24 Best Things To Do In Bellingham With Kids: Day trip from Seattle

Need a nature-packed day trip from Seattle that doesn’t involve hours in the car? Bellingham is one of our family’s favorite close-to-home escapes for fresh air, forest trails, coastal views, and relaxed, kid-friendly vibes.

Just 90 miles north of Seattle, this coastal town is tucked between the Salish Sea and North Cascades—and it’s loaded with kid-friendly hikes, beach parks, and spots to stretch your legs without the crowds.

In this guide, we’re sharing 24 of the best things to do in and around Bellingham—from scenic local spots to easy day trips that make this area ideal for weekend exploring. These are all outings we’ve done ourselves, with young kids in tow, so you’ll find plenty of low-effort, high-reward activities your whole crew will enjoy.

Map of Things To Do Near Bellingham

Bellingham, WA Things To Do Guide

If you are wondering what to do in Bellingham, you will find many places to see, fun and cool things to do as well as activities in this list.

Bellingham Top Attractions

1. Whatcom Falls Park

Whatcom Falls Park is a ~240 acre community park and a Bellingham treasure.

The park offers ~5 miles of forested trails, 3 waterfalls accessible within short and easy walking distance, swimming holes, 3 playgrounds, 100-year old train trestle (sort of a bridge), a pond, fish hatchery and a lakeside park with access to Lake Whatcom.

For families looking for easy kid-friendly waterfall trails and a beautiful daytrip from Seattle, Whatcom Falls Park is the prefect pick. It is one of our favorite destinations all year round.

2. Chuckanut Drive

Chuckanut Drive is a 21-mile long scenic drive on SR11, stretching between Bellingham in the north and Burlington in the south.

This gorgeous drive offers hikes, beautiful coves and beaches, scenic lookout points overlooking Chuckanut Bay and San Juan Islands, fresh local cuisine, and small-town charm.

We love scenic drives that are sprinkled family friendly or not-so-strenuous activities. Chuckanut drive fits that bill perfectly and we have done this drive in summer and winter with our 4 year old.

3. Larrabee State Park

Larrabee State Park, which is located on Chuckanut Drive, deserves a special mention of its own as it is Washington state’s oldest state park.

Established in 1915, this ~2700 acre camping park offers 18 miles of trails (hike/bike/horses), ~8,000 ft of saltwater shoreline by Samish bay, water activities such as boating, clamming, crabbing etc.

Enjoying a picnic at the beach and paddleboarding in the waters is our favorite way to spend time at Larrabee State Park. You can enjoy some family friendly hikes if you are in the mood for some more activity.

4. Bellingham Waterfront

Bellingham’s waterfront is one of its most scenic features. The city sits along Bellingham Bay, which opens out to the Salish Sea. From much of the waterfront, you can see the San Juan Islands and the sunsets here can be stunning, especially from public parks and marinas.

The wooden walkway from Taylor dock leading to Boulevard Park is one of our favorite ways to savor Bellingham’s waterfront (see video linked above). The scenic boardwalk, the park, the beach and a coffee shop along the way is great for families. You can continue walking on this trail upto Fairhaven.

Zuanich Point Park is another waterfront park in Bellingham downtown overlooking the Squalicum harbor. It has a playground, a paved walking path and many dining options in the area.

With its historic brick buildings lining the streets, the downtown core exudes a charming, small-town feel that immediately immerses you in the region’s character. 

5. Lake Padden Park

The 160-acre Lake Padden is nestled in Lake Padden Park, located just minutes from Bellingham downtown. The 2.6-mile loop trail around the lake is a local favorite for walking, running, or biking through lush forest.

There is a playground, picnic shelters, tennis and pickleball courts, and even a golf and disc golf course. The lake’s calm waters are amazing for kayaking and paddleboarding.

6. Whatcom Lake – Bloedel Donovan Park

Bloedel Donovan Park is a beautiful lakeside park by Whatcom Lake with playground, swimming area, outdoor basketball and volleyball courts, picnic tables and grills. It is a fantastic destination for outdoor time any time of the year.

It is conveniently accessible from Whatcom Falls Park via a trail or a quick drive and offers activities for the entire family. You can rent boats, kayaks, paddleboards through Bloedel boat rentals or launch your own in the lake. The concession stand with snacks, drinks and ice cream will keep hunger pangs away. Here’s a park map and a map of trees of the park.

7. Bellingham hikes and trails

Bellingham caters to all levels of hiking abilities and nature lovers.

Whatcom Falls Park trails and Teddy Bear Cove are great for younger kids. Frargance Lake, Rock Trail and Oyster Dome on Chuckanut drive add a little more challenge.

Adventurous hikers can tackle the Skyline Divide Trail with its breathtaking vistas of Mount Baker.

