Skagit Valley Tulip Festival

Coming to the Tulip Festival? Every spring thousands of people flock to Skagit Valley, WA to catch a glimpse of the flower fields in bloom. With these 10 Tips to Visit the Tulips Fields Like a Local you’ll be eating, adventuring and enjoying the local foodie scene in no time!

The flower fields are an amazing sight to see (if you do it right ?). With this locals approved guide you’ll know when to visit, how to get to, what to bring and what else to do when you’re in the area to get the most from your 2018 Tulip Festival experience!

Visit the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival 2018

Why join the hoards of people loading their families up and congregating to the Skagit Valley flower fields? Because they’re stunning! And I fully recommend it. See field after field of beautiful blooms from the comfort of your own car (or bike or bus!) or walk around the fields close up at Roozengaarde or Tulip Town’s display gardens. It’s a (novice- professional) photographer’s dream! And, a great way to view varieties and curate your wish list before placing your bulb order for fall delivery.

But, once you’ve seen the flowers and taken the pictures, what else to do? Eat, drink and enjoy the area! Whether you stick around the valley in Conway, La Conner, Mount Vernon, or Burlington. Or, venture north up to Bow/Edison and Chuckanut Drive you will not be disappointed!

When is the Tulip Festival

The announced dates for the 2018 Tulip Festival are April 1st through 30th. Tulips typically bloom in late March to mid April and last for a few weeks. But, other bulbs extend the beautiful season. Daffodils open first, and after the tulips irises open.

Come for the daffodils or irises to visit the fields when they are less crowded for a relaxed experience and best possibility of beautiful photos. I know what you’re thinking, visit the tulip festival and not see the tulips?? Well, the swaths of various colors that the tulips create are beautiful, but so are the fields of yellow daffodils and irises in various shades of purple and white. Most importantly, with virtually non existent crowds if you time it right you have a good chance of having the flower fields to yourself! I suggest midweek early in the day or late in the afternoon, these post sunrise and pre sunset times are also the best for taking photos, bonus!

Have a great shot of the tulip festival? Submit it for the 2018 Skagit Valley Tulip Festival Photography Contest.

To see what’s in bloom at the tulip festival before you come, check out Roozengarde’s bloom map that shows you which flowers are currently blooming and where. Like what you see? Click the icon to buy that specific bulb directly from Roozengarde.

When is tulip festival? 2018 dates are April 1st- 30th (but check bloom updates on interactive maps below)
How long does the tulip festival last? It officially runs through April, but depends on when the flowers bloom.
What time does it start and end? Tulip Town hours: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm Roozengaarde hours: 9:00 am – 6:00 pm

How to get to the Tulip Festival

Where is the Washington tulip festival and how to get there? About 100 miles north of Seattle, in the Skagit Valley where fertile farmland meets the bay there are fields and fields of flower fields in bloom. Spread out all over the area you can drive many ways to see them and get to the display gardens. Your best bet is to avoid the most heavily travelled route (the one google maps suggests!). Instead take your pick of many side routes and enjoy all that the area has to give – and way less traffic!

You can even view them by bike , bus, or helicopter in a guided tour.

Parking at the Tulip Festival

Park only in designated parking areas. Parking on the side of the road is not permitted but you can pay to park or park for free in Roozengarde fields with your same day display garden admission ticket. Alternately, if you pay to park first, you can get one free admission to the display garden. Unless you are the passenger you will not be able to take pictures unless you park at paid lots.

What to bring:

your camera!
cash for all the fabulous farm and food stands that may not accept debit
a daypack with everything you need to keep your crew fed, hydrated, clean and entertained. A backpack or bag to carry your money and camera and all the snacks, water, camera and wet wipes you’ll need. Plus, you can stash layers in the pack should the sun come out while you’re walking around the flower fields.
layers! With super unpredictable Pacific Northwest spring weather make sure you are dress prepared for anything. Dress in layers with a flannel or other layer, rain coat, hat, sunglasses and rain boots. Also, do yourself and your littles a favor and dress them in a similar fashion. I have learned to also include a change of shoes, pants and socks for the little puddle stompers to prevent the drive-home-meltdown.
patience. With thousands of people flocking to an otherwise sleepy community, congestion and wait times are to be expected. Although my tips will reduce the issues, you should still come expecting traffic and long lines.

What to do at the tulip festival

See field after field of beautiful blooms from the comfort of your own car. Or walk around the fields close up at the display gardens at Roozengaarde or Tulip Town. It’s a photographer’s dream. And, a great way to view varieties and curate your wish list before placing your bulb order for fall delivery.

