Skagit Valley
Around Skagit Valley
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Metro area · Washington · 132k people
Skagit Valley
“Tulip Town”
Mount Vernon · Anacortes
Where tulips bloom and tides turn.
Tulip RedSalish Sea Navy
Welcome to the Skagit Valley, where the tulips bloom and the ferries leave for the islands. Whether you're here for the scenery or the seafood, you'll find a friendly community that loves the outdoors.
Clubs for Skagit Valley
No clubs for Skagit Valley yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Skagit Valley. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Skagit Valley. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Deception Pass State Park Iconic bridge and forested trails.
- Cascade Trail Rail-trail for biking and walking through the valley.
- Children's Museum of Skagit County Hands-on exhibits for kids.
- Washington Park Scenic loop drive and trails with views of the strait.
- La Conner Historic town along the Swinomish Channel.
- Padilla Bay Shoreline Trail Easy walk along the estuary with birdwatching.
- Outdoors Hike the trails at Deception Pass State Park
- Outdoors Kayak in Padilla Bay
- With kids Visit the Children's Museum of Skagit County
- With kids Pick berries at a U-pick farm
- Evenings Catch a show at the Lincoln Theatre
- Evenings Enjoy live music at local breweries
- Locals love Coffee stands
- Locals love Farm stands
Through the year
- Skagit Valley Tulip Festival April April
- La Conner Daffodil Festival March March
- Sedro-Woolley Loggerodeo July July
- Anacortes Arts Festival August August
- Skagit County Fair August August
Mild winters with rain and occasional snow, and warm, dry summers. Best time to be out is from late spring to early fall. Best: Late spring to early fall
Talk like a local
- “The Valley”
- Refers to the Skagit Valley
- “The Tulips”
- The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival
- “The Ferry”
- The Anacortes Ferry Terminal
- “The Islands”
- The San Juan Islands
Getaways
- Bellingham College town with a lively waterfront and outdoor access.
- Port Townsend Victorian seaport with galleries and forts.
- Victoria British Columbia's capital, reachable by ferry.
- Seattle Big-city attractions and pro sports.
Local flavour
Rooting for Seattle Seahawks (NFL), Seattle Mariners (MLB), Seattle Sounders FC (MLS), Seattle Kraken (NHL), Seattle Storm (WNBA)
Eat and drink
- Dungeness crab Fresh from local waters
- Fish and chips A staple in Anacortes and La Conner
- Skagit Valley strawberries Sweet and local
- Dutch letters Pastry from the Dutch tulip growers
Where people go
- Tulip farms Fields of color in spring
- Ferry terminals Gateway to the San Juan Islands
- Marinas Fishing and boating hubs
- Farmers markets Local produce and crafts
- Coffee stands Drive-thru espresso culture
- Historic waterfront towns Like La Conner
- Hiking trails In the Cascades
Heritage and traditions
The Skagit Valley is proud of its rich agricultural heritage, from tulips to berries, and its strong sense of community, with a blend of Native American, European, and maritime influences.
This time of year in Skagit Valley
- Harvest festivals Fall (October) Fall (October) brings pumpkin patches and harvest celebrations.
Say it like a local: “the Valley” — the Skagit Valley
Festivals
- Skagit Valley Highland Games July Celebrates Scottish heritage with pipe bands, dancing, and athletics.
- Skagit Eagle Festival January Winter celebration of the bald eagles that gather on the Skagit River.
Landmarks with a story
- Swinomish Indian Tribal Community A federally recognized tribe with a cultural center and casino.
- Anacortes Museum Showcases the maritime and logging history of the area.
- W.T. Preston A sternwheeler that once cleared logs from the Skagit River, now on display.
- Lincoln Theatre A beautifully restored 1926 theater in Mount Vernon.
- Skagit County Courthouse A stately courthouse in Mount Vernon with a distinctive clock tower.
- Historic downtown Mount Vernon Preserved early 20th-century buildings with shops and eateries.
Food traditions
- Skagit Valley potatoes The valley's rich soil produces excellent potatoes, a staple of local cuisine.
- Cedar planked salmon A Native American tradition of cooking salmon on cedar planks, popular at local gatherings.
- Berry pies Made from local strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries in summer.
- Dutch pastries Beyond Dutch letters, locals enjoy almond banket and other Dutch baked goods.
- Clam chowder Creamy chowder made with local clams, a coastal favorite.
Music and arts
- Museum of Northwest Art Located in La Conner, focuses on contemporary art of the Pacific Northwest.
- Anacortes Community Theatre Local theatre group producing plays and musicals.
- Skagit Valley Chorale Community choir performing classical and contemporary works.
- La Conner art galleries A vibrant arts community with many galleries and studios.
A little history
- Pre-1800s Pre-1800s
- Pre-1800s The Skagit, Swinomish, and Samish peoples have lived in the valley for thousands of years.
- 1850s European settlers arrived, establishing farms and logging camps.
- 1891 Anacortes was founded by Amos Bowman, named after his wife Anna Curtis.
- 1870s Mount Vernon was established and became the county seat.
Rivalries
- Mount Vernon Bulldogs vs. Sedro-Woolley Cubs High school football rivalry.
- Anacortes vs. Oak Harbor Cross-island high school sports.
- Game day High school football games on Friday nights
- Game day Fishing derbies on the Skagit River
- Outdoors Clam digging at the tide flats
- Outdoors Crabbing in Puget Sound
- With kids Watch a movie at the historic Lincoln Theatre
- With kids Visit the Skagit River Bald Eagle Interpretive Center
Locals speak with a Pacific Northwest accent, often using 'skookum' to mean good or strong, and referring to the area as 'the Valley'.
Only here
- The Skagit River hosts the largest wintering bald eagle population in the lower 48.
- The Skagit Valley is one of the top tulip bulb producers in the US, second only to Holland.
- The Oyster Run is one of the largest motorcycle gatherings in the Pacific Northwest.
- The region blends Dutch, Scandinavian, and Native American heritage in its festivals and food.
New here? A few tips
- Embrace the rain – it's what makes the valley green.
- Learn to say 'Skagit' as 'SKAJ-it'.
- Don't complain about the smell of manure – it's the smell of agriculture.
- Be prepared for the tulip festival traffic in April – plan alternative routes.
- Take advantage of the ferry to the San Juans – it's a great day trip.
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Part of Seattle area
Nearby
Every areaOak HarborWashingtonIsland calm, Pacific Northwest soulBellinghamWashingtonWhere the mountains meet the sea, and the coffee is always fresh.Port TownsendWashingtonWhere the mountains meet the sea, and history sails on.San Juan IslandsWashingtonWhere the Salish Sea meets the sky.Abbotsford–MissionBritish ColumbiaWhere the Fraser Valley feels like home.VictoriaBritish ColumbiaWhere the ocean whispers and gardens bloom.ChilliwackBritish ColumbiaWhere the mountains meet the fieldsPort AngelesWashingtonWhere rainforest meets the sea
Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.