Washington State is the largest tulip producing region in the United States.

The epicenter of production is an area known as the Skagit Valley. Straddling the Skagit River, as it winds from British Columbia south into the Puget Sound, this fertile floodplain consists of 90,000 acres of farmland. All of this made possible thanks to 147 miles of dykes and levees that crisscross the area. Source

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From April 1-30 each year, the valley hosts a tulip festival. This festival brings an estimated 400,000 visitors to the region and boosts the local economy by approximately $65m. Source This year I was one of the 400,000 visitors.

^{Myself and our 11 year old dachshund Kodi. Only one of us was camera ready.}

There are several events the comprise the annual tulip festival. These center around the tulip fields themselves and the small towns of Mt Vernon, Burlington, and La Conner. Over the course of the month, the Skagit Valley communities host a gala, a tulip parade, art shows, salmon bakes and street fairs. However, the festival’s biggest draw is the area’s four open tulip farms.

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The Farms

As I mentioned above, there were four tulip farms open to visitors this year. These included:

• RoozenGaarde
• Garden Roslyn
• Tulip Valley Farms
• Tulip Town

We chose to visit Tulip Town as this was their first year allowing pet dogs to come to the fields! 😍

^{Our 13 year old dachshund Jasper soaking up the sites at his first tulip festival.}

Our visit to the fields was May 6th. Because of a colder than average spring, the tulips bloomed later in the season. So while the Tulip Festival ended April 30, all of the tulip fields are open until May 14. After this date the tulips will be topped, and the fields tilled in preparation for next season.

^{My favorite tulips of the day.}

We purchased “anytime” tickets for Tulip Town at $25 per person. The advantage of these tickets was we could use them any day of the festival without reserving a particular date or timed entry. (A good thing since our visit to the field was delayed due to me catching covid!) The fee also covered parking, a trolley ride around the field and access to a beer/wine garden. Timed entry tickets ranged in price from free (ages 5 and under) to $17 at the gate for adults.

^{Rows and rows of colorful blooms.}

In addition to the trolley rides and beer garden, Tulip Town has several other amenities. These include a gift shop, a cafe and opportunities to buy fresh cut flowers, potted tulips and tulip bulbs. On the day of our visit there was also a food truck selling caramel popcorn and fresh mini doughnuts.

^{Nor sure why there was an Australian flag by a windmill at the festival, but hubby is an Aussie so we had to get a pic.}

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Some More Tulip Photos

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I was really happy we were able to attend this year’s festival. Not only did 2023 mark the 40th anniversary of the event, but it had also marked NINE years since our last visit. Being with my husband and being allowed to bring our pooches was a great way to kick off spring and the “agro-tourism” season.

^{The fam.}

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^{All pictures are my own unless otherwise sourced. Taken May 6, 2023 with an iPhone 13. Several photos also appear on my personal Instagram page.}

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