8. Fairhaven Historic District

The historic Fairhaven district is charming with its restaurants, cafes, cobblestone streets and brick buildings. Just walking around the block will be fun.

Fairhaven Park with its wooded trail by Padden creek, large open grassy area, playground, water fountain, tennis courts and picnic tables is a beautiful park here.

Bellingham Other Attractions

9. Lake Samish and Samish Park

Every time we are driving to Vancouver B.C, a lake just south of Bellingham and by I-5 always catches our attention. That is Lake Samish, a 109-acre lake.

Samish Park towards the northern end of the lake features a swimming area, boat launch, picnic shelters, and a playground, making it an ideal spot for family outings.

Hiking trails wind through the park’s woodlands, leading to scenic viewpoints overlooking the tranquil lake.

10. Big Rock Garden Park

For a slightly different park experience, you can consider visiting Big Rock Garden Park which is 1.5 miles from Whatcom Falls Park and ~0.5 mile from Bloedel Donovan Park.

It is small 2.5 acre neighborhood park, but houses over 30 sculptures of a variety of materials and made by a variety of artists. Along with the sculptures, you can admire the changing blooms and colors while you take a quiet walk through this park.

11. Spark Museum of Electrical Invention

If you are a science enthusiast or are keen to spark your child’s curiosity, then The Spark Museum of Electrical Invention will prove to be an educational and an entertaining stop. It is a good indoor attraction on a rainy day.

This hands-on museum allows visitors to explore the fascinating history and principles of electrical technology through engaging exhibits and demonstrations. Visitors can witness electrical shows, learn about the pioneers of electrical science, and even try their hand at generating their own electrical currents.

12. Nooksack river

Nooksack river originates from the glaciers of Mt.Baker and flows through the Bellingham area, ultimately meeting the Salish Sea. I love rivers and always love accessing rivers through public access or day use areas.

Nugent’s Corner River Access is one of the locations to access the Nooksack River close to bellingham. There are short (less than 0.5 miles) and easy trails to get to the river where you can enjoy fishing or just some riverside time(see map here).

Welcome Bridge by Nooksack river is an excellent place to watch bald eagles in winter.

13. Hovander Homestead Park

For a well-maintained area by Nooksack river, Hovander Homestead Park would be a good local spot to go to.

There’s historical buildings, barn, ducks, chickens and bunnies, playground, picnic tables, and walkng paths. Great for families who want to picnic, bike, and have a relaxed time. Tennant Lake Interpretive Center and Fragrance Garden is within walking distance too.

Restaurants in Bellingham

14. Memorable Eats and Restaurants

There is decent dining scene in and around Bellingham. Fiamma Pizza and tacos at Black Sheep Bellingham are family friendly.

Keenan’s for seafood dining with a view, Taylor Shellfish on Chuckanut bay for fresh oysters, small-town food joints of Bow and Edison – all add to the variety of food scene in Bellingham.

Bounday Bay brewery and bistro is the one we’ve ended up going to, the most often, after our day long excursions around Bellingham area.

15. Breweries

Bellingham is a haven for craft beverage lovers, with over a dozen breweries and taprooms offering local flavors and relaxed vibes. Boundary Bay Brewery, the city’s oldest brewpub, serves award-winning beers and hearty pub fare in a historic warehouse setting.

A few other favorites include Aslan Brewing Co., known for its organic beers and lively atmosphere; Kulshan Brewing Company, which operates two popular taprooms with rotating food trucks; and Stemma Brewing and Stones Throw Brewery, both offering family-friendly spaces perfect for sunny afternoons.

Prefer spirits over hops? Consider joining this highly rated yet affordable Distillery Tour — a relaxing way to sample locally crafted gin, vodka, and whiskey.

Day trips from Bellingham

16. North Cascades National Park

Bellingham would be a great base camp to explore North Cascades National Park.

On a day trip from Bellingham, you can easily visit the three awe-inspiring destinations: Diablo Lake, the Diablo Lake Overlook, and the stunning Washington Pass Overlook.

Along the way, you can stretch your legs at picturesque waterfalls, scenic overlooks, and the wild and scenic Skagit River.

17. Lummi Island

Lummi Island is a great day trip destination from Bellingham for relation and exploration. In total, the trip from Bellingham to Lummi Island typically takes around 30-40 minutes (20 mins drive + 10 min ferry ride).

Our friends love to bike around the island’s quiet roads and kayak in the Legoe Bay. Baker Preserve Trail is a short (1.6 miles RT) but a steep trail that provides stunning views of the San Juan Islands and Mount Baker. The local art galleries and the Saturday farmer’s market are great places to source some local goods.

18. Mt.Baker

Bellingham is a great base camp to explore another North Cascades’ alpine wonderland – the beautiful Mt. Baker.

