Skagit Valley is known for its April tulip and daffodil festival, and it’s the perfect excuse to plan a trip to Washington State! People travel from all across the country to see the colors in person, and there are so many things to do while you’re here. Whether you want to enjoy scenic outdoor activities, shop at local small businesses, or try incredible food, Washington has it all.

I photograph couples visiting the tulip festival each year. Here you’ll find the local places I recommend to complete their trip, including Mount Vernon, La Conner, Seattle, Bellingham, Mount Baker, The San Juan Islands, Oak Harbor, and the Washington Coast. All of my images here were taken at my favorite field in Mount Vernon, RoozenGaarde!

The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival

Begin your travel plans using the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival’s website. Many fields participate in the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival, such as RoozenGaarde, Tulip Town, Tulip Valley Farms, Skagit Acres, and Rosalyn.

Location & Tickets: Find information here regarding each field‘s address, hours, pricing, and online tickets, as well as a map of locations here. Each field’s tickets are sold separately.

Timing: The beginning of the festival is dependent on nature, and the tulips typically begin blooming at the end of March or early April. If you’re visiting from out of state, mid-April is the safest time to book your trip in advance. Find the current bloom status here, and follow along with each field on social media. Many of the fields post daily photo updates!

Pets: Currently RoozenGaarde allows service animals only. According to their websites, leashed pets are welcome at Tulip Town, Tulip Valley Farms, Skagit Acres, and Rosalyn.

Professional Photography at the Skagit Tulip Festival: Please follow each field’s policies regarding photography and treat their flowers with care so we can all continue to enjoy them.

• RoozenGaarde: allows professional photography without a fee and with a signed release, which can be found here and hand-delivered two doors down from RoozenGaarde at the Washington Bulb Co.
• Tulip Town: allows professional photography with a fee, details found here.
• Tulip Valley Farms: allows professional photography without a fee and also offers reduced-crowd sunrise tickets, details found here.
• Skagit Acres: allows professional photography with a fee, details found here.
  

In Town Near the Skagit Tulip Festival

The tulip fields are located in the farm land between the towns of Mount Vernon and La Conner.

Mount Vernon: If you’re craving an ice cream in the sunshine, drive 10 minutes south of the tulips to Snow Goose Produce (expect a line, bring cash, and be ready for a massive cone!). Or drive 10 minutes east of the tulips back into the town of Mount Vernon. Park in the parking lot along the river, or parallel park in town. It’s a small area, and everything is within walking distance. Calico Cupboard is a popular choice for breakfast, Il Granaio Authentic Italian Restaurant for lunch/dinner, and Pegasus Pie Co for a sweet treat. On a sunny day, pick up a coffee from the Co-op or Ristretto and walk by the river and shops. El Sage is my favorite, featuring many small businesses and locally made gifts. If you’re traveling with children, stop into the toy store Kids Stuff.

La Conner: I recommend staying at the hotels in La Conner, a charming town about 5-10 minutes away from the tulip fields. Enjoy the farm views along the drive, and spend a few hours visiting the shops, restaurants, and sweets. The entire town is along the water, so many of the hotels and restaurants have great views, too! If you eat at COA Mexican Eatery, their green enchiladas are a must!

Seattle

If you’re flying into Seattle and want to visit the city, here are a few popular spots worth visiting:

• The Space Needle and Seattle Center
• Chihuly Garden and Glass Museum
• Pike Place Market, the gum wall, and the ferris wheel
• Gas Works Park

However if you’re not a city person, and you’re coming to Washington for the scenery, I’d recommend choosing the following destinations instead!

Bellingham

Chuckanut Drive: After visiting the tulip festival, take the scenic route north along Chuckanut Drive. Especially beautiful at sunset, you’ll have stunning views of the water and islands. Pull over at the lookouts or visit one of the many beaches! Larrabee State Park has easy parking with a pre-paid Discover Pass, a short trail down to the water, and the option to reserve a camp spot overnight. You’ll find three restaurants on Chuckanut Drive, Chuckanut Manor Seafood & Grill, The Oyster Bar, and Taylor Shellfish Farms. As you keep driving north into Bellingham, stop at the Chuckanut Bay Gallery, a magical little art gallery and gift shop! If you have the time, spend a half day hiking Oyster Dome, or drive the long way around to the Samish Overlook, one of the best views of Skagit County!

