When it comes to quick getaways, what about crossing the border? A little over an hour away from Vancouver by car, Bellingham is often regarded as a quick drive-by on the way to Seattle, but don’t let the small coastal city fool you. Bellingham’s unique charm is worth a stop, maybe even an overnight stay. —Vicki Duong

Sip

While the population may lead you to believe that Bellingham is a sleepy town, trust us: the folks in Bellingham are well-caffeinated. The coffee culture in Bellingham is abundant, with lots of roasters and cafés in town. Our first stop was at Camber Coffee, which was named the best roaster in Washington by Food & Wine Magazine. Camber also serves pastries, breakfast and lunch.

See

See the best of what Bellingham offers at Whatcom Museum, a natural history and art museum comprised of three buildings, including the former city hall. Visit the old city hall to take in the history of Bellingham and see its exhibits, which include Unearthed, a study of fossils and scientific illustrations and a permanent exhibition, John M. Edson Hall of Birds (read: hundreds of taxidermy birds). Or walk down the block to the Lightcatcher Building to check out an exhibition from National Geographic titled The Greatest Wildlife Photographs, which is genuinely a once-in-lifetime type of photography show.

Savour

One of the best menus we’ve ever had the experience of indulging in was at Carnal, located in the heart of downtown Bellingham. What started as a food tent in New York City has found its footing in a gorgeous restaurant that seems unassuming on the outside but vibrant on the inside. It’s fine dining without the pretentious stuffiness often associated with highly specialized cooking; Carnal doesn’t take itself too seriously and is out to have fun–think steak tartare served with beef fat potato chips with innovative craft cocktails and an extensive wine list to boot.

Salut

Known for its innovative breweries, there is no shortage of spots to grab a flight of beer or ciders in Bellingham. For beer enthusiasts, check out Aslan Brewing Co., a spacious taproom serving exclusively USDA-certified organic beer. Aslan Brewing Co. is also a certified B Corp brewery and dishes out local and organic food (seriously, don’t miss out on the Luna Fries–waffle fries topped with braised chicken and chimichurri.)

For cider aficionados, Bellingham Cider Company is the place to be. With cider becoming increasingly popular, it’s no wonder why the company’s ‘fiercely local’ tagline has been so widely applauded within the community, using apples from the region and running the restaurant on solar power to limit its impact on the community.

Stay

While heading back to Vancouver after a day in Bellingham is tempting (after all, we’re so close to home), there are plenty of accommodation offerings in town. We stayed at Hotel Bellwether, a beautiful resort located right along the water. Looking for something extra special? Check out their Lighthouse Suite, one of the PNW’s most unique experiences. A three-story lighthouse replica features a spiral staircase leading to a third-floor observation deck with a 360-degree bay view.