Overview
Ferndale is a city in northwest Washington State, north of Bellingham on I-5.
6 sights · 5 things to do · 5 places to eat · 4 bars & cafés · 3 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Ferndale
Hovander Homestead Park
A preserved 19th-century farmhouse and farm.
Pioneer Park
Collection of cabins from the late 1800s
Lake Terrell State Game Refuge
Tennant Lake Fragrance Garden
Flower garden with a lookout tower nearby and a boardwalk over Tennant Lake.
Centennial Riverwalk Park
Plaza next to main street with a walkway along the river leading to Pioneer Park
Metallica Bridge
A railroad bridge, has the Metallica logo spraypainted on it.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Jun–Sep. Summer highs reach about 70°F; winter lows dip to about 33°F. Wettest: Dec and Nov. (climate data from nearby Port Angeles)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- BLI Bellingham International Airport, Bellingham — 4 mi away. Directions
- ESD Orcas Island Airport, Eastsound — 17 mi away. Directions
- SEA Seattle–Tacoma International Airport, Seattle — 97 mi away (major hub). Directions
Ferndale is right along Interstate 5. There are two main exits you can take to get into Ferndale.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Typical meal: about $10 per person at listed restaurants.
See the Sleep guide ↓ for places to stay.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Hovander Homestead Park, Tennant Lake Fragrance Garden, Star Park
- Lunch Cedars Restaurant and Lounge
- Afternoon Pioneer Park, Metalworks Skate Park
- Dinner Leader Block Trattoria & Bar
- Evening Fringe Brewing
Day 2
- Morning Aim & Game
- Lunch Chihuahua
- Afternoon VanderYacht Park
- Dinner Edaleen Dairy
- Evening District Brewing
Day 3
- Morning Lake Terrell State Game Refuge
- Lunch Grant's Burgers
- Evening The Eagle's Nest
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
By car
Ferndale is right along Interstate 5. There are two main exits you can take to get into Ferndale.
- Exit 262 goes to the city center
- Exit 263 gets you to Portal Way, which connects to 2nd Ave.
If you'd prefer to avoid the interstate, you can get to Ferndale from Bellingham via Axton Rd which is left off Washington State Route 539 (Guide Meridian) or via Northwest Drive off of West Bakerview Rd in Bellingham (near Bellis Fair). From Blaine/Canada you can take Portal Way.
By plane
The closest commercial airport is Bellingham International Airport (BLI).
The nearest hub airport is Vancouver International Airport (YVR), about an hour drive north. If you don't want to cross the border, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) is only about an hour and a half away by car. There are also airport shuttles that leave from the Ferndale Bus Stop.
Get around
- Bus routes serving Ferndale:
Go Whatcom Transportation Authority (WTA)
Operates public transit bus service in Whatcom County including Bellingham, Blaine, Ferndale, Lynden, and Sumas. Also operates bus route 80X traveling north from Burlington and Mount Vernon in Skagit County to Bellingham.
- Route 27 from Meridian Station in Bellingham is the main route serving Ferndale. Stops at the Ferndale Station, mainly follows Main Street until it turns onto Church Road, and does a loop back to Main Street via Vista Drive before returning to the Ferndale Station and then back into Bellingham.
- Route 75 stops at Ferndale Station, on its way between Blaine and Bellingham. Goes directly to Bellingham Station rather than Meridian, useful if you're trying to get to Ferndale from downtown Bellingham. Operates Monday to Saturday.
See
See Tennant Lake Fragrance Garden
Flower garden with a lookout tower nearby and a boardwalk over Tennant Lake.
See Centennial Riverwalk Park
Plaza next to main street with a walkway along the river leading to Pioneer Park
Do
Do VanderYacht Park (VanderYacht Disc Golf Course)
Park with river access and a disc golf course.
Buy
Shop Etta's Attic Antiques And Collectables
Shop Mckay's Antiques and Variety
Eat
Eat Edaleen Dairy
Local ice creams, yogurts, sandwiches, and grocery store.
Eat Leader Block Trattoria & Bar
Italian restaurant and bar.
Eat Chihuahua
Mexican restaurant.
Eat Grant's Burgers
Local burger chain
Drink
Ferndale is home to several craft breweries.
Drink Fringe Brewing
Food trucks regularly visit, check website for schedule.
There's also several sports bars.
Drink The Score Sports Bar & Grill
Sleep
It might be worth sleeping in Bellingham rather than in Ferndale itself, as options are limited, and Ferndale is only a 15 minute drive from almost anywhere in Bellingham.
Nearby
Bellingham
City / town · 78 listings · 8 mi away
Lynden
City / town · 15 listings · 9 mi away
Lummi Island
City / town · 2 listings · 11 mi away
Blaine
City / town · 16 listings · 12 mi away
Eastsound
City / town · 30 listings · 18 mi away
Sumas
City / town · 10 listings · 18 mi away
Edison
City / town · 3 listings · 21 mi away
Blakely Island
Rural area · 2 listings · 22 mi away
My experience
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