In Skagit Valley, March showers bring a stunning carpet of April flowers. We are, of course, referring to the beloved Skagit Valley Tulip Festival, which runs throughout the month of April. As the largest tulip festival in North America (and the only tulip festival in Washington state), it’s no surprise that visitors from all over the Pacific Northwest flock to Mount Vernon to see the beautiful blooms in person each year.
Just over an hour’s drive from Seattle, it’s a popular spring day trip to head to Tulip Festival to spend hours wandering through the acres of tulips. But Skagit Valley has far more to offer than flowers, making it the perfect place for a weekend getaway or a midweek break. Come for the tulips and stay for all the fun that surrounds them — from water sports to incredible food to an amazing art scene, there’s something to suit every taste in Skagit Valley’s local communities.
Outdoor fun
After a gloomy Washington winter, there’s nothing better than getting outside in springtime to enjoy all the natural beauty our state has to offer. Katie Hayton, owner of La Conner Inn, frequently recommends that guests take advantage of PNW Exploration to rent an e-bike and explore areas like Padilla Bay.
“Padilla Bay is technically an estuary, and there’s the Padilla Bay Observatory where they do daily programs,” Hayton says. “There’s almost five miles of walkway that’s kept up, with benches, so you’ll see people walking or running, and artists out there working. It’s just a really awesome place where people can go and experience nature.” After exploring Padilla Bay, Hayton recommends visiting the nearby Tommy Thompson Trail, a railway trestle that goes across the water and takes you into downtown Anacortes.
If you’ve been clamoring to get back out onto the water, Anacortes offers a variety of activities like Anacortes Kayak Tours and Island Adventures Whale Watching. Go from water to wilderness and take advantage of the amazing hikes in Skagit Valley. Hike Cascades is an excellent way to explore the North Cascades; guided day tours and longer backpacking trips are available. Deception Pass State Park also has a variety of hikes and trails, and Skagit Guided Adventures offers hiking eco-tours.
Food
An excellent way to experience the best of Skagit Valley’s culinary scene is by taking a self-guided journey on the Skagit Food Trail. The trail includes local gardens, family-owned farms, markets, bakeries, artisanal producers, and farm stays — so be sure to arrive hungry!
For restaurants, Hayton recommends The Oyster and Thistle Restaurant and Pub in La Conner, where the seafood is a standout. “The restaurant has been around for a long time, but the new chef is infusing his own vibe into it and they’re doing new and exciting things there,” says Hayton. She also recommends the Mexican restaurant COA in Mount Vernon, which is authentic but modern, and Calico Cupboard, a bakery that’s open for lunch and dinner with locations in La Conner, Anacortes and Mount Vernon.
The community of Burlington is also home to top-notch restaurants such as Tacos Tecalitlan (widely considered the best tacos in the state) and Sakura Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi Bar. The Fairhaven is an affordable and delicious option for sandwiches, and Taste of Thai by Wipa is another crowd pleaser with plenty of vegetarian and vegan options.
Shopping
Skagit Valley is full of independent shops with a wide variety of unique options, making it the ideal place to find a souvenir (or five!) you’ll keep forever. Hayton recommends Go Outside, which is located in downtown La Conner. “It’s home meets garden meets European treasures,” she says, noting that you’ll find brands you wouldn’t normally know. The antique store Restless and Refurbished has quickly become popular in the downtown area thanks to its extremely well-curated selection, which includes many imported European pieces.
Head to Burlington to shop at local gems such as Stowes Shoes & Clothing, which has been a Skagit Valley staple since 1940; Wild Valley Apothecary, which features the work of local artisans; and Adora Consignment, where you can find trendy pieces with a low price tag.
Sedro-Woolley also has a great shopping scene in its downtown. “There’s a lot of history there, too,” says Hayton. “It was on the map as a logging town and they still play up that aesthetic in the branding, but it’s also becoming very cool.”
Art
The Museum of Northwest Art is not to be missed during a getaway to Skagit Valley. Located in La Conner, the museum specializes in art created in the Pacific Northwest. “It has rotating exhibits so that’s always exciting,” says Hayton. “You could go to that museum a few times in one year and find something totally different [each time].” And don’t sleep on the Pacific Northwest Quilt & Fiber Arts Museum, which Hayton notes is an underrated gem in town. This museum is especially unique because there are very few quilt museums nationwide.
If you love to discover new, up-and-coming artists, the community of Bow is known for its galleries. You’ll find art of all different disciplines, from oil paintings to sculptures to metalwork. In particular, be sure to visit Canopy Art & Iron, Robert E. Gigliotti Studio, Smith and Vallee Gallery, and i.e. Gallery to experience the breadth of local art in Skagit Valley. You may even get a glimpse of an artist in action as they create their next masterpiece.
Discover the magic of Skagit, beautifully situated between Seattle to the south, Vancouver, B.C. to the north, the San Juan Islands to the west, and the North Cascades National Park to the east. Plan your next adventure at visitskagitvalley.com!