Whatever has brought you here, you have discovered one of the most beautiful cities in Washington state. Whether you are interested in epic or low-key recreational activities, marine adventures, or culinary delights, you are in for a treat.

Bellingham is nestled between mountains and sea which offers a seemingly endless array of activities and pockets worth exploring. With the 66 recorded trails in the Bellingham area, hikers have no shortage of routes within and around the city.

Below are just a handle of noteworthy hikes:

• Oyster Dome | 5 mi

• Fragrance Lake | 5.5 mi

• Artist Point | 4 mi

• Chuckanut Ridge Trail | 7.1 mi

• Yellow Aster Butte | 8.5 mi

• Whatcom Falls Park | 5.2 mi

If you’re looking for flatter trails for faster speeds, here are a couple of my favorite trails:

• South Bay Trail | 5 mi

• Zuanich Point | 3.5 mi

• Lake Padden Loop | 2.7 mi

If driving tours are more your style, below are some routes you don’t want to miss:

• Chuckanut Drive | 24 mi

• Mt. Baker Highway | 58 mi

• Cascade Loop | 440 mi

From mountain biking to road biking, Whatcom County is home to many notorious biking trails:

• Galbraith Mountain | 65+ mi

  • Ranked within the top 10 places to ride in the nation!

• Chuckanut Mountain logging trails

Several city and county roads make for gorgeous bike routes along rural landscapes, waterfront scenes, and Mt. Baker views.

Another highly-esteemed recreational venture is off the land and on the sea. Bellingham’s coast is a short jaunt from the San Juan Islands and there is plenty to do along the way! Bellingham has many guided tours for kayaking, sailing, paddle boarding, whale watching and so much more.

• Gato Verde Adventure Sailing

• San Juan Cruises

• Sail the San Juans

• Island Opportunity Charters

If solo adventures are calling you, we encourage you to make your way to one (or all) of our several lakes listed below - and this is just naming a few:

• Lake Whatcom

• Lake Samish

• Lake Padden

When temperatures take a dip, the activities don’t stop. Skiers and snowboarders travel from around the world to experience our revered Mt. Baker. Steven’s Pass and Snoqualmie Pass are also worth the two hour trek. There are several snowshoeing trails, some listed below:

• Artist Point

• Coal Pass

• Excelsior Trail

• Hannegan Pass + Peak

• Canyon Lake Community Forest

This city is equipped with year round adventure! When it comes time to decide where to settle down and find a home, there are many neighborhoods that are accessible to a wide range of amenities and have unique perks. Following is a map of the Bellingham neighborhoods.

When choosing the right school for your family, there are plenty to choose from; with 14 elementary schools, 4 middle schools and 4 high schools, you are sure to find the right fit. Western Washington University brings many different students to our city who are eager to study under the nationally recognized programs offered there.

Bellingham is an epicenter for local businesses while also employing many at our largest

employers including:

• PeaceHealth / St. Joseph’s Hospital

• Western Washington University

• BP Cherry Point

• Haggen

I look forward to showing you around this beautiful city we call home!