Treat the mom or mother figure in your life to something special! Mother’s Day is on May 14, and if you are looking for a way to celebrate, we suggest a weekend trip to Bellingham! Here are some ideas for where to eat and what to do in Bellingham and Whatcom County with your mom.
May 4-7 & online May 11-21
Celebrate Mom by celebrating women in film! The CASCADIA film festival is an annual event that showcases the films of women directors from around the world.
Films are screened from May 4-7 at the Pickford Film Center; you can choose from 4 different pass packages or purchase tickets to individual films of your choice. Rather have a cozy night in with Mom? Screen the films virtually from May 11-21.
On Friday, May 5, the festival is also hosting an event with award-winning director Barbara Kopple at the Hotel Leo in downtown Bellingham.
Friday, May 12
Meander around 18 shops in Downtown Bellingham as they host pop-up tasting rooms featuring a variety of regional wines. Attendees receive tasting tickets to redeem for the wines of their choice while retailers offer special deals.
Saturday, May 13
Start Mother's Day weekend off with fresh produce and locally made goods from over 100 vendors! The Bellingham Farmers Market is a local favorite and great way to start your Saturday and Mother’s Day Weekend.
📞 (360) 647-2060
🏠 Depot Market Square:1100 Railroad Ave., Bellingham, Washington
Saturday, May 13
Head to Downtown Blaine with Mom for this farm & craft market overlooking beautiful Blaine Harbor!
Free admission for the public every Saturday from May to October.
Saturday, May 13 + Sunday, May 14
Get out on the water with your mom and San Juan Cruises!
Departing from the Bellingham Cruise Terminal, come aboard San Juan Cruises' 100 foot tour vessel and discover the history, geography and wildlife of Bellingham Bay and the Salish Sea. The San Juan Islands are home to Orca, Humpback, Gray and Minke Whales as well as all sorts of other marine life such as porpoises, seals, sea lions and otters.
📞 (360) 738-8099
🏠 355 Harris Avenue, Suite 104, Bellingham, Washington
Saturday, May 13
The Cheese Shop at Appel Farms is partnering again with Kellie and Ellie from First Fruits Flowers and Blush Blossoms Floral for our second annual Mother's Day Bouquet Bar!
Join us at the Cheese Shop for a Mother’s Day event including flower bouquet building and a multi-course tasting menu featuring Appel Cheese & other local cheeses! This is our second year hosting this event and you won’t want to miss it; it is one of the highlights of our year!
📞 (360) 312-1431
🏠 6605 Northwest Drive, Ferndale, Washington
Sunday, May 14, 1–4PM
The Friends of Big Rock Garden invite you to celebrate Mother’s Day with the whole family. Explore this beautiful garden with its meandering paths and wonderful sculptures while enjoying light refreshments. Other activities include live music, artists in action, and a children’s passport adventure.
Music will be provided by JP Falcon Grady and Rick Baunach from 1:30-3:30 pm.
Everyone is encouraged to walk or ride their bikes to the park. Onsite parking at Big Rock during this special event is limited to ADA vehicles on a first come, first serve basis only. Free shuttle provided from Bloedel Donovan Park. All ages are welcome!
Sunday, May 14, 2-5PM
Enjoy an unforgettable afternoon with a three-hour sail on Bellingham Bay! Passengers will join the crew in raising the Zodiac’s four sails including her 4,000 square foot mainsail (the largest on the west coast). Once the sails are up, the Zodiac will cruise the Salish Sea and passengers have the option of continuing to lend a hand or just enjoying the ride and taking in the scenery. After lingering on the bay into the evening the Zodiac will return to its dock in Fairhaven at 5 pm.
This sail does not include a meal or bar service, but passengers are able to bring their own snacks and non-alcoholic beverages to enjoy during the cruise. The sail is family friendly and young children are welcome aboard for the adventure!
Sunday, May 14, 2:30-3:30PM
Make your mother's day electric at the SPARK Museum of Electrical Invention. The MegaZapper show is sure to dazzle everyone in your family, but especially mom...and especially if she ends up in the "Cage of Doom."
