Bellingham WA Shopping Visitor's Guide & Where To Stay In Bellingham Washington

Bellingham Wa, aka The City Of Subdued Excitement, located north of Seattle on the shores of Bellingham Bay is America's Gateway to Alaska, and an excellent home base to begin exploring the natural wonders of Northwest Washington and Puget Sound--America's Vacationland.

Whether you come to see the magnificent resident Orca Whales or explore the San Juan Islands by kayak, yacht, or excursion vessel, Bellingham Washington is a great place to start. Whale Watching Expeditions and Yacht Charters depart Bellingham's waterfront from both the Squalicum Harbor and the Bellingham Cruise Terminal located in the city's historic red-brick district. There are also seasonal bay cruises and passenger service to Victoria British Columbia on Vancouver Island and be sure to visit the beautiful Whatcom Falls.

Bellingham Wa and neighboring communities offer visitors a dazzling array of outdoor recreational opportunities, earning it a number of nicknames including "Hiking Town U.S.A." "Kayak Town" and the city's unofficial slogan "City Of Subdued Excitement." Whether you enjoy Hiking, Cycling, Skiing, Snowboarding, Sailing, Swimming, Whale Watching, Kayaking, Golfing, Fishing, Crabbing, or Camping--The Possibilities For Outdoor Fun Are Endless! Bellinghamster also enjoy the Bellingham SportPlex with ice skating, soccer, baseball, and skatepark.

Bellingham Wa is a thoroughly modern city with a "Natural" disposition. Residents enjoy numerous forested trails, pathways, green spaces, parks, waterfront parks, fresh water lakes, rivers, and as if to please everyone, there's even a waterfall. Beautiful Whatcom Falls. Bellingham is consistently ranked as one of the most desirable cities to live, retire, and visit in the United States by numerous national publications, programs and potentates. Useful Relocation To Bellingham Information

Bellingham Wa is also home to Western Washington University giving Bellingham's Downtown district a distinct college-town look and feel with a lively music and arts scene. As night falls Bellingham's Downtown restaurants, clubs and sidewalk cafes come alive with activity. 

Fairhaven Wa known for it's historic old waterfront and red-brick buildings is a regional transportation hub where you can arrive or depart by Bus, Amtrak Train, or Alaskan Ferry. You can also hop on a train north to Vancouver B.C. only 45 miles north or catch a south bound train for Seattle, Portland or beyond. Fairhaven, once its own proud little town is now part of greater Bellingham and its a great place to explore if you're in town waiting to board the Alaska Ferry. 

Early each friday Bellingham residents welcome the passenger/car Ferry from Alaska to the Fairhaven cruise terminal, and then at the end of the day after refueling and loading new passengers and supplies it departs back to Alaska linking the Mainland USA  to Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Sitka and points beyond.

The colorful shops, restaurants, and sidewalk cafes of Fairhaven are popular with visitors and residents alike. On your visit you are likely to see Bellinghamsters strolling along the waterfront boardwalk, enjoying a cup of coffee in sidewalk cafes or sunning themselves on Fairhaven's Village Green, which also hosts numerous fairs exhibits and performances throughout the year.

Bellingham has a huge variety of restaurants to please just about anybody.  From trendy sidewalk cafe's, coffee shops, and all-you-can-eat-buffets, to traditional full-service restaurants serving, Thai, Italian, Chinese, Greek, Japanese, Mexican, and American Favorites.

If you are in to Casino Gambling Fun, you can come stay, play and gamble your life's savings away in a Bellingham Wa area CASINO offering 24 hour Las Vegas Style Casino Action. To learn about Bellingham's History visit one of Bellingham's museums such as the Whatcom Museum of History and Art, Spark Museum, or the unique Mindport Museum.    NEWS! The Regal Cinemas 16 Screen Theaters With Imax Is Now Open!

Bellingham's Bellis Fair Mall and Guide Meridian area have become a regional shopping destination drawing eager shoppers from every corner of Whatcom County as well as Southern British Columbia. Catch a live show or concert at the haunted Mount Baker Theater, profiled on the Sci-Fi Channel's "Ghost Hunters" or try your luck in a Bellingham Area Casino offering Las Vegas Style gaming.

The City of Bellingham is home to numerous national retailers including Costco, Walmart, Target, Macy's, Home Depot, Loews and more, as well as traditional mom & pop stores and Asian Markets. There is even an amazing new WinCo mega supermarket. Bellingham has many major grocery stores and supermarkets to choose from lincluding Albertsons, Fred Meyers, Haggens Northwest, Cost Cutter, Trader Joes-- To learn about Bellingham's History make time to visit one of Bellingham's museums. Whatcom Museum of History and Art, Spark Musem, or the unique Mindport Museum.