With summer events ramping up along Bellingham's waterfront, Whatcom Transportation Authority is reminding visitors and locals alike that WTA Route 47, the Waterfront Trolley, is a fast and free-flowing alternative to fighting for parking at some of the city's busiest summer destinations. The trolley provides direct access to the Portal Container Village, the Granary Building, and Zuanich Point Park, and serves as a convenient connector for events like the Bellingham Fan Zone this summer.
The Waterfront Trolley has been a Bellingham summer institution for years, offering a scenic ride along the city's revitalized waterfront district. What began as a seasonal connector between downtown and the old Georgia-Pacific mill site has grown into a genuine transit option as the waterfront has transformed into one of the city's most active recreational and cultural zones. The Port of Bellingham has invested heavily in the area over the past decade, and the trolley is one of the most visible ways to experience that transformation.
The Portal Container Village, one of the trolley's stops, has become a summer hub for food, retail, and events. Built from repurposed shipping containers, the development has a distinct industrial-chic aesthetic and has attracted a rotating roster of vendors and pop-up shops. Just down the waterfront, the Granary Building has been converted into an event space and creative hub, hosting everything from art shows to fitness classes to private gatherings with sweeping views of Bellingham Bay.
Zuanich Point Park, at the southern edge of the waterfront area near the Squalicum Harbor, offers green space, boat watching, picnic areas, and some of the best unobstructed views of the San Juan Islands and Vancouver Island on a clear day. It's a natural stopping point for families and a popular spot for evening strolls as the days lengthen into June and July. The park also serves as a staging area for a number of summer events organized by the Port of Bellingham.
The Bellingham Fan Zone, referenced in the WTA tip, is one of several major summer events drawing visitors to the city this season. Waterfront parking during peak event days can be challenging, with limited supply and high demand in a compact area. Taking the trolley eliminates the search entirely and adds a bit of Bellingham character to the outing.
WTA Route 47 operates seasonally. Riders can check current schedules and route information at ridewta.com or through the WTA mobile app. The trolley connects to the broader WTA network, meaning residents from Ferndale, Lynden, and other Whatcom County communities can transfer to a Route 47 trip via Bellingham's main transit center. The system is part of WTA's broader push to give residents car-free options for reaching the city's growing number of waterfront attractions.
For out-of-town visitors, the trolley also represents an easy way to get oriented on a first trip to Bellingham's waterfront. The district has changed dramatically over the past five years, and a trolley ride gives a ground-level view of how the old industrial shoreline has been reinvented as a place for the community to gather, shop, eat, and play.
Whether you're heading to a major summer event or just want to spend an afternoon watching boats in the harbor, Route 47 offers one of the most enjoyable and stress-free ways to access Bellingham's waterfront. With summer just underway, there's plenty of season left to take advantage of it.
