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Visiting Bellingham Washington in July, need advice

We are coming to Washington for 4 nights in July and are thinking of driving up from Seatle to Bellingham and staying there in a B&B. Looking for a relaxing, green locale, and thinking of taking a ferry for a day trip to either to the San Juan islands or Victoria. Any ideas on this trip ? Good things to see, eat or stay in Bellingham ? Thanks.

The best advice would be to skip Bellingham completely and either stay in Seattle or go straight past Bellingham to Vancouver, B.C. I've stayed in Bellingham before, and other than it being a college town, W. Washington, there is nothing to do

Dear Sharon: Wild Bill doesn't know what he's talking about. And I do wonder what part of Bellingham he saw (he probably got a glimpse of malls and back lots off I-5). Bellingham is a college town and proud of it (and not only because Western Washington University sits atop a hill with great views of saltwater and the Canadian Coast Mountains). There are basically two parts of Bellingham touched by visitors: downtown and Fairhaven. I wouldn't bother with downtown. It's your typical small-city downtown, with not much to offer; and it's a bit seedy and turns weird at night. Fairhaven, in south Bellingham is another story. Fairhaven used to be an independent city (until it merged with Whatcom in 1903 to form the city of Bellingham). Fairhaven has lots of well-preserved nineteenth century buildings, small sidewalk cafes, pubs, restaurants, and shops, and two inns (Fairhaven B&B and Fairhaven Village Inn), both within walking distance of all attractions, including the waterfront. The Alaska Ferry Terminal (car and passenger) and two ferries (passenger-only) to the San Juan Islands and Victoria are on the waterfront. The latter two follow routes through the islands that are a lot more scenic than the routes from Seattle or Anacortes. The Island Commuter ferry stops at all sorts of islands by request (and carries sea kayaks and gear, besides passengers), allowing visitors without a boat of their own to reach remote San Juan Islands' state parks. As for a green locale: Chuckanut Drive, which hugs the Chuckanut Mountain cliffs above Samish Bay, is one of the most scenic drives in the country (check it out at http://www.chuckanutdrive.com/). Fairhaven also has lots of beautiful parks and trails (one runs along the shore to downtown, the other winds from the waterfront to the cascades of Padden Creek, where salmon spawn in fall). Larrabee State Park is on Chuckanut Drive. It has picnic facilities, a beach, and trails along the shore and up the mountain to some spectacular overviews and to secluded mountain lakes. There's also an internationally acclaimed music festival during the summer, and lots more to do (go to www.bellingham.org for details).

Well, once again, John seems to be Mr. Know It All. Sharon, I spent 5 days in Bellingham visiting a friend at W. Washington, granted, not exactly your situation. However, I think it's very fair to say that the only people who find Bellingham interesting are the townies. Bellingham is very boring. You'd have a better time going to Victoria or Vancouver.

Wild Bill: Those must be very boring friends inded, if they can make Bellingham seem boring! Five days? Eh? Bill visits friends for five days and knows all about the place where they live! Better start giving quickie travel-appreciation classes, Bill.

I forgot John about all of your valuable posts, and how much you seem to know. You ring in with such a deluge of insightful information you must have lived in every state for at least five years. Look, you can dispute my view on Bellingham all you want, but the truth is, Bellingham doesn't compare to Seattle or Vancouver in terms of things to do, places to go, sights to see, etc. Even if you're looking for a small out of the way place, there are better places to go, including as Sharon mentioned the San Juan Islands and Victoria. Your claim to have all of the knowledge about Bellingham, just as you claim to have knowledge about all of the other places you have made posts on, is at best, your opinion, and more likely, not a very well informed one.

Bellingham is indeed a most boring place. To suggest otherwise is ludicrous. The suggestions to visit Victoria and/or Vancouver are very good. You also may consider staying in Seattle instead unless you have a compelling reason to stay in Bellingham.