Numerous picturesque stops along the scenic Mount Baker Highway (SR 542) – Nooksack Falls, Picture Lake with reflection of Mt. Shuksan, Artist Point and Bagley Lake trail (2 mile RT).

Fall is our favorite time of the year to visit Mt.Baker area for the beautiful fall colors all around.

Bellingham Activities

19. Bellingham Farmers Market

The Saturday market is located at Depot Market Square in downtown Bellingham. We are open 10 am – 2 pm every Saturday April through December.

It is a vibrant atmosphere with over 100 vendors selling fresh local produce, crafts, and goods. 

20. Skiing at Mt.Baker

Mt. Baker Ski Area is a destination for powder enthusiasts and those seeking a more rugged, less commercialized skiing experience. It has challenging terrain for advanced skiers and snowboarders, it has trails for beginner skiers too.

The ski area offers breathtaking views of surrounding peaks like Mt. Baker, Mt. Shuksan, and other North Cascades mountains.

21. River rafting

You can have thrilling whitewater experience and enjoy Class 3 rapids on Nooksack river, that drains from Mt.Baker.

The best time of year to go rafting on the Nooksack River is from June to August. The lower portions of the river runs calm and maybe more family friendly.

River rafting is best done with local tour operators such as Triad river tours and Wild and Scenic River Tours.

22. Biking the Interurban trail

The Interurban Trail in Bellingham offers a scenic 6.7-mile route connecting downtown to Larrabee State Park on Chuckanut drive.

This multi-use trail follows the historic Bellingham & Skagit Interurban Railway, providing cyclists with stunning views of Bellingham Bay and the San Juan Islands. The trail features a mix of paved and gravel sections, suitable for various skill levels.

23. Whale Watching Tours

There are many whale watching tours that depart from Bellingham downtown waterfront or Fairhaven Cruise Terminal. These tours provide opportunities to see resident orcas, humpback whales, gray whales, and more.

Spring to fall is peak season for whale watching, with May being the best time. There are many tour operators such as San Juan Cruises, Outer Island expeditions, etc. There are tours that last 3-4 hours or some that are half-day tours. They can cost between $60 to $130.

24. Golf courses

Bellingham offers excellent golf courses for enthusiasts. Top picks include North Bellingham Golf Course, known for its scenic views and challenging layout, and Lake Padden Golf Course, offering a beautiful forested setting.

Shuksan Golf Club and Sudden Valley Golf Club provide diverse terrains and stunning landscapes, making them popular choices for golfers of all skill levels.

Bellingham Trip Planning

Seattle to Bellingham Drive

The drive from Seattle to Bellingham is about 1.5 to 2 hours hours. The stretch near Everett sometimes gets backed up with traffic, but for the most part, we’ve managed this drive in under 2 hours.

Bellingham Daytrip From Seattle –

Given there’s so much to do around Bellingham, you can plan many day trips from Seattle based on your preference. Here’s some day trips we have taken with our family –

• Chuckanut Drive – We’ve done day trips to Chuckanut Drive in summer and winter combining scenic drive, short and easy hikes and beach time.

• Whatcom Falls Park – We have made multiple visits to Whatcom Falls Park, which is very stroller friendly. Combine it with a visit to Lake Whatcom or waterfront walks in Bellingham downtown.

Bellingham Weekend trip

On a weekend getaway from Seattle or Olympia, I would do Whatcom Falls Park and Chukanut Drive on Day 1. And then would pick one of the day trips from Bellingham on Day 2 – like the North Cascades National Park.

Bellingham as a pit-stop on a longer road trip

If you are on a longer road trip from Seattle to Vancouver BC, then Chuckanut Drive would be a fantastic additional detour along the route. If you have time, you can stretch your legs at Larrabee State Park or eat at Taylor Shellfish farm. Or just drive by and stop at Dogfish Point or any other scenic overlooks. Or stop by Whatcom Falls Park and visit just the main falls to stretch your legs.

Stay

Bayview State Park and Larrabee State Park have camping sites. Given Larrabee State Park is Washington’s first state park, camping here is on our to-do list and hope to do it someday!

For hotels, motels and Airbnbs around this area, any option around Burlington, Bellingham or Mt.Vernon will make for a convenient stay location.

Final Thoughts

Bellingham is so diverse that it has cool things to do in every season for every one in the family.

If you like exploring local cities and towns with its outdoor attractions, then you will like –

• Hood Canal – Explore the gorgeous Hood Canal for its family friendly hikes, river estuaries, waterfalls on a long weekend getaway from Seattle.

• Anacortes is another gem of town to explore on a day trip. It has ample bayside attractions such as Rosario Beach, Washington Park and Cap Sante Marina.

• Coeur d’Alene is a lake city in North Idaho with family-friendly activities and adventures all year round for a local getaway.