What to See at the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival (2024 Update!)
Last Updated on April 17, 2024 by Kelly
Did you know that Washington State has the largest number of tulip fields in North America? The tulips in the Skagit Valley rival those of Holland’s famous fields! Every year, over one million visitors from across the world travel to see the tulips in Washington as part of the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival. This year, the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival runs from April 1-30th, 2024. We’ve visited the tulip fields many times over the years, and it’s one of our favorite things to do each spring. In this post, we’re sharing our best tips for enjoying the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival!
From the Author: In my opinion, RoozenGaarde is the best place to see the tulips if you only have time to visit one farm. It’s the largest of the 4 farms and has the most attractions.
Important Visiting Information
- Festival Dates: April 1-30th, 2024
- Festival Website: https://tulipfestival.org/
- Map: https://tulipfestival.org/map/
- 4 Possible Farms to Visit: RoozenGaarde, Tulip Town, Garden Roslyn, Tulip Valley Farms
- Ticket Purchases: Purchase tickets for each specific farm you want to visit. We recommend purchasing tickets online in advance of your visit when possible. Some of the farms have timed ticket entry. Please see each individual farm’s website below for details.
- This year there is now a digital passport that will give you updates on all festival events and offerings. The passport does not require downloading an app. You can find it at the Tulip Festival’s home page (linked above). When I registered, I received a text message that linked directly to the passport. The passport will allow you to earn points on experiences that can be used toward prizes and giveaways.
The location of the specific tulip fields vary year-to-year at each participating farm due to crop rotation, so be sure to check out the bloom map linke above for the latest field information. For this reason, you’ll also never visit the same festival twice!
See the festival website for updates regarding peak season. If you arrive too late in the season, the tulips will have been topped (cut) for distribution. Also see the festival website for a list of scheduled events.
TIP: One thing that we really like to do with kids is visit Tulip Valley Farms and purchase a u-pick bouquet. I think it’s so fun to let kids actually get to pick the flowers, and they can admire their “work” for several days at home!
The weather can be quite variable in the spring, so you’ll want to be prepared for rain or shine! We’ve seen all types of weather during our previous visits to the tulip festival. In 2021, it was super hot the day we visited and we had to make sure to bring sunscreen. In 2019, there was a lot of rain the day we visited and the fields were muddy. If possible, you can schedule your visit around the weather. However, since many farms recommend purchasing tickets in advance, you probably won’t know what type of weather to expect for certain. You’ll just need to go with the flow!
FUN FACT: Despite the tulip’s central role in Washington’s agriculture, it’s not the official state flower. The official state flower of Washington is the Pacific Rhododendron, which is native to Washington.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I may earn commissions from qualifying purchases.
TIP: Even if it’s not raining during your visit, it’s possible that the fields could be muddy from previous rain. (Wear appropriate shoes!) We saw a lot of people wearing heels or nice shoes to pose for photos, but that could be a disaster with a lot of mud. If you want to bring nice shoes for a few staged photos, bring them in a bag so you can wear them briefly, and then you can change into some rain boots. I’ve linked my favorite rain boots here! I’ve owned them for over a year and they’ve held up great and they are super easy to clean.
Overview of the Farms
There are four primary growers for the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival. The two most popular farms are RoozenGaarde and Tulip Town. You can also visit Tulip Valley Farms and Garden Rosalyn.
It’s definitely do-able to visit multiple farms in the same day. I’ve visited RoozenGaarde and TulipTown in the same day. If you have time, we recommend that you see both farms to make the most of your day. It can be a bit hectic with traffic and parking, but it’s worth it!
1. RoozenGaarde
RoozenGaarde has over 1,200 acres of fields of tulips, daffodils, and irises, which makes it the largest in the world. The 3-acre show garden itself contains 300,000 bulbs! There’s a windmill here and views of the mountains.
The farm’s founder, William Roozen, arrived to the United States from Holland in 1947. His family had been growing tulips for years. (At least since the 1700s, so he had plenty of experience!) RoozenGaarde is now the largest tulip-bulb grower in the United States. RoozenGaarde sells over 70 million freshly-cut flowers every year.
RoozenGaarde is our favorite farm because it is the largest! Each field has a distinct tulip color, and the show garden at the entrance showcases a stunning variety of tulips in one place. Because it’s the largest, it’s also the most popular. Expect lots of crowds. You’re not allowed to walk through the tulip rows, so keep that in mind. Instead, we stayed on the path and took photos in front of the fields.
This farm does not allow dogs.
2. Tulip Town
Tulip Town has 5 acres of colorful tulip fields. They have both indoor and outdoor flower displays, as well as a windmill. They offer trolley rides through the fields (dependent on the weather), which children will especially enjoy.
Tulip Town also has the best food selection (in our opinion). Their barn is filled with all sorts of food vendors. Finally, adults will enjoy the beer and wine garden!
Tulip Town also now allows dogs to visit.
3. Garden Rosalyn
Garden Rosalyn opened in 2022 and has 6 acres of tulip fields. This farm is also home to some waterfowl, as there is a small man-made lake on the property. There’s also a pretty windmill that’s a good backdrop for photos. The tulips are clustered in designs here instead of in rows.
I think this is a great farm to visit if you want to avoid crowds. It’s a smaller farm and tends to be a little under-the-radar in my opinion. This farm has also opened before the other farms, so it’s possible to beat the rush and get a head start on viewing the tulips.
This farm allows leashed dogs to visit, as long as they are well-behaved. Dogs can visit for free!
4. Tulip Valley Farm
Tulip Valley Farm is the newest tulip grower to participate in the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival. They opened in 2023 and have 12 acres of tulip blooms. This farm has over 10 miles of “tulip trails” to explore. There’s also food trucks and a beer/wine/cider garden.
