bellisfair The north Bellingham area, for our purposes, is that area of the City of Bellingham that lies near Interstate-5 in the north end of Bellingham. As you can see on the map below Iowa Street at I-5 Exit 254 is the boundary between the north end and the Historic Downtown area of Bellingham.

Interstate-5 Exits 255, 256, 257, and 258 access this area of Bellingham. I-5 curves westward and cuts across the northern portion of Bellingham before it turns north again near the Bellingham International Airport at Exit 258. North Bellingham includes the airport area, Bakerview Road which runs parallel to and north of Interstate-5. Meridian Street which runs north and south from Exit 256 intersects with the Bakerview Road north of Bellis Fair.

In recent years North Bellingham has become Bellingham’s shopping district. Virtually all of the growth in retail in the form of new shopping centers has taken place in North Bellingham in the last 15 years. The main shopping area is from Exit 258 across Bakerview to Meridian and then south on Meridian to Interstate-5. In this triangle the anchor is Bellis Fair Regional Mall at Exit 256 (Meridian). Both Meridian and Bakerview have and are infilling with shopping centers.

Bakerview & Meridian

The Mall & Shopping Centers

Certainly the largest attraction in the north end is Bellis Fair Regional Shopping Mall. Northbound at Exit 256 it has its own off-ramp that takes you directly to the Mall.

There are 5 majors; Sears, Penneys, Macys, Target, and Kohls and over 120 shops in Bellis Fair Mall. Since the mall was built there has been a great deal of infilling around the mall with commercial centers.

The first infilling took place along Meridian and now it is taking place along Bakerview from the Airport Exit (I-5 Exit 258) east to Meridian. There is a wide variety of shopping opportunities in the shopping centers on both roads.

We can’t leave Meridian south of I-5 Exit 256 out. Just past the second light south of I-5 you will find the only City Park in the north end, Cornwall Park. It has trails, tennis, picnic areas, and a splash park for the kids. You will find more information about the park below under Recommended Parks. If you want to take a picnic lunch to the park you can travel a few blocks south on Merician from the park to the Haggen store (on the left at the next light). They have a great deli in this upscale grocery store.

South of Cornwall Park is a residential area for a few blocks and at the light at Illinois and Meridian you will find the beginning of the Fountain District, named for a fountain a few blocks south at the south end of Meridian Street where it intersects with Broadway and Girard streets. The district starts with Haggen Foods and ends with Speak E-Z’s, a small restaurant just north of the fountain, that serves the best Memphis BBQ in town. You will love the brisket of beef. In between you will find a wide variety of shops.

Sunset Drive

Much of the most recent commercial growth in Bellingham has taken place along Sunset Drive at I-5 Exit 255 in recent years. On the east side of the exit you will find Sunset Square on the north and on the south side of Sunset Avenue the new Lowes Center. You will also find one of Bellingham’s two Post Offices if you turn right at the second light from the freeway.

Sunset Square has a K-Mark, grocery store, multi-screen cinema, Office Max, several restaurants, and a nice variety of shops. On the south side of Sunset you have Lowes, several banks, a Walgreens, an Espresso Stand and a restaurant. East of the Lowes center you have a car wash, gas stations, an Espresso Stand, and a small center with two restaurants and 4 or 5 shops.

Barkely Village

If you turn right at the first light east of the freeway on Sunset Avenue you will turn onto Barkley Boulevard. You follow it around a curve to the left to another stop light, then straight for about a mile east you will find Barkley Village, Bellingham’s newest shopping area. It has Haggen, an upscale grocery store, several popular restaurants and a nice grouping of shops spread out in several buildings.

US Highway-99

We can’t forget about Old US-99. Before Interstate-5 US Highway-99 went down the west coast. There are remnants of the highway through Bellingham. North of the airport US-99 is the frontage road on the east side of the freeway. From the Airport (Exit 258) US-99 went down Maplewood. Maplewood is mainly residential today.

Old US-99 is most easily found by taking I-5 Exit 257 onto Northwest Avenue and heading south. For a few blocks it is mainly residential with a middle school thrown in. Maplewood joins Northwest when you come to the first commercial establishments about 0.6 mi. south of the exit and from Maplewood south to the end of Northwest Avenue you are on old US-99.

At about 0.6 mi. south of Exit 257 you will come to the Birchwood Commercial Area. You will find several banks and on the left a small shopping center with an Albertsons Foods as its anchor. If you continue south and cross over the Coal Mine Bridge you will find another strip mall on the left and Yeager’s on the right. Yeager’s is mainly a sporting goods store.

Bellingham International Airport

West of Interstate-5 Exit 258 is Bellingham International Airport. You will also find the Washington State Patrol and the Department of Transportation have offices on the roads that access the airport. Bellingham International Airport is only 40 minutes by commuter aircraft to SeaTac International Airport 90 miles to the south. Many choose to start their trip in Bellingham and avoid the parking and luggage problem at SeaTac. For more information see the airport link under Visitor Information below

Mt. Baker Scenic Byway

Interstate-5 Exit 266 is the beginning of the Mt. Baker Scenic Byway. This 58 mile long byway runs up the Nooksack River Valley to the Mt. Baker Ski Area and in the summer a little further to the Artist Point view point. It begins in Bellingham, and soon runs across a ridge overlooking the farmlands of the Nooksack Valley northeast of Bellingham.

The Byway then dips down to the Nooksack River and crosses over the river at Nugent’s Corner. From here to Deming the highway runs on the north side but not in sight of the river through farmlands with the foothills of Mt. Baker on both sides of the Valley.

