Area Guide
Bellingham & Bow
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Bellingham & Bow
BELLINGHAM is a charming coastal city located about 30 to 35 miles west of the Mount Baker area. It's generally 45 minutes to an hour from Camp Saturna, the wedding venue in Maple Falls. Bellingham serves as the last major U.S. city before the Canadian border, with access to hotels, shopping, restaurants and bars. In addition to cute local shops and restaurants in Bellingham's downtown and historic Fairhaven districts, you'll find all the major chains and big-box retailers you might need for any last-minute trip essentials.
BOW is a small rural community about 15-20 minutes south of Bellingham. It's known for its beautiful farmland, coastal bays and a close-knit artistic and agricultural vibe.
The guide below includes suggested restaurants and things to do in the area.
An illustration of downtown Bellingham.
Featured Restaurants in Bow and Bellingham
Horsehoe Bend Trail (MILD)
Length: 2.4 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 220 feet
Pass: Northwest Forest Pass
To Chair 9 Pizza & Sports Bar: 0.7 Miles
To Maple Fuels: 9.6 Miles
2182 Chuckanut Drive, Bow, WA 98232
To Camp Saturna: 46.9 Miles
To Bellingham International Airport: 19.2 Miles
This casual spot is a gem! It's known for its scenic off-the-beaten-path setting right on Samish Bay. Their seasonal menu rotates daily and includes a variety of oysters, geoduck, fresh local fish dishes, Dungeness crab, prawns and a few (delicious) vegetarian options. You can dine in their waterfront picnic area or under the covered patio. While the restaurant is very popular, it's the kind of place that feels like a local secret.
Why she loves it
"Hi, I'm Taylor — a lifelong vegetarian who walked into a shellfish restaurant and left obsessed. The salads and veggie sides alone are worth the trip. The views are stunning, and the energy is always exactly right."
Why he loves it
"If you like oysters, you gotta go here. If you don't like oysters, you still gotta go here. One of the best views you can possibly get a restaurant."
This is a lovely, forested walk on a well-maintained trail along the Nooksack River, and it's easy enough for the whole family. The trailhead is conveniently located in the town of Glacier.
Why she loves it
"It’s close to town and not a big time commitment. You can walk the whole trail or just down to the river for a bit.”
Why he loves it
“I love the roaring Nooksack River. It’s so peaceful. We’ve seen salmon spawning here a few times.”
211 W. Holly Street Bellingham, WA 98225
To Camp Saturna: 32.5 Miles
To Bellingham International Airport: 4.7 Miles
Pat and Taylor love this Mexican spot in downtown Bellingham. It has great appetizers, tacos, salads and more.
Why she loves it
"I'm a sucker for their dip trio. Great guac, salsa and queso! They use fresh ingredients in all their dishes. The 'Blacksheep House Salad' is especially tasty."
Why he loves it
"This is my favorite restaurant in Bellingham! It's not traditional Mexican food. They have a creative menu and modern vibes."
205 Prospect St STE A-105, Bellingham, WA 98225
To Camp Saturna: 32.4 Miles
To Bellingham International Airport: 4.7 Miles
This is a local craft cider producer and restaurant with a full bar overlooking the Waterfront District of downtown Bellingham. Taylor and Pat have enjoyed brunch at this spot. The restaurant also serves lunch, happy hour and dinner.
109 Grand Ave., Suite 101 Bellingham, WA 98225
To Camp Saturna: 32.4 Miles
To Bellingham International Airport: 4.6 Miles
This is a trendy spot for dinner and/or drinks in downtown Bellingham with creative cocktails and Asian comfort food.
109 Grand Ave., Suite 102, Bellingham, WA 98225
To Camp Saturna: 32.4 Miles
To Bellingham International Airport: 4.6 Miles
This is a popular made-from-scratch Italian restaurant in the heart of downtown Bellingham. The menu features homemade pasta, Neapolitan-style pizzas, and classic Italian cocktails.
More Dining Options
Craving something else? There are so many great choices in Bellingham. Check out these below guides for more inspiration.
Visit Bellingham: Restaurants & Dining Guide
Visit Bellingham: Craft Breweries & Taphouses
Things to do in Bow & Bellingham
Chuckanut Drive is one of the best ways to spend an afternoon near Bellingham. The winding road from Bow passes through the forested Chuckanut Mountains, with scenic pullouts offering views of Samish Bay and the San Juan Islands. Stop at Larrabee State Park — Washington's first state park — to walk down to the beach, explore tide pools or hit one of the many hiking trails. Grab fresh oysters at Taylor Shellfish Farms along the way, and end the drive in Fairhaven, Bellingham's walkable historic district, for dinner or drinks.
From forested waterfalls to waterfront boardwalks, Bellingham's parks are hard to beat. Whatcom Falls Park is a local favorite with multiple waterfalls just ten minutes from downtown Bellingham. Boulevard Park sits right on Bellingham Bay with a boardwalk, pocket beaches, and a coffee shop on site — perfect for a sunset stroll. Little Squalicum Park is a newer gem with a recently opened pier stretching out over the water. And Larrabee State Park, Washington's first state park, offers beaches, tide pools and trails along Chuckanut Drive.
To Camp Saturna: 45 Miles
Oyster Dome is an iconic coastal hike in Bellingham. After a forested climb up Blanchard Mountain, you're rewarded with sweeping views of the Salish Sea and the San Juan Islands at the top. It's also a great spot to watch paragliders.
Historic Fairhaven Village is a charming historic neighborhood in south Bellingham worth exploring. Stroll the brick-lined streets, pop into local shops and art galleries, grab a coffee, or sit down for a meal at a restaurant or pub. Don't miss Village Books, a beloved independent bookstore and community cornerstone since 1980. The neighborhood also sits along Bellingham Bay, with easy access to waterfront trails, scenic views and the stunning Chuckanut Drive.
The Portal Container Village is a unique and laid-back place to spend an afternoon. Local businesses set up inside repurposed shipping containers in Bellingham's waterfront district, with craft beer, coffee, pizza, wine and rotating local art. There's also a bike park, mini golf and a live music stage nearby.
San Juan Cruises is the only whale watching tour departing right from Bellingham, leaving from the cruise terminal in Fairhaven. Beyond whale watching, they offer a ton of options, including day trips to Friday Harbor on San Juan Island, bird watching, sunset cruises, a crab dinner cruise and a wine tasting cruise on the bay.
Schooner Zodiac, another company that sails from the Bellingham cruise terminal, has several offerings during the couple's wedding week and the week after, including lunch, dinner and wine cruises, as well as a floating concert.