We were hoping to stay in Bellingham for some hiking at Mount Baker and road cycling in Whatcom and Skagit Counties, but because of a huge cycling event (the RSVP), we couldn't find a room anywhere in town. The Tulip Inn in Mount Vernon provides a great alternative at a good price. We paid less for two nights than we would have paid in Bellingham for one. The room and bathroom were super clean, the bedding was nice and fresh and the bed itself - well, let's say that two nights were enough on that mattress. The breakfast is also basic, but it's improved since the last time we stayed here - good enough to get your carbs and protein for a full day of activity.
There's also a decent pub in town (Skagit River Brewery) with some good brews and your standard pub fare. The Walmart across from the hotel has a surprisingly good selection of wines. If you're into road cycling, there are some nice routes (45K to 75K) that you can do right out the door. The drive to Mount Baker was a little farther than Bellingham would have been, but we did our hike on the way back home across the border.More
- Free Wifi
- Free parking