Rustic Family Fun and Relaxation To Be Had in Lynden, Washington

The City of Lynden, is located in Whatcom County in the state of Washington, just 8 km south of the U.S.-Canadian border, was founded in 1874 as a pioneer settlement. It was established near the site of the Nooksack Indian village called Squahalish, and is now where one of the largest Dutch American communities in the U.S. is centered. The town is situated in a wide valley, through which winds the Nooksack River. The river makes its way west, emptying into nearby Bellingham Bay.
Visitors will be charmed by Front Street, which has been modeled with a Dutch theme, including a traditional Dutch windmill. You'll also find a Dutch bakery, restaurants and plenty of antique stores for shopping. Dutch is still spoken by some of the residents of Lynden, who are descendents of the many Dutch immigrants who came to the area in the early and mid 1900s. Lynden once held the record for most churches per square mile.

Families will surely enjoy the Northwest Raspberry Festival, which takes place every year during the third weekend in July. Tours of raspberry fields and wineries and the famous Raspberry and Ice Cream All Day social will leave a sweet taste in your mouth. At other times of the year, visitors can witness the Sinterklaas/Lighted Christmas Parade and an Antique Tractor Show. Another kid-pleaser is the Farmer's Day Parade in June. But the biggest festival of all is the Northwest Washington Fair, when over 200,000 visitors arrive in Lynden to see farm animals, eat fair treats and shop.

The area around Lynden is largely agricultural, and the flat terrain lends itself to family-friendly bicycle trips. Try the picturesque trail along Fishtrap Creek that will lead you to  the City Park. Berthusen Park, a few kilometres west of the city offers more walking trails in the cedar woods. The park is a host to Machinery Show and to the Antique Tractor every August. The Million Smiles Playground is located in the Lynden City Park. The kids can enjoy the playground and later, parents can enjoy golfing and the Homestead Golf and Country Club. There are also 10 other golf courses within a short, 30-minute drive, for real golf enthusiasts. Mt. Baker, with a summit of 3,285 metres, attracts skiers, hikers and picnickers.

There are also beaches nearby in the Birch Bay and Blaine areas, with ocean activities. The Lake Terrell Wildlife Area provides access to nature. Take a trip to the Lynden Pioneer Museum to see how the early settlers lived. There, you can view a unique collection of 49 horse-drawn buggies and vehicles, the largest publicly displayed collection west of the Mississippi River. There are over 30,000 objects and artifacts in the museum's 5 galleries, and in October, visitors can witness demonstrations and historic re-enactments of what life was like 100 years ago.

Your family will certainly enjoy your stay when you sleep under the historic windmill in Downtown Lynden. The Dutch Village Inn offers this unique experience, and it is located right on Front Street, with access to shops and restaurants. Other travelers will want to bring their own sleeping arrangements, and can do so at the Lynden KOA Campground, which also features golf, a swimming pool, and a recreation pond. You can also stay just outside of Lynden at the Windmill Inn Motel, which offers affordable accommodations and easy access to the city. Whether you're arriving from Vancouver, in Canada, or Tacoma, Washington, Lynden is just off Interstate 5, and the drive along either the U.S. or Canadian coast is a pleasure in itself.