Discover unforgettable things to do in Bellingham this summer, where stunning landscapes meet vibrant waterfront adventures.
The Salish Sea and the Cascade Mountains surround Bellingham, WA, less than 1.5 hours from our home in Seattle. This fun summer playground offers waterfront lodging and excellent cuisine to fuel your summer ventures. Visiting year-round is great, but summer is particularly memorable, with over 16 hours of daylight and plenty of sunshine.
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It’s the Water
Bellingham has lots of lakes and ocean bays to explore. Bloedel Donovan Park, situated on the shores of Lake Whatcom, offers a range of summertime activities, including swimming, picnicking, an off-leash dog park, and rentals for SUPs and boats. Our favorite activity is renting a kayak and exploring parts of the 10-mile shoreline. Don’t forget to pack a lunch, sit under the shade of oak trees, and enjoy the stunning scenery.
Summertime on Lake Whatcom offers excellent views, fun paddling, swimming, or just relaxing with a picnic. Photo by Michael Fagin
An all-time highlight is going on a guided night paddle in Bellingham Bay and seeing the brilliant sparkles and colors from the bioluminescence in the water. This magic is the result of a biochemical emission of light by tiny organisms such as plankton. Move your paddle or hand through the water to disturb the plankton. Then enjoy the colors in the water. An enchanted experience that we will never forget.
These locally based companies have been offering guided trips in the area for many years: Moondance Sea Kayak Adventures, Community Boat Center, and Dragonfly Kayak Tours. The kayaks are launched in protected waters, and you will be guided through the night. No experience is required, and they provide all of the gear.
Bioluminescent taken at Second Beach along the Washington coast. Photo courtesy Craig Goodwin Photography
If you are not nocturnally inclined, these same companies offer guided daytime tours in Bellingham Bay, Chuckanut Bay, and the Salish Sea. You will have stunning views of the mountains in the distance, the San Juan Islands, lots of seabirds, and, most likely, some seals! Some of the tours take you to Chuckanut Island for a lunch break. These guided tours do not require any prior experience, and you will be provided with all the necessary gear. Choose from a menu of tours that last several hours, up to all day, or even multi-day trips.
Typical view of seals soaking up the summer sun. Photo courtesy Dragonfly Kayak Tours
Take a Hike; or Not
The Oyster Dome hike is one of the best in the region, and that says a lot for an area that offers numerous hiking options. You won’t find oysters on this hike, but you’ll find a great workout and a spectacular view! The trailhead is at the Samish Overlook. Many people drive up to the overlook to enjoy the views of the Salish Sea and the Olympic Mountains. They skip the hike and sit on the picnic table to enjoy the sandwiches and snacks that they packed. The ambitious among us hike the 5.5-mile trail (with 1,050 ft. elevation gain) to the top of Oyster Dome.
View from Oyster Dome of the Salish Sea. Photo by Michael Fagin
The South Bay Trail is a flat, paved trail that runs along Bellingham Bay, connecting Bellingham and Fairhaven. There are great views even if you walk a short distance and grab a seat on the bench to enjoy the sights and smells of the ocean. Alternatively, you can walk the entire 4-mile round-trip. Along the way, many folks stop at Woods Coffee (conveniently located next to the trail) for a break and a snack.
Paved trail to enjoy the view of Bellingham Bay. Photo by Michael Fagin
Nourishment
Bellingham is well-known for its fresh seafood, so the cuisine is a must-try. Drayton Harbor Fresh Oysters is in the picturesque town of Blaine, a short distance north of Bellingham near the Canadian border. Fresh oysters indeed! Their oyster beds are just a short 15-minute boat ride from their restaurant.
My favorite is their raw oysters with fresh lemon and a mignonette (sauce) of red wine vinegar and shallots. Elizabeth is not a big fan of raw oysters, but the grilled ones are to die for. The Bacon Blue Cult, featuring blue cheese and bacon, is a delicious treat! Be sure also to try the Savory Option, grilled with garlic, butter, white wine, and Parmesan cheese. For those who are not oyster fans, there are other seafood options, such as fish and chips, shrimp kabobs, and fish tacos.
Fresh oyster beds are only 15 minutes away from the restaurant. Oysters—raw or grilled—are a must! Photo by Michael Fagin
For al fresco dining, Keenan’s at the Pier is a place we often visit. We have eaten there for weekend brunch, lunch, happy hour, and dinner. One of our all-time favorites is the locally sourced and award-winning Penn Cove Mussels. For lunch, we often enjoy yummy sandwiches, such as Keenan’s Burger and the Reuben.
Outdoor dining on the Bay and one of the best waterfront views in Bellingham. Photo by Michael Fagin
Colophon Cafe, located in the heart of Fairhaven, has been serving up delicious, wholesome, and carefully prepared food since 1985. We have been enjoying both the food and the cozy atmosphere since the early 1990s. Whether you’re eating indoors or outdoors, be sure to try their award-winning, house-made soups. These soups are so popular that they publish a monthly calendar which highlights the soups that will be served. Our favorites are the Split Pea and the Vegetarian African Peanut. Elizabeth even purchased their cookbook many years ago and successfully made the peanut soup.
