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Bellingham Whatcom County Tourism
Bellingham Bay Hobie Cats
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Many sailboats can be seen, especially on sunny days, in Bellingham Bay. / Credit: Jon Brunk
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Squalicum Harbor is at the foot of downtown Bellingham, a university community with an incredible array of recreational opportunities.Credit: Peter James
Story by Glenn Kohaly
Anchored by two major entertainment venues, high-traffic eateries and key street-scape improvements, Bellingham has created a vibrant tourism destination in the heart of the city’s cultural arts district. Bay Street is home to the state-of-the art Pickford Film Center – a haven for independent film lovers throughout the region. The upscale snack bar features a selection of wine and cheese plates that can be enjoyed in the theaters as well. Unique film events and festivals throughout the year include: Bellingham Bike-in, Doctober (documentaries month), Bellingham Children’s Film Festival, Guerilla Film Project, and Northwest Projections Film Festival.
Each summer, the Downtown Bellingham Partnership also presents the Downtown Sounds music concert series on Bay Street, featuring live performances, local food and a beer garden on Wednesday evenings from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Attendance averages 1,500 people per night with a high of 3,000 in a single evening. The events and the location have become a hub of community interaction in Bellingham’s downtown core.
Bellingham is a popular destination for shoppers with malls and unique, off-the-beaten-path stores. On the south side of Bellingham (I-5 freeway exit 250) is the Fairhaven Historic District. This Victorian-era, 6-block village is loaded with unique shops. In downtown Bellingham, the Farmer’s Market (Saturdays from April to December) on Railroad Street is a great excursion for fresh foods but also a wide range of art and crafts. Pacific Marine Exchange and Gallery attracts visitors and locals alike who come to browse through the amazing collection of new, used and consigned marine equipment and supplies and the adjoining art gallery, which is Washington’s largest marine art gallery!
Bellingham Whatcom County Tourism is the county’s official tourism agency. Before travelling to Bellingham be sure to call them to see what great community events are scheduled or to have maps or other information guides mailed out. You may reach them at (360) 671-3990 or 1-800-487-2032 or just a click away at www.bellingham.org.
Events:
Bellingham Bay Rendezvous April 27
Opening Day of Boating May 4
Ski to Sea Race May 26
Bellwether Art Market - Each Sunday in August.