Spotlight: Northwest Washington
Don’t overlook the superb swath of land between Seattle and the Canadian border
From Arlington to Blaine, Northwest Washington state is home to natural beauty and eclectic, inviting communities. Occupying the coastal region between Vancouver, British Columbia, to the north and Seattle to the south, this slice of the Pacific Northwest might surprise you with its many charming small towns and ample recreation opportunities.
Start your trip in Arlington, a picturesque town in Snohomish County with a thriving main street community atmosphere and activities to suit visitors from all over. Arlington sits at the forks of the Stillaguamish River, and its pioneer heritage is preserved at the Stillaguamish Valley Pioneer Museum. Here, guests can view artifacts from logging and dairy industries as well as from pioneer households and the railroad. Arlington celebrates its relationship with the Stillaguamish River every year with a summer festival and powwow hosted by the Stillaguamish Tribe.
West of Arlington lies Warm Beach on the shores of Puget Sound. This retreat-centered community hosts one of Snohomish County’s largest horse herds and welcomes equestrian programs year-round. Warm Beach Camp offers riding lessons as well as weekend programs for parents and grandparents. The Lights of Christmas, a holiday festival of more than 1 million lights on display, features live entertainment and family activities.
Getty Images/iStockphoto
Head north along state route 99 to Skagit Bay and the Skagit Wildlife Area. More than 16,700 acres provide habitat for estuarine species such as waterfowl, shorebirds, eagles and small mammals. Bald eagles use the wildlife area for winter nesting grounds, making Skagit a prime bird-watching spot.
Farther up Interstate 5/SR 99 is the town of Mount Vernon, which is named for George Washington’s home on the Potomac River. Break out the golf clubs here and head to Eaglemont Golf Course, ranked among the state’s Top 10 links. This dynamic course challenges golfers of all levels.
Mount Vernon’s Skagit County Historical Museum showcases the agricultural heritage of the region on a barn tour of 55 registered historic barns. Self-guided tours reveal the family history of Skagit County pioneers. The rich soil of the region produces award-winning wines that can be enjoyed in the fall at the Skagit Wine and Beer Festival, and during visits to local wineries for afternoon tastings.
If winter brings you outside, head east to Mount Baker in the Snoqualmie National Forest for skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing at any of the four resorts. Of course, the mountain and its surrounding forest are equally attractive in warmer months. Heather Meadows Visitor Center shares the region’s cultural history and points visitors to scenic trails outfitted with interpretive signage.
If you’re a hiker, the great outdoors beckon you to hike the Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail. The 1,200-mile trail runs through the Mount Baker Wilderness area to the shores of Puget Sound.
Living Off the Sea
Back on the coast, live the fisherman’s life in Anacortes, where the state’s largest fishing fleet berths. Offshore, the San Juan Islands are a popular destination. This compelling archipelago is home to seabirds, seals and sea lions that live protected by the San Juan Wildlife Refuge. Orca whales are often spotted off the rocky islands.
Take a ferry to the islands in the morning, and come back to town to wander through local art galleries before grabbing a bite at a local hot spot. Water recreation is the gem of Anacortes, from kayak tours to whale watching around the islands.
As you plan your continuing trip north, make time for Bellingham, a thriving city with a rich maritime history. Nearby lakes invite fishing enthusiasts with licenses to try their luck at catching rainbow trout, bass, yellow perch and more. Lake Whatcom, the largest lake in the county at 5,003 acres, is stocked with kokanee, yellow perch, and largemouth and smallmouth bass. If salmon fishing is what you desire, head to the Nooksack River to cast for coho, chinook, chum and winter steelhead. Check out Whatcom Falls Park in the city, where the namesake cascades mesmerize visitors with their beauty.
Do something unusual here and take a ride on a camel. Camel Safaris introduce visitors to dromedary and Bactrian breeds for a fun ride on a desert creature. Also in town is Glen Echo Garden, a 7-acre botanical park that features nine different garden themes, including fern and moss, English-style, rose and tree stump gardens.
Wander the downtown cultural arts district and see the fruits of creative labor at Whatcom Museum and the Family Interactive Gallery. See how electricity spurred great minds at the Spark Museum of Electrical Invention, and enjoy a live performance at Mount Baker Theatre, home to the Whatcom Symphony Orchestra.
Getty Images/iStockphoto
Going Dutch in Lynden
Directly north from Bellingham is Lynden, just 4 miles from the Canadian border. Lynden’s fall music festival provides live entertainment, education and camaraderie for audiences and musicians. Lynden’s Dutch heritage is celebrated in this small community.
Lynden is home to Berthusen Park, where old-growth cedars tower over bicyclists and hikers, and where the 100-year-old Berthusen Barn still stands. The park hosts an Antique Tractor and Machinery Show during the first weekend of August. Lynden also hosts the Northwest Washington Fair in August, with big-name musical acts, carnival rides, a rodeo and agriculture as the centerpiece.
End your Northwest journey under the Peach Arch monument in Blaine. This northernmost town’s motto is “Where America Begins.” Blaine hosts an annual birding festival in the spring that highlights brant geese and other shorebirds that pass through the region during migration season. In April, a two-day yacht race takes place on the border between Washington and Canada, bringing out the best of the Pacific Northwest fleets and their western Canadian counterparts for an exciting event.
For More Information
