Our first glimpse of the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival fields was on our way to the hotel at the end of our road trip. We turned a corner in the farming area in Mt. Vernon to see a breathtaking field of yellow and red. The pictures just give you a glimpse of the awesomeness of them!
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In 1984, the first official Skagit Valley Tulip Festival was organized, featuring guided tours of the tulip fields and various events to showcase the beauty of the blooms. Since then, the festival has continued to grow, drawing visitors from around the world to experience the spectacle. The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival in Washington is where acres upon acres of tulips paint the landscape in hues of red, yellow, pink, and purple. Planning a trip to the Tulip Festival? Check out some our tips and suggestions below!
The Main Attraction | The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival Farms
While there are plenty of activities to do during the festival, the big draw is to explore the display gardens in the area. There are currently four farms (Roozengaarde, Tulip Town, Garden Rosalyn, and Tulip Valley Farms) you can visit to see the gardens, and they all require you to buy a ticket to visit. Each farm offers its own unique charm and a kaleidoscope of tulip varieties, so try to make time to visit them all!
Split your visit into two days and visit as early in the morning as possible to avoid waiting in long lines. The festival gets over a million visitors a year, so be prepared for long lines during peak weekends.
Roozengaarde
Roozengaarde has over 200 varieties of tulips and 50 acres of display gardens, making it a paradise for tulip enthusiasts. Don’t miss the opportunity to stroll through their stunning gardens and order some bulbs to be delivered to your home. This farm is the biggest of the four, including a large parking lot and a stand where you can order snacks and beverages. They do have a giftshop, but it is not very big, which we were disappointed about.
This farm also has a field around the corner that just has a parking area and tulips. It’s an additional cost per car to get in, but it was one of our favorite stops because there was hardly anyone else there and we got some amazing photos!
Tulip Town
Tulip Town has an 8-acre display garden and over 50 tulip varieties. They also have a fun trolley ride around the fields, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the sea of blooms. There is a great indoor area that includes a cafe, a wine and beer garden, a tulip display, and a couple of areas to buy gifts. A couple of food trucks are also on site. This farm is beautiful, and I loved all of the photo props like arches and frames they had around the farm. My favorite thing was the Experience Pass they offer. It does cost more than a general admission ticket, but it includes:
- A pick-your-own bouquet, where you are allowed to walk in one of the rows and pick the tulips you want.
- A tour of the farm, including behind the scenes areas and information on the process of planting and harvesting tulips.
- The chance to ask any questions you have about tulips. I learned so much about planting them at my own house!
- A general admission ticket. After your tour, you can explore the rest of the farm and take a trolley ride at your leisure.
I highly recommend doing this mini workshop! It was amazing to learn all about tulips and really enhanced the rest of our time there.
Garden Rosalyn
Garden Rosalyn is a newer farm with six acres of a variety of tulips. This farm focuses on beautifully designed displays, and includes a windmill and pond. They have a couple food trucks, and a gift shop coming soon. This garden is on the smaller side, but it’s a nice stop with less visitors.
All farms except for Roozengaarde are dog friendly. Make sure you check out each farm’s website for their current pet policies.
Tulip Valley Farms
Tulip Valley Farms features 30 acres of tulips planted amongst hazelnut trees and grassy rows. This is the only U-Pick tulip farm in the area. The farm encourages you to bring outside food for a picnic amongst the flowers. Tulip Valley Farms has a couple of fancy display gardens, as well as a daily tulip talk with a farmer.
The Best Time to Visit the Tulip Farms
The peak bloom period for tulips in Skagit Valley is usually late March to mid-April, but timing can vary depending on weather conditions. I recommend checking the festival’s website for updated bloom reports to ensure you catch the flowers at their peak. We happened to catch the festival on peak weekend and it was spectacular! There are varieties of tulips that bloom early, mid, and late season, so you should be able see at least some blooms during the festival.
What to Wear to the Tulip Festival
We saw people dressed in everything from beautiful dresses to more practical boots and jeans. The weather can change pretty quickly in Skagit Valley, so being aware of the weather preparing for it is important. You are visiting a working farm, so the pathways can be muddy if it has been raining. If you want to wear fun shoes and a dress, I would recommend taking along a jacket and a change of shoes, just in case. Personally, I opted for layers and some practical shoes because I hate being cold.
I also brought a beanie along and was really glad I did. The beanie made it much more enjoyable to be outside on our windy second day there.
We were also glad to have our sunglasses for that early morning sun, and Randy never travels without sunscreen! Don’t forget your camera either! There were four of us on the trip and it was so fun to see what pictures everyone got afterwards.
What to Expect While You’re at the Festival
Visiting the tulip festival is a feast for the senses. The vibrant colors of the tulips against the backdrop of the mountains create a picturesque scene that’s sure to leave you breathless. Be prepared for crowds, especially on weekends, but don’t let that deter you from experiencing the beauty of the blooms. Ensure you make time for other activities in the area, like visiting Deception Pass, going to the Mt. Vernon Tulip Street Fair, or having afternoon tea at a local tea house.
Where to Stay for Skagit Valley Tulip Festival
We stayed at the Majestic Inn & Spa in the nearby town of Anacortes. This hotel is in the downtown historic area and overlooks the marina. The Majestic Inn was a luxurious retreat after a day of exploring the tulip fields and surrounding areas. From its elegant accommodations to its spa services and fine dining options, it was the perfect home base for our tulip adventure.
We loved this hotel and would stay here again. This is a higher-end hotel with spacious rooms, an awesome rooftop lounge, and a spa! However, I wouldn’t want to eat at the restaurant there every night. It was just okay for the prices they charged, and Anacortes has tons of other great places to eat at.
If you are looking for a little less luxury, you can check out Hampton Inn & Suites in Burlington. They offer free breakfast, an indoor pool, and a hot tub. It’s just a short 15-minute drive to the tulip fields and close to other activities like downtown Mt. Vernon and the Cascade Mall. This is a great homebase to explore the Skagit Valley area.
Other Things to Do in the Area
In addition to the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival, the area has tons of other activities! Here are some of our favorites:
- Go hiking in Deception Pass State Park – This historic bridge and park is just a few minutes outside of Anacortes and is one of my favorite places! We have done a few different hikes here, but my favorite is the Lighthouse Point Loop. It gives you multiple views of the bridge and the ocean, also taking you through parts of the forest.
- Whale watching from Anacortes – This 3-hour tour takes you out toward the San Juan Islands in search of orca, humpback, grey and minke whales. Along the way you might see some other sea creatures like otters and seals, too!
- Take a day trip to San Juan Island – It’s an easy ferry ride from Anacortes to go visit San Juan. Check out our day trip itinerary to make the most of your day there.
- Spend the Day at Washington Park – Walk or drive the loop, stopping along the way to see if you can spot any sea life. You can even bring a picnic lunch and spend the rest of the day on the beach!
- Participate in a local event – Check out the event calendar for Anacortes and Mt. Vernon to see what is going on while you are there. We saw a couple of parades, went to a street fair, and participated in a city-wide treasure hunt, called the Anacortes Nautical Treasure Hunt, where I won a cool piece of art from a local artist!
A visit to the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival is a magical experience that should be on everyone’s bucket list. With its breathtaking beauty, charming farms, and array of activities, it’s an amazing way to celebrate the beginning of spring!
Want help planning your own amazing adventure to Skagit Valley? Contact me to get started!
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