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Journey up to Bellingham for the weekend to relax, enjoy some good coffee, take scenic walks and support local businesses.

Here's your plan for a relaxing Bellingham weekend: coffee shops, scenic walks, and local shopping

Bellingham Weekend Getaway

Drive to Bellingham from Seattle, a two-hour journey, often routed via scenic Chuckanut Drive. Ideal for a weekend stay to explore and rejuvenate.

Drive to Bellingham

✅ Before you go
• Bellingham is roughly a 2 hour drive from Seattle. Just get on the I5 and head north!

💪 Pro tips
• Take the scenic route through Chuckanut Drive! 
• While this could easily be a day trip, I recommend renting an Air BnB and staying the weekend! There are so many great ones to choose from (we stayed in Chuckanut) and it was so relaxing! Bellingham has a wonderful, easy going energy! It was so rejuvenating. 

Drive to Bellingham 

Visit COF& in Bellingham for a unique experience with specialty Colombian coffees and a variety of delicious pastries, recommended by knowledgeable baristas.

Colombian Coffee Shop


💪 Pro tips
• Ask the barista what they recommend! There are so many incredible drinks and food to choose from! 

Grab a bite at a Colombian coffee shop

Visit South Bay Trail in Bellingham to enjoy a leisurely 2-mile walk by the water with scenic views and nearby shops like Eclipse Books.

Scenic Waterfront Walk

✅ Before you go
• If you go in the fall or winter months, make sure you bundle up! Even though the sun was out, it was still cold! 
• The South Bay Trail is a paved, 2-mile path that follows along Bellingham Bay. It connects to other trails, as well, like the Interurban Trail.
• Parking wasn’t difficult! There were lots of different places to park. 

💪 Pro tips
• There are some shops near the path! We stopped by Eclipse Books and picked up some free books!

Take a stroll by the water

Explore Oldtown at Locus in Bellingham; support local businesses like Mallard Ice Cream, Ritual Records, and Bayou on Bay while enjoying street parking convenience.

Explore Oldtown

✅ Before you go
• There is lots of street parking so we didn’t have any issue on that front! 

💪 Pro tips
• There are so many cute, local businesses to support! Some of our favorites were Henderson Books, Locus coffee shop, Mallard Ice Cream, Bison Bookbinding & Letterpress, Bayou on Bay (Cajun restaurant! So good!)and Ritual Records! 

Come with me on a weekend trip to Bellingham to check out some coffee shops,

and there were so many great pastries to choose from,

and we ended up sharing a Danish and got some specialty coffees

We also looked at the little shop in the back

not just because we got lucky with a beautiful day,

And the water is just so still and pristine.

we stumbled by this bookstore and even though it was closed,

The next morning we got a quick breakfast at Locus,

which is another coffee shop before going downtown to Henderson Books,

We were in here for a really long time and these are the books I picked up.

We spent the rest of the day exploring downtown

and enjoying the weather before heading back to Seattle.

Golden Curry in Kent feels like one of those no-fuss places where the food speaks for itself. The buffet has all the comforting staples — dal, butter chicken, biryani, fresh naan — and the flavors are solid and homestyle. It’s the kind of spot you come to when you’re missing familiar food or just want a filling, unpretentious meal. Nothing fancy, just warm, satisfying Indian food that hits the spot.


Eat all you can at this Indian Buffet

Feast on unlimited, homestyle Indian staples at Golden Curry's buffet in Kent — from butter chicken to biryani. Perfect for when you can’t pick just one dish!

Indian Buffet Dining

✅ Before you go
• Go on an empty stomach — the buffet is generous and you’ll want to try a bit of everything. Lunch hours are usually calmer than dinner, especially on weekends.

💪 Pro tips
• Start with the chaat or pakoras and pace yourself — the butter chicken and biryani deserve room on your plate. And don’t skip the dessert station (gulab jamuns are usually worth it).

🍛 Indian Buffet Fix at Golden Curry, Kent

Wouldn't you love to eat as much as you can

at this Indian buffet called Golden Curry in Kent,

from sizzling starters to rich flavorful main courses,

I couldn't stop going back for the Malaykota.

Every entree tasted authentic and delish,

I'm definitely going back when I can't decide what Indian food I'm craving,

and all of it just for $30 a dinner and $25 if you swing by for lunch,

and you get unlimited Mangola Se soda and chai refill.

Let loose, get messy, and set your inner child free at Wicked Rae’s — Seattle’s most joyful, no-rules paint experience. It’s playful, therapeutic, and wildly fun. Book your session at www.wickedraes.org



Get Messy: you don’t even know you need this!

Unleash your creative chaos at Wicked Rae's in Seattle—throw paint, dance, and get messy in a no-rules, joy-filled painting session.

No-rules paint session

✅ Before you go
• Book your session online ahead of time — spots fill up fast, and you don’t want to miss out!

