yetiman508
Found Fairhaven by chance what a wonderful discovery.....in Bellingham.....shops unique, all people friendly, great selections...this is what all Shopping districts should be. Not the mall...a must to visit when in Bellingham..
Danket
I love visiting Fairhaven. It is a must stop whenever we are driving by. Book stores, craft stores, interurban trail. What more can I say
RobinB518
Enjoyed walking the streets, catching lattes, visiting shops. Parking easy, bike friendly. Would be fun to stay in a hotel nearby.
educationdoc
With its quaint red brick buildings, the Fairhaven Historic allows you to step back to a more gentle time. Be sure to browse Vlllage Books and attend an author reading (many evenings after dinner). We've enjoyed many tasty meals at the Calaphone Cafe (outdoor seating in the summer) and in the Book Fare Cafe on rainy days looking out on Bellingham Bay. Village Books has a kids play/reading area and features unique gifts at Paper Dreams -- try a sample of the best fudge you'll ever taste. Local shops and small restaurants line the historic district streets, and the "Village Green" is the location for outdoor family friendly films on Saturdays in July and August. Bring your own chairs and plenty of blankets -- even in the summer, it gets really cold after dark.
kort14
Bookstores, cafes, shops and the village green. Also the boating center rents kayaks, paddle board and sailboats.Views of Bellingham Bay. Taylor dock for a walk and coffe at woods cafe at Boulevard park
Rmg7321
Great shops and restaurants. Fun to walk around. Nice park near by with walking trail right on waterfront.
MyAnnieD
This has been one of our favourite little jaunts from Canada for 30 years. Took the kids for day trips and now go as a couple for a get away weekend. Great coffee shops and restaurants, wonderful bookstores, lovely places to stay and a pier that lets you walk on water.
nancysM7075JG
If you are into local art, galleries, boutiques, bookstores, historic buildings and good food this is a great place to explore for the day. Plan to stroll slowly, taste good things and even do some wine tasting if you are into it.
midgejam
Whenever I entertain visitors Fairhaven is on my list for a half-day excursion at least. If the sun shines there is enough to occupy for a whole day. In the summer months there are events held on the village square including outdoor movies. Cafés, shops, restaurants, the Ferry Terminal which hosts the Alaska Ferry a couple of parks in walking distance and a waterside boardwalk mean there is something for everyone.
HospPro
I love old Fairhaven!It's a great, friendly little area to spend an afternoon shopping, browsing the impressive Village Books and checking out local artisans at their shops or at the Wed. afternoon farmers market on the Village Green in the summer months (a small block of public space with grass and benches). There are lots of places to eat and drink from coffee shops to cocktails at the Black Cat while you watch the sunset (the Cat is located on the 3rd floor in a historic building that is worth a look).There is even a stylish shoe store!From Fairhaven you can also walk or bike the boardwalk and trail all the way to downtown. The ocean views from this path are lovely.If you like quaint, you'll like Fairhaven.And for those traveling do note that the Amtrak Station is a few blocks from the centre of Fairhaven. Want to spend the night? The Old Fairhaven Inn is a lovely boutique hotel located right of the Green and has an charming little wine bar right next door.Enjoy your visit!
Codiak!
When visiting Bellingham we make a point of visiting the Fairhaven Historic District as so many wonderful things are all within walking distance. Artisan shops, a must see bookstore, and a walkway at waters edge are the places we return to each time. Definitely worth a couple of hours wandering around!
taojonez
Fairhaven is a nice little community with great restaurants, bookstores, art galleries, craft galleries, coffee shops, bars, and grocery stores. An ideal place to spend several hours waiting for the Alaska Ferry to leave on Fridays.
UnrepentantFoodie
Bellingham's 'Old Town', built down the side of a hill overlooking Bellingham Bay and the ferry terminal, is full of beautiful brick buildings built at the turn of the century during Bellingham's heydey for logging and salmon fishing. It now consists of galleries, shops and restaurants including a great independent book shop (Village Books), local coffee roaster Tony's, and an underground pub famed among beer-afficianados far and wide (Archer's Ale House). It's good for tourism without being touristy--locals shop and eat here, too. Street parking is free. Walking tours are available though I'm not sure how to arrange them, though any of the local hotels could tell you. Definitely well worth spending a day here.
shuby1
Friendly, polite locals, extraordinary natural beauty, no congestion, no strife, great places to eat, rain no problem.
DuncanColumbia
I would estimate that all houses within a four block radius were renovated. We walked around with the tourist map that has some interesting bits of historical information, which seems every tourist had one. It is worth the stop. Just follow the Fairhaven directions from I-5.