Nestled between the Cascade Mountains and the blue waters of Puget Sound, the Skagit Valley exemplifies the best aspects of northwestern Washington state: stunning views, amazing outdoor adventures, and memorable local festivals. With historic cities like Mount Vernon, Bellingham, and Anacortes (the gateway to the San Juan Islands), youíll find plenty of fun shops and restaurants to explore. Take a ferry ride to the islands or to Vancouver, B.C. to watch for orca whales and bald eagles. Then pay a visit to dramatic Deception Pass and the ever-popular Washington Park along Rosario Strait.
The Skagit Valley offers unparalleled water sports like kayaking, canoeing, sailing, power boating, fishing, and whale watching. You can go hiking and mountain biking on local trails, do some golfing at one of the many golf courses, or pack a picnic lunch and enjoy a day of bird watching or beach combing on the sand.
In April, don't miss the incredible fields of color during the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival, held in an area that stretches between Mount Vernon, Burlington, Conway , and LaConner (about four miles from Anacortes). Follow the festival map to tour the iris fields, more than a dozen tulip fields, and fourteen daffodil fields. If you like, bring your bike and take the bike path from field to field. See unusual flowers and new tulip colors, take home gardening tips, and get great deals on bulbs and cut flowers.
The Skagit Valley is also home to a number of natural organic farms and vineyards. Youíll find apple orchards, wineries, shellfish farms, and dairy farms. Stop by an Anacortes dairy farm for farmstead cheeses and fresh milk from the creamery or head to Sakuma Brothers to see a family farm that grows fresh berries, vegetables, fruit, and seven varieties of tea leaves. Youíll find organic coffee at Larkspur Farm, taste amazing produce at Hedlin Family Farms, and visit Slough Farms for incredible artisan cheese, chocolates, and wines.
Special events like arts & craft fairs, wine tastings, bulb classes, and guided bike tours take place throughout March and April. You can take a sculpture tour through historic LaConner, see artists giving watercolor demonstrations, or take the kids to see the alpacas as the Alpaca Ranch. The area is filled with u-pick gardens offering great deals, as well as local artists and craftspeople selling their wares.
The Skagit Valley has a number of fascinating museums, from the Skagit County Historical Museum to the Harey Tale ìMuseumî at Bunnies By the Bay, a quaint gift shop for kids and adults. You can stop by the Tulip Office and Museum, see the Childrenís Museum, or shop for tulips, hyacinths, dahlias, and beautiful flower artwork at stands all along the tulip route.
Whether you come for the spring flower festivals, for the summer sunshine, or for the October Festival of Family Farms, youíll find plenty of fun awaiting you in Washingtonís Skagit Valley. With its welcoming atmosphere and deep connection with nature, this area is a true gem.
