As the spring sun begins to thaw the frost of winter, nature awakens in a kaleidoscope of colors, nowhere more splendidly than in the Skagit Valley of Washington state. Each year, the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival transforms this picturesque region into a breathtaking panorama of tulip fields, drawing visitors from far and wide to witness this floral spectacle.
Intrigued by the allure of the tulip farms, I reach out to my longtime friend and Seattle resident, Will Springer, who shares his annual tradition of venturing beyond the city limits to immerse himself in the beauty of the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival.
Talking Tulip Festival With Will Springer
What inspired you to visit the tulip farms in Skagit County?
When not busy helping home buyers and sellers as a Seattle Realtor, I like to treat myself to a daytrip, and seeing the tulips in bloom each April is a must-do event. It’s only about an hour’s drive north of the city, or approximately 60 miles away, via the I-5 freeway (Exits 221-231).
How did you hear about the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival?
It’s difficult to miss the coverage on TV and on the internet. Locals are well aware of the tulip season every April. It’s a rite of spring and the festival attracts people from all over the Pacific Northwest.
What were your first impressions upon arriving at the tulip farms?
My impressions are similar each year that I visit: There is a rush of excitement to see the rows and rows of color and to smell the fresh fragrance in the air. The combination of sights and smells is a beautiful experience, particularly after a typically long, grey winter.
Can you describe the colors and varieties of tulips you saw?
Take a springtime rainbow and splash it across acres of farmland. Then, as a bonus, blend some of those colors into unique rows of mixed tulips. Red, yellow, orange, white – they’re all so vivid at peak bloom. Apeldorm, which is named after a Dutch city, is a striking fire engine red. Another vivid red, Fostery King, features a white base that when the sun shines just right, petals appear to light up. And Big Smile tulips deliver a bright lemon-yellow color that can dominate a room when they are standing proud in your favorite vase.
What activities or attractions did you enjoy most during your visit?
There are four major tulip farms in the Mount Vernon, Skagit County, area, and parking is free. The biggest is RoozenGaarde at 50 acres – which is fantastic and quite popular – but I like to visit Tulip Town, which features a tractor ride around the grounds. That’s fun for people of all ages.
Did you have any favorite photo spots within the tulip fields?
I like how Tulip Town offers a variety of photo opportunities. A red, wood frame stands on the farm with the live tulips as your picture. A swing, benches and low platforms are strategically placed around the grounds for photos with family, friends … and even dogs.
A near life-size windmill, surrounded by dozens of eye-popping tulips and a water feature is another great photo location near the front entrance. A small tulip-focused gallery/museum can be found inside a space that doubles as a food & drink stand and, most importantly, where you can purchase a bunch (or two!) of carefully wrapped full-length tulips at $15 apiece.
How would you describe the overall atmosphere and vibe of the festival?
The vibe is family friendly fun. You see preschoolers bouncing up and down as they explore rows of blooms at their height. Seniors, walking hand in hand, enjoying the breadth of tulips and trying to guess their official names. Single folks taking in the sunshine and soaking up nature’s beauty.
Everyone appears to have left their busy lives behind for this special moment – an hour or two – to simply walk with nature. It’s an uplifting experience and a true sign that spring is here.
Were there any unexpected highlights or surprises during your visit?
The highlight for me was watching the reaction of others. I have visited the flower fields a number of times. You can hear and see those visitors who have never experienced a large tulip farm in person. I watched the eyes of little ones light up. I heard the exclamations of “wow,” “amazing” and “so beautiful” over and over again.
Their reactions validated how I was feeling. It gave me a warm feeling, quite special for a city-dweller like me who rarely comes in contact with farmland.
Did you sample any local foods or products while in Skagit County?
I did not this time. Tulip Town offers a small snack bar and outdoor food vendor on select days.
Looking for a place to eat? The Rex (19271 Best Rd., Mount Vernon) is a local favorite for sandwiches, burgers and desserts. Taylor Shellfish Farms (2182 Chuckanut Dr., Bow, Wash.) offers the freshest oysters in the region. And Snow Goose Produce (15170 Fir Island Rd., Mount Vernon) is a full-fledge farmer’s market with seasonal fruit and veg, baked goods, artisan cheeses and fresh-made ice cream.
Would you recommend visiting the tulip farms to other travelers, and if so, why?
This is one of the must-see and -do events on the April calendar across Cascadia (British Columbia, Washington, Oregon). It is unique to our region, as expert farmers (and Mother Nature) produce the greatest numbers of tulips in the U.S. Skagit County (also known as Skagit Valley) has about 350 total acres of tulip fields (source).
Travelers scheduling an Alaska cruise in April could squeeze in a morning visit on the day their ship departs Seattle late afternoon. Rental cars are available within a mile of the major cruise ports (Piers 66, 90 and 91). Confer with cruise companies, such as Norwegian and Holland America for travel advice.
How was the accessibility and ease of navigating around the tulip farms?
April can be wet and soggy in the PNW. Bring a second pair of shoes, a set that’s particularly good in dirt and mud. Or wear tall rain boots to protect your pants. Have a spare towel or two in the back of the car to wipe off any excess from your shoes.
Fields are not hospitable to people with accessibility concerns. Wheelchairs and walkers are better left in the car, sorry.
Any tips or advice for those planning a trip to the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival?
Don’t select any day of the week or specific date. Plan your trip around the weather. Wait for a nice, sunny day without morning fog. Set your alarm early. Hit the road by 8:45am from Seattle in time for the 10am weekday opening of Tulip Town. Weekends are far busier. (Times vary on weekends and at the other farms).
You will get to see the tulips – perhaps some glistening with morning dew on their petals – at the quietest time of the day. It’s mostly peaceful and pleasant – and you will avoid the long lines of cars that tend to come when the sun has warmed the air around noon, when early tulip visitors are already enjoying lunch.
How did the experience of seeing the tulip fields in person compare to seeing photos or videos?
Visually, cameras capture the beauty quite well. The shots of colorful rows from cameras attached to drones or from private planes higher up are amazing. (Guests are not permitted to shoot video with a drone without permission of the farming business.)
What technology has yet to deliver, of course, is the ability to capture the fragrant smells or the sounds of joy from visitors. The in-person experience is one-of-a-kind.
Skagit Valley Tulip Festival Resources
Tulip Gardens
