It’s nearing summer-time — and that means ice cream time! And if you happen to be near Downtown Bellingham, there’s no better place to cool off with a delicious treat than at Mallard’s Ice Cream on Railroad Avenue. With creative flavors like Black Pepper Vanilla or Chocolate Earl Grey, as well as your run-of-the-mill flavors (just done better, with local, organic ingredients), you’re sure to fall in love with this old-school ice cream parlor — famous throughout The Pacific Northwest!

So next time the temps are up in Whatcom County, step on in for a cool break at Mallard’s Ice Cream!

If you’re relocating to Bellingham and are looking for the best burgers in town, look no further than Bob’s Burgers & Brew! Locally founded in 1982, Bob’s has been serving up some of the tastiest burgers you’ve ever had.  From their Teriyaki Chicken Burger to their Western BBQ Burger to their Ranch & Mushroom Burger, you’re sure to leave full and happy!

With locations in Bellingham (Downtown Bellingham, Barkley Village, and Sudden Valley), Lynden, Sumas, Birch Bay, and Burlington, you’re sure to find this wonderful establishment nearby. Head on in, and enjoy!

Bulbs are up early this year all over Bellingham, no doubt a result of our mild (and sunny!) winter. Who says we only get rain here?

Downtown Bellingham has many green spaces set in among the 100-year-old buildings, and it really makes for a lovely stroll on a crisp spring day. To check out a great list of Northwest recreational activities for families and active adults in Bellingham and greater Whatcom County, please check out LiveInThePacificNW.com.

WTA’s bus depot in Downtown Bellingham is always a bustle of activity, as Western Washington University students and other Whatcom County commuters use this station each day to get to school and work. Bellingham has a well-planned bus system that makes it easy and affordable to get where you need to go — not to mention, a bit greener.

For more information on Pacific Northwest life in Whatcom, Skagit, Island or San Juan counties, please check out our helpful information at LiveInThePacificNW.com.

If you love traditional bagels (with all the traditional spreads) then The Bagelry might be your new favorite place in town. Located in Downtown Bellingham right on Railroad Ave, this local hotspot employs more than 30 people to serve their 800+ customers each day.

That’s a lot of bagels!

For over 25 years, The Bagelry has served Whatcom County the finest bagels available, prepared the old fashioned way — free of preservatives and additives.  And yes, for you East Coasters, they even have lox!

To learn more about recreation in Whatcom County, visit LiveInThePacificNW.com, where you’ll find loads of helpful information about our amazing community.

Looking for a fun and educational trip for the whole family? Check out the American Museum of Radio & Electricity in Downtown Bellingham!

From learning about Ben Franklin’s shocking discovery, to doing a few electricity-generating experiments of your own, the Museum offers a little something for everyone to explore.

The Museum has an extensive collection of radios and even a rare musical instrument called a theremin that you can play without actually touching (its eerie sounds are usually found in old sci-fi movies).

Admission is $5 for adults and $2 for children ages 12 and under. A trip to the Museum makes for a great morning spent Downtown!

If you happen to be in Downtown Bellingham (or don’t mind a short drive to savor an incredible cup of coffee), head to Railroad Avenue and find Cafe Adagio on the corner near Champion Street.  The cafe’s inviting decor is warm and rich, with plenty of available tables and comfy leather couches. The Italian-style coffee is about as close to perfect as you can get, and that’s saying something here in The Pacific Northwest!

Bellingham’s independent movie-lovers — and there are many — have long held a special place in their hearts for the Pickford Cinema on Cornwall Avenue.  This small theater in the heart of Downtown Bellingham prides itself on bringing films to Whatcom County that are often missed by the bigger, more mainstream cinemas in town.  From the moment you sit down in your old-fashioned seat and watch the locally-produced commercials and short films, you know you’re in for something special.

If you’re looking for something fun to do during these cold Pacific Northwest winter days, head on over to the Pickford for a movie-going experience you won’t soon forget!

It’s not a given that we see too many crisp, sunny days like this here in Western Washington in December, so we Pacific Northwest residents tend to take full advantage of days like today. From putting up Christmas lights on your Pacific Northwest home, to clearing out the rain gutters, or doing a little Christmas shopping in Downtown Bellingham or over at Bellis Fair in the Meridian neighborhood, I hope you’ll take a moment to get out into the sunshine while it’s here!

Yes, the days are getting colder, but there are still plenty of opportunities to get outside and enjoy the pristine beauty of the Pacific Northwest — all while getting some good exercise and working off those holiday turkey dinners!

Whatcom County has a wide variety of hiking trails and walking paths, from the Interurban Trail (which connects Fairhaven with Larrabee State Park over near Chuckanut), to the path that loops around Lake Padden in the Samish neighborhood, to the easy trail connecting Downtown Bellingham to Boulevard Park in the South Hill area of Bellingham — there are plenty of options to choose from for all fitness levels.

For a full list of Bellingham trails, check out the City of Bellingham’s Trail Guide — and get out there!