By Dana Hubanks
It’s that time of year again. The air is colder, the leaves are turning and fall semester is upon us. If you’re new to Bellingham — either as a student or as a parent helping out with the big move into the dorms — you might be wondering what there is to do in this little town. Here are a few ideas of fun things to do with the whole family this fall during your visit.
Ice Cream at Mallards
Mallards Ice Cream is a staple of downtown Bellingham. On any given day (especially if the sun is shining), Mallards is bustling with folks hungry for a taste of its highly unique and rotating menu of flavors.
This isn’t your average ice cream shop, either. Ever tried frankincense ice cream? What about sesame tahini? Now’s your chance. But don’t worry — Mallard’s has all its basic bases covered, so if you’re a fan of classic chocolate or vanilla, you won’t be disappointed.
And if you thought it couldn’t get any more enticing, the ice cream at Mallards is handmade and sourced from fresh, local and organic ingredients whenever possible. What could be better?
Mallards Ice Cream
1323 Railroad Ave
Bellingham, WA
360-734-3884
Hours:
Sunday through Wednesday: 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Thursday through Saturday: 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
MegaZapper Electrical Show at the SPARK Museum of Electrical Invention
The SPARK Museum of Electrical Invention is a both a spectacle and a relic. And the MegaZapper Electrical Show is nothing short of an exhilarating experience. SPARK boasts “giant 10-foot arcs of purple lightning” during this highly acclaimed, 40-minute show. This is one spectacle that you won’t want to miss.
SPARK Museum of Electrical Invention MegaZipper Electrical Show
1312 Bay St.
Bellingham, WA
360-738-3886
Hours:
Wednesday through Sunday: 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The MegaZipper Electrical Show takes place every Saturday and Sunday at 2:30 p.m.
Dessert and Live Music at Honey Moon Mead and Cider
Honey Moon Mead and Cider is one of Bellingham’s beloved live music venues. Featuring a wide range of musical styles from folk to latin fusion to blues to old-time, Honey Moon Mead and Cider showcases live music and entertainment every night they’re open (Tuesday through Saturday).
Be sure to try a slice of decadent locally-made cake while you’re there, and learn more about this Bellingham gem in this article from WhatcomTalk’s archives.
Honey Moon Mead and Cider
1053 N State St (in the alley behind Pepper Sisters)
Bellingham, WA
360-734-0728
Hours:
Tuesday through Saturday: 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. (music generally starts at 8:30 p.m.)
Morning Hike at Larrabee State Park
One of the most special things about living in Bellingham is having access to some of the most stunning hikes in all of Western Washington. And what better way to acquaint yourself with a new landscape? For a list of some of the best hikes for the whole family, check out this link to a piece we published earlier this year about Bellingham area hikes: https://www.whatcomtalk.com/2015/02/26/whatcom-hike/
Breakfast at the Old Town Cafe
It’s hard to deny that the Old Town Cafe has breakfast dialed in. No matter how many times I go, I never get tired of starting the day off with one of the cafe’s hearty offerings. I especially love Old Town’s hotcakes with blueberries and real maple syrup. Old Town even features a wide variety of vegetarian and gluten-free options for folks with dietary restrictions.
Appropriately located in “old town,” this little joint has a rustic, quirky feel that will get you well acquainted with the vibe of Bellingham. And if you’re lucky, there might even be a local musician serenading the place with acoustic music when you stop by.
The Old Town Cafe
316 W Holly St.
Bellingham, WA
360-671-4431
Hours:
Monday through Saturday: 6:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Sunday: 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
A Movie at the Pickford
Bellingham may not be a big city, but we have one of the best independent theaters around. The Pickford Film Center, located right next to the SPARK museum on Bay Street, shows a wide variety of independent as well as blockbuster films. Feeling like kicking back with a bag of popcorn to round out your first visit to Bellingham? Hop on over to the Pickford.
The Pickford Film Center
1318 Bay St.
Bellingham, WA
360-738-0735
Hours:
Check website or call for current showtimes.
An Evening at Vaudevillingham with the Bellingham Circus Guild
One of the most unique and fun things about Bellingham is its vibrant and active circus community. Take a glimpse into this zany, colorful and captivating world by spending an evening with Vaudevillingham.
Vaudevillingham is a monthly variety show produced by the Bellingham Circus Guild and held at the Cirque Lab on 6th Street. Acts can include anything from dance to aerials to comedy to burlesque and range from “raw to polished.” Though the acts are ever-changing, Vaudevillingham is guaranteed to inspire laughter and amazement. Admission is a $5 to $10 suggested donation at the door.
Vaudevillingham at the Cirque Lab
1401 6th St., Suite 102
Bellingham, WA
Vaudeveillingham place the 15th of every month at 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. (doors open and live music begins 30 minutes before each show time).
