10 Best Things to Do in Blaine, WA

January 14, 2020 - Updated

Blaine is a charming city located along the extreme westermost end of the United States-Canadian border, best known as the home of Peace Arch Historical State Park, which commemorates the resolution of United States-Britain border disputes dating back to the War of 1812. The quaint town, which is located along picturesque Drayton Harbor, serves as a great day trip or weekend trip getaway from Seattle, Portland, or Vancouver, located approximately half an hour from the city of Bellingham. Visitors can ride the historic Plover Ferry across Semiahmoo Bay or enjoy renowned golfing experiences at the Semiahmoo Golf and Country Club or the Loomis Trail Golf Club. Blaine Marine Park hosts annual festivals, while Point Whitehorn Marine Reserve protects a stretch of beachfront along the Strait of Georgia waterway.

1.Peace Arch Historical State Park

Peace Arch Historical State Park is a unique international park straddling the United States-Canada border's extreme western end, easily accessible on the United States side via the town of Blaine. The park is known for its iconic 67-foot Peace Arch, which was dedicated in 1921 to commemorate the Treaty of Ghent and the Rush-Bagot Agreement, which ended United States-British tensions over border guarding. Today, the concrete arch is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and serves as the central landmark for the dual-nationality park, which is known as Peace Arch Provincial Park on the Canadian side. Visitors can explore both sides of the park without passport clearance and can enjoy opportunities for picnics and strolling throughout the park's lush garden areas. Annual special events at the park include an International Sculpture Exhibition and an International Arts and Music Festival.

19 A Street, Blaine, WA 98231, Phone: 360-332-8221

2.Semiahmoo Golf and Country Club

Semiahmoo Golf and Country Club has been ranked as one of Washington State's top public golf courses by Golf Week, known for its stunning 7,005-yard landscape and unique course challenges. The course was designed by golfing legend Arnold Palmer and is open to the public year-round today. Rolling fairways are lined with beautiful forested sections, offering a stunning natural backdrop for golfers taking on elements such as the course's 67 bunkers and five water-incorporated holes. Course access is restricted to guests of the Semiahmoo Resort and Spa, with golf and play overnight packages available for all resort guests. Resort guests can enjoy lessons from award-winning golf professionals at the Jeff Coston Academy or dine on high-quality American fare at the course's Great Blue Heron Grill.

8720 Semiahmoo Pkwy, Blaine, WA 98230, Phone: 360-371-7015

3.Blaine Marine Park

Blaine Marine Park is a charming waterfront park in Blaine, known as one of the region's best spots for bird and waterfowl watching. The park is home to several waterside shelters, which offer prime locations for watching thousands of migratory birds each year. Small beachfront areas are open during the summer months, providing space for beachcombing and shoreline fishing and launches for kayaks and other watercraft. Trails connect to the nearby Blaine Public Pier and Marina, which provides more than two miles of waterfront strolling opportunity. A children's playground features unique nautical theming, while an outdoor amphitheater serves as a central venue for the city's annual Wings Over Water Festival.

272 Marine Dr, Blaine, WA 98230, Phone: 360-332-8311

4.The Historic Plover Ferry

The Historic Plover Ferry was originally founded in 1944 to carry regional cannery workers across the waters of the Semiahmoo Spit and Bay to the nearby facilities of the APA Salmon Cannery. During the 20th century, the ferry was restored by the Whatcom Maritime Historical Society and the Friends of the Plover nonprofit organization. Today, the 32-foot ferry is the state's oldest operating foot passenger ferry and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Area visitors can ride the ferry on weekends throughout the summer and travel between the Semiahmoo Spit and the Blaine Harbor Marina. Ferry crews provide information about the ferry's restoration and area sights such as the nearby Coast Mountains.

Visitor's Dock-Gate 2, 235 Marine Dr, Blaine, WA 98230, Phone: 360-332-4544

5.Loomis Trail Golf Club

Loomis Trail Golf Club has been ranked as Washington State's number five public golf course by Golf Week and is best known as the only course in the state to be ranked among the nation's top 100 courses. The Graham Cooke-designed course is a favorite for year-round golf play, specifically designed to incorporate the beautiful landscape of the Pacific Northwest into its layout. Water play is incorporated on all 18 holes due to the course's beautiful lake and canal system. Guests can play the course every day throughout the year and enjoy fast greens and one of the state's highest course slope ratings. A full-service lounge and snack bar are offered at the course's gorgeous Tudor-style clubhouse, which is also home to a pro shop and banquet hall.

