Our area offers so many diverse ways to be entertained ... whether you are simply reveling in the natural beauty of Birch Bay or sightseeing in the hustle and bustle of nearby Vancouver... There is something here for everyone.
Beaches! Build sandcastles, let your kids and dogs romp, watch our awesome sunsets.... The best free entertainment around the bay.
*
Birch Bay State Park: Birch Bay State Park is a 194-acre camping park with 8,255 feet of saltwater shoreline on Birch Bay and 14,923 feet of freshwater shoreline on Terrell Creek. The park is rich in archeological significance and offers panoramic views of the Cascade Mountains and Canadian Gulf Islands. Click here to learn more!
Miniature World Family Fun Center 4620 Birch Bay-Lynden Rd Birch Bay WA 98230
360-371-7700 www.miniatureworld.org
*
Peace Arch Park - Blaine: Peace Arch State Park is a 20-acre day-use park commemorating treaties and agreements that arose from the war of 1812. The park celebrates the unguarded United States/Canadian border that stretches from the Strait of Juan de Fuca to the Bay of Fundy in Nova Scotia. The park features horticultural exhibitions and the giant, commemorative, concrete arch that straddles the border of the two nations. The countries co-maintain the monument. Learn more!
*
Semiahmoo Resort: Spa, Golf and more...Nestled on the northern Puget Sound shoreline in Blaine, Washington, and overlooking Semiahmoo Bay and Drayton Harbor, Semiahmoo offers a multitude of resort activities in an exceptional setting. Visit their site!
Day Trips
*
San Juan Islands: Catch a ferry from Bellingham to Friday Harbor, the largest town in the San Juans offering a variety of shops and artists' galleries, the Whale Museum, excellent eateries and brew pubs, and numerous other outdoor activilties such as kayaking and bicycling! Click here to learn more!
*
Vancouver BC: Vancouver was voted the "Best City in the Americas" for 2004 by Condé Nast Traveler magazine, based on the categories of ambience, friendliness, culture and sites, restaurants, lodging, and shopping. This is just one of our city's many awards and accolades that clearly demonstrate the many reasons to visit Vancouver!
Vancouver is a dynamic, multicultural city set in a spectacular natural environment. No matter what time of the year you visit, there are indoor and outdoor activities to please adults, families, couples and friends to no end. As the proud host of the 2010 Olympic & Paralympic Winter Games, Vancouver looks ahead to ongoing growth and great success in tourism, hospitality and business services each year.
Maybe a day may not be enough... Click here to learn more about activities, dining and accomodations!
*
Mt. Baker: Visit the mountain that looms awesomely in the distance to the east... Skiing in winter, hiking in summer... And a beautiful drive from Birch Bay. Learn more!
(For an interesting side trip enroute, stop and visit our local winery- Mt. Baker Vineyards! The winery is nestled among tall evergreens on Highway 542 and offers a picnic area that offers a view of majestic Mount Baker. Mount Baker Vineyards. 4298 Mt Baker Highway, P. O. Box 626, Deming, WA 98244. Phone: 360-592-2300)
*
Casinos: The closest casino to Birch Bay is approximately 12 miles southeast; Silver Reef Casino : http://www.silverreefcasino.com/
Another casino can be found east (approximately 10 miles) of Bellingham, near Mt. Baker; Nooksack River Casino: http://www.nooksackcasino.com/
*
Lynden: If you're looking for a glimpse of Holland, but only have a day to explore, a trip to Lynden may be in order. If you're looking for a small, safe community to raise a family, look no further. And if you're relocating your business, you'll have trouble finding a better location and environment. Visit their site!
Overnights/Weekends
*
Seattle: Approximately a 2 1/2 hour drive from Birch Bay, Seattle is a collection of places, ideas and cultures. Pikes Place Market, The Mariners, The Seahawis, The Sonics, The Space Needle and and and.... Learn more!
*
Victoria BC: Victoria, the crown jewel of British Columbia, is one of the world’s most enchanting cities. Most attractions and shops are within easy walking distance from the picturesque harbor, but, for added fun, try touring the city by horse-drawn carriage or via the cheerful and traditional double-decker bus.
Afternoon tea at a cozy tearoom puts you in the perfect Victoria mood, and be sure to browse through the many shops filled with antiques, tartans, and ‘must have’ collectibles. Great family fare can be found at the Royal London Wax Museum, with exhibits as varied as the Chamber of Horrors and Storybook Land. The Royal B.C. Museum has outstanding permanent and traveling exhibits, and, if you’re feeling lucky, venture to one of two casinos in the greater downtown area. Click here to find out about ferries, hotels and more!
*
Harrison Hot Springs is located at the south end of Harrison Lake, which at 60 kilometers long, is the largest body of fresh water in southwestern BC.
It is an area with a rich history as well as an abundance of natural beauty. In 1895, Charles Inkman started a business that was to become the Harrison Lake Supply Company. Mr. Inkman soon had a thriving business based from a store on what is now called Esplanade Avenue, and a connecting dock which extended out from the beach. The business supplied many logging camps up the lake and delivered tourists to the hotel. The Inkman family still owns and manages Harrison Village Mall on the same site as the original store.
Today, visitors can enjoy a wide variety of activities. The beaches are ideal for sunbathing, and the lagoon provides a protected warm-water spot for swimming. The lake is also a popular destination for boaters & windsurfers.
Harrison Hot Springs hosts a number of annual events such as the Harrison Festival of the Arts and the World Championship Sand Sculpture Competition. Despite our international reputation, Harrison is still very much a small village. The pace is leisurely and the atmosphere is friendly.
Take a walk or a bike ride around and you'll see what we mean!
We have probably just scratched the surface here with activities for you to choose from in our part of the wonderful Pacific Northwest ... So enjoy, relax and come back to see us again and again.
