The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival offers a vast array of gardens, events and iconic Pacific Northwest sights.
This is a sample of what we’d suggest as a typical tour. This itinerary is a busy 1-day visit, but you can easily make it a 2-day visit by alternating venues.
Your group feels less rushed with a 2-day visit, allowing more time at the four gardens and countywide events.
Please contact Nicole Roozen, executive director of the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival, for additional help. You can also call festival headquarters at 360-428-5959.
Secure garden tickets early to start your 1-day itinerary, and plan your trip now.
10 a.m.: Arrive in Skagit County
Begin your morning on the valley’s scenic side.
Visit Taylor Shellfish Farms. Nestled against the water, learn how farmers harvest world-class oysters and Manila clams directly from the Samish Bay.
Find Taylor Shellfish Farms at 2182 Chuckanut Drive, Bow, Washington 98232. Call 360-766-6002 for more information.
If you’re arriving on a weekend, visit the Beaks, Noses & Bills 4-H Petting Farm, run by our local 4-H Club. You can see rabbits, baby chicks, goat kids, lambs and more adorable critters.
Find Beaks, Noses & Bills Petting Farm at 18700 Main Street, Conway, Washington 98274. Call 360-202-5023 for details.
They’re also open at Tulip Valley Farms during the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival.
Estimated time at attraction: 1 hour
Staying longer? See our essential 3-day Skagit Valley Tulip Festival Itinerary.
11 a.m.: The First Bloom Experience
Head toward the heart of the tulip fields after departing Taylor Shellfish Farms or Beaks, Noses & Bills. Travel time is around 20–25 minutes.
Arrive at RoozenGaarde. It features a stunning 5-acre display garden surrounded by over 50 acres of blooming fields, plus food, beverages and a gift shop.
Please call ahead with your reservations so they know you’re coming.
Find RoozenGaarde at 15867 Beaver Marsh Road, Mount Vernon, Washington 98273. Give the garden a call at 360-424-8531.
Festival hours run Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Alternatively, head to Garden Rosalyn. It’s a 7-acre site boasting delightful designs and a resident flock of ducks and geese. You’ll find lots of parking, food trucks and picnic tables; leashed pets are welcome.
Find Garden Rosalyn at 16648 Jungquist Road, Mount Vernon, Washington 98273. Call the proprietors at 360-202-7982.
Festival hours are Monday through Sunday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Estimated time at the garden: 1.5 hours
Navigate your way with our guide to the Skagit County area.
1 p.m.: The Kiwanis Salmon Barbecue
It’s time to eat: Board the bus or hop in the car and head to Hillcrest Park in Mount Vernon. Travel time is about 15 minutes.
Head to the Kiwanis Salmon Barbecue, inside the historic Hillcrest Lodge, for a delicious meal. Your plate may include alder-grilled salmon with baked potato, coleslaw, garlic bread, beverages and ice cream.
Find Kiwanis Salmon Barbecue at 1717 South 13th Street, Mount Vernon, Washington 98274. Call 360-708-5550 for more information.
Typical hours are Friday, Saturday and Sunday from April 4 to May 3, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Note hours may change in 2026 due to an early tulip bloom.)
Pro tip. The Kiwanians will have your meal waiting for your group (15 or more people) if you make reservations.
Estimated time at the barbecue: 1 hour
Explore the events calendar to find more Skagit County celebrations.
2 p.m.: Afternoon Art, Wine or Play
Your afternoon itinerary possibilities are endless. After lunch, we suggest taking an hour to explore the valley’s cultural side: Travel time is about 15–20 minutes.
- Art shows. Visit Art in a Pickle Barn or the Tulip Festival Art Exhibits. Many art shows happen during the season; keep an eye out for the official tulip festival poster.
- Wine and beer tastings. Enjoy a sip at District Brewing, Skagit Crest Vineyard & Winery or Terramar Brewstillery.
- Gaming. If you’re looking for a change of pace, visit the Swinomish Casino & Lodge or the Skagit Casino Resort.
Estimated time at afternoon attractions: 1 hour.
Use our interactive map and brochure to find your way around Skagit Valley.
3:30 p.m.: The Afternoon Grand Finale
Finish your tour by visiting our other major garden hub on Bradshaw Road. This is a lovely chance to soak in the afternoon beauty of the blooms.
Tulip Town has an indoor barn area, complete with retail shops, food service and hand-painted murals. The garden has dozens of tulip varieties in a 6-acre field full of photo ops. Make sure to visit its beer and wine garden for refreshments!
You can either walk through the acres of blooming tulips or take a trolley ride out in the fields (weather-dependent). Well-behaved, leashed dogs are welcome.
Find Tulip Town at 15002 Bradshaw Road, Mount Vernon, Washington 98273. Give the owners a call at 360-424-8152.
Festival hours are Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Friday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
You can also swing by Tulip Valley Farms. It has 15 acres of bulbs planted between grassy rows, designed for lots of strolling among its myriad tulip varieties. On-site food trucks, a gift shop and an exclusive Night Bloom event await; pet passes are available.
Find Tulip Valley Farms at 15245 Bradshaw Road, Mount Vernon, Washington 98273. Call the garden operators at 360-399-6462.
Festival hours run Monday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturdays in April, 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. (Night Bloom).
Estimated time at the garden: 1.5 hours.
5:30 p.m.: The Scenic Drive Home
Before you leave, drive past the hundreds of acres of RoozenGaarde crop fields. These are the massive ribbons of color that stretch toward the horizon.
Ask your passenger to be ready with the camera! The view of the North Cascades behind the acres of tulips is the ultimate Skagit photo op.
Remember to stay on the road shoulders and respect all “no parking” signs to keep our farming community safe. Many more scenic drives stretch across Skagit County.
Plan Your Stay: Where To Eat and Where To Stay
Eating and drinking are key parts of your Skagit Valley itinerary, and you may just decide to stay in the area overnight.
We have recommendations, and these are by no means comprehensive lists. Skagit Valley is full of wonderful places to eat and drink and places to stay.
Where To Eat: Recommended Restaurants
Most Skagit County restaurants can handle medium to small groups. Just call them, especially for reservations:
- Calico Cupboard Cafe and Brewery
- English Tea at Willowbrook Manor
- La Conner Pub & Eatery
- Nell Thorn Waterfront Bistro & Bar
- Shawn O’Donnell’s at the Farmhouse
Check out our foodie’s itinerary for the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival.
Where To Stay: Recommended Lodging
You’ll find perfect places to stay in Skagit Valley, whether you’re aiming for high-end hotels or rustic RV parks. We recommend booking your spot as soon as possible:
- Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott
- Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton
- Hotel Bellwether in Bellingham Bay
- Majestic Inn & Spa
- Town & Country Motorcoach & RV Resort
Explore our insider’s guide on where to stay in Skagit Valley.
Purchase Garden Tickets
Buy tulip garden tickets soon to get the most out of your Skagit Valley Tulip Festival visit. You’ll be able to skip longer lines and immerse yourself in the blooms faster.
Whether you stay for a single day or several, we’re glad to welcome you to Magic Skagit.
Sign up for our newsletter to get guides, resources and travel tips right in your inbox.
