A BOOKLOVER'S DREAM ITINERARY FOR FAIRHAVEN VILLAGE IN BELLINGHAM, WA
Your 24-hour bookish itinerary in the town of Fairhaven Village in Bellingham, Washington
From the first moment we visited Fairhaven in 2022, when we moved to Washington, Andrew and I both thought this part of Bellingham felt like a little Stars Hollow. If you’re a Gilmore Girls girlie, you’ll love Fairhaven so much, and if not, you’ll still love this little gem of a coastal town. It just feels like you’re walking through a ’90s or early 2000s comfort show with great food on every corner, genuinely great shops with items from local artists, cute little coffee shops with delicious coffee, and of course, incredible bookstores to get lost in. Below you’ll find a full 24-hour itinerary centered around a booklover's dream day/weekend in this quaint village in Bellingham, WA. However, I also have a full 48-hour itinerary on what to do and where to go in Fairhaven Village that’s more general.
A little history on Fairhaven Village
The original plat of Fairhaven was filed on January 2, 1883, by Daniel J. Harris, or "Dirty Dan” as many famously know him. He was born in 1833 and was the official founder of Fairhaven. Dirty Dan is known for his unkempt appearance and crude manners, which is where his nickname stems from. He named this area Fair Haven from the native "see-see-lich-em”, meaning "safe port” or "quiet place”. Dirty Dan was only one of the many colorful characters that comprise the rich fabric of Fairhaven. Beginning in 1888, the town of Fairhaven on Bellingham Bay was experiencing rapid growth and significant development, largely due to promoters eager to see Fairhaven selected as the western terminus of the Great Northern Railroad. These promoters, led by Nelson Bennett and joined by C.X. Larrabee, Edgar Cowgill, E.M. Wilson, and J.J. Donovan, formed the Fairhaven Land Company. In 1977, the Fairhaven Historic District was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. The District includes 16 historic commercial structures built between 1890 and 1929. You can learn more about those buildings and additional history here.
What to do and where to go in Fairhaven as a booklover
Day One
Start the morning slow with breakfast at Magdalena's Creperie
I love starting the morning with a sit-down breakfast. Honestly, it might be my favorite meal of the day. Magdalena’s is a great little cafe to spend some time in, especially when they put their cute patio tables outside during the late spring, summer, and early fall. I’ve sipped many bellinis outside, and people watched at Magdalena’s. We started with coffee and some fresh-squeezed mint lemonade, both of which were yummy. Typically, when we get crêpes, we go for one sweet and one savory and eat half, then switch. However, this time we were both feeling sweet, and oh my gosh, were they sweet and absolutely delicious. Andrew had the number 6, which is rich Belgian chocolate paired with caramelized brûlée banana topped with fresh whipped cream, and I had the number 7, which is ricotta, blueberry lavender compote, fresh berries, and mascarpone cream cheese. I’ve had the number 7 multiple times, and it’s pretty much my go-to because of the flavor and how they roll it up and cut it into bite-sized pieces. Be sure to check their chalkboard near the door for their daily specials, too. We’ve had some great savory crêpes from the daily special list before. The inside is relatively small, so I recommend getting there when they open, or close to 9:00 am on Thursday and Friday, or 8:30 am on Saturday and Sunday. In addition to breakfast, Magdalena’s is known for their hand crafted pierogies, soups, and sandwiches.
Walk over to Village Books when they open after breakfast
This three-story bookstore is an absolute must for your bookish visit to Fairhaven Village. Village Books was one of the first places we ever visited when we first moved to the area, and it’s quickly become a staple for us to take friends and family when they visit us. You can truly get lost in this bookstore, which we love to do often, especially in the science fiction and fantasy section. Near this section, you’ll find a lovely little cafe on the third floor called Next Chapter Cafe. It’s a combination of Bry's Filipino Cuisine and It's the Sweet Things, both of which have their own spaces downtown. Some of my favorites to get are the Chicken Avocado Ciabatta sandwich (which they pile high with meat), their pumpkin cheesecake (in the fall), and any of their seasonal drinks (they’re always SO good). They have an area with tables where you can sit and eat while enjoying a great view of downtown Fairhaven and even crack open your latest read. In addition to being a three-story bookstore, Village Books also has a fantastic gift shop connected on the main floor called Paper Dreams. They have old school gift shop toys for kids (not junk), Washington merchandise, home decor, cards, old timey candy, you name it. It’s a wonderful place for gifts or to take someone for souvenirs. While walking around the bookstore, be sure to check the random carts full of books on each level! These are where they have their used books for sale, and I ALWAYS find a book that’s on my to-read list. This bookstore is truly such a gem and what’s great is they’re always having events and book signings with authors too so be sure to check their website for updates during the dates you visit because you’ll never know who you might be able to meet!
