Skagit Valley Tulip Festival (sightseeing )

The flower that gave name to the festival

24th Annual Tulip Festival Street Fair

Kite Event

Daffodil Field

Skagit River

Tulip Field

Tulip Town

The Beautiful Flowers

The Beautiful Mural by local artist Jennifer Bowman

Mt Baker in the background

Deception Pass Bridge

Walk on the beach

The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival is one of those events that you absolutely have to attend, whether you live in this state or visiting it for the first time. I am ashamed to say , that after 10 years I've lived in this state, this is the first time I made it there.This is the kind of beauty that makes our state worth living in.

This is what I call "front country " adventure, when you don't have to travel too far to experience something extraordinary.The trip from Federal Way took me about 1 hour and 20 min, really easy to find it ( just take ex 226 e Kincaid st in Mt Vernon). Turn left and on your right is the visitor' information center where you can pick up maps and get information on events and directions.

I was really disappointed to find out that tulips just started blooming ( I mean that is the tulip festival, right ?). But there was more to see and to do then just the tulips.Our first stop was the Mount Vernon Street Fair. Can't say much about it.Your regular street fair with live music, food, artisans and children's activities.

Then you take HWY 536 to cross the bridge over the Skagit river and just a couple miles away is your first daffodil field.Don't spend too much time here, this is just a preview. Going further on hwy 536 there are more, bigger fields. Roozengaarde is a three acre display garden, surrounded by hundreds of acres of tulip, daffodil and iris.

My next stop was Tulip Town ( turn left on Bradshaw rd ),the only indoor flower and garden show.Here you can pick up official Tulip Festival souvenirs,enjoy the murals by Jennifer Bowman, have breakfast, lunch or dinner at Tulip Cafe or take a trolley ride through the fields.

As for outdoor activities ( if you don't consider kiting an activity), Tulip Country Bike Tours offers guided bike tours with stops at prime viewing gardens and events. Bike,helmet,lunch and garden tour admission included.

Though the main reason was the festival, I didn't stop there. I am one of those travelers who wants to see as much as possible. I went further on HWY 20 to Anacortes. Deception State Park is considered to be the most visited park, featuring the iconic Deception Pass Bridge, a National Historic Landmark. Deception Pass Tours gives visitors a chance to discover the Bridge as they have never seen it ...by water. Park's trails lead to old-growth forest hikes, spectacular San Juan Islands' views, overnight camping and kayaking.

In conclusion, I regret that I had only one day. The Skagit County requires special time to really enjoy it. So, slow down ,take your time and have a great adventure exploring that beautiful area.