Affiliate Disclosure: Melissa's Travel Addiction has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Melissa's Travel Addiction and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.

Bellingham, Washington is a great choice for an outdoor family-friendly vacation. Not far from the Canadian border and a short distance from several National Parks, it is a truly great location. With its seaside location, it’s a great place to enjoy nature. Mountain biking, hiking, and kayaking are popular activities in the area. As well as being a beautiful area, there are many kid-friendly activities in and around Bellingham.

When to go

Bellingham, Washington is a great destination for families in almost any season. We especially enjoy the fall season there but the weather is nice year-round. They occasionally get snow in the winter, but it’s a mostly mild winter. You can enjoy perfect weather in the summer with temperatures ranging from 65-75 degrees.

What to do

1. Fairhaven Village District

Why we recommend this activity

Spending a morning or afternoon exploring Fairhaven Village is a great place for kids to run around while parents enjoy food and drinks. There are restaurants, coffee, and shopping here with beautiful views of Bellingham Bay. The Village green is a large grassy area that hosts events such as farmer’s markets, concerts and shows, and summer outdoor movie series.

If you’re looking for a place to stay, the Fairhaven Village Inn is a charming hotel and located here in the historic district.

2. The Boulevard

Why we recommend this activity

Both adults and kids alike can enjoy the Boulevard. Grab yourself a cup of coffee and enjoy the walking trails along the Bay. Woods Coffee is located along the shore here and is the perfect place to grab a cup of coffee. There is a playground here for younger kids and biking trails for older kids. With its sandy shores and amazing views, the Boulevard is also a great place to enjoy a picnic.

3. Apple Picking

Why we recommend this activity

Kids LOVE to pick fruit, especially apples! Bellingham has several apple orchards where your family can go apple picking! In the fall, Bellewood Farms is a great place to pick apples. There are activities for the kids such as corn mazes and hayrides. They sell hot apple cider donut holes, caramel apples, fresh cider, and farm-fresh apple pie! The donut holes are our favorite because they are hot and delicious (and quite addicting!).

During the summer, there are several farms that offer berry picking! You can pick, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries.

4. Visit Vancouver

Why we recommend this activity

You and your kids can check off a country on your passport! Vancouver is just a short 45-minute drive north of Bellingham. There are so many fun things to do in Vancouver with kids. You can visit Granville Island Public Market and eat your way through the market. Other activities include the Capilano suspension bridge, Gondola at Grouse Mountain, Stanley Park & Gastown.

My family really enjoyed the Capilano Suspension bridge. There are little treehouses to walk through as well as scavenger hunts for the kids. The views are amazing! During the holidays, they light up the park and trees! It is a perfect holiday activity.

5. Visit the San Juan Islands

Why we recommend this activity

My kids love taking a ferry ride and the scenic views from the ferry are breathtaking. This is one of our favorite Washington kid-friendly activities. While riding on the ferry, you pass by beautiful islands.

Below are the three larger San Juan Islands that you can visit. Each one has something unique to offer.

1) Friday Harbor/San Juan Island

2) Orcas Island

3)Lopez Island

All of the San Juan Islands are different and you can’t go wrong visiting any of them. In the summer, you can camp or glamp on Orcas Island. The island of Friday Harbor has a picture-perfect village shopping and restaurant area. There are several beaches and scenic areas on all of the islands to check out.

6. Hike and Drive Mt. Baker

Why we recommend this activity

Mt. Baker is a great destination for all seasons. During the summer and fall, it is a great hiking and camping destination and a great place to enjoy the mountain air. In the winter, it is a great place for sledding.

The impressive slopes of Mt. Baker are 50 miles east of Bellingham. Mt Baker is a perfect ski area in the winter averaging more than 600 inches of snowfall each year.

7. Whatcom Falls Park

Why we recommend this activity

Kids love parks and this one has four beautiful waterfalls. Whatcom Falls Park is a 241-acre park with activities for the whole family. There are also hiking trails, and plenty of park amenities, such as playgrounds, picnic tables, BBQs, and a fish hatchery.

Whatcom Falls is the perfect place to get your family outside and enjoy nature. Start the morning off by crossing the scenic stone bridge and viewing one of the beautiful falls. There are over five miles of trails through the park. Don’t forget to pack a lunch to enjoy a picnic. If you visit during the fall months, you can enjoy colorful foliage in the park.

Where to eat

If you're a foodie, then you are in luck because Bellingham is a great foodie destination! It’s a great place for coffee and beer lovers as well.

Restaurants & Brewery’s

There are so many great restaurants and breweries to choose from. Aslan Brewing Company (pictured below) has some of the best burgers and bowls. One of the things we love about Aslan is its commitment to using organic and local ingredients.

Other great restaurants in the area include Bellingham Cider co & Carnal. For the restaurant with the best view, head to Anthony’s.

Coffee

You really can’t go wrong with any coffee shops here, after all you are in the Pacific Northwest. Coffee shops are plentiful.

Makeworth Market is one of our favorite coffee shops, as it’s the perfect combination of excellent coffee, great food, and good ambiance. They frequently have live music and events. Check out their calendar for more information.

Other local coffee shops include, Black Drop, Camber, and Woods Coffee.

Makeworth Market

Where to Stay

Whether you are looking for point hotel redemptions or paid stays at charming local hotels, there are several great choices in Bellingham.

If you are not redeeming miles and points, here are some great options:

1) Fairhaven Village Inn

2) Hotel Bellwether

3) The Chrysalis Inn and Spa

If you are hoping to redeem hotel points, here are some great options:

1) Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites Bellingham (20,000 IHG points)

2) Springhill Suites Bellingham (25,000 Marriott Points)

3) Townplace Suites Bellingham (17,500 Marriott Points)

4) Holiday Inn Express Bellingham (19,000 IHG points)

How to get here

Bellingham is surprisingly easy to get to. Allegiant Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and Alaska Airlines all fly into the Bellingham International Airport (BLI). Flying Allegiant will be the most budget-friendly way to get there! If not, Southwest Airlines has recently started flying into Bellingham so be on the lookout for some good deals. You can also fly into Seattle if the price is better. The drive to Bellingham will take about 1.5 hours from Seattle airport.

Have you been to Bellingham, Washington? If so, what is your favorite activity? Let me know in the comments.

Affiliate Disclosure: Melissa's Travel Addiction has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Melissa's Travel Addiction and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.