Head over to Marine Park to read and enjoy the ocean views
After spending a pretty penny at Village Books, I love to spend time at Marine Park, especially on a good weather day. It’s about a thirteen-minute walk from the main downtown area or a three-minute drive. I highly suggest walking if it’s a nice day because of the views along the way. The park isn’t huge, but it’s usually pretty quiet and secluded and RIGHT on the water. Sometimes we’ll see people bringing their kayaks down to the water and pushing off from this point. I believe there are kayaks to rent at the park, too, which we may do next time. This park has been a staple for us for relaxing days, reading by the water, or bringing lunch and picnicking on the grass. You also never know what you might see swimming by in the bay, an orca, an otter, maybe even a seal!
Explore the most magical used bookstore to get lost in
Eclipse Bookstore and Fine Art is a must for every book reader, but I have to warn you… You might end up in there for a while because it’s HUGE and PACKED to the brim. We got there right when they opened and walked around the entire top floor, then headed downstairs to another huge floor overflowing with books and books, and guess what? MORE BOOKS. Like, truly, I don’t know if I’ve ever been in such a big and packed full used bookstore. It’s definitely overwhelming at times, but again, so worth it, and the owner is the kindest human. We found some awesome books that were on our list and some that we read the backs of and found interesting. Overall, it’s a great bookshop to get lost in and you truly never know what you might find while meandering the stacks.
Check out the Whatcom Art Market
As you’re heading back over to the main downtown area of Fairhaven, you have to stop by the Whatcom Art Market. It’s a wonderful place to support local artists. It’s set up booth-style, with each artist having their own space to showcase whatever they want. From jewelry, prints, pottery, to even hand-made luggage tags, you’re sure to find something for yourself or a gift for someone you know. I love picking up some gorgeous cards with birds on them for my grandma. What’s great is the artists change out their booths pretty frequently for each season so it’s worth it visiting each time you’re in Fairhaven to see what they might have that’s new.
Head over for some of the best pizza in Fairhaven for lunch
One of our go-to spots for lunch and for pizza in Fairhaven has to be Övn Wood Fired Pizza. We were recommended Övn when we first moved to the area in 2022, and it’s basically been a staple for us ever since. They have unique wood-fired pizzas that are just absolutely delicious. My favorites are the Maplesmith, which includes caramelized onions, mozzarella, Granny Smith apples, bacon, ricotta, lemon zest, and maple syrup, and the Sebba, which includes olive oil, marinated figs, mozzarella, smoked prosciutto, blue cheese, arugula, and balsamic glaze. Also, you can’t go wrong with their basic margarita pizza. We just love the overall vibe of the place, but it is fairly small and pretty popular for dinners, so be sure to get there early or go for lunch like we typically do. We actually prefer lunch because they have great specials: an 8-inch personal pizza and a house salad for just $18. Andrew likes to upgrade his salad to their kale salad for a couple dollars more because it’s SO good!
Check into the iconic Fairhaven Village Inn
Fairhaven Village Inn is THE hotel in downtown Fairhaven. It’s in the perfect location, right across from Village Books and Paper Dreams and next door to Övn and truly walking distance to just about everything in historic Fairhaven. Staying in this beautiful hotel has been an item on my list since moving to Washington because of its views from the rooms, walkability, connected cocktail bar, and overall cozy vibes. Our room was very spacious and had gorgeous views of the bay, which ended up being a favorite spot to crack open a book while enjoying our morning coffee. You can find my full review of Fairhaven Village Inn here.
