The top picked ‘must-see’ spots and restaurants in Whatcom County, chosen by local readers
If you’re a Whatcom County local and you have friends visiting, where are your favorite places to take them? We asked readers for their favorite parks, restaurants, coffee shops, nature spots and other “must-sees” across the county, and the votes are in!
Here are a few places to visit in Whatcom County, according to readers:
Beautiful scenery in Whatcom County
Artist Point and Heather Meadows
Artist Point and Heather Meadows offer breathtaking scenery in Deming. Visitors can drive up through beautiful tree-lined roads and near glacier streams to find these spots. Heather Meadows offers hiking trails leading between lakes, ridges, glacial carvings and wildflowers, that in the winter are covered in feet of snow.
A quick drive further up the road will lead to Artist Point trail head that offers beautiful views of the Mount Baker, the Cascade mountains and the Baker Lake valley and trees. In the winter the area gets a large amount of snow, and even holds the world record for the amount of snowfall in one season, measuring 95 feet, according to the Washington Trails Association.
Chuckanut Drive Scenic Byway
The Chuckanut Drive Scenic Byway, also known as WA State Route 11, begins in Burlington and leads up twisting roads surrounded by green trees and views of the sparkling water and islands into Bellingham.
The total drive is about 21 miles and takes about a half hour without pulling off on scenic vista points. The route to Burlington can be started at 103 Chuckanut Drive N in Bellingham. To start in Burlington, take I-5 exit 231 and follow the signs on the west side of the freeway for WA State Route 11 North.
Whatcom Falls Park
Whatcom Falls Park is a hidden gem tucked away in Bellingham, offering visitors views of waterfalls, a large stone bridge that seems to be from a fairy tale, and miles of trails to hike.
The park is most well known for the stone bridge and waterfalls, but also homes playgrounds, grills, a fishing derby pond, a fish hatchery, tennis courts, outdoor basketball court, picnic tables and shelters, restrooms, fields and more.
The park is open from 6 a.m to 10 p.m. daily and is at 1401 Electric Ave.
Boulevard Park
Boulevard Park is a popular destination especially during summer months, as the shoreline, ocean views, boardwalk, playgrounds and fields offer many activities for visitors of all ages.
Whether you enjoy taking your kayak out into Bellingham Bay, having a picnic or enjoying an iced latte from the park’s Woods Coffee shop, Boulevard Park is a great spot.
The park is open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily and is at 470 Bayview Dr. in Bellingham.
Restaurants and shops in Whatcom County
Twin Sisters Brewing Company
Twin Sisters Brewing Company offers Whatcom County visitors a taste of something the county is known for: its breweries. The restaurant and brewery has a wide variety of house-made beer, cocktails and food for visitors in enjoy.
From their Hazy IPA with flavors of guava, mango and pineapple to the brewery’s Otis-Nitro Oatmeal Stout with sweet notes of mocha and coffee, the brewery has something for everyone’s taste.
The menu also includes burgers, beer pretzel bites, sweet potato, pork or fish tacos, bratwurst, salads, mac and cheese and carnitas fries.
Twin Sisters Brewing Company is open from 3-8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, noon to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday and noon to 8 p.m. on Sunday, and is at 500 Carolina St. in Bellingham.
Edaleen Dairy
Edaleen Dairy is a Whatcom County-based dairy that makes over 40 flavors of delicious and creamy ice cream, milkshakes and other dairy products. Although the company’s headquarters and main store are in Lynden there are six total stores across the county where visitors can purchase ice cream cones and other goodies close by.
With ice cream flavors such as cappuccino chip, mint cookie crumble, passion guava, chocolate explosion, bubble gum, almond and white chocolate raspberry, there’s sure to be a flavor for everyone.
The stores also sell the dairy’s milk, buttermilk, whipping cream, half-and-half, and even chocolate and strawberry-flavored milks.
The dairy has two stores in Lynden, one in Blaine, one in Bellingham one in Sumas and one in Ferndale, with various hours of operation.
Skylark’s Hidden Cafe
Skylark’s Hidden Cafe is another hidden gem in Bellingham that can be found on through a cobblestone alleyway in the historic Fairhaven neighborhood.
The restaurant serves brunch, lunch, dinner and happy hour menus full of delicious drinks and dishes. Guests can enjoy their meal in eight various dining areas, from the antique wooden bar area, the hidden cafe with stain glass windows, the classic dining room, the outdoor patio, fireplace cove or beer garden, the sidewalk cafe or the loft upstairs.
The various menus include cocktails, a crab cake benedict, French toast, salads, fish and chips, burgers, French dip sandwiches, sirloin steak, grilled halibut, smoked salmon fettuccine, roasted chicken, creme brulee and cheesecakes.
Skylark’s Cafe is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday and is at 1308 11th St.
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Other places to visit in Whatcom County
A few readers also recommended visiting these spots in Whatcom County:
▪ Village Books and Paper Dreams
