Community: Bellingham, Washington (Whatcom County)
Whatcom County Population: 208,351
Must Eat: Katie's Cupcakes, Erin Baker's Breakfast Cookies
Watering Hole: Boundary Bay Brewery & Bistro
Must See: San Juan Islands & Mount Baker
Best Golf: Loomis Trail Golf & Country Club
Paper: The Bellingham Herald
Bellingham is located on the shores of Bellingham Bay with Mount Baker as its backdrop and is the last major city before the Washington coastline meets the Canadian border. The city, which serves as the county seat of Whatcom County, is at the center of a uniquely picturesque area offering a rich variety of recreational, cultural, educational and economic activities. Bellingham has an active water front port that supports fishing, boat building, shipping, and marina operations. From Bellingham's ports, passenger ferries leave for whale watching cruises, tours to Victoria on Vancouver Island, and cruises to the San Juan Islands.
Bellingham's renowned historic district features Victorian-era buildings and shops offering handcrafted products, local restaurants that serve fresh seafood, plus art galleries featuring Northwest artisans. The cultural district includes the respected Whatcom Museum of History and Art. Originally built in 1892 as City hall, the museum's imposing brick building is the centerpiece of a four-building campus including a children's museum.