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
While Bellingham's shops, galleries, restaurants, museums, cafes, theaters, and other businesses thrive with activity, one goal of the town's planners is that every resident is within a half-mile walk of a park. They have met that goal with more than 40 relaxing and inspiring parks, each unique in its own way.
Big Rock Garden Park, near Lake Whatcom, is a 2.5-acre expanse lush with flowers and greens that bloom throughout the year, complemented by 37 original sculptures by local and international artists. Washington's first state park, Larrabee, is located just outside of Bellingham and has amenities like geocaching and campsites, a beach, 18 miles of trails, and allows horseback riding and dogs on leashes. While many parks have playgrounds, Scramble Nature Playpark's play features are made from natural materials such as wood and rocks, and it has a seasonally working water pump.
Cornwall Memorial Park is known for its many recreational opportunities, including tennis, basketball, horseshoes, pickleball, disc golf, BBQ grills, shelters with picnic tables, a creek, and two playgrounds. It also has a rose garden and a splash pad/spray park that uses potable, fresh (not recycled) water and is open from May into September. From March through May, the Sylvia Grace Magnolia Collection's 80 trees bloom, showcasing 53 varieties of magnolias. The park has a forest canopy and open fields, which were ideal for playing lawn bowling (similar to bocce), and a popular sport in 1909 when the Cornwall family donated funds for 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 gets between nine and 11 inches of snow annually and significantly more in the mountains, making snow sports quite popular. Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, snowmobiling, tubing, and the timeless tradition of after-school sledding are fun for residents of all ages. About a 1 hour, 25-minute drive away (56 miles), the Mt. Baker Ski Area offers downhill skiing and snowboarding for all skill levels, along with tubing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and even snow camping. Lessons, rentals, and ski shops are also available. Mt. Baker gets an average of 600+ inches of snow annually, making it (along with Mt. Rainier) one of the two snowiest places in the US.
Much More Than a College Town
Bellingham is more than its colleges, more than its eclectic food and arts scenes, and more than the thousands of activities and opportunities it provides. It is all of these and more. Bellingham is a diverse blend of people brought together for a common goal: to learn together, exchange ideas and talents, and make each other and their community better. Some of its residents are students who are here for just a few years and will carry the memories of their time here with them for life. Some love it so much that they make it their home. The relationship between the town and its colleges is an interconnected one. Merchants welcome students, staff, and the academic vibe they contribute, and residents work, volunteer, and become involved with the schools. It is that connection that makes Bellingham a welcoming town in which to live, work, study, visit, and play.
