Entertainment

POSTED: Tuesday, Apr. 17, 2007

Museum tour offers a world of history before your eyes

There are many so facets to downtown Bellingham that a daytrip might seem overwhelming at first. But, if you break it down into themes, it might not be so daunting. The museum tour — with four of Bellingham’s best located within a relatively small area — is a good place to start. Between museums, day trippers can take a break to shop, dine and absorb the downtown scene.

What’s there: Museums, bookstores, dining.

Who will enjoy it: Adults, families and out-of-towners.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

How to get there: Take I-5 to Exit 253. From the south, take a right onto King Street and then a right onto Lakeway Drive; from the north, take a right onto Lakeway Drive. Head west on Lakeway Drive until it turns into Holly Street. Continue on Holly into downtown.

Parking: A right at Commercial Street will take you to The Parkade immediately on the right. The parkade is free after 5 p.m. and on weekends. Street parking is is metered but is not enforced after 5 p.m. or on weekends.

Plan to stay: Two to three hours

DINING

Breakfast: Rocket Donuts, 306 W. Holly St., 671-6111; open Monday-Friday, 6 a.m.-4 p.m., weekends, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

Lunch: Grand Avenue Alehouse, 113 Grand Ave., 671- 3080; open daily 11-2 a.m. Or try, Mount Bakery Café, 308C W. Champion St., 715-2195; open daily 8 a.m. -4:30 p.m.

Dinner: Nimbus Restaurant, 119 N. Commercial St., 14th floor, 676-1307; open Monday- Saturday 4 p.m.-midnight, closed Sundays.

FOUR MUSEUMS TO VISIT

1. Bellingham Railway Museum

1320 Commercial St.

Friday and Saturday, noon to 5 p.m.

Admission: Adults, $3; students, $1; family of four, $5; children under 3 free.All aboard! The Bellingham Railway Museum is a unique journey into the history of Whatcom and Skagit counties when the locomotive was king. This small but effective space, located next to the Parkade, houses three model train sets to let you wear the conductor’s hat while learning about the railroad’s ties to local history. Visitors can also enjoy an interactive engine simulator, antique toy trains and artifacts, and a timeline of the area’s railroad past.

2. American Museum of Radio & Electricity

Location: 1312 Bay St., 738- 3886

Hours: Wednesday-Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Admission: Adults, $5; children 12 and under, $2.

The radio and electricity museum has exhibits sure to shock and amaze. The museum displays more than 12,000 items in a series of exhibits designed to entertain and enlighten. The museum’s layout takes visitors chronologically through the development of electricity and radio. Hands-on exhibits make this a fun experience that is deceptively educational.

3. Whatcom Children’s Museum

Location: 227 Prospect Street, 733-8769

Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m., Thursday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed Monday.

Admission: $3.50 per person. Members are free. Adults without accompanying children will not be admitted.

The children’s museum is a wonderland that combines interactive experiences with an educational theme. The museum’s current exhibit, By the Bay: Working on the Waterfront, teaches about the port history of the Bellingham Bay. Visitors can marvel at the replica of a steamship currently at the bottom of the bay or they can play in a submarine and learn about how subs used to be tested in the bay. The exhibit will run through 2008.

4. Whatcom Museum of History & Art

Location: 121 Prospect Street, 676-6981

Tuesday-Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. Closed Monday.

Admission: Free or by donation.

The Whatcom Museum’s red brick 1892 Old City Hall building has gallery space on three floors showcasing an array of contemporary and historical exhibitions. The museum’s current exhibit, “Heritage of Design: American Indian and First Nation Treasures” from the Maryhill Museum, features geometric design in baskets and bags created by tribes from the high plains region of North America through June 10. The Arco Exhibits Center, 206 Prospect St., is part of the museum complex and is currently showing “Building Tradition: Contemporary Northwest Art from Tacoma Art Museum” through April 29.

TAKE A BOOK BREAK

Bookstores: For further reading or a break between museums, three of the area’s best used and eclectic bookstores are adjacent to each other on Grand Avenue.

Michael’s Books, 109 Grand Ave., 733-6272; open Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., closed Sundays.

Henderson Books, 116 Grand Ave., 734-6855; open Thursday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m.-5 p.m., closed Monday through Wednesday,

Latté Books, 112 Grand Ave., 647-3733; open Monday- Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.