The Historic Fairhaven District: Chuckanut Drive will lead you into the historic Fairhaven district of Bellingham. This is the most charming part of Bellingham, great for a solo trip, date night, or an outing with a friend! Enjoy breakfast at Café Blue (I recommend their chai and toasts) or Skylark’s Cafe, lunch/dinner at Mambo Italiano or On Rice Thai Cuisine, and gelato from Sirena Gelato. We love wandering the small shops and Village Books. Treat yourself to non-alcoholic to-go drinks at Bloomhaven Bottleshop or cocktails at Sugar & Co. At sunset, walk or drive to the boardwalk at Boulevard Park. Stay overnight at the lovely Chrysalis Inn & Spa, where you can enjoy a room and dinner with a view of the bay.

Downtown Bellingham: A short walk from Western Washington University‘s campus, downtown Bellingham has grown to be a hub of incredible food! Pel Meni is a Bellingham classic with just two items on the menu, beef or potato dumplings, and it’s great for a quick bite in or to-go. Other longtime popular spots among locals include Avenue Bread, The Bagelry, AB Crepes (try their famous 26-crepe challenge or order our favorite s’more crepe), and Mallard Ice Cream (house-made and known for their inventive flavors). Saltadena Bakery & Cake Shop is my personal favorite spot downtown, and I highly recommend the house-made caramel latte, brownie cookies, cookie sandwiches, Lil’ Scrappy cake cups, and passion fruit macarons. Between meals visit Penny Lane Antique Mall or Brazen, a shop that features many small businesses and locally made items.

Bellingham Waterfront: Continue walking or driving down to the Bellingham waterfront at Waypoint Park, featuring water access, a bike pump track, Cryo Rolls ice cream, and a container village of restaurants in the summer time. Drive a few minutes further and stay at Hotel Bellwether, waking up to views of Bellingham Bay (for an extra special occasion, consider booking their Lighthouse Suite).

Mount Baker: Northeast of Bellingham is Mount Baker, part of the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. My favorite spots spot is Heather Meadows, but be sure to check the snow conditions first, as there will still be quite a bit in April. There’s a paved parking lot and loop that will give you amazing views, and you can pre-order your National Forest parking pass here. We love stopping at the Wake ‘n’ Bakery for coffees and pastries along the way.

San Juan & Island County

Friday Harbor, San Juan Island: If you’re looking to fully experience being on the water, a visit to the San Juan Islands is so special! From Mount Vernon, drive about 20 minutes west to the Anacortes ferry. You’ll have the option to drive on, or pay to park and walk/bike onto the ferry. Give yourself plenty of extra time, especially with a car on the weekends, as the lines get very long. If you’re only stopping at one island, Friday Harbor on San Juan Island has the most things to do, and you can easily have a great visit without a car. Enjoy the views along the ferry ride, spotting the other islands along the way. Once in Friday Harbor, I love to wander the shops, eat at Tenth House or Vinny’s Restaurant, and then get ice cream at Friday Harbor Ice Cream Co while looking out at the marina. Explore further by renting a bike or booking a kayak tour. Rent a car and drive across to Cattle Point Lighthouse or the beautiful gardens of Roche Harbor.

Deception Pass State Park: For stunning views of the water without the ferry ride, visit the Deception Pass Bridge. Located about 20 minutes west of the tulips, this bridge has designated lookouts to pull over and enjoy the sights. After, drive down for some beach time at Deception Pass State Park or Rosario Beach (purchase your State Park parking pass here). If you continue driving through Oak Habor, visit the Blue Fox Drive-in Movie Theater, a favorite of ours that also has go-carts and a small arcade. You can camp there for free after the movies!

Olympic National Forest

The Washington Coast: If you have the time, the Washington Coast is unlike anything else you’ll experience on your trip to Washington. Completely surround yourself in nature with expansive ocean views, forests, and fresh air. Ruby Beach is my personal favorite! Don’t let rain or fog cancel your plans, it’s beautifully worthwhile either way. Bring a good rain jacket, and your hiking or camping gear, and have fun exploring!

Thank you!

I hope you find these recommendations helpful as you continue dreaming about your trip to Washington State! Bookmark this blog to revisit ideas later, and inquire here for couple portraits to remember your travels! I’m a wedding and couple portrait photographer based between Mount Vernon and Bellingham, available to travel throughout Western Washington.