This is the only farm that allows U-Pick tulips for purchase. You can see farm animals here and there’s a lookout tower and lawn games. This farm had some good photo ops as well, such as an I <3 TULIPS! sign.
Dogs are allowed at this farm with the purchase of an affordable pet pass.
During weekend evenings, there’s also a Night Bloom experience. The tulip fields transform with laser lights. There’s also the option to purchase a fire pit and s’mores kit.
“Tulips were a tray of jewels.” – E.M. Forster
8 Tips for Visiting the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival
- Schedule for a weekday. There will be less crowds and less traffic. The weekends can be absolutely packed. In addition to more people at the farms (and more people in the background of your photos!), the traffic can be terrible. One year it took us 20 minutes just to travel the last mile to RoozenGaarde! Sitting in that much traffic is not a fun way to start your day at the festival, so try to visit on a weekday.
- Please be respectful of the posted rules. Most of the farms will ask you to remain on designated paths and not to walk between the tulip rows. The tulips are delicate, and it’s important to preserve their beauty for others to enjoy. Don’t trample the fields! You can still get excellent photographs by adhering to the rules.
- Visit the farms early in the morning or right before closing for the best lighting conditions. The soft morning and evening light will make for better photos. (And there will be less people.) Some of the farms sell early access passes for photographers. Check out the farm’s website in advance of your visit to see if they offer this option.
- Be prepared for rain. The weather can change suddenly in April, so make sure that you bring rain boots, a rain jacket, and an umbrella. If it does rain during your planned visit, you will at least enjoy less crowds!
- Drones are not allowed on the farms. Only bring permitted equipment.
- Pets are not allowed on most of the farms. Plan accordingly.
- The only restrooms at the farms are port-a-potties. You may want to stop in town before visiting for a final bathroom break before you go out into the fields.
- Drive cautiously around the farms. Many people choose to bike from farm to farm, so be aware of bicyclists and pedestrians.
Best Time to Visit the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival
Peak season varies every year depending on the weather conditions. For that reason, the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival takes place during the entire month of April. (You can plan your visit anytime between April 1st through April 30th.)
If you’re in the area and it’s too early to see the tulips, the daffodils are in bloom in March and are just as beautiful. (There’s also the Daffodil Festival which tends to be a less-crowded alternative to the tulip festival.)
However, if you want to see the tulips, you should definitely schedule your trip for April. Check out the official event website for updates about peak season.
Not able to visit the festival this year? You can have these beautiful tulips delivered to you! When you receive the tulips, cut about an inch off the stems and keep the tulips in the plastic sleeve. Place the bouquet in cold water. After 5-6 hours, you can remove the plastic and they will stand up more straight.
History of the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival
Tulips are a symbol of spring’s arrival. Tulips originated as a wildflower from Turkey. The name tulip comes from the Turkish word for turban. The Ottoman Empire cultivated tulips for centuries before they were brought to Europe. They became a major trading product in the Netherlands, and the country is well-known for them to this day.
Tulips came to Washington State when a young farmer planted some bulbs and found that they had multiplied. He began collaborating with the Dutch, and he imported 15,000 bulbs to his farm. The tulips flourished, and the rest is history.
The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival has been occurring annually since 1984. Check out the festival brochure listed on the tourism website for a full list of events. The festival is designed to be a driving tour, so be prepared to stop at multiple locations in the same day.
Each year, the festival collaborates with an artist to create an official poster. The 2024 Official Festival Poster features artwork by Gary Brown. The artwork goes all the way back to 1988.
Where to Eat
RoozenGaarde and Tulip Town sell some food items on the property (such as cheeseburgers, hotdogs, and kettle corn). Some of the tulip farms have food trucks. However, Mount Vernon and nearby towns have some excellent dining options for a sit-down meal. For breakfast or lunch, we recommend the Calico Cupboard Café and Bakery. If you’re looking for picnic foods like cheese and charcuterie, you must stop at Slough Foods. For pizza and a beer, try out La Conner Brewing Company. And for dessert, head to Big Scoop Sundae Palace.
Looking for a hotel near the festival? We recommend either Katy’s Inn or the Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton. The town of La Conner is an especially beautiful place to stay the night. This small town on the Salish Sea has consistently been rated as one of the best vacation destinations in the state.
Guided Tours of the Tulips
You can book a day trip to the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival from Seattle. The tour will take you to Tulip Town, RoozenGaarde, and the nearby town of La Conner. Transportation is included!
Skagit Valley Adventures offers a 4-hour tour of the tulip fields.
Tulip Country Bike Tours provides bicycle rentals and guided tours of the fields.
If you want to see the tulips from a different perspective, you can book an aerial tour from San Juan Airlines. The tours last for one hour, and you can choose from up to 3 people or 5 people. This is a great option to dodge the traffic and see all the fields!
Nearby Activities
There are tons of nearby activities that are worth seeing! Here’s a few suggestions:
- La Conner: This quaint seaside town is one of Washington’s most popular destinations. There’s lots of shopping opportunities and the buildings in this town are truly beautiful.
- Deception Pass: This is one of my favorite places to visit in the entire state, and it’s only about 17 miles away from the tulips. The Deception Pass area has rugged coastline and some of my favorite hikes. If you’re looking for a quick hike with huge views, check out the Rosario Head loop. You’ll need a Discover Pass if you want to park a vehicle at Deception Pass State Park.
- Anacortes: This is one of the gateway cities to the San Juan Islands due to its ferry terminal. It’s also the home of Washington Park. I love hiking the trails at Washington Park and exploring its beaches! We would often camp at this park when I was a kid, and I have very fond memories of it.
- Skagