Things to Do With Children in Bellingham, Washington
My family recently experienced a fun-filled weekend in Bellingham that let us pack in so many experiences and aspects of Bellingham. At times, our family getaway in Bellingham was downright electrifying (literally!). My kids are eight and eleven and enjoyed everything we did during this itinerary.
When Did We Visit Bellingham?
We left Seattle right after school got out on a Friday in late April, already marveling at the beautiful weather. This time of year, weather can be very hit or miss in terms of rain and cold in Western Washington and we were excited for the forecast of blue skies.
Our first stop upon arriving in Bellingham? Hotel Leo. This delightfully old-fashioned hotel has modern amenities and one of the best locations in Bellingham. I’d stayed in the newer wing of Hotel Leo once before on a solo trip through Bellingham and had found it comfortable and functional, but this time we were in the older wing. I loved this part of Hotel Leo. Our impressively large 2-bedroom suite had the most charming little accents like a wall of drawers, built-in cabinetry, and stately windows with incredible views of the bay. The bedding was sumptuous and the modern kitchen was convenient.
I’ll include more on Hotel Leo at the end of this article, but first, let’s get into that itinerary.
Friday Evening in Bellingham
After checking into our hotel and getting unpacked, we walked to dinner. Hotel Leo is in walking distance to many restaurants. We decided on Chuckanut Distillery, because my husband enjoys their whiskey and it’s actually a distillery that is kid-friendly thanks to its adjacent restaurant called Penny Farthing.
We were able to get dinner while my husband had a liquor tasting. The kids menu only consists of gourmet mac and cheese and cheese pizza, but those are both slam dunks for my kids so we ordered both for them to share. My husband and I both got the personal pan pizza and also really enjoyed the queso dip. The highlight though was his tasting flight and my yummy cocktail.
After dinner, we walked around the block to Mallard Ice Cream. This place is known for its inventive flavors and part of the fun of getting ice cream here is trying a weird or new-to-you flavor. I tried the cardamom and was pleasantly surprised by the combination of spice and cream! A few other creative concoctions on the menu that evening were Furikake, Cereal Milk, and Earl Grey.
A fun way to wind down the evening at Hotel Leo with kids is utilizing the movie room downstairs. It’s like a mini movie theater complete with a popcorn machine, lounge chair seating, movie posters on the wall, and a large screen. You can connect to your own device to stream a movie or choose a film from the wall of DVDs. Check with the front desk when you check in on the availability of the movie room during the time you’re there.
Saturday Itinerary in Bellingham
Our Saturday schedule was full of cats, waterfalls, marine animals, and sparks.
Head to Neko Cat Cafe
When I was planning out our itinerary and browsing on Google maps, I noticed there was a cat cafe just a block from Hotel Leo. My kids adore cats, especially our own two, and I knew we had to check this place out. I made the first appointment available at 10am. We had pastries in the hotel room before leaving (Avenue Bread is a great option within walking distance) since we weren’t sure what the food situation would be like. It was mostly cookies and chips alongside coffee, beer, and soda, so it’s smart to eat a bit beforehand.
When we arrived at Neko Cat Cafe were given a quick protocol talk and then we were free to pet the kitties for the next 45 minutes. There were several other families and couples in the same time slot as we were, but it never felt over-crowded and there were definitely enough kitties to go around. The cats seemed extremely well taken care of and the place was spotlessly clean with no litter smell.
The cat cafe was a huge hit and my children are still talking about this cafe and the cats we met that day!
Brunch at Nelson Market
After the cat cafe we were ready for a more substantial meal so drove to Nelson Market for brunch. As we were walking up I remarked to my husband that it reminded me of getting brunch in the Mission Beach neighborhood of San Diego, near to where we used to live. The building was a bright turquoise color framing a flower lined patio that was drenched in sunlight. The door connecting the patio to the indoor dining area was wide open, providing an airy atmosphere inside.
Our meal was delicious. The kids pancake meal had the option to upgrade to real, farm-sourced maple syrup. My husband got the chicken and waffles, which my kids also thought was a pretty cool combo. I got the eggs Benedict with house-made sauce that was the perfect blend of tangy and creamy to complement the eggs and ham.
Whatcom Falls
Even though a stay in downtown Bellingham is quite walkable, we didn’t mind driving to Nelson Market for brunch since we were stopping there to eat on our way to Whatcom Falls, a destination at the top of my list of things to do in Bellingham.
Whatcom Falls is a waterfall that is super easy to get to via a short stroll from the large parking area. However, for those who want more hiking, the bridge crossing in front of the waterfall connects to a series of trails that take you through a heavily wooded area. These trails and Whatcom Falls make up Whatcom Falls Park, a gorgeous slice of nature right in the middle of Bellingham.
My kids especially enjoyed playing on the edges of the creek and then running around the playground located on the other side of the parking lot before we left. The hiking trails are also mostly flat and well-marked. Some areas get a little high, but you’re never right next to the edge if you stay on the trail (as you should) so it’s safe for most ages of kids, just keep toddlers close.
Side Note on Whatcom Lake:
Whatcom Falls is fed by the creek that connects to Whatcom Lake. If you’re in Bellingham on a hot summer day, it’s worth fitting the lake into your plan. We stopped by to check it out, but it was still a bit too cold for a beach day or swim despite the sunny weather. If you want to to fit in some Whatcom Lake time, I’d (sadly) skip the Cat Cafe, or move it to a pre-dinner time slot, and then do an earlier breakfast at Nelson Market followed by Whatcom Falls and then a late morning with a picnic lunch (you can get snacks at Nelson Market) lounging and swimming by the lakeshore. Wrap it up by 1:30 at the latest because you’re not going to want to miss out on the Spark Museum, which I’ll be getting to in just a few paragraphs!
Snack Time and Ocean Creatures at the Marina
After Whatcom Falls, we headed from freshwater back to saltwater. We parked near Squalicum Harbor so we could quickly check out the Marine Center. It’s small, but had a lot of cool sea creatures to view plus many informational boards. You can see the harbor out the back windows.
The Marine Center didn’t have an octopus when we were there, which was a bummer, but also sounds like a good thing since that means they didn’t need to rescue one last year. Most of their octopuses come from the marina right outside when the creatures get caught in fishing traps and need to be rehabilitated or monitored before being released to the ocean.
The docents were all super friendly and eager to share information about the sea life within its walls, and beyond! The kids were allowed to take a little seashell and coloring page when we left which they thought was a neat souvenir.
After the Marina, we had snack by the shore at Zuanich Point Park. I recommend this instead of the grassy area unless you bring a washable blanket since it had a lot of bird poop on it. Such is life by the coast with ducks and seagulls!
Bird poop or not, the grass sure was pretty to see against the water backdrop.
Spark Museum
Now for the electric part of the itinerary I alluded to at the beginning of this article: the Spark Museum.
This unique museum isn’t in walking distance of Zuanich Point Park, but there is a paid lot right next door, or if you’re staying at Hotel Leo, you can park your car back there and it’s a 5-minute walk from Hotel Leo to the Spark Museum.
First of all, when planning a visit to the Spark Museum on the weekend, make sure you time it to arrive a little before 2pm. This is because at 2pm is the only time of the must-see Megazapper show, a live hour-long production of science and electricity which occurs on Saturdays and Sundays.
This show was something I figured would be cool, but maybe a little boring (I am a writer, STEM eludes me!), but it was so interesting and entertaining and surprisingly funny. I actually learned some cool things and even my math and science minded husband was impressed and said it was one of his favorite parts of our weekend getaway to Bellingham.
Kid Tip: My kids also found the show cool, but my oldest is especially sensitive to loud noises, of which there are some really loud ones. If we went again I’d bring their noise cancelling headphones and then I think they’d enjoy it more. It’s also important to know the show is not recommended for children under five.
After the show, we walked around. Again, I wasn’t sure how much I’d be entertained in this type of museum, but again I was wrong. It was so engaging with hands-on activities and mesmerizing displays of electrical and scientific machines that are all thanks to decades of personal collecting done by the founders of the museum. I met one of the founders of the museum and it was so interesting to hear how he came across some of the memorabilia in the museum. A lot of time and patience and (I’m assuming) money – and now all on display for visitors to see for a very reasonable admission fee!
Sunday
Breakfast takeout again from Avenue Bread Bakery. Then checked out and off to one of the best adventures to be had in Bellingham: Kayaking on the bay!
Kayaking on Bellingham Bay
One of the best things to do in Bellingham with water loving kids is a family kayak excursion on Bellingham Bay. We were fortunate to go out with Tori, the owner of Dragonfly Kayak Outfitters. She was wonderful and made my kids feel immediately at ease. They’ve been kayaking before, but this was their first proper excursion and their first time using a kayak skirt.
We met at and got outfitted on the beach at Larrabee State Park. This was a great option since parking was easy with the Discovery Pass (if you don’t have the yearly pass, you can get a day pass at the lot).
We then journeyed from the beach to Chuckanut Island Preserve, enjoying peaceful views of the scenery and lots of bird watching plus a cute seal sunbathing on a rock. At the island, we pulled out alongside some wide rocks and had a quick snack break. Then we did a fun ten minute hike along the hidden trail that Tori pointed out.
Tori gave helpful pointers on paddling as we made our way to and from the little island and was great to chat with along the way and you can tell she’s highly passionate about what she does. I highly recommend doing your kayaking excursion in Bellingham with Dragonfly Kayak Outfitters.