Roozengaarde / Washington Bulb Company $7.00 adults $6.00 military discount, children 5 and under free. Activities include five acre display garden and gift shop and authentic Dutch windmill. You can place bulb orders at the Bulb Booth and receive a special discount, and if you buy four bunches of tulips you get one free!

Tulip Town $7.00 adults, children 6 and under free. Activities include trolley rides through the flower fields, indoor flower and garden show, art gallery where the 2018 tulip festival poster artist will be signing posters on certain festival dates. Plus see the farming equipment first used in the Skagit Valley to plant and harvest bulbs.

What not to do at the tulip festival

pick the flowers
bring pets to the gardens
bring drones to the gardens
plan to use the display gardens as the backdrop for your professional photo session
walk, or let your children walk, outside the approved paths

What else to do when coming to the area

La Conner:

Eat & Drink

Nell Thorn Beautiful waterfront restaurant with a fresh, daily menu of artisan made, sustainable, farm to table NW fare. Plus craft cocktails, fine wines, & microbrews. Happy Hour Monday in both the bar and patio from 3-9 pm & Tuesday-Friday from 3-6 pm in the bar only. * Try the Steamed Clams appetizer!! Somehow this wine-garlic-butter broth! is better than most! I may have tried to drink up the whole bowl after eating all the clams and sopping it up with their artisan bread at my last visit 🙂
Anelia’s Kitchen and Stage Live music and local Polish NW fare. Happy hour Monday – Friday from 4-6. * Try the Sasquatch Pierogis stuffed with elk, mushrooms, bacon & blue cheese topped with blackberry sauce. Or, the Polish mule with ginger syrup, ginger infused vodka and pickled ginger all made in house!
COA Mexican Eatery Scratch artisan cuisine with flavors straight from the owner’s hometown of Durango, Mexico. $1 tacos on Tuesday and $5 margaritas on Friday. 50% off cash transactions Customer Appreciation Days last Monday of each month. Reservations accepted. *Must Try: Fresh Mango Margaritas, Classic Palomas, Plantain Sopitos, award winning Chile Rellenos, Pollo en Mole or Molcajete.

Conway / Fir Island:

Eat & Drink

Bertelsen Winery tastings Wednesday 2-6, Thursday-Saturday 12-8, Sunday 12-6.
Pasek Cellars tasting room Free wine tastings daily 11:30-5:00. *Must Try: Tulip Red and Cranberry wine
The Conway Muse Open Thursday – Saturday 6-12 with live music nightly. *Must try: NW King Salmon Fish Cakes w/Creamy Lemon Sauce, Elfa’s Icelandic Rye Bread (Rúgbrauð) topped with 3 toppings: Extra Sharp Cheddar Cheese, Pickled Herring and Salami.
Snow Goose Produce Shop for local produce, wine, cheese, seafood, baked goods and more. Daily 8:00 – 6:00. *Must Try: the ginormous ‘immodest’ ice cream cones.

Mount Vernon

Eat & Drink

COA Mexican Eatery Scratch artisan Mexican cuisine with flavors straight from the owner’s hometown of Durango, Mexico. $1 tacos on Tuesday and $5 margaritas on Friday. The last Monday of each month is Customer Appreciation Day, where you can get 50% off if you pay cash(Dine-In only). Kids Menu. Reservations accepted. *Must Try: Fresh Mango Margaritas, Classic Palomas, Plantain Sopitos, award winning Chile Rellenos, Mole Chicken or Molcajete.
Il GranaioAuthentic Italian integrating the flavors of fresh local ingredients and traditional Italian recipes. Four course dinner for $17 daily until 6. Reservations accepted.
Calico Cupboard Fresh baked pastries, breakfast, soups, sandwiches and more. Wine, beer, mimosas, bloody marys and espresso too. Daily 7-5.* Must Try: Migas, Banana Coconut Cakes, and tCoconut Cream Pie (it’s my hands down favorite!)
C*Square and the Third Street Café C*Square – a coffee bar, bakery, ice cream shop and charcuterie. Third Street Cafe is a full-service restaurant and bar that features dishes made from scratch with local ingredients plus a unique wine list.
Valley Shine Boutique distillery and all ages restaurant owned by the grandson of alleged American bootlegger with ties to Al Capone! *Must Try: Ham and Cheddar Biscuit with cured bourbon honey, kurobuta smoked ham, apple slaw, and jalapeno honey or any of the cocktail made with their own spirits
Rachawadee thai Open Monday–Friday: for lunch 11–3 and dinner 5 -8
Tulip Valley Winery Helicopter rides and BBQ all weekend during the festival. Open March 21 – April 30 daily Monday – Thursday 11- 5 and Friday – Sunday 11 – 6 Art Show Friday – Sunday 11 – 6 *Must Try: Tempranillo Rose and English Hard Cider.
Glacier Peak Tasting Room Wine tastings, local cheese and ice cream. Friday – Monday 12-6

