Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Nell Thorn Restaurant & Pub
INTERNATIONAL Some of La Con-
ner's finest meals are to be had at this cozy little restaurant attached to the La
Conner Country Inn. The emphasis is on fresh, local, and organic, and the menu
in the main dining room is limited. You might start with a warm scallop salad or
local oysters dusted with lavender-scented herbes de Provence. For a main course,
the beach bowl, which is packed with local fish and shellfish, is delicious. If you're
in the mood for a more casual meal, dine in the tiny downstairs pub, where you
can get soups, salads, and sandwiches. The abundance of wood and the cramped
quarters of the pub give it the feel of a room on an old sailing ship.
La Conner Country Inn, 205 E. Washington Ave.
&
360/466-4261.
Reservations recommended. Main
courses $11-$22. AE, MC, V. Mon-Thurs 4-10pm; Fri 4-11pm; Sat 11:30am-11pm; Sun 11:30am-10pm.
5 Bellingham & Environs
90 miles N of Seattle, 60 miles S of Vancouver
Perhaps best known outside of Washington state as the southern terminus for fer-
ries heading north to Alaska, Bellingham is a vibrant little city that boasts excel-
lent views of the San Juan Islands. Still an active shipping port, Bellingham has, at
Squalicum Harbor, a large commercial and private boat marina, a hotel and com-
mercial complex, and a park that together provide residents and visitors with a
chance to enjoy the bay. South of downtown Bellingham, near the Alaska ferry ter-
minal, is the historic community of Fairhaven. Fairhaven's old brick commercial
buildings and interesting shops are a highlight of a visit to Bellingham.
Bellingham is in Whatcom County, which extends from the coast to the top
of 10,778-foot Mount Baker and beyond; it is still primarily a rural area. Near
the coast, farming predominates, and the nearby farm towns of Ferndale and
Lynden are worth visiting for a glimpse of local history and a chance to explore
the countryside. At Mount Baker there is a popular downhill skiing and snow-
boarding area in winter, while in summer hiking trails lead through meadows
and forests. South of the city, the mountains and saltwater come together along
one of Washington's most scenic stretches of coastline. Winding along this coast-
line is Chuckanut Drive, which provides glimpses of rugged shores, expansive
waters, and the San Juan Islands.
ESSENTIALS
GETTING THERE
I-5 connects Bellingham with Seattle to the south and
Vancouver to the north. Wash. 542, the North Cascades Scenic Highway, con-
nects Bellingham with eastern Washington by way of Winthrop.
Bellingham International Airport
(
&
460/671-5674;
www.portofbellingham.
com/airport), 5 miles northwest of downtown Bellingham, is served by Horizon
Airlines. The
Airporter Shuttle
(
&
866/235-5247
or 360/380-8800; www.
airporter.com) runs between Sea-Tac Airport and Bellingham ($32 one-way, $55
round-trip).
Both
Amtrak
trains and
Greyhound
buses stop in Bellingham at the
Fairhaven Station, which is adjacent to the Bellingham Cruise Terminal on Har-
ris Avenue in the Fairhaven district.
VISITOR INFORMATION
Contact the
Bellingham/Whatcom County
Convention & Visitors Bureau,
904 Potter St., Bellingham, WA 98226 (
&
800/
487-2032
or 360/671-3990; www.bellingham.org), which is located just east of
I-5 at exit 253. On the Internet, check out http://whatcom.kulshan.com, which is
filled with great information on the area.
