Summer Information For Bellingham Area In Washington






Aug 7, 08

Bellingham Area
Washington

Rich History and Countless Recreational Resources

Just off Interstate 5, on the shores of Bellingham Bay, lays the city of Bellingham. This town in northwest Washington is at the very edge of Whatcom County.

The area has a rich history. The first settlers here were ancestors of the local American Indian tribes; the Lummi, the Nooksack and the Semiahmoo. It is thought that Whatcom is native for "noisy water."

Coal was discovered across the bay near Fairhaven in 1853. William Pattle filed a claim and operated a small community called Unionville. The name was later changed to Bellingham.

Outdoor Opportunities

This region possesses countless recreational resources. Hikers and bicyclists will find an endless variety of trails. Bellingham is designated as a "Trails Town USA." City and county parks plus 100 miles of U.S. Forest Service trails offer terrain ranging from easy to strenuous.

Ride or hike along shoreline, through forests or up mountains. Greenway trails offer safe biking and walking, and Interurban Trail provides fantastic views of Chuckanut Bay. Climbers also will find challenges in this region.

Bellingham's waterfront is a wonderful place to enjoy the outdoors. Parks frame the area and are linked by a series of trails for pedestrians and bicyclists. A widespread city parks system covers more than 2,200 acres and includes 70 miles of trails. Ten parks encompass a wide variety of terrain from waterfront to woods to waterfalls.

Water sports opportunities abound here, including swimming, water-skiing, kayaking, scuba diving and whale watching. Explore coastal bays and the San Juan Islands by kayak, or see wolf eels, giant Pacific octopuses and seals while scuba diving off the Pacific Northwest Coast. The San Juans are a popular spot for whale watching as well and are home to three pods of Orca whales.

The fishing possibilities are many. Choice steelhead in the Nooksack River will delight as will the numerous other lakes and streams filled with trout. And if you're looking for shellfish this is the place. Head to the beach at low tide to harvest some succulent Dungeness crabs.

Golfers will enjoy the 17 public golf courses here. Each offers its own unique challenges and spectacular views. There is a course to suit golfers of any ability. Stroll the well-groomed greens and fairways and see the breathtaking sight of Mount Baker with its perpetual snowcap.

Arts and Culture

Cultural opportunities abound here as well. Several museums, including the Whatcom Museum of History and Art and the Whatcom Maritime Museum, show visitors the region's history and culture.

A large gallery district is home to many artists and their works. Local galleries display a variety medium. The Bellingham Theatre Guild and the historic Mount Baker Theatre offer an array of performances to suit any taste.

Events throughout the summer keep visitors and locals entertained. The Bellingham Festival of Music, the Ski to Sea Festival and the Hot Air Balloon/International Folk Festival are just a sampling of what Bellingham offers summer visitors.

Telluride Ski and Golf Resort

Dollar Rent A Car for your car rental needs