Discover Blaine: Border History and Coast

The following highlights offer a practical basis for planning your trip around the experiences you want.

Border history as a reason to visit

Peace Arch Historical State Park is located on the border between the United States and Canada. This location makes the international border an immediate focus of the park. Its historical highlights also include the 67-foot-tall Peace Arch monument. It commemorates the 100th anniversary of the treaties that followed the War of 1812 with Great Britain. Here, you encounter two distinct aspects of history: the location on the international border and the remembrance of an earlier conflict and the treaties that followed. If you enjoy putting historical connections into context while traveling, you might also choose Blaine for its border history.

Bays and trails in Marine Park

Walking trails and views are the focus at Marine Park. From the trails, you can look out over Boundary Bay and Semiahmoo Bay. The park also has an outdoor amphitheater with benches. This offers a different emphasis from Peace Arch: here, the two bays and the walk take center stage, while the amphitheater and benches add another dimension to the park. If you are weighing cultural and historical themes against a visit focused on the water, the trails and views can be your main attraction.

Semiahmoo Spit: Nature and fishing history

Nature and fishing history come together as themes for a visit to Semiahmoo Spit. The spit is a birdwatching destination in winter and during the fall and spring migrations. The Alaska Packers Association Museum is housed in an original cannery building on Semiahmoo Spit. It displays artifacts from the cannery that tell the story of fishing and food canning. This lets you experience a seasonal nature attraction while also exploring maritime working history through exhibits. The museum adds a cultural and historical perspective to the natural setting.

Paddling and boating

For an active option on the water, consider Dakota Creek Kayak Launch Park. Public parking is directly across from the access path. At high tide, kayaks can be launched directly into Dakota Creek or from a mud-and-sand beach. When planning, both access to the launch point and launch conditions are relevant. The historic Plover Passenger Ferry offers another way to enjoy the water. Seasonally, it offers a scenic boat ride around Drayton Harbor and Semiahmoo Bay from Gate 2 at Blaine Harbor Marina. The MV Plover was built in 1944 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The ferry operates seasonally; its operating details may change. Check the sailing schedule before your trip.

Coordinate your travel dates and hotel search

Conditions for the different water and nature experiences vary: high tide is necessary to launch a kayak directly into the creek, the ferry is seasonal, and birdwatching is a focus in winter and during the fall and spring migrations. If you plan to include one or more of these experiences, choose your travel dates around the activity that interests you and check the relevant sailing schedule. When looking for a hotel in Blaine, it helps to consider which experience you want to shape your stay.

Discover more destinations: Glacier, Deming, Ferndale, Lynden, Bellingham, Maple Falls

For the regional travel overview: Whatcom.