Those of us living in Bellingham know that quick access to great food and drink options, as well as to a host of outdoor activities, are some the reasons that this is such a special place to live. And while summer days have slipped away and brisk fall storms are upon us, don’t let the weather prevent you from getting out.
Since the storms can limit the amount of time we spend outside, the editors at DineDrinkBellingham have collected a few of our favorite quick, casual fall outings. These trips will allow you to feel the salty autumn breeze while visiting some favorite scenic places, and then enjoy a hand-crafted seasonal beer, seasonal coffee, or flavors of the fall – without any pressure to dress-up.
A Morning Saunter with Coffee and Breakfast
Mosey through Arroyo Park where you can see a real-life version of the Discovery Channel taking place. Take a short walk to the foot bridge and you may be able to catch salmon spawning in the stream below, which can be seen into December. The park trail is of light to moderate intensity. Follow it through the still-potent greens and rich browns of the surrounding autumn vegetation. (find directions below)
From Arroyo Park, make the 5 minute drive to Fairhaven to grab some nourishment. Street parking in Fairhaven is a cinch–you can usually snag a spot on 11th Ave. or McKenzie Ave.
Tony’s Coffee on the corner of 11th and Harris is a great bet for delicious coffee and fluffy pastries. You can count on a quality espresso–Tony’s has well-trained baristas that know how to pour a smooth shot. Grab a sunny window seat to read a book or people-watch while you savor and sip.
If you’re hungrier for more than one of Tony’s crumbly oat bars or buttery scones, check out the adjoining Harris Avenue Cafe for a full meal. We recommend the savory and creamy Eggs Talouse with smoked salmon on a toasted English muffin.
After coffee, top off the morning with a stroll through Eclipse Bookstore, just a few blocks north on 11th. A full tummy and the comforting scent of old books are bound to ease you into the day.
An Afternoon Bike Ride with Lunch
Throw your bike on your car and head out to the charming waterside Zuanich Point Park in Bellingham’s marina on Harbor Loop Drive. Take an easy 1.5 mile ride toward the heart of downtown. You can take a peek into the city’s industrial past and also catch some of the best bay views around on your way up. (find directions below)
If you’re looking to spend the afternoon picnic-style, grab some Peruvian sandwiches from Cafe Rumba. The creamy, spicy sauces and slow-cooked meats make their sandwiches especially tantalizing. The vegetarian Peruano with yam and avocado will even delight carnivores. Don’t leave without picking up a couple Alfajores — these butter cookies with dulce de leche and coconut shavings are worth the stop by themselves.
You’ll find a picturesque picnic spot if you continue your ride on the ocean-side South Bay Trail for about three miles to beautiful Boulevard Park.
If you’d like to go the other direction, park at Boulevard Park, head back towards the marina, and pop into Kuru Kuru Sushi located near the Hotel Bellwether. This conveyor belt sushi spot is ideal for the impatient–reach for the first bowl of edamame that comes your way, snag a spicy Tuna Roll, or grab a more elaborate, crunchy Dragon Roll. If you like to end things on a sweet note, split the decadent Deep Fried Oreos with a buddy, or ask for some creamy Mochi ice cream.
Finally if time allows, ease into evening with some window shopping at one of the many antique stores with a short detour from the waterfront on Holly St. in Bellingham’s Old Town.
An Evening Tour of Bellingham’s Downtown Breweries
If beer is your drink of choice, head straight downtown and take a walking tour to sample some of Bellingham’s finest. Bellingham has no shortage of impressive breweries in the heart of the city, and fall is the ideal time to try out some freshly crafted, seasonal brews. Just make sure that you’re not driving after this mini walking-tour! (find tour directions below).
Start out light at Chuckanut Brewery and Kitchen and try their beloved Kolsch, a blond, top-fermented ale brewed from Pilsner malt. For finger food, grab the Hummus Plate with fresh veggies and seasoned flat bread or an order of the German Beer Pretzels with beer mustard.
When you’re ready for a different flavor, hop over to The Local. Their diverse beer menu not only includes the exclusive brews from their own, off-site brewery, Menace Brewing, but from other producers around town and the Northwest. The tap list is extensive, so consider splitting a sampler with a buddy. The phenomenal, tapas-style food is worth sticking around for, and beer-pairings are provided on the menu.
Another fine Bellingham establishment, Aslan Brewing, is a short walk from The Local. These folks aren’t afraid to experiment with interesting flavors like ginger, pumpkin and cucumber, and have also won a gold for their Batch 15 IPA. If you are looking to chow down, give the yam or pulled pork tacos a try. Alsan’s beer is all organic and the super-fresh ingredients they use in their food make for scrumptious beer-food pairings.
Back on the south end of Railroad, you can end your tour with one of Boundary Bay’s classic Scotch Ales, my personal go-to. The smooth, malty drink is like beer dessert, but is not as heavy as its deep color will lead you to believe. The Boundary Bay IPA is a popular choice as well, and you’ll also want to look out for any seasonal releases like the currently featured sweet, amber Oktoberfest.
If you’re looking to satisfy your sweet-tooth, check out Boundary’s Stout Ice Cream Sandwich. What better way to end your beer tour? In fact, what better way to end any of our three fall outings, than with something from every important food group–chocolate, ice cream and beer? No matter how your excursion ends, the crisp fall air, a little exercise, and sharing good dining or drinking with friends will make you look forward to your next.
Directions:
Arroyo Park:
Take the Fairhaven exit off the freeway and head west. Look for 30th St. and take a left. Follow until it turns into 32nd St, then runs into Old Samish Rd, and take a right. Keep your eye out for the gravel lot on your left after about 0.4 miles.
Arroyo Park to Tony’s Coffee and Harris Ave. Cafe:
Start west on Old Samish Rd, then take a slight right on Chuckanut Dr. Take another slight right to hop onto 12th St. Turn Left onto Harris, and you’ll see the coffee shop to your right on the corner.
Zuanich Point Park (location in link) to Cafe Rumba:
From the park, make your way toward Roeder Ave. and take a right. Follow Roeder for about 0.8 miles, and take a left on F St. Pedal just a block and hang a right onto Holly St, which will take you into downtown. It becomes a one-way, so to get up to Cafe Rumba, take a left onto Champion, a quick right onto Magnolia, and yet another right onto State St. The restaurant will be on your left. To hit the South Bay Trail, take State St (it’s a one-way) to Laurel, take a right, the take a left onto the trail. Continue about a mile until you reach Boulevard Park.
Boulevard Park to Kuru Kuru Sushi:
Take the South Bay Trail heading northeast into downtown. When you hit Holly, take a left. Ride for a half a mile or so, take a left onto F St. and a quick right onto Roeder Ave. In about 0.3 miles, take a left on Bellwether Way, and you have arrived.
Brewery Tour Directions:
From Chuckanut Brewery, head up Holly for a few minutes, take a left on Champion and follow it for another 3 or 4 minutes, then take a right onto Railroad. The Local will be on your right-hand side. From The Local, head up to Aslan via Railroad toward Casa Que Pasa and take your first left onto Magnolia. After 2 or so minutes, you will find Aslan on the corner of N Forest and Magnolia. Finally, to get down to Boundary Bay, head southwest on N Forest for a block, take a left onto Holly for two blocks, then a left on Railroad, and Boundary will be on your right after a minute or two.
*Bellingham Photo Credit: Buff Black Photography