Dear Wild Bill and Wash: At least I have the honesty to sign in under my own name. And, yes, I travel A LOT, and stay at a lot of places. And, no, unlike you, I'm not a travel agent/planner, and I do not work for a visitor bureau. The latter, I suspect, is the reason you're too chicken-sh** to sign in under your own names. By the way, I meet lots of people on the road, and I have learned that the true sign of an experienced traveler is the ability to discover beauty in the small places of the world, not just in the most touted—and usually overrun--tourist attractions. An ability you obviously seem to lack.

John, I no longer use my real e-mail address because of spam I was getting from various boards, usually travel agents. As for the rest of your delusional ramblings, again all I will say is this: If you disagree with my basic premise, that Bellingham is boring compared to Seattle, Victoria, San Juan Islands and Vancouver, you are exposed for the fraud you are. No one in their right mind you has been to any of the other places would say Bellingham is more interesting or has more to do. Finally, as for your insinuation regarding my, and everyone who disagrees with you, inability to find things to do in small places, I'd respond as follows: just because a place is small doesn't make it boring, nor does it make it romantic or interesting. Bellingham is small and boring to most people, especially people who've visited there, as opposed to those who live there. On the other hand the San Juans are small, but interesting to people who have visited there. You can continue your childish crusade to be a snob, by the way you've succeeded, but just because a place is small and out of the way does not make it a good place to visit.

The Fairhaven district of Bellingham has a good bookstore or two and a small "quaint" few blocks, but it's hardly exciting or beautiful. Bellingham is okay. Not great and not the pits. It has some nice city type parks if you like to walk in the wooded areas a bit. It has tons of "big box" shopping on Meridian Blvd. near the mall. It is not a bad place to live as it has a big college, a theater, some good restaurants and best of all it's near places like Mt Baker, the islands, Vancouver etc. After saying all that I must add that I too find John's incessant comments on what seems like all threads at Fodors USA annoying. He posts over and over and over and over on the SAME thread too. Like he has to always have the last word on everything. Imagine being married to this guy!! Heaven help us.

John: There is a very good reason for posting under an alias. I do not wish to be spammed, flamed, or bothered in any way by people like you. By the way, John is a very common name and your e-mail is as legitimate as a 3 dollar bill. What kind of reasoning led you to he following: "And, no, unlike you, I'm not a travel agent/planner, and I do not work for a visitor bureau. The latter, I suspect, is the reason you're too chicken-sh** to sign in under your own names." For what it is worth, I have my own business and it has nothing to do with travel. I am a computer consultant. In any event, regardless of John's opinion, Bellingham is a boring place.

Sharon, I hope these moron's don't discourage you from using this mostly valuable service. Bellingham is a nice little college town, it is not Seattle or Vancouver. I think you are smart enough to know a small town is not a big city, but can still be charming and relaxing. On our recent trip we enjoyed the ferry trips between the San Juan's almost as much as the islands themselves. The highlight of the trip for my wife, teen daughter and myself was an afternoon on a whale watching boat out of Orcas Island. Go, enjoy!

My husband and I stopped off for an afternoon in Bellingham during a trip to Washington. It was a pleasant stop, but not one that I'd spend more than an afternoon in. We stayed on San Juan Island for several days in a charming B&B just outside of Friday harbor. That was a delightful visit and was relaxing but had plenty to do, if you chose it.

Boys, boys! But I think that you should skip Vancouver and possibly Victoria...too touristy now, and much changed, very oriental in feeling, and lots of drugs going on in Vancouver. If you want to go to victoria, try Abigails hotel. It is off the center a bity, but nice. They have an 800 number

Sharon, There are a number of nice B&Bs in the Bellingham area. I've been there on business and stayed at Big Trees and Schnauzer Crossing. Their web sites are posted at the visitors center at www.bellingham.org Summer is a great time. There are daily foot ferries to the San Juans, Victoria and for whale watching. A final thought about Bellingham. Regardless of what others say about the town, it is a great place for a 'home base' for day trips. It's in the middle of Seattle and Vancouver, close to Mt. Baker (great scenic drive and hikes), the Dutch community of Lynden and Fairhaven. And it's cheaper than either of the big cities. Go!