The One Spring Festival In Washington That’s Worthy Of Your Bucket List Every Year

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.

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.

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.

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.

There are two main spots for tulip viewing, Roozengaarde in Mount Vernon and Tulip Town, also in Mount Vernon.

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.

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.

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.

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.