Every April, millions of beautiful tulips burst from the ground and bloom in the Skagit Valley. And every year, our fellow Washingtonians remind us incessantly of how crowded the resulting festival becomes. They’re not wrong, but we firmly believe that you should go anyway. Aside from the fact that the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival is one of the most enviable events in the entire country, it also supports the local economy, which is more important than ever. Here’s why you should go to this delightful tulip festival in Washington State.

It all started in 1984 when the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival was officially inaugurated by the Mount Vernon Chamber of Commerce.
Richard Probst / Flickr
The chamber directors noticed that people were already coming by the thousands to look at the beautiful tulip fields, so it seemed like the right thing to do.
Originally, the festival only lasted for one weekend.
Richard Saxon / Flickr
It quickly moved to 10 days, then 17. And now, it lasts for the entire month of April.
Tulips are fairly unpredictable, and local farmers are never quite sure when the flowers will be in full bloom.
GoToVan / Flickr
Mid to late April is often the best time to go, although plenty of people also come in late March to check out the gorgeous daffodils that bloom before.

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There are two main spots for tulip viewing, Roozengaarde in Mount Vernon and Tulip Town, also in Mount Vernon.
Jasperdo / Flickr
Both places are absolutely enchanting in April, and it's highly advised to visit both.
If you're worried about traffic, you can always take the tour by bike or even on foot if you don't mind walking long distances.
paweesit / Flickr
There are also some great guided tours available, and some people choose to charter a private driver. There will be no avoiding the crowds entirely, but if you go on a weekday, you'll have a much better chance of getting some people-free shots.
Aside from the festival itself, you should plan to check out some of the local spots to support small businesses and restaurants.
Curtis Cronn / Flickr
Downtown Mount Vernon is pretty charming, and the nearby La Conner is the perfect place to visit when you're done exploring the tulip fields. They have waterfront restaurants, shops, and a few great hotels and B&Bs if you'd like to make a night of it.
The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival is truly remarkable, and we're lucky to have it here in Washington.
Michelle Lee / Flickr
If you have yet to experience this amazing event, you've still got time—the tulips won't be trimmed until after April 30.

Another beautiful hiking trail to see spring wildflowers is on Dog Mountain overlooking the Columbia River Gorge. Take a quick peek in this video:

Aren’t these photos of this very special tulip festival in Washington State amazing? For more information on navigating your way through the festival, check out the maps on the official Tulip Festival website.

Another wonderful way to enjoy spring flowers is on a wildflower hike on the Naches Peak Loop Trail through Chinook Pass near Enumclaw, WA.

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More to Explore

Spring In Washington State

Chris Muras | March 04, 2024

Where can you go to see spring flowers in Washington?
There are so many wonderful places to see spring flowers when the weather warms up. From local garden centers to any of our woodsy hiking trails or even spring flower festivals. Here are a few places to see spring flowers in Washington that we know you'll love:

  • Tulip field road trip: One of the best places to see spring flowers is on a road trip to visit some of the most beautiful tulip fields in Washington. This pre-panned trip will take you to six gorgeous farms including Maris Farms in Buckley, Knutson Farms in Sumner, and Garden Rosalyn, Roozengaarde, Tulip Town, and the Skagit Tulip Farm in Mount Vernon. This spring flower adventure is best enjoyed when you pack the family into an RV to travel in style while you enjoy the beauty of Washington in the springtime.
  • La Conner Daffodil Festival: One of the first flowers to show their bright and bold colors in the spring is the beautiful daffodil. These bright yellow and white flowers bloom in mid to late March. So, grab a bloom map at the La Conner Visitor Information Center and head out to discover as many as you can. There are three main varieties you'll be able to spot - Flower Carpet, Dutch Master, and Standard Value. While this very special daffodil festival may not be as big as the massive tulip festivals in the Skagit Valley, it is still a delightful place to spend time with gorgeous spring flowers.
  • Bayview Farm and Garden, Whidbey Island, WA: If you want to enjoy a very unique type of spring flower, head to the wonderful Whidbey Island. At the Bayview Farm and Garden, you'll find an enchanting living tunnel of blooming Laburnum trees. This living tunnel is meticulously groomed to create a stunning spring treat that reaches full bloom around mid-to-late May. While you are there, you can stock up on flower baskets and garden supplies to create your own wonderful spring garden creations.

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Featured Addresses
Skagit Valley Tulip Festival, 311 W Kincaid St, Mount Vernon, WA 98273, USA