Going to the annual Skagit Valley Tulip Festival is an adventure in color and visual discovery.
From the drive there to your tulip destination, the experience is a delight to your eyes.
I recommend Exit 221 off of I-5 then right on Fir Island Road to gain the full scenic experience.
That way you’ll get a chance to take in the beautiful country, numerous farm animals, fields of snow geese if you’re lucky, lots of interesting shops, art galleries and, of course, the bulb farms and flowers.
A must-stop on the way to tulip country is Snow Goose Produce featuring lots of unique produce, seafood, snacks (like chocolate-covered marshmallows on a stick), garden items, gifts and their famous Lopez Island Creamery gourmet ice cream served in a large waffle cone. They only take cash for this delicious and tasty dessert so make sure you have plenty on hand for your whole family to enjoy some.
I chose RoozenGaarde for my tulip adventure because I heard this was the hub of the tulip festival and the perfect place to fully experience the wonderful world of tulips. RoozenGaarde is one of two tulip show gardens anchoring the festival; the other is Tulip Town.
From the moment you walk into RoozenGaarde, it’s hard not to be overtaken by all the rich and beautifully decorated gardens of tulips everywhere you look.
One thing for sure, going to the tulip festival is a photographer’s paradise. The colors are so bright and vivid that it is easy for anyone to get a great shot. It’s no wonder that I have never seen so many cameras at one event as I did this one.
RoozenGaarde had plenty of food goodies to choose from, including burgers, hot dogs, kettle corn and funnel cakes, as well as my favorite, fudge.
Comfortable walking shoes are a must for your tulip garden viewing. After all, you are visiting a working farm and the dirt around the tulips will likely be soft or muddy. So make sure and leave your heels at home for this outdoor adventure.
Another thing for sure is that the tulip experience at RoozenGaarde is completely family-friendly. There are lots of places to walk, lots of areas to picnic and, of course, lots of gorgeous and colorful gardens and fields of jump-out-at-you tulips to admire together.
Skagit Valley Tulip Festival
WHEN: 9 a.m.-7 p.m. (RoozenGaarde) and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (Tulip Town) daily through April 30
WHERE: Tulip fields are scattered throughout Skagit County; show gardens are at RoozenGaarde, 15867 Beaver Marsh Road, and Tulip Town, 15002 Bradshaw Road, both in Mount Vernon
COST: RoozenGaarde admission is $5, $4 military, children age 10 and younger are free; Tulip Town admission is $5, children age 16 and younger are free
MORE INFO: 360-428-5959 or www.tulipfestival.org
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