile multi-stage relay race runs from the Mt. Baker Ski Area to Bellingham Bay. Legs include downhill and cross-country skiing, running, canoeing, bike riding and kayaking. Other activities include: Ski to Sea Junior and Grand Parades, Junior Race and It All Ends in Fairhaven Festival.
JUNE: Deming Logging Show
This two-day show held the first full weekend in June is a display of iron muscles and steely nerves. Lumbermen enthrall the arena crowd with their daredevil stunts and feats of strength, spiced up with a good dose of humor. The long lists of events include: log rolling & chopping, ax throwing, kids tree climbing and choker setting.
JULY: Old Fashioned 4th Festival, Blaine
Give tribute to the day in old-fashion style while enjoying a grand parade, street fair, food, arts & crafts, car show, live music and, of course, fireworks!
AUGUST: Bellingham Festival of Music
A musical delight! This two-week celebration of classical, jazz, opera and world music attracts world-renowned artists to the Pacific Northwest. Performances nightly and at various venues including Western WA University, Mt. Baker Theatre, Bellwether by the Bay, Fairhaven on the Green, Semiahmoo Resort and Mt. Baker.
Nice overview! myscenicdrives.com has a lot of great scenic drives in the Bellingham area that may also be of interests.
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