Split Pea soup and a Ruben sandwich, my go-to meal. Photo by Michael Fagin
Lodging Along the Waterfront
When summer days in Bellingham stretch long and golden, there’s nothing quite like waking up to the sound of water and the scent of salt in the air. Whether you’re seeking luxury touches or casual family-friendly vibes, Bellingham’s waterfront accommodations deliver both comfort and unforgettable views. From peaceful mornings with coffee by the sea to evening strolls along scenic promenades, these stays make the perfect home base for your Pacific Northwest adventure.
Semiahmoo Resort Golf & Spa
The Salish Sea surrounds Semiahmoo Resort Golf & Spa, just 35 minutes north of Bellingham. This is a casual resort offering a variety of fun activities for the entire family. Elizabeth likes to start the day with a relaxing cup of coffee and a view of the water at Packers Kitchen + Bar. The Eggs Benedict and Breakfast Burrito are always excellent choices. The side of Crispy Smashed Potatoes is light, crunchy on the outside, and creamy in the middle—just delicious!
Next, we were ready for the short one-mile walk on the paved Semiahmoo Spit Trail. This short walk gives views of Drayton Harbor and the majestic vista of snowcapped Mt. Baker and the Twin Sisters. Then, make sure to walk across the street and check Semiahmoo Bay and the Strait of Georgia. This is part of Semiahmoo Park, and during low tide, you can take a relaxing beach walk.
Great way to start the day with breakfast with my lovely wife, Elizabeth. Photo by Michael Fagin
We were ready for another short walk and some beachcombing, so we took the short drive to Birch Bay State Park. There are 1.5 miles of coastline to enjoy the views of the San Juan Islands and the Cascade Mountains. After beachcombing for a while, we noticed many people setting up their campsites and laying out the marshmallows, graham crackers, and chocolate for the camping staple of s’mores, which reminded us that our hosts at Semiahmoo set up bonfires at night and supply guests with all of the ingredients for s’mores. So that was something to look forward to!
But first, we returned to the resort for Elizabeth’s scheduled spa treatment, a 90-minute Heated Himalayan Salt Stone Massage. “It was a piece of paradise.” The salt from the stones possesses numerous therapeutic qualities; it is said to lower blood sugar, boost bone health, reduce inflammation, and exfoliate the skin, among other benefits.
The next thing on the agenda was to decide on dinner. We were tempted to dine on the resort’s outside patio. However, we decided to take the 15-minute drive around Drayton Harbor to Blaine to enjoy the many seafood offerings at Drayton Harbor Oysters. We made sure to return to the resort in time to enjoy the sunset, accompanied by s’mores.
Sunset views and then s’mores usually follow. Photo by Michael Fagin
Hotel Bellwether
The luxury boutique Hotel Bellwether is situated in Bellingham, at Squalicum Harbor, just steps from the marina, with many rooms offering stunning views of the water and marina. Our beautifully appointed room made it tempting to sit on the balcony and enjoy the fresh ocean view, accompanied by our favorite beverages. However, on this warm summer night, we took the 20-minute walk along the flat and paved Squalicum Promenade to Zuanich Point Park. This marina offers panoramic views of Bellingham Bay and the San Juan Islands.
Squalicum Harbor is also the home of the Bellingham Dockside Market. On the first and third Saturdays of each month, from 10 am to 2 pm, you can buy fresh seafood directly from the fishermen who catch it! There are also vendor booths for artists, crafters, and hot, prepared food. For a list of what will be offered each sale weekend, check out the Dockside Market Facebook page.
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We returned to our room and continued to enjoy the rest of the evening. The next morning, we walked downstairs to enjoy an outdoor breakfast on the patio of the Lighthouse Grill. Elizabeth’s breakfast mission is finding the best Eggs Benedict, and the Lighthouse Benedict delivered. The buttermilk biscuit was just the right amount of crumbliness, the house-made hollandaise had a lovely lemon tang, and the locally sourced ham from Hempler’s made this one of the best Benedicts she had ever had. Bellingham is a delightful location to enjoy the fantastic summer weather, the breathtaking beauty of the Pacific Northwest, and the amazing food scene. And we, as always, know we will be back soon.
Sunset view from our room. View of the marina and the ocean. Photo by Michael Fagin
Plan Your Perfect Summer Getaway in Bellingham, WA
With its scenic coastline, vibrant local culture, and endless outdoor adventures, Bellingham is a quintessential Pacific Northwest summer destination. Whether you’re kayaking along the bay, exploring charming shops and eateries, or simply relaxing with waterfront views, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Ready to keep the summer inspiration flowing? Discover more summer travel ideas and explore even more things to do in Washington state on Wander With Wonder—where we help you uncover your next wow moment.
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