Before or after the show, browse the museum itself, which offers compelling, interactive exhibits spanning four centuries of scientific achievement and cultural heritage. Discover the inventions and innovations that changed the course of human history, just as your mom changed the course of yours.
This May, book your mama a spa day at Flow Motion. For $114/person you get a spa pass, salted halotherapy, and foot soak. The whole treatment is four hours long, available any Monday or Tuesday in May, perfect for a half-day getaway with Mom.
For everything from books to the fuzziest, comfiest socks, Village Books & Paper Dreams is the perfect place to get gifts for the special mom or mom-figure in your life. You can order a custom care package online or visit one of their locations in Lynden or Fairhaven Village.
Grab a box of truffles for all the moms you want to celebrate! Evolve is located on the top floor of Village Books in Fairhaven, so it's an easy addition to any other gifts you might want to grab from the book store or Paper Dreams gift shop. While you're there, treat yourself to a cup of delicious coffee or an item from Evolve's bakery case.
Around here, whenever the sun shines it is a must to get out and explore! If the weather works out in your favor this Mother’s Day, try ordering a meal to go and enjoy a picnic while taking in the sights of Whatcom County’s many scenic parks.
Want something more breathtaking? Go on a scenic walk or hike.
Also consider spending the day in Fairhaven Village, Lynden, or checking out another nearby community in Whatcom County.
If the day includes rain, see it as an opportunity to take advantage of enriching and fun indoor activities. You can get some ideas of where to stay inside and experience the local arts and culture by signing up for the Whatcom County Culture Crawl. This self-guided tour is free and includes discounts for the Jansen Art Center, Pickford Film Center, Spark Museum, and more!
You can also check out our rainy day itinerary for more indoor ideas.
Saturday, May 13
In honor of Mother’s Day, Habitat will be hosting an event for families to come out to their build site at the Telegraph Townhomes and construct planter boxes.
The event is completely free and brunch will be provided by a group from St Paul’s Episcopal Church. The planter boxes will be sold at the Habitat Store where the proceeds will go to creating more affordable housing in Whatcom County. Alternatively, participants can choose to purchase their planter box and bring it home!
Sunday, May 14
Join Semiahmoo Resort for a Mother's Day Brunch under the tent by the sea. The special menu features a breakfast buffet, fresh seafood favorites, assorted cakes and cookies, and more. Reservations are strongly encouraged -- reserve your spot for one of three buffet seatings.
This event may be moved inside due to inclement weather.
📞 (360) 318-2000
🏠 9565 Semiahmoo Pkwy, Blaine, Washington
Sunday, May 14
Gather with your loved ones and join Hotel Bellwether in the Lighthouse Grill on Sunday to celebrate Mother's Day and enjoy a delicious brunch buffet.
Executive Chef Marcello Mazzoleni and his culinary team will be presenting the best of this season's offerings with a lavish benedict & omelet bar, carving stations, local seafood display and artisan dessert bar.
Sunday, May 14
Celebrate Mom or the mom-like figure in your life with brunch at Amendment 21! They'll be open and serving a special brunch menu in addition to their regular menu. Enjoy brunch specialties like salmon benedict, or satisfy your sweet tooth with blueberry lemon french toast. Plus, various fun and creative morning cocktails will be available to add to your experience!
Reservations are highly encouraged. Reserve your table today by calling 564-209-7071.
Sunday, May 14
Treat Mom to a spectacular brunch at Penny Farthing this Mother's Day from 9am to 2pm! Enjoy a special menu featuring fun starters like a chilled seafood gazpacho "martini" along with a classic breakfast buffet, carving board, and assorted pastries and desserts. All moms receive a complementary "mom-mosa."
Reservations required: $55 per person; Children 10 & Under $25; Children 5 & Under Free.
May 1 -31
Enjoy a meal in your community and provide free hot meals to those who need them. One of Whatcom County’s longest-running community fundraising events, Dine Out for Maple Alley Inn is a monthlong celebration to support local restaurants, strengthen the community, and help end local hunger.
All you have to do is visit any of the restaurants at https://www.oppco.org/dineout/, and a portion of your purchase will go to support Maple Alley Inn, Opportunity Council’s hot meals program.
