Dutch heritage is present in the town’s dairy farms, blueberry and strawberry fields, parks, museums, and its architecture. What makes Lynden such an attractive destination is also the alluring proximity to other points of interest, including Canada five miles north, county seat Bellingham 15 miles away, and half-an-hour’s drive from the Pacific Ocean. Skiers may be happy to know that the popular Mount Baker is only an hour away as well.
Lynden is approximately five miles (8.0 km) south of the U.S.-Canadian border and home to the Northwest Washington Fair. The second largest city in Whatcom County, Lynden was named and established in 1874 on the site of the Nooksack Indian village Squahalish by Holden and Phoebe Judson. Phoebe Judson's influence over the town is so substantial that she is locally known as the "Mother of Lynden". She is credited with providing Lynden with its name, taken from the poem "Hohenlinden" by Scottish poet Thomas Campbell. Judson also founded the Northwest Normal School, which became and is now known as Western Washington University. Judson lived until 1926 and so saw the cultural infusion of Dutch and Scandinavian immigrants who came to Lynden form the late 1890s through mid 1900s. This heritage can be seen in the Dutch-style buildings along Front street, some of which house eateries and bakeries serving traditional Dutch cuisine and pastries. Most importantly, the heritage of these early inhabitants of Lynden show through in the day-to-day lives of its modern ones. It is a town, nestled among the beautiful natural surroundings of northwestern Washington state, where faith, family, and community are paramount.
Although a small town, Lynden has some very interesting attractions that speak to its history and life in the Pacific Northwest.
There are a variety of dining options in Lynden from authentic Dutch food to full-plated country cooking. Visit all of the corners of the world in this one quaint town at the U.S-Canadian border. You should never leave Lynden hungry.
Lynden and coffee go hand-in-hand. Many cafes and bakeries are infused with the European cultural heritage of their owners. Dutch pastry shops sit alongside cafes with German-inspired cuisine. Each one provides its own unique atmosphere and cuisine.
There are not a lot of bars to choose from in Lynden yet the atmosphere is friendly in the ones there are. Many local restaurants keep late hours and serve a selection of various libations. The Bellingham area is also home to a selection of local breweries, and Ferndale is home to the Silver Reef Casino.
Shopping in Lynden is supplemented by the nearby towns of Ferndale and Bellingham. Modern shopping centers are filled with a variety of businesses and services, including shops featuring nationally-recognized brands, world-class and casual dining, salons, banks and grocery stores. Venture into downtown shops of Lynden and its surrounding towns to get a taste of the local flavor.
