Entertainment

POSTED: Thursday, Apr. 05, 2007

Railroad Avenue continues to evolve

When checking out the first day of the downtown Farmers Market Saturday, visitors can explore the length of Railroad Avenue. Shopping and dining opportunities line the historic street starting from Maple Street to East Champion.

What’s there: Dining, shopping, farmers market, historical walk.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

How to get there: From Interstate 5, take Lakeway Drive west until it turns into Holly Street. Then take a left or a right onto Railroad Avenue. The Farmers Market will be a block and a half to the left of Holly Street on Railroad Avenue.

Parking: Railroad Avenue has parking along both sides of the street. Meters have different time limits so look for a black band to find out how long to park. Metered parking is 50 cents per hour, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, free on weekends and some holidays. Visitors can also park at the Downtown Parkade at 1300 Cornwall Ave. for $4 on weekdays.

Plan to stay: 2-3 hours. Railroad Avenue is bike-, wheelchair- and pedestrian-friendly. Dining and shopping opportunities are within easy reach of just about any parking space.

DINING

Breakfast: Little Cheerful Café, on the corner of Railroad Avenue and Holly Street at 133 E. Holly St., 738-8824; hours 7 a.m.-2 p.m. daily. Or try Avenue Bread & Deli, 1313 Railroad Ave., 676-9274; hours 7 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. daily.

Lunch: The Malt Shop, 1135 Railroad Ave., 676-5156; hours 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, noon to 8 p.m. Sunday. Or try Cicchitti’s Pizza, 1427 Railroad Ave., 671-5404; hours 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday- Saturday.

Dinner: Boundary Bay Brewery and Bistro, 1107 Railroad Ave., 647-5593; hours 11 a.m.-11 p.m. daily but the bar is often open until midnight during the week. Or try La Fiamma Wood Fire Pizza, on the corner of Chestnut Street and Railroad Avenue at 200 E. Chestnut St., 647-0060, hours 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.- 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, noon to 9:30 p.m. Sunday.

Dessert: Mallard Ice Cream, 1323 Railroad Ave., 734-3884; hours 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Thursday- Saturday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday- Wednesday.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Downtown Gallery Walk (Friday from 7-10 p.m.)

Children’s Gallery Walk (May 4 from 6-9 p.m.).

Participating businesses invite art lovers to check out work from local and visiting artists. For more information about these and other gallery walks, call 527-8710 or visit www.downtownbellingham.com.

Bellingham Farmers Market’s Very Berry Festival (visit www.bellinghamfarmers.org for the date). Join the farmers market for pie-eating contests and samples selections of the different berries grown in Whatcom County. For more information, contact the Bellingham Farmers Market at 647-2060 or visit the Web site at www.bellinghamfarmers.org.

SHOPPING

Sojourn Jewelry and Clothing, 1317 Railroad Ave., 671- 5704; hours 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday- Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday.

Mi Shoes, 1315 Railroad Ave., 715-2046; hours 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m.- 4 p.m. Sunday.

Mad Hatter Vintage Clothing, 1327 Railroad Ave., 676- 7110; hours 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Sunday.

Le Rendez-Vous Gift Art, 202 E. Holly St. No. 116 (facing Railroad Avenue), 734-0067; hours noon-7 p.m. Monday-Saturday.

Cresswell Boggs cards and gifts, 1300 Railroad Ave., 752- 0522; hours 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday- Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday.

Everyday Music, 115 E. Magnolia St. (at the corner of Railroad Avenue), 676-1404; hours 9 a.m.-midnight daily.

THREE THINGS TO DO

1. Railroad Avenue Historic Walking Tour

Location: Various locations along Railroad Avenue. Pick up tour pamphlet at the Downtown Bellingham Information Station at 1304 Cornwall Ave.

Hours: The Downtown Bellingham Information Station will be unveiled this Friday evening during the gallery walk and will be open until 10 p.m. Regular hours will be 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday, noon-5 p.m. Sunday.

Picture the past while taking this tour. Visit locations on Railroad Avenue that date back to when the street was a mix of railroad switching yards and wholesale warehouses. Highlights include the spot where the world’s largest Christmas tree was erected in 1949, and the site of Bellingham’s first gas station.

2. Bellingham Farmers Market

Location: On the corner of Railroad Avenue and Chestnut Street.

Hours: Every Saturday starting this weekend from 10 a.m.- 3 p.m.

Admission: Free.

Join in as the community comes together to present local food, produce, and arts and crafts. Farmers and craftspeople will display their goods while live performances entertain market-goers. Special events include the kids vending days on the last Saturday of each month, the Very Berry Festival in July and the Salmon and Corn Festival in September.

3. Caffé Adagio Coffeehouse

Location: 1435 Railroad Ave., 671-1198.

Hours: 7 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday- Saturday, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday.

Caffé Adagio’s bright atmosphere splits among three sitting areas: several tables near the counter, a sitting area next to a gas fireplace, and a children’s area with tables near a box of children’s books and toys. The café also boasts wireless Internet, an upright piano and several board games and books. In addition to hot drinks and baked goods, there’s a variety of sandwiches, soups and salads available.

“Day Tripping” seeks to explore areas in Whatcom County that can be covered in an afternoon. If you have an idea for “Day Tripping” contact Lance Henderson at lance.henderson@bellinghamherald.com or call 756-2859. You may also comment on this story by clicking on it at The Bellingha mHer ald.com.