Books and Bites in Fairhaven
One of Bellingham’s most scenic neighborhoods is Fairhaven. It’s 15 minutes north of Larrabee State Park so we backtracked a bit to get there after kayaking, but it was worth it for some time in Fairhaven that didn’t feel rushed.
We put our name on the list at Black Cat Restaurant and then visited Village Books and Paper Dreams. This is one of my favorite bookstores in Washington. It’s three stories of books and gifts including paper and stationary items. The way the store is set up really highlights the books and different categories, making it effortless to discover new to me titles, including a well-stocked kid section. The cafe on the third floor provides that ideal coffee and books vibe.
Village Books overlooks Fairhaven Village Green, a grassy square that is a fun place to lounge, especially on a warm weekend day if there’s live music playing.
Some other cool shops to check out in Fairhaven are:
- Whatcom Art Market, a large art coop on 11th street featuring a variety of art mediums created by over 40 local artists.
- Eclipse Book Store, a charming used book shop across the street from Whatcom Art Market, with meandering wooden bookshelves flanked by stacks and stacks of more books.
- Gallery West, an art gallery on 12th street that has high quality art, sculptures, wood working, and jewelry.
We ended our time in Fairhaven with lunch at Black Cat Restaurant. It has a fun vibe on the top floor of a historic building. My clam chowder was especially tasty and my kids really enjoyed the fish and chips.
If you have some extra time before you need to hit the road, just north of Fairhaven is Bellingham Waterfront Park with a boardwalk over the bay that is lovely to walk along. There is also a Woods Coffee at the start of the trail to the boardwalk which is a convenient place to grab a latte for your drive home.
Heading Back to Seattle Via Chuckanut Drive
After a lazy afternoon in Fairhaven, the best way to get back home to the south is via the scenic Chuckanut Drive, aka SR 11. This 21-mile drive hugs the cliff above the Salish Sea with astounding views of Bellingham Bay and Samish Bay. On a clear day you can see the curving outlines of the San Juan Islands in the distance. The drive eventually cuts back east through Samish and connects back to I-5.
If you have time during the drive and like oysters, be sure to pull off at Taylor Shellfish, where you can dine on freshly shucked oysters while you’re steps from the sea and overlooking the very oyster farms you’re enjoying the product from.
Where to Stay During Your Family Trip to Bellingham
Now it’s time to finally fill you in on Hotel Leo! I’ve stayed there twice. Once on a solo trip when I was researching my book, 100 Things to Do in Washington State Before You Die, and then again a couple years later for this family weekend.
Hotel Leo has two different “wings” – the new building and the historic building. For those on a budget, the new building is great. It’s where I stayed during my solo trip and it was more space than I needed! The whole time I was thinking it would be great for families since it has one and two-bedroom suites with extra space. Plus, it’s location in downtown Bellingham can’t be beat. It’s in walking distance to so many things restaurants and attractions.
For this family trip, I partnered with Bellingham Tourism who worked with Hotel Leo to get us upgraded to the 2-bedroom suite in the historic building. This is completely worth the extra cost for families who want extra space and a luxurious feel to their getaway.
Our suite had two bedrooms on opposite ends of the suite. In the middle was a fully equipped kitchen that opened to the living area and dining room. The entire great room was lined by windows overlooking downtown Bellingham and the bay.
Hotel amenities include coffee in the lobby, a library and a game room with a pool table, a movie room in the basement, free onsite parking, and a swanky 21+ bar off the lobby that sometimes has live music.
Room amenities included an electric kettle with pour over coffee grounds and tea bags, toiletries in the bathrooms, and window AC units.
Differences I noticed between the new wing and historic wing – the new wing was modern and had more of a standard hotel feel. The beds were also lower to the ground and the kitchen was more a kitchenette. The historic section had obviously been updated for comfort but retained original charm like drawers built into the wall, exposed plumbing in the bathrooms, and those gorgeous windows.
Kid Tip: This is a downtown hotel and the sound does tend to travel into the walls. I noticed more internal noise when I stayed in the new building and more external noise in the historic building. For all rooms (and as a general rule when traveling with kids), I recommend bringing a noise machine. We brought ours and our kids slept through the night even when it sounded like cars were street racing right below the window and the train came by. The hotel also provides ear plugs.
One more thing to note for families is that the windows in the 2-bedroom suite don’t have screens. However, they can only go up a small amount. This felt completely safe for my kids who were too big to fit through the opening, but parents with toddlers will probably want to keep the windows closed or just open a small crack for peace of mind. They are old, heavy windows so would be hard for kids to operate but if I had toddlers I would want to be aware.
Have Fun in Bellingham!
Bellingham is one of the best destinations to visit in Washington with kids in tow. With the right itinerary, it’s practically impossible to get bored. Bellingham has water, museums, kid-friendly breweries, easy hiking trails, and engaging culture, so graby your kids and head to this vibrant city north of Seattle for an unforgettable weekend getaway!