Shop

Rexville grocery More than just a corner store with full service restaurant. Daily 7– 7
Skagit’s Own Fish Market fresh seafood market and small bites Monday – Saturday 10:30 – 6 Sunday 11 – 4
Schuh Farms daily 9 am – 6 pm
Rexville Grange Art Show April 6th -15 10 am – 6:00 pm
Spring Garage and Antique Sale April 13th and 14th from 9 am – 4 pm
Tulip Festival Street Fair April 20th-22nd from 10am – 5 pm

Adventure

Bay View State Park
Padilla Bay Reserve At the bay, turn at the interpretive center and follow the drive under the road to the parking lot. You can hike, fly a kite or just wander among the driftwood. Looking out for the herons, eagles, otters and seals that flock to eat the food supported by this 8,000-acre eelgrass meadow. Trails and parking lot are always open. Visitor center hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays. Free.
WSU Discovery Garden Park like garden showcasing plants that do well locally. Free. Open Dawn to Dusk.
Beaks, Noses and Bills 4-H Petting Farm: meet and greet local kids and their pigs, sheep, chickens, rabbits and goats. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. weekends in April. $5 donation. 3391 Avon Allen Road, Mount Vernon. 360-202-5023.

Bow/Edison

Eat & Drink

Tweets Café Friday – Sunday 9-6 Daily menu of delicious crazy huge bakery items and inventive perfectly executed entrees. Relaxed atmosphere. If you arrive and it’s busy, just stay. It’s completely worth the wait. *Must Try: anything sweet bakery item with a perfectly frothed cappuccino and if it’s on the menu, get the the Shrimp and Grits
The Rhodedendron Café and the Farm to Market Bakery Lunch & Dinner Wednesday – Friday 11:30 – 8 Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Saturday & Sunday 10 – 8. Reservations accepted.
The Old Edison Live music Saturdays and Sundays, shuffleboard and a kick ass bar menu. *Must Try: Pan Fried Oyster Dinner,
Mariposa Taqueria Farm to table Mexican inspired food with fresh ingredients and beautiful atmosphere. Friday – Monday 11-5
Bow Edison Upscale NW fare with inventive cocktails and menu items. Closed Tuesdays. Daily happy hour 3-5. Kids Menu. Reservations accepted. *Must Try: Saganaki tequila fired asiago cheese, corn tortillas, apricot compote, pickled onions or the Pork Pasta with polynesian-style braised pork, fettuccine, habanero pesto, and sour cream.

Shop

Slough Food
Breadfarm
Samish Bay Cheese Organic Beef, Pork, Cheese and Yogurt. Farm Stand open year round Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 10-4, Friday, Saturday 10-5, Sunday 11-5 *also sell cheese plates, and other bites plus wine and cider
Bow Hill Blueberries
Northwest Homegrown

Chuckanut Drive

Eat & Drink

Taylor Shellfish Daily year round from 9 – 5
The Oyster Bar Impeccable service and the best view you could ask for. Note: It is their policy not to seat parties with children 9 and younger unless the downstairs dining area is unoccupied.

Adventure

Fresh seafood on the beachside bbqs at Taylor Shellfish’s Samish Bay location

10 Tips to touring the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival Like a Local

Plan your trip for midweek instead of the weekend.
Visit on the off season. Pre-tulips for the daffodils. Or, post-tulips for the irises.
Arrive first thing in the morning before the display gardens open or stick around late evening after they close. Visit around 6:00 – 7:00 pm, and you will not only have the fields to yourself you will also get the chance to shoot photos during the ‘golden hour’ with soft beautiful pre-sunset light.
Take the road less travelled – no matter what day or time you visit, it is best to take oen of the many lesser known routes to the fields rather than relying simply on your google map. If you do, you will be stuck in traffic with the hundreds of other people who took the first route google suggested.
Come prepared with a day pack with the things you need to keep your crew fed, hydrated, clean and entertained like a backpack with water bottle, snacks and wet wipes.
Dress in layers – rain boots, sunglasses, hat, and raincoat plus a few other layers.
Order your bulbs at the display gardens and save!
Find some time for a wine or hard cider tasting.
Pick up some local goodies and have a picnic or beach bbq.
Consider making it a long vacation and enjoying all the area has to offer including live music, theatre and fine dining!

I hope you find these tips useful in planning your culinary adventure to the fertile farmland and abundant coastline of the Skagit River Valley and making the most of your trip to the Tulip Festival! If you have more insider tips to add, leave a comment below! If you found these tips useful, share with your friends on facebook, twitter or pinterest!

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Skagit Valley Tulip Festival