Skagit Valley Tulip Festival

We went in 2021, a day trip from the Seattle area, and enjoyed it very much. We chose one tulip farm rather than going to several - sorry I can't remember which one, but on-line research will tell you what each one has. Review the options and see if the price suits you - it's not cheap but it was a fun one-time outing. During the height of the season, it's crowded, but we expected that and still got the tulip field pictures we wanted. It was muddy, windy, and sunny, so wear boots and layers. The place we went had a gift shop and snacks available, so we had coffee and brought a nice armload of tulips home. You may enjoy staying overnight, finding a local motel and dinner with local flavor, rather than rushing up and back.

Also known to locals as the Skagit Valley Traffic Festival, and for good reason.

Despite that, and all cynicism aside, it's a wonderful place to visit. Time from Olympia to there is going to vary tremendously (just getting through Seattle traffic will take some time if you hit rush hour, which is most of the day now). So allow plenty of time (I live in Seattle and I'd allow 2 hours to get there from my house). But however you manage the timing and the traffic, it's absolutely worth going.

My best tips as a near-local who goes most years:

1. Go on a weekday (it can be absolutely swamped on the weekends).
2. Get up early and be there when they open, or as close to that as you can manage, and crowds won't bother you at all.
3. Wear some boots or other waterproof footwear that you don't mind getting wet and muddy (I have a pair of cheap rubber boots I bought just for visiting the tulips). You can try to stick to the gravel/woodchip paths or the dry spots but it's a wet place overall and there are always extremely moist spots, and without mud boots of some kind you will be limited in where you can go, you'll inevitably be tempted to wander into some wet grass or muddy spots for a perfect photo, then those white sneakers you wore are ruined and your feet are uncomfortably wet for the rest of the day (been there done that). Yes, wear layers too

It's a great event, despite it's entirely understandable popularity. Go and enjoy it, it's one of our local gems that still satisfies and leaves you smiling. You'll come home with your rods and cones throbbing and you'll have vivid dreams that night.

Hi Donna
I have been several times to the tulip festival. It's lovely! As mentioned it is often crowded, muddy, windy and if you're lucky there will be a bit of sun. And.. if it is sunny Mt Baker will be out if you look toward the east. Tulips in the foreground, Mt Baker in the distant background makes a nice photo.

These people have a beautiful display garden. This is last year's posting but I know they will be updating the site for '25 blooming conditions.

https://www.tulips.com/tulip-festival-information

Local here! Going North, Turn off I-5 at Conway, go west on Fir Island Rd which turns into Best Rd. You are now in the West part of the Valley. Going this way saves you the Back-Ups in Mt. Vernon. You will be above the Tulip Fields so you can see a panoramic view East which includes Tulips and Mt Baker. The Tulip fields rotate each year. The weather effects actual bloom dates; warmer, sooner. The start date is April 1st, usually. You should also visit La Conner for lunch and a free MONA Art Museum which features NW Legacy Artists, and cute shops. Go early to the Show Fields on a weekday. The Tulip Show Fields tend to be on the Eastside of the Valley, just follow the signs. Most years there has been a Salmon Dinner in Heritage Park just E of I-5 from S. Mt. Vernon. Check the Tribal Casinos for accommodations. You can reach the Northend of the fields from Hwy 20, west off I-5.

I thought it was worthwhile when we went. We drove up from Oregon and stayed at the La Conner Inn in La Conner WA. It was a lovely place to stay and we enjoyed the Tulip Festival. The only tulip farm we spent any time at was Roozengaarde and it was fantastic, especially if you are a photographer. Their display gardens were extraordinary. We also drove around the area taking photos of the various tulip fields.

Here is an idea to make this a more interesting loop trip. After your time at Mt Vernon, head over to Whidbey Island via the Deception Pass Bridge to Coupeville. Take the ferry to Port Townsend, then drive back down the west side of Hood Canal. Way more scenic and no Seattle/Tacoma traffic.

Staying overnight would be best. But if you are only going for a day, definitely go on a weekday. We were supposed to visit friends on Whidbey on what turned out to be the first sunny weekend of the festival. It was bumper to bumper from the Pierce/ king county line past the Skagit Valley, on to westbound 20 almost all the way to the Anacortes junction. People were trying to head north and double back. We will never go to Whidbey on that weekend again.

Carol has a really good suggestion, and the drive from Port Townsend to Olympia is a favorite of mine; either way, the western route along the canal or the alternate that runs along the Sound from Bremerton to Gig Harbor. But for something special if the weather is good, try to go back into Seattle and get tickets to go to the top of the Columbia Tower. Time this right and you can watch the sundown with having a cocktail.

When you are finished with the spectacular tulips, drive a short distance into La Conner. Lunch or pastries from Calico Cupboard. Shop/browse across the street at the Wood Merchant.

Oh wow, thank you all so much! It looks like one of the first things I need to do is go over to AAA and get some current maps. Been using their paper maps all my life, so the format is quite familiar.

I actually have a Roozengaarde catalog from 2024. Oh, drool! Their display does seem to be the largest.

Maybe I'll have more questions later, but for now, thanks again.

Donna and Denis:

"Oh wow, thank you all so much! It looks like one of the first things I need to do is go over to AAA and get some current maps. Been using their paper maps all my life, so the format is quite familiar. "

Please be aware that all physical AAA locations in WA state are closing permanently this summer. Grab your maps while you can!

-- Mike Beebe

We go almost every year. We avoid the weekends and go early. Easter Sunday is a great day to go if you can as they are open but most people are at home. Definitely wear garden boots for the mud and make sure there is a bit of traction. I have seen many people face plant

AAA no longer has paper maps. I used to order them online. The last time I visited their office, they told me paper was no more. They still have tour books.

I would not count on Easter Sunday being slow...that's when the Extended Families might go!

If you're going on Easter Sunday, you better be there early, right when when they open. Lots of people will be going to church, then will head for the tulips right after (with kids dressed in their fancy outfits for pictures).

FWIW, we have done Easter Sunday a number of times and have not encountered crowds. We thought it would get busier the later in the day it went, but nope, not our experience.

Thanks to Mike for the warning about AAA closures, we did not know. We went to our local office today. Thought a report might help others.

This AAA office seemed to still have a good selection of maps and books. It wasn't busy and I was helped right away, so I didn't get to look around, as Denis was waiting in the car for me and this was one of several errands.

I told the woman I wanted to learn about the I-5 corridor and the tulip festival, but not being familiar with the area, I didn't know what to ask her for. After talking for a bit, I ended up with twenty some maps, including (she made sure I knew) Skagit county. So now I have to sit with comments here and the maps and learn.

Thanks again.