Grab some pre-dinner cocktails at Galloway’s
Galloway’s Cocktail Bar is a lovely Art Deco themed cocktail bar connected to Fairhaven Village Inn and a must-visit while in Fairhaven because of its unique and delicious cocktails and light bites. The inside is perfect for conversations with friends and family, or even for a solo date with a book, thanks to its dim lighting and comfortable atmosphere. They have various little corners to escape to with a delicious cocktail in hand. When you first walk in, you gotta take a peek at their special board with their bartender’s choice cocktail for that evening. They’re usually what I end up ordering because they’re unique and sound delicious. Once they had a mole (traditional Mexican sauce made from a blend of chiles, spices, nuts, seeds, and fruits) margarita that was SO freaking delicious. I still think about that drink years later. This time, we had one of their drinks from the specials board along with a drink from their Fairhaven Village Guest menu. I believe each hotel guest gets a complimentary cocktail or mocktail at Galloway’s, which is a nice little perk.
Regarding food, we love getting some light bites when we’re at a cocktail lounge, and this particular place has some good options. We’ve tried the baked Brie, charcuterie plate, stuffed jalapenos, and the olives, and I would absolutely get them all again - especially the charcuterie board that comes with salami, prosciutto, pistachios, olives, apples, pepper jelly, and some crackers. They also have a happy hour menu with discounted food items as well, and that’s the baked brie we love, with, I believe, pesto on top and served with apples and bread. I will mention that the food items on the happy hour menu are smaller than the normal menu food items, but honestly, we love it because we end up ordering two to three things to snack on and try, versus just one entree or shareable. In addition to their main inside area, they also have a patio space outside that’s great for sunny days when you can enjoy the gorgeous Washington weather.
Wander into some local shops on the way to dinner
Some of my favorite shops in all of Whatcom County are actually located in Fairhaven. My first stop when I visit is always Good Earth Pottery. They have been supporting clay artists in Fairhaven since 1969. The gallery regularly represents more than 35 curated artists, so there’s always plenty of unique pieces to look at every time you visit. If you see a piece you love, you'd better buy it because next time it will be gone. This has unfortunately happened to me twice, and I’m so bummed about it, but you live and learn, twice for me, I guess, haha. If you’re a plant lover, then you must go to Babygreens plant shop. Even the freaking building is chic and adorable, and once you walk in, you’re greeted with a ton of plants and cute pots. Fairhaven Toy Garden is an incredible toy and game shop you’ll absolutely want to pop into. They’ve got awesome gifts for kids and the avid board gamers in your life. Honestly, it’s a cool shop to just take a stroll through or grab a deck of cards to have on hand. We love keeping a deck of cards and Uno in our car at all times to bust out while visiting parks, breweries, bars, you name it. For clothing, I really enjoy Adored Boutique for its cute and affordable clothing. I feel like most boutiques are pretty expensive, and this boutique has very reasonable prices with pieces that you don’t see in every other boutique.
Fairhaven Village Green isn’t a shop, but it’s a staple. The Fairhaven Village Green is a park located right in the heart of Historic Fairhaven Village. The park may be small, but it's a gathering place for many visitors and events, including a farmer's market, concerts and shows, and the very popular summer outdoor movie series. Make sure to check out the Village Green Mural and the statue of Dirty Dan Harris, too!
Get dinner and drinks at The Black Cat
The Black Cat is located on the 3rd floor of the old-world historic Sycamore Square building and offers a warm and welcoming charm, accented by exposed brick, original hardwood floors, and oversized windows showcasing views of Fairhaven & Bellingham Bay. It’s a wonderful place for brunch, lunch, and dinner, and we partake in all three fairly often. Their American bistro-style menu has something for everyone, literally. From Nana’s Pot Roast, Dungeness Crab Mac & Cheese, and Beef Stroganoff to French Onion Soup and salads, they’ve got such a diverse menu. We take everyone who visits us here because of our love of the food, views, vibes, drinks, and the fact that it’s located in such a cool historic building.
