Discover the Peak of the northwest
Story, Photos & Video Content provided by Visit Bellingham | Whatcom County
Our corner of the United States may be famous for its snow-capped mountains, lush fairytale forests, and crystal-clear waters, but don’t let all that beauty and recreation fool you. There’s so much more to our neck of the woods than world-class hiking, mountain biking, skiing, snowshoeing, sailing, kayaking, rock climbing…OK you get the idea. When you visit Bellingham and Whatcom County, you also have access to farm-fresh dining, adorable seaside communities, and unique cultural experiences.
To help you explore the full variety of what Bellingham and Whatcom County have to offer, we’ve put together three interactive quest passes designed specifically for foodies, port-lovers, and culture buffs. The passes are free, easy-to-use, and available on any mobile device. In other words, they’re your golden ticket to planning the perfect Pacific Northwest vacation.
Sample Farm-to-Fork Deliciousness
The curated Farm to Table Trail recommends foodie hot spots around Bellingham and Whatcom County—and offers perks for every visit. Simply download the pass, check-in at participating farms, markets, and restaurants, and receive available discounts and promotions. Visit enough locations and you’ll be entered to win a foodie prize valued at around $100.
The Farm to Table Trail includes a wide variety of the best restaurants across Whatcom County. Grab a hearty, locally sourced breakfast at Old Town Café in Bellingham or an authentic Italian dinner at Storia Cucina, where all the pasta is made by hand in-house. Afterwards, satisfy your sweet tooth at Pure Bliss Desserts or Evolve Chocolate + Café.
Continue the trail out into the county for farm adventures, like berry picking at Williams Blueberry Farm in Deming. Or stop by Widnor Farms and score a free pound of beef when you make a qualifying purchase at the farm stand. Head north from Bellingham to say cheese at Twin Sisters Creamery in Ferndale or venture to Samson Estates Winery in Everson. While you’re there, use the Farm to Table Trail pass to get a free tasting when you purchase two bottles of wine.
Participating locations and promotions vary month-to-month, so be sure to check your pass before you go!
Plan a Charming Port Town Getaway
Once you’re done savoring everything our area has to offer, download the 49th Parallel Ports Pass and visit seaside communities located along the 49th parallel. Drop into the charming seaside town of Blaine or sail away to the remote exclave of Point Roberts. Users who check in at five locations on the pass are entered to win an overnight stay at Semiahmoo Resort (contest ends on New Year’s Eve 2022).
In Blaine, feast on tide-tumbled oysters at Drayton Harbor Oyster Co. and then cap your meal with a strawberry ice cream cone from Edaleen Dairy. And don’t forget to stop by Peace Arch State Park, which straddles the US/Canada border and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
If you haven’t explored Semiahmoo Spit, that’s reason enough to venture to Semiahmoo Resort, which is located on the tip of the spit. The stretch of land is home to a diversity of wildlife and offers a flat walking trail perfect for birding, photography, or just gazing out at the distant mountain peaks. If you do visit the resort, grab a meal at Packers Bar & Grill or book yourself a luxurious spa treatment.
For a truly unique excursion, travel to Point Roberts, a pene-exclave located on a peninsula south of Vancouver, BC. You can only access Point Roberts by driving through Canada or sailing from the US across Boundary Bay. Though tricky to access, the small community offers intrepid tourists a one-of-a-kind getaway filled with hiking, water views, and delicious pick-me-ups at the Saltwater Café (where you can use your pass to score a free coffee!).
Expand Your World With Art & Culture
Art and culture enthusiasts will love our Culture Crawl pass, which points you toward Bellingham and Whatcom County’s top theaters, museums, galleries, bookstores, and more—while offering discounts along the way. Check in to six participating locations and you’ll receive a free, colorful hydrascape sticker made by local muralist Gretchen Leggitt. (Her famous Encogen mural is one of the largest mural in Washington State and is also part of the Culture Crawl.)
Don’t believe how wonderful our art scene is? Take it from an expert. Last year, international travel star Rick Steves sampled the arts and culture scene in Whatcom County, highlighting our area’s indigenous artists, downtown art scene, and live entertainment. He learned about the historic Mount Baker Theatre, the Pickford Film Center, and the Jansen Art Center in Lynden—all destinations on the Culture Crawl pass.
Ready to start your adventure in Whatcom County? Sign up now for all three Visit Bellingham | Whatcom County quest passes at: www.bellingham.org/quest.