Every state has its handful of seasonal traditions, but my goodness have we found more than the average in Washington! Today, we bring you the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival. We happened upon an ad for it somewhere along the way and weren't sure if the drive would bring us to something spectacular or whether it would be a complete letdown.
The answer is that it's a wonder (and quite a production). There's something surreal about rows of candy-colored tulips stretching all the way to the mountains. If you're keen to explore all that this spring beauty has to offer, here are 5 tips for enjoying the Skagit Valley tulip festival without the crowds:
Tip 1: Avoid the official festival dates (or at least the weekends!)
Here's the thing, the tulips bloom on weekdays too. Not only that, they're also blissfully unaware of calendar dates. What does that mean? That they're still gorgeous for a few days (maybe even a few weeks!) after the official festival dates. Why do you care? Because crowds can make or break your entire experience.
Tip 2: Anticipate traffic
There's really only one main road to get to most of the farms that are part of the festival, so if you're approaching from the Seattle area, you'll be making the last leg of the trek with a zillion other people who likely had the same vision of a relaxed stroll through the floral wonderland that is the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival. There was so much traffic on the day we went that one of us (thank you, Keith!) had to stay with the car in an endless line while the other two if walked the last 1.5 miles to Roozengaarde.
Tip 3: Go early
For the best bet, plan to arrive at opening, or even before. In our experience, this is universally true about any crowded place. It's better to miss a little sleep and have a more peaceful experience than to spend double the time in traffic that you spend at your location. The later you go in the day, the longer the traffic will have been piling up. Do yourself a favor, and get an early start.
Tip 4: Bring snacks
If your only option is to go on the weekend, be prepared for festival-length lines for snacks, toilets, etc... along with the possibility that what you've been eyeing will have sold out by the time you get to the front of the line. For this reason, we've found it a best practice to always bring snacks. We even have a bin in the car that we stock with special treats--protein, sweets, even fizzy drinks--if we think it will be an especially long day. When we're tired or grumpy, remembering we have something delicious on hand that doesn't require waiting in a line works wonders for our mental states!
Tip 5: Be photo ready
If you're headed for the tulip festival, chances are good you're going to want to capture the floral wonderland on camera. Be sure you have what you need, whether that's an actual camera or your phone, and be sure it's charged! We also dressed for photos in the flowers, because it's not everyday you end up in fields of flowers as far as the eye can see. Note that you may need to walk a distance though, so comfy shoes are a must.
And finally...Relax and enjoy!
At this point, you may be wondering if it's worth it to visit the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival. The answer is: Yes! Especially if you follow the tips above. If you can manage a visit without the crowds, it will feel like you've fallen into a painting. It really is that extraordinary. If you go, check out the official festival website here. In addition to the main event, there are wineries, farms, a children's museum, breweries, and ice cream shops in the area. Now that you know how to navigate the festival, all that's left to do is embark on a lovely weekend in the Skagit Valley.
Happy journeying!
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