Discover Lynden: Trails, Museum, and Raspberry Festival

When looking for a hotel in Lynden, it’s worth first deciding what you want to focus on during your stay: Would you like to explore a citywide trail, experience an old-growth forest, see exhibits, or plan around a festival? The options offer different highlights. The Jim Kaemingk Sr. Trail represents the citywide trail system, while the Lynden Heritage Museum features several galleries and a specific vehicle collection. Berthusen Park, the Jansen Art Center, and events offer other options. This lets you assess Lynden based on specific reasons for your trip before choosing a hotel.

Trails and Nature in Lynden

The Jim Kaemingk Sr. Trail marks the beginning of Lynden’s citywide trail system. Its western extension runs from City Park north of Vander Griend Lumber along Depot Rd. to 8th Street; it was completed on July 18, 2024. At Berthusen Park, an old-growth forest offers opportunities for hiking and educational activities; horseback riding is also possible. If you’re considering trails and nature when planning your trip, the highlights differ: the trail is the beginning of the citywide system, while Berthusen Park brings together old-growth forest, hiking, educational activities, and horseback riding.

Museum and Classes

The Lynden Heritage Museum has three floors and five large galleries. It displays 52 horse-drawn buggies, carriages, carts, and wagons. If you’re choosing a museum based on a specific collection theme, this group of vehicles offers a clear point of interest. The Jansen Art Center offers something different: a variety of classes and workshops for participants with different levels of experience. Individual offerings and dates vary. If you’re more interested in seeing exhibits or considering taking a class, you can compare these different cultural highlights and, if interested, check the Art Center’s current individual offerings.

Apple Distillery and Events

Bellewood Farms operates a true farm-to-glass apple distillery and offers a free tasting room. Every summer, the Northwest Raspberry Festival transforms downtown Lynden into a lively street festival. More than 30,000 visitors gather on Front Street, where local artisans offer handmade goods, alongside numerous snack and food vendors. The festival also includes a 3-on-3 tournament for teams of all ages, held over an entire weekend. If you’re traveling for the Raspberry Festival, check the specific event dates before booking a hotel.

Entries at the Northwest Washington Fair can include works of art and animals as well as LEGO and sewing. This gives it a different focus from the Raspberry Festival’s summer street fair: here, there is a wide range of exhibit categories, while the festival described features crafts, food vendors, and the tournament. This distinction can help you decide whether you’re more interested in a street festival with a variety of offerings or a broad range of possible exhibit topics.

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