From Deming the road has the feel of a mountain pass as you follow the valley of the North Fork of the Nooksack. At one point at milepost 44 you go through old growth forest. From milepost 47 the Byway climbs 3,000 feet in less than 10 miles to get to the ski area. For mile by mile information see the hot link to our Byway page under Recommended Scenic Byways below.

Recommended Attractions

Shopping Malls
Bellis Fair Mall Interstate-5 Exit 256 Bellingham, WA http://www.bellisfair.com/html/ Located at the north end of Bellingham the Mall and surrounding shopping centers are a major regional shopping area. This area contains the newest of the city’s shopping area and this is by far the largest area with the most retail shops. Bellis Fair Mall	Sunset Square Interstate-5 Exit 255 Sunset Square Sunset Square is one of Bellingham’s major shopping areas. It is relatively new and contains all outdoor store entrances. You will find K-Mart, Office Max, Theaters, a grocery store, and about 50 shops The entrance to this shopping area is to the east of Exit 255 on Interstate-5
Barkley Village Area http://www.barkleydistrict.com/ Barkley Village is one of Bellingham’s newest shopping areas. It is a new concept in neighborhood shopping areas. Interstate-5 Exit 255 travel east one mile on Sunset Drive to the light at Hannegan Rd./Woburn St. and turn right onto Woburn and go two blocks.	Northwest Avenue Area Interstate-5 Exit 257 Northwest Avenue – turn south and go about 1 mi. on Northwest Ave. This is one of Bellingham’s older shopping areas with two strip malls and many freestanding businesses.
Fountain District and Meridian Street The south end of Meridian Street, south of I-5 Exit 256, is a good example of historic strip zoning where commercial establishments line an arterial. At the southern end of Meridian is the “Fountain District.” It is named for a fountain in a small triangle of land between Broadway and Meridian.	Bakerview Square http://www.bakerviewsquare.com/ This up and coming center is located a half mile from Bellis Fair Mall on West Bakerview Road. You will find a variety of unique shops and dining opportunities as well as a Charter College, fitness center, and tanning salon. It is continually expanding.
Scenic Byways
The Mt. Baker Scenic Byway The Mt. Baker Scenic Byway Map of Byway and trail information. A 60 mile trip to Mt. Baker Ski Area up the Nooksack River Valley. There are farms, a winery, old growth forests, and parks along the byway. At the top in the summer you will find spectacular views of the Cascade Mountains. Mt. Baker Ski Area http://www.mtbaker.us/
Parks
Cornwall Park Visit the Park's web site. You will find a spray park and playground for the children, picnic tables, tennis courts, and more in this large city park. On Meridian Street two lights south of Interstate-5 Exit 256.
Museums
See Downtown Bellingham
Visitor Information
Bellingham ~ Whatcom County Visitors Bureau http://www.bellingham.org/	Bellingham Whatcom County Chamber of Commerce http://www.bellingham.com/
Bellingham International Airport 4255 Mitchell Way Bellingham, WA 98225 Visit the Airport's website Located on the north side of Bellingham, the Bellingham International Airport (BLI) is just 40 minutes to SeaTac by commuter aircraft. This full service commercial airport accommodates more than 200,000 travelers each year. Also available at the airport are car rental services, gift shop and a bistro.	Photo from the Airport Web Site

Other Attractions

Antiques

American Antiques – 360-650-9037

2330 Elm Street, Bellingham, WA 98225

Times Past Antiques Shop – 360-676-1390

2633 Birchwood Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225

Art Galleries

Hamann’s Gallery & Gift – 360-733-8898 - http://www.hamannsgallery.com/

2940 Newmarket Pl #109, Bellingham, WA 98226

Gift Shops/ Specialty Shops

Urban Boutique -360-319-1466

Bakerview Square, 436 W Bakerview Road, Ste 107, Bellingham, WA 98229

Golf

Bellingham Golf and Country Club – 360-733-3450 - http://www.bellinghamgcc.com/

3729 Meridian Street, Bellingham, WA 98225

North Bellingham Golf – 360-398-8300 - http://www.northbellinghamgolf.com/

205 West Smith Road, Bellingham, WA 98226

Shuksan Golf Course – 360-398-8888 - Visit the web site

1500 E Axton Road, Bellingham, WA 98226

Museums

Parks/Gardens

Quilting/Needlecrafts

Apple Yarns – 360-756-9992 - http://www.appleyarns.com/

2915 Newmarket Street #104, Bellingham, WA 98226

Fabric-Etc – 360-671-5277 - http://www.fabric-etc.com/

1633 Birchwood Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225

J and J Needle Art – 360-676-9090 - http://www.jandjneedleart.com/

436 W Bakerview Rd #109, Bellingham, WA 98226

Jo-Ann Fabrics & Crafts – 360-734-8922

1125 E Sunset Dr #125, Bellingham, WA 98226

Scrapbooking/Crafts

Theatres/Performing Arts

Bellis Fair 6 – 360-676-2280 - http://www.bellisfair.com/html/movielisting.asp

One Bellis Fair Parkway, Bellingham, WA 98226

Regal Sunset Square 6 – 360-676-9990 - http://www.regmovies.com/

1135 E Sunset Dr, Bellingham, WA 98226

Tours/Charters

Wine/Spirits

Vartanyan Estate Winery – 360-756-6770 - http://www.vewinery.com/

1628 Huntley Rd, Bellingham, WA 98226

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