For brunch, I love their fried chicken & waffles, biscuits & gravy, Dungeness crab cake eggs benedict, and their house bloody mary. When it comes to dinner, oh man, I’ve got a ton of favorites. We like to start with the Dungeness crab cakes, bacon-balsamic Brussels sprouts, and tempura-fried green beans (they are some of the best things ever)! For cocktails, they do a wonderful job! I love getting drinks from their staple cocktail menu, like an amaretto sour with egg white, but I have also had them make me something like a watermelon Moscow mule with a Tajin rim before. The entree options are vast, but some of my go-to staples are Nana’s pot roast, beef stroganoff, fish & chips, the French dip, French onion soup, and the signature cheeseburger. I highly recommend making reservations on their website or by calling, as it gets extremely busy due to its popularity with locals and visitors.
DAY TWO
Walk to Taylor Dock and enjoy the views
Something I really enjoy about Fairhaven is how walkable it is to trails, docks, parks, etc. There’s a trailhead starting near Övn Wood Fired Pizza and going all the way to Boulevard Park. We took a stroll to Taylor Dock, where you can walk along the water and then end up in gorgeous Boulevard Park. There are benches along the boardwalk where you can sit and enjoy the views of the boats passing by, crack open a book, or watch the various wildlife that live nearby, such as otters, seals, birds, and maybe even some whales. I’m not completely sure how long the walk is; I would guess maybe half a mile total. It’s absolutely worth it to take a walk to the water and maybe even grab a coffee along the way.
Grab some fresh pastries from Iron Rooster Bakery for breakfast
We had heard so many good things about Iron Rooster Bakery, so when we knew we would be staying quite literally next door at Fairhaven Village Inn, we put going for breakfast on our itinerary. The Iron Rooster Bakery is an artisanal bakery producing the finest hand-made pastries, croissants, cakes, and French-inspired fare. The owners of the Iron Rooster are Miran and Fred Schang. They’re originally from the East Coast and decided to leave in 2016 for Washington state. Miran was classically trained by the French Culinary Institute in New York and has experience working in fine restaurants, bakeries, and catering kitchens. Their hand-shaped croissants are of the highest quality and are the foundation from which everything else springs at Iron Rooster. They use the best chocolates from Europe to create their pain au chocolat, cakes, and ganache.
I’m such a sucker for a good croissant and cheese danish, so I was beyond excited to try their pastries. The thing you need to know about Iron Rooster is that you’ve gotta be there early because they do sell out of a lot later in the day. They’re only open on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm, and before 8:00 am, there will absolutely be a line forming. We asked one of the lovely front desk workers at Fairhaven Village Inn what they like to get, and they suggested the chocolate croissant and the rooster roll. We ended up getting a butter croissant, pain au chocolat, rooster roll, a blueberry danish, and a chocolate cinnamon snail. They were all delicious, especially the danish and croissants, but the rooster roll was extra unique with it being sweet and savory. I don’t even know how to explain it, but it was good, and I recommend grabbing one when you visit. I will say that the pastries are fairly expensive, ranging from around $5 to $8, but if you’re willing to splurge, it’s worth it. I ordered a small latte, and it was fine, but it took a long time to receive. We ended up getting our pastry order very quickly and then had to wait about 15 minutes for just my small coffee. Next time we visit, I will probably just grab coffee from somewhere else quicker and stick to pastries only at Iron Rooster. The bakery is a grab-and-go where you order at a window, then they call your name when your order is ready, so keep that in mind. It is located right across the street from the Fairhaven Green which has numerous benches to sit on and enjoy your pastries.
Walk off your delicious breakfast on the trails surrounding Fairhaven
One thing I always talk about and love about the Pacific Northwest is that there’s always a trail or place to walk around every corner. That’s the joke here, that you’ve always gotta be dressed for a hike when you go out, haha! While you’re in Fairhaven, pull up AllTrails to see a ton of interconnecting trails that even lead into Larrabee State Park, I believe. If you’re looking for a shorter walk, I highly recommend starting on Harris Street and heading along Larrabee Trail. Then the trail turns into the Interurban Trail and head into a gorgeous little park.
Overall, we are just obsessed with this historic part of Bellingham and find ourselves there pretty much every weekend. Be sure to find my additional itinerary on Fairhaven here.
