The Best College Town In Washington
Bellingham is widely recognized as the best college town in the state of Washington. In fact, Bellingham is not only a college town but a three-college town that is home to Western Washington University (WWU), Whatcom Community College (WCC), and Bellingham Technical College (BTC). That means the students who live in the town have diverse interests and talents. Some are interested in the arts and humanities, while others want to explore math, science, or engineering. That does not mean, however, that an engineering student wouldn't be interested in an art exhibit. People of all ages, from students to retirees, have a variety of interests, and they can explore all of them, as well as discover new passions, in Bellingham.
Colleges and Community Thrive Together
WWU has over 200 undergrad majors and 40 grad programs. WCC offers associate degrees that can transfer to four-year colleges, program certificates, and adult and continuing education for the community. BTC offers associate degrees in technical fields such as IT and engineering, healthcare degrees in nursing, dental assisting, and dental hygiene, and science fields. Many of these students contribute to Bellingham's economy by working part-time during their college years, perhaps going to school part-time and taking longer to complete their degrees, thus staying in the community longer. They fill Bellingham with youthful enthusiasm, optimism, and energy, often working in service jobs and helping to keep restaurants, coffee shops, stores, and entertainment venues staffed. Meanwhile, colleges require support staff beyond faculty, and the three colleges provide many employment and volunteer opportunities for residents of Bellingham. WWU is one of the largest employers in Whatcom County, next to healthcare.
The students, staff, and alumni spend their dollars in the town, and they benefit from the myriad of activities and opportunities available in Bellingham. While smaller college towns may roll up their sidewalks in the evening, Bellingham has entertainment, restaurants, and bars going strong well into the night, every day. The community benefits from its colleges more than economically as well. WCC's Center for Community Learning provides a bridge between the university and the community as they learn and work together.
Lively Energy, Varied Interests
College towns, particularly larger ones, have an exciting energy because they have so much going on in order to appeal to so many different ages and interests among their students, faculty, staff, alumni, and retirees. They have a vibe, a feeling in the air, that there is always something new to explore, to learn, and to become involved in. Bellingham's Arts District is bustling with art galleries, artists' studios, street performers, theater, plays, music and more. Mount Baker Theatre presents a huge array of performances, from STOMP and The Rumba Kings to International Guitar Night, ballets, symphonies, and Broadway shows.
The Whatcom Museum views its mission as being the bridge to connect old wonders and new ideas, expanding minds through shared experiences. They hold art exhibits of local and international artists as well as juried student exhibits, and a wide variety of programs and events. Admission is free on the first Fridays of the month, which is helpful to those on limited budgets, like students and retirees. Other museums include SPARK: the Museum of Electrical Invention, History of Flight Museum, and Pickett House, the oldest building in Bellingham.
A Blend of Cultures and Cuisines
Universities often attract students from all over the US and around the world, automatically introducing many cultures and practices into the school and surrounding community. Being so close to the Canadian border adds to the activities and possibilities through the influences of another country and culture. The Peace Arch, located at the border's Peace Arch Park, is a testament to the relationship between the US and Canada; one leg of the monument is in the US, while the other leg is in Canada.
Cultural influences are evident on Bellingham's restaurant menus, making for a huge variety of choices, from Pel'Meni's Russian fare to Namaste's Indian cuisine. Many restaurants stay open until midnight or later, and as a larger college town, Bellingham also has an abundance of well-known chain eateries that are handy for college students who want a familiar, inexpensive meal. Students regularly eat, drink, and study in the coffee shops and cafes in town.
Plentiful Parks
Bellingham's shops, galleries, restaurants, museums, cafes, theaters, and other businesses flourish with activity. One of the town's aims is that every resident is within a half-mile walk of a park. They have achieved this with over 40 parks that are relaxing and inspiring, each with its own character. Big Rock Garden Park, near Lake Whatcom, covers 2.5 acres and is filled with flowers and greenery that bloom year-round. It also features 37 original sculptures by local and international artists. Larrabee State Park, Washington's first state park, is located just outside Bellingham and offers geocaching, campsites, a beach, 18 miles of trails, horseback riding, and leashed dogs. Many parks have playgrounds, but Scramble Nature Playpark's play features are made from natural materials like wood and rocks. It also has a seasonally operating water pump.
Cornwall Memorial Park offers a variety of recreational activities such as tennis, basketball, horseshoes, pickleball, disc golf, BBQ grills, shelters with picnic tables, a creek, and two playgrounds. It features a rose garden and a splash pad/spray park that uses fresh, potable water and is open from May through September. From March to May, the park's Sylvia Grace Magnolia Collection blooms with 80 trees representing 53 magnolia varieties. The park's forest canopy and open fields made it perfect for lawn bowling, a popular sport in 1909 when the Cornwall family funded the park.
Over 90 Miles of Trails
Over 19 specific trails covering over 90 miles wind through Bellingham's parks, neighborhoods, and mountains. Some lead from point A to point B, such as the Bay to Baker Trail, a three-mile walking/biking trail that goes from Bellingham Bay to the Mt. Baker ski slopes. Others are loops that offer spectacular views around bodies of water or neighborhoods.
Downtown has several trails, including the Squalicum Harbor Trail that follows along the shoreline. Arroyo Park is the starting point for the Larrabee State Park and Whatcom County Chuckanut Mountain trail systems. These trails are rated moderate to difficult, but they do allow dogs off-leash in some areas as long as they are under good voice control.
Four Seasons of Fun
People who live in Bellingham enjoy four seasons full of outdoor activities. Hiking, walking, mountain biking, and climbing are popular all year. In the spring and summer, water sports like kayaking, paddle boarding, water skiing, swimming, fishing, and exploring the lakes and beaches are popular. The cooler autumn weather makes getting outdoors even more enjoyable, and leaf-watching becomes another outdoor passion.
Bellingham receives between nine and 11 inches of snow each year, with considerably more in the mountains, which makes snow sports highly popular. Residents of all ages enjoy activities such as cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, tubing, and traditional after-school sledding. About 56 miles away, roughly a 1 hour and 25-minute drive, the Mt. Baker Ski Area offers downhill skiing, snowboarding for all skill levels, along with tubing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and even snow camping. The area also provides lessons, rentals, and ski shops. With an average snowfall of over 600 inches annually, Mt. Baker is one of the snowiest locations in the US, along with Mt. Rainier.
Much More Than a College Town
Bellingham is more than just its colleges, diverse food and arts scenes, or the numerous activities it offers. It encompasses all these elements and more. The city is a vibrant mix of people united by a common purpose: to learn, share ideas and talents, and improve themselves and their community. Some residents are students here for only a few years, carrying lifelong memories of their time; others love it so much they settle here permanently. The relationship between the town and its institutions is deeply connected. Merchants welcome students, staff, and their academic energy, while residents engage with schools through work, volunteer efforts, and involvement. This strong bond makes Bellingham a friendly place to live, work, study, visit, and enjoy.
