The downtown Bellingham area has a mixture of restaurants, offices, art galleries, retail and specialty shops.  The downtown waterfront is currently going thru a new revival on 100 acres of the former GP site. The site is now called New Whatcom and the city of Bellingham, Whatcom County and the Port of Bellingham are creating an exciting plan for Bellingham's waterfront.  The cultural district includes the respected Whatcom Museum of History and Art. Originally built in 1892 as city hall, the museum's imposing brick building is the centerpiece of a four-building campus, including a children's museum.

The city of Bellingham includes 24 unique communities that make up our Bellingham WA Neighborhoods.   Some of the biggest employers can be found on this list provided by Bellingham - Washington EDC.

Bellingham is home to Western Washington University on Sehome Hill, from which you have a sweeping view across the bay to the San Juan Islands and Canada. Visitors heading for Alaska can depart on the Alaska Marine Highway System ferries from the Bellingham Cruise Terminal in the Historic Fairhaven District.

Spend the day exploring Bellingham's popular Victorian-era Fairhaven district and its fascinating and unique buildings. Here you can find book stores, boutique shops offering hand-crafted products, local restaurants that serve fresh seafood plus art galleries featuring Northwest artisans.  This area of town is going thru an ongoing expansion, because of its popular location. Explore our Bellingham neighborhoods page to learn more about these 24 unique neighborhoods , all with there own character.

Bellingham celebrated its Centennial in 2004, with a year-long tribute to its first 100 years.