9787, 4342 Loomis Trail Rd, Blaine, WA 98230, Phone: 360-332-1725

6.Point Whitehorn Marine Reserve

Point Whitehorn Marine Reserve is a gorgeous 54-acre nature reserve in Blaine, located along the beautiful Strait of Georgia waterway. The reserve was originally established following a gasoline pipeline leak in Bellingham in 1999 and is overseen by the Whatcom County Parks department to protect two miles of shoreline and surrounding wooded wetlands. Visitors can enjoy unparalleled views of the nearby San Juan Islands and catch glimpses of a wide variety of area marine life, including seal pups, sea lions, porpoises, and shorebirds such as loons and cormorants. A ¾-mile ADA-accessible interpretive trail provides stunning views of the area waterway and its bluff and beachfront areas. Visitors can also access a lovely cobble beachfront via a switchback path descending from the park's bluff areas.

6899 Koehn Rd, Blaine, WA 98230

7.The Spa at Semiahmoo

The Spa at Semiahmoo offers luxury spa treatments at the beautiful Semiahmoo Resort, open seven days a week throughout the year to both resort guests and area visitors by advance appointment. Spa visitors can enjoy a plethora of high-quality treatments meant to relax the mind and rejuvenate the body and spirit, including massages, facials, and scalp treatments. All treatments are administered by highly-skilled professionals in beautiful seaside treatment rooms. Signature Éminence skin care products are free of cosmetic chemicals, animal products, and parabens, proven to promote skin healing and beautifying. Salon services are also offered at the spa, including makeup applications and bikini waxes.

9565 Semiahmoo Pkwy, Blaine, WA 98230, Phone: 360-318-2009

8.The Market at Birch Bay

The Market at Birch Bay is a vibrant shopping destination in Blaine, showcasing a large inventory of fresh, locally-sourced foods and goods. Local farmers and producers present their goods at the market regularly, including hearty breads, high-quality pantry goods, and decadent desserts and baked goods. A plethora of grocery items are also available, perfect for area visitors looking to stock up for vacation rentals or enjoy picnics at area natural attractions. A beautiful seating area lets visitors enjoy prepared snacks and meals on site, framed by a cozy, intimate fireplace. The market is open to the public daily from 7:00am to 10:00pm.

8125 Birch Bay Square St, Blaine, WA 98230, Phone: 360-366-0330

9.Bob's Burgers and Brew

Bob's Burgers and Brew is a delightful New American restaurant offering more than a dozen locations throughout the Pacific Northwest, including a vibrant location in Blaine. The restaurant is known for its high-quality burgers and American pub fare, crafted from locally-sourced, fresh ingredients. Gourmet burger options include jalapeño pepperjack burgers, guacamole bacon burgers, and Hawaiian-style burgers topped with ham and pineapple. Excellent land and sea entrees are also served up at dinner each day, including cod and prawn platters and surf and turb combination plates. Local microbrews are poured at the restaurant's lounge, along with a selection of bar appetizers.

8120 Birch Bay Square, Blaine, WA, 98231, Phone: 360-366-3199

10.Big Al's Diner

Big Al's Diner is a retro-style throwback diner serving up breakfast, lunch, and dinner options all day seven days a week, known for generous options and hearty American classic entrees. The restaurant focuses on comfort fare available at affordable prices and prioritizes welcoming, family-friendly service. Diners can create their own omelettes or egg scramble platters throughout the day or enjoy breakfast delicacies such as real buttermilk pancakes, hearty French toast combos, or homestyle favorites like country fried steak and biscuits and gravy. Deluxe burgers and hot and cold deli sandwich options are available at lunch, while dinner options focus on hearty favorites such as classic pasta dishes and meatloaf platters. A selection of domestic beers and microbrews are available on tap, along with wines served by the glass and diner delicacies such as old-fashioned root beer floats.

234 D St, Blaine, WA 98230, Phone: 360-332-3540