Discover a Fall Foodie Paradise in Bellingham & Whatcom County

Photos and Content Courtesy of Visit Bellingham/Whatcom County

There’s no better time to visit the peak of the Pacific Northwest than in the fall. Cool weather, vibrant colors, and delicious autumn harvests make for an unforgettable destination.

Fall in Bellingham and Whatcom County is bursting with delectable farm-to-fork experiences. The season launches with September Eat Local Month, a community-wide festival that highlights local growers, chefs, and ingredients. Find specials, discounts, and giveaways at local restaurants.

Continue your foodie journey with a free Farm to Table Trails passport, an interactive pass that directs you to a variety of delicious agricultural experiences. On the pass you’ll find places like Bellewood Farms and Twin Sisters Creamery along with farm-to-fork restaurants like Bistro at Shuksan, Evolve Chocolate + Café, and Holly’s Meat Pies. Visit locations to earn points and win a prize!

Speaking of Bellewood Farms, the farm and distillery offer a ton of autumn activities. Bring the whole family and pick pumpkins, go for an apple bin train ride, and enjoy delicious cider made from Bellewood apples. Adults can sample spirits in the distillery and purchase a bottle or two for holiday gifts. The market and cafe also have plenty to offer, along with live music outside on select evenings.

If you’d rather experience Whatcom County’s farm scene on two wheels, book a guided bike tour with Bike Northwest. In early fall, they offer half-day trips to farms across the county, including a trip on peaceful Lummi Island. All trips are family friendly, go at a mellow pace, and include plenty of snack breaks.  

Of course, farm to fork doesn’t stop at the shore. Bellingham and Whatcom County are home to incredible salmon, oysters, and Dungeness crab. In October, SeaFeast, an annual festival on the Bellingham waterfront, celebrates the bounty of our waters and our rich maritime culture with educational events, cooking demos, and locally sourced seafood. 

Farmers markets let you take home the area’s freshest flavors. The Bellingham Farmers Market operates downtown on Saturdays throughout the year, offering goods from local farmers and artisans. At the seafood equivalent, Dockside Market, fishermen sell their catches directly to the public year-round from Squalicum Harbor. Visitors can also shop seasonal farmers markets in Bellingham’s Barkley neighborhood, at the Rome Grange, and in Lynden, Blaine, and on Lummi Island.  

Finally, make it a true farm to fork vacation by staying at Oostema Farmstead, a working Wagyu cattle farmstead situated on 117 serene acres. 

When it’s time to burn off those locally sourced meals, hit the trails in and around Bellingham on foot or bike. The Mount Baker area typically remains accessible until late October, making it a wonderful place for a crisp autumn hike Dig Deep Tours offers guided mountain biking trips in Galbraith, another place to see exceptional autumn foliage.

You can also explore the area by car on one of two scenic byways: Chuckanut Drive and Mt. Baker Scenic Highway. Chuckanut Drive takes you past Larrabee State Park and trailheads to the Chuckanut Mountains, both incredible places to witness fall colors. Mount Baker Highway stretches from Bellingham and past rolling foothills to sweeping views at Artist Point.