• Wear clothes you’re okay getting messy in — this is all about fun and freedom.

• Arrive a few minutes early to get your protective gear and instructions.

• Bring your playful spirit and be ready to let go of all rules.

• Check their website for any special events or themes before you head over. Hi

💪 Pro tips
• Wear comfortable clothes you don’t mind getting paint on.

• Let go of perfection — this is about expression, not a masterpiece.

• Use your whole body — dance, jump, and throw paint if you want.

• Trust your instincts and enjoy the music; it’s your creative soundtrack.

• Don’t rush — soak in every moment of freedom.

• Bring a friend for double the fun or go solo for a personal recharge.

Let yourself be chaotic 

Here's your nudge to let loose and get messy on purpose at Wicked Rae’s

You book yourself a session and reach their studio in West Seattle.

They give you the tools and basic directions.

but way more fun and you'll want to come back to experience this release again.

The best part is you don't even have to clean up

the mess and you get to take your at home.

Launch, or rent, your boards from East Lake and paddle on over to Gasworks Brewing. 

Here's your plan for paddle boarding from East Lake to a brewery, then returning your board

Brews and boards on Lake Union 🍻🏄‍♀️

Launch your paddle board from Eastlake's public shoreline, enjoy easy rentals and waterfront access for a fun adventure paddling on Lake Union.

Paddleboard Launch

✅ Before you go
• This is a public beach area in a residential area. 
• There is plenty of street parking but be mindful of the neighborhood.

💪 Pro tips
• The beach is an access point for other paddle boards. 
• There are tables and chairs to lounge in too.

Launch from East Lake

Paddle up to Gasworks Brewing on Lake Union, tie up at their dock, and enjoy a cold brew and snacks with waterfront views and laid-back vibes.

Brewery visit

✅ Before you go
• There is a dock you can tie on or a small beach area to walk up if the docks are full.

💪 Pro tips
• The line can get pretty long to order, so make a friend while you wait in line.
• Bring plenty of sunscreen.

Brewery paddle up

Return your rented paddle board at E Louisa St shoreline in Eastlake. Relax in beach chairs or explore nearby public waterfront spots after your paddle adventure.

Paddleboard return

✅ Before you go
• make sure your phone is charged so you’re able to return your board.

💪 Pro tips
• lounge in one of the chairs or explore the smaller public beaches nearby!

Return your paddle

The weather is finally starting to get warmer in Seattle,

so come with me to paddle board to a brewery in South Lake Union.

but I ended up renting one from this self-service locker in East Lake.

There's a QR code on the locker service that explains everything.

It's super simple once you take out the paddle board,

you close it back up and then you're able to launch from the beach area.

I would say it's about a 15 minute paddle over.

the scariest part was just crossing the lake because of all the other boats,

but Luckily there weren't that many this day,

You're able to paddle right up to the brewery and leave your paddle on the dock.

and they're always playing bumping music.

I've had the nachos before that are pretty good.

I also randomly ran into one of my friends,

We stayed for maybe 1 hour and then I had to start

heading back because I was renting by it the half hour,

headed back to our boards and got right back to the water.

I was nervous about the return process for the paddle board,

I used the link they sent me and was able to unlock the locker,

put the paddle back in along with the oar and the life jacket,

It was such a lovely way to spend an afternoon and I honestly can't wait to do it again.

This might be the most fun art studio I’ve ever tried! At Wicked Rae’s in West Seattle, you can create and take home your own art for as little as $25!

Here's your plan for messy, fun splatter painting at Wicked Rae's art studio in West Seattle

$25 Splatter Art Studio! 🫟🖌️🎨

Create vibrant splatter art at Wicked Rae's in West Seattle—$25 gets you paint, tools, protective gear, and your own canvas to take home! No rules, just messy fun!

Splatter painting

✅ Before you go
• Wicked Rae’s is a women-owned art studio in West Seattle: https://www.wickedraes.org
• Definitely make an appointment! They have plenty of time slots available! 👩‍🎨
• The owners will provide everything you need, including paint, tools, canvases, and protective gear! 🫟
• It doesn’t hurt to still wear clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty, just in case! 👚
• There are different packages with add-ons to choose from! I did the basic package for $25 and had a blast! 🎨

💪 Pro tips
• Have fun! There are so many different tools to try! I probably finished my painting — and then ruined it — and then finished it again three times before I ended up with my finished piece! 🤪

Get creative! 🖌️

This might be the most fun art studio I have ever tried.

This is Wicked Rae’s over in West Seattle.

and the adorable owners provided everything we needed.

many different types of tools to paint with.

Our favorite was definitely this racket with these paint-filled balloons.

One of the most fun parts about this is you can get the entire room dirty.

You don't have to be careful or try to keep anything clean.

And the best part is you get to take your art home same day.