Going Dutch in Lynden Washington

We love visiting the wonderful themed towns throughout Washington. You’ve heard of Leavenworth and Poulsbo, but have you heard of Lynden? It’s Dutch and it’s perfect for a weekend getaway.

Thatched Roof house in Lynden Washington

Located in Northern Washington, only 5 miles from the Canadian border and 15 miles from Bellingham, Lynden was settled by Dutch immigrants in the 1880’s. As the story goes (according to the wonderful clerk at Village Books) a large group of Dutch immigrants originally planned to settle in Canada. Upon arrival terms had changed and they were unable to afford the land they had their heart set on. The search continued and they couldn’t believe their luck when they stumbled into the old growth forests and wide open pastures of Lynden.

Right away you’ll notice the enormous windmills that dot the town, bicycle friendly streets and friendly locals. The downtown core is welcoming and hosts the oldest bakery in Washington! That’s right, the Lynden Dutch Bakery is 109 years old and founded in 1907.

We stayed at the Inn at Lynden, which was formerly a mercantile building and is now a beautifully preserved space for a bakery, bookstore, clothing store, brewery and Inn. Our room was impeccably clean and over the top charming with its original beamwork, wooden ceilings and luxury bed. The lobby is warm and inviting with an oversized fireplace and plenty of space to play board games.

Our favorite Inn at Lynden amenity was the bicycles! Guests are welcome to use a selection of house bicycles for free. We grabbed sandwiches from the onsite bakery (Avenue Bread) and beer from the onsite brewery (Overflow Taps), on our way out the door and peddled our way through town.

Free bike usage for guests at the Inn at Lynden

In keeping with the Dutch theme, Lynden is bicycle friendly. In fact, it’s the preferred mode of transport. We enjoyed the wide Jim Kaemingk Sr. Bike Path, which meanders through a lovely park alongside a creek that runs through town. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for the thatched roof house along your route!

Downtown Lynden has cute shops and fun markets throughout the year. Check out the event calendar here.

Another highlight of our trip was Berthusen Park. Only 3 miles from Lynden, Berthusen is a former 236 acre homestead. We marveled at the incredible old growth forest and felt like we were walking through time. We spotted owls, eagles, ravens, robins and a woodpecker.

If you’re looking for a themed weekend getaway, and the crowds in Leavenworth or Poulsbo don’t sound appealing, Lynden is your place.