Beach Hotels in Bellingham

Why Visit Bellingham, Washington?

Nearly a halfway point between Seattle and Vancouver, Bellingham, WA is 21 miles south of the U.S.-Canada border and the northernmost city in the conterminous United States.

The Best Time to Visit Bellingham, Washington

Bellingham, WA experiences a maritime climate. The hottest months fall between June and August, with highs averaging at around 75°F. The coldest months fall between December and February, with lows averaging at around 35°F.

Hotels in Bellingham, WA are most expensive between May and July. The cheapest time to visit Bellingham, WA is December.

Getting Around Bellingham, Washington

The closest major airport to Bellingham, WA is the Bellingham International Airport (BLI), approx. 4.5 miles away from downtown Bellingham. The most convenient way to reach Bellingham, WA from the Bellingham International Airport (BLI) is by taxi, which are accessible via the airport taxi stand. The journey will take around minutes, and costs US$18–US$22.

Whatcom Transit Authority (WTA) serves the city of Bellingham and its neighboring cities, providing bus service on 31 fixed routes. Most routes run daily, from around 06:30–23:30 on weekdays, 08:30–23:00 on Saturdays, and 08:30–20:30 on Sundays. WTA Route 3 provides the cheapest option of getting from Bellingham International Airport (BLI) to downtown Bellingham. Single ride bus fares cost US$1 per ride, and day passes cost US$3.

Things to Do in Bellingham, Washington

Take the scenic route to or around the San Juan Islands, accessible via San Juan Cruises from the Bellingham Cruise Terminal. Get blown away whale watching, with narration provided by experienced wildlife guides on board. Tours are available seasonally, from May to October, and cost US$99 per person. The Whale Watching Tour cruise departs at 11:00 and arrives back in Bellingham at 17:00.

The Whatcom Falls Park, just 3 miles away from downtown Bellingham, is best known for its namesake waterfall. Bike, or take a leisurely hike across the park's 5 miles of trails. A popular trail is the Railroad Trail, a 3-mile trail featuring a lake, and great for all skill levels. If your sole purpose in visiting the park is to chase waterfalls, Whatcom Falls is located just 50 feet from its parking area and can be viewed from a scenic footbridge over Whatcom Creek. Park admissions is free.

Urbanites can explore Bellingham, WA's history on foot through downtown Bellingham. Self-guided tour guidebooks cover approx. 45 buildings and sites across downtown Bellingham dating back to the 1890's and are available at the Visitors Information Center for US$5. If you have a smartphone, download the free audio/mobile tour by visiting the City of Bellingham online.