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Every April the flat farmland around Mount Vernon explodes into stripes of red, yellow and purple, and hundreds of thousands of visitors come to see the tulip fields of the Skagit Valley. The town itself, the county seat of Skagit County, sits on a bend of the Skagit River halfway between Seattle and the Canadian border.
Mount Vernon began as a farming and logging settlement in the 1870s after settlers cleared a huge logjam that had blocked the river. Its compact downtown keeps brick storefronts, the 1926 Lincoln Theatre and a riverside walkway built into the flood wall that now protects the historic core from Skagit floods.
Beyond tulip season, Little Mountain Park offers wide views over the valley, the food co-op and brewpubs showcase local farm produce, and winter brings huge flocks of snow geese and trumpeter swans to the nearby fields. La Conner, the San Juan Islands ferries at Anacortes and the North Cascades are all within easy reach.
A month-long celebration through April when the farms around Mount Vernon bloom in vast stripes of color. Bloom timing depends on the weather, so check the festival's daily field map before driving out. Weekday mornings are calmer, and boots help on muddy field paths.
The show garden of the Washington Bulb Company, the largest tulip grower in the region, with landscaped beds, a windmill and acres of fields beyond. Hundreds of varieties are planted for spring, and a shop sells bulbs to take home. Admission is charged during the festival; buy timed tickets online.
A family-run tulip farm with rows of blooms, a display garden, a windmill and an indoor area with food and art during the spring season. You can cut your own tulips in some fields. Tickets are sold online in advance, and sunrise or evening sessions give the best light for photos.
A forested hill on the south edge of town with a road and trails to the summit, where an observation area looks over the Skagit flats, the river delta, the San Juan Islands and, on clear days, Mount Baker. The surrounding woodland holds miles of hiking and mountain biking trails. Mornings are clearest.
A restored 1926 theater on First Street that still has its original Wurlitzer pipe organ, played before some screenings. The nonprofit program mixes independent films, live music, comedy and community shows. Check the calendar online and grab dinner downtown beforehand.
A walkway along the Skagit River beside downtown, built together with the flood protection project that shields the historic district from high water. Benches, plantings and river views make it a pleasant loop between shops and cafes. Watch for eagles over the water in winter.
A downtown cooperative grocery with a busy deli counter where you can pick up soups, salads and sandwiches made with produce from Skagit farms. It is a handy stop for a picnic before heading out to the fields. Shelves of regional cheeses, wines and baked goods make good gifts too.
A downtown brewpub serving its own ales and lagers along with pizza, burgers and hearty pub food. It is a popular gathering spot after a day in the tulip fields. Seasonal beers rotate often, and families are welcome in the dining area.
A protected bay west of Mount Vernon with the Breazeale Interpretive Center, aquariums of local sea life, and a flat shoreline trail along the dike. Huge eelgrass meadows feed birds and fish here. Entry is free; bring binoculars for herons, eagles and winter waterfowl.
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Washington, United States
Washington, United States
Washington, United States
Washington, United States
Washington, United States
Washington, United States
Washington, United States
Washington, United States
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Photo: Joe Mabel, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Joe Mabel, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
