No building in Bellingham better displays the history and character of Bellingham better than the 1890 city hall building that is now the Whatcom Museum of Art and History that is shown in the photo to the left.

The main access to downtown Bellingham is Interstate-5 Exit 253, Lakeway Drive. Head west on Lakeway for three blocks to the light then take a diagonal right onto Holly Street. At the bottom of the hill you will find the core of downtown Bellingham.

The corner of Cornwall and Holly is the center of the downtown area. Continue on Holly Street for about 5 blocks and you will be in “Old Town” where Bellingham Began.

Geography

The City of Bellingham lies on Bellingham Bay in northwest Washington State 90 miles north of Seattle on Interstate-5 It has a population of nearly 70,000 and an elevation of 60 feet above sea level.

Downtown Bellingham was nearly a ghost town after Bellis Fair Mall was built in North Bellingham but in the years since then it has revived and it has a pleasant atmosphere with a wide variety of specialty shops.

Recommended Lodging

Hotels – full service
Best Western *Lakeway Inn* 714 Lakeway Drive Bellingham, WA 98226 360-671-1011 Toll free: 1-888-671-1101 Visit their web site. Located east of Bellingham’s downtown on Lakeway Drive at I-5 Exit 253. Our experience is that this newly remodeled hotel offers excellent service, good food, and a full bar. It is just a few minutes from downtown and Bellis Fair Mall. They have an indoor pool, spa, sauna, and fitness center in their 4 story atrium. Guest rooms feature new large work desks with swivel chairs, Microsun work lighting, overstuffed chairs and sofas. All rooms offer new 25" TVs with movie channels, coffee makers, ironing boards and iron, and hair dryers
Hotels – limited service

Inns


Motels
Guesthouse Inn Previously Value-Inn 805 Lakeway Drive Bellingham, WA 98226 360-671-9600 Reservations 1-800-443-7777 http://www.bellinghamvaluinn.com/ Located east of Bellingham’s downtown on Lakeway Drive at I-5 Exit 253. The Guesthouse Inn is convenient to downtown Bellingham and the freeway. It is a well kept inn with shuttle service to the airport and a complimentary continental breakfast with waffles.

Listed Lodging in Downtown Bellingham

We have not necessarily visited or recommend listed establishments

Lodging – Hotels – (with room service)

Hotel Bellwether – 360-392-3100 - http://www.hotelbellwether.com/

One Bellwether Way, Bellingham, WA 98225

Lodging – Hotels – Limited Services (no room service)

Lodging – Budget

Coachman Inn Motel – 360-671-9000 - http://www.coachmaninnmotel.com/

120 North Samish Way, Bellingham, WA 98225

Days Inn – 360-734-8830 - Visit the web site

215 North Samish Way, Bellingham, WA 98225

Travelodge – 360-733-8280 - Visit the web site

101 North Samish Way, Bellingham, WA 98225

Lodging – Motels

Bay City Motor Inn – 360-676-0332 - http://www.baycitymotorinn.com/

116 North Samish Way, Bellingham, WA 98225

Motel 6 – 360-671-4494 - Visit the web site

3701 Byron Avenue, Bellingham, WA 98225

Lodging – Inns and Country Inns

Lodging –Bed & Breakfast

Lodging – Vacation Rentals & Cabins