The places that don't make you apologize for the kids. Restaurants with crayons that aren't an afterthought, parks with shade and bathrooms, the ice-cream stop with the line on a hot Tuesday.
A seasonal concession stand at the park's swim beach — ice cream, freshly made smoothies, and cold drinks. About as close as Lake Whatcom's own shoreline gets to a restaurant.
The lake's main public gathering point, on its north shore — a swim beach with floating docks, a playground, ball fields, basketball and volleyball courts, picnic shelters, and an off-leash dog area alongside the boat launch and rentals.