Unless you live in Whatcom County, you might not even be aware that Washington has a darling little town with a huge Dutch population. Lynden is located about 15 miles north of Bellingham near the Canadian border, and it’s absolutely delightful. Since you can see all of its top attractions in just a few hours, it’s a perfect destination for a quick day trip. Come along as we show you our favorite spots in our little slice of heaven that make up this charming Dutch town in Washington.

The town of Lynden dates all the way back to 1874, when it was established by Holden and Phoebe Judson.
Wikipedia
Phoebe, who founded the school that would eventually become Western Washington University, named the town after a poem by Thomas Campbell with the line 'On Linden, when the sun was low, All bloodless lay the untrodden snow...'
Lynden's Dutch roots canbe traced to the early 1900s, when an abundance of immigrants came to the area.
Jimmy Emerson, DVM / Flickr
These days, the Lynden Dutch village pays homage to some of its heritage through Dutch-themed businesses and buildings (and a windmill, of course).
You'll find, like we did, that people in Lynden are very friendly and welcoming.
Lysa Allman-Baldwin/OnlyInYourState
Visitor come from all over Washington State to enjoy the various shops, restaurants, events and festivals hosted in town and around the area.
Despite its small size and squeaky clean image, Lynden is not without its controversies.
Lysa Allman-Baldwin/OnlyInYourState
Lynden has made headlines for its rather old-fashioned law prohibiting drinking alcohol and dancing in the same establishment. Also, in 2005, the infamous Lynden Drug Tunnel was discovered. The tunnel was built by a band of Canadian drug smugglers in the basement of a home near Lynden on the Canadian border.
Luckily, there's no law stopping you from eating authentic Dutch pastries until you're too full to move!
Sandy Weaver / Flickr
A stop at Lynden Dutch Bakery is a must... in fact, it might even be the highlight of your trip!

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This bakery serves traditional Dutch treats, classic pastries, and tasty lunch items.
Lynden Dutch Bakery, 421 Front St, Lynden, WA 98264, USA
Lynden Dutch Bakery Facebook
Their award-winning fresh baked scones are out of this world.
One of the other popular eateries in town is Rustler's Front Street Grill
Rustlers Front Street Grill, 405 Front St, Lynden, WA 98264, USA
Lysa Allman-Baldwin/OnlyInYourState
The serve a wide array of delicious comfort food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
While you're there, check out the Lynden Pioneer Museum to learn more about local history.
Lynden Heritage Museum, 217 Front St, Lynden, WA 98264, USA
Asatkins / TripAdvisor
This Washington museum is well-organized, and there's a lot to learn. Prepare to see more exhibits than you thought possible for such a small town.
If you have little ones, treat them to an afternoon at City Park.
Heidi S / TripAdvisor
This place is also known as Million Smiles Playground Park, and it's easy to see why -- the playground is epic.
If you live within a few hours of this charming town, make it your next day trip destination.
Wikipedia
Some of Washington's small towns are highly underrated, and this happens to be one of them.

Have you ever been to Lynden? f so, what was your favorite part? Would you agree that Lynden is probably the most charming Dutch village in Washington?  We’d love to read about your experience in the comments section below!

Did the bakery catch your eye? Then be sure to read The Beloved Hole-In-The-Wall That Serves The Arguably Best Pie In All Of Washington.

If you’d like to explore hikes around nearby Bellingham, you can find some great trails by going to the AllTrails website.

If you’re still in the mood for more Evergreen State adventures, take a look at this video about the Native American History of Snoqualmie Falls:

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More Washington State Adventures

Lysa Allman-Baldwin | September 27, 2023

Where can we find the best seafood restaurants in Washington State?

  • Bennett's Fish Shack, with locations in Ocean Shores and Westport, is known for its halibut or cod fish & chips, clam chowder and fresh oysters.
  • Castaways Seafood Grille in Long Beach is loved for its delicious seafood as well as its creative cocktails.
  • The Waterfront Cafe in La Conner has been voted "One of the Pacific Northwest's Best."

Read on to learn more about some of the many other amazing seafood restaurants in Washington State.

Are there any celebrities from Washington State?

  • Supermodel, television personality, and wife of John Legend Chrissy Teigen lived in Snohomish as a teenager.
  • Actress and director Hilary Swank  spent her childhood in Bellingham
  • Adam West who played "Batman" in the 1960s television series lived in both Walla Walla and Seattle during his younger years.

Read on to learn more about some of the many other celebrities from Washington State.

Where can we find lakes in Washington State?

  • Baker Lake located in the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest features camping, hiking, boating, fishing, and more.
  • Lake Crescent located in Olympic National Park is a crystal-clear, glacier-carved lake surrounded by beautiful forested area and there is a popular lodge by the same name here.
  • Lunch Lake located in Olympic National Park is a popular stop for hiking, fishing, overnight camping, and other recreational opportunities.

Read on to learn more about some of the many other beautiful lakes in Washington State.

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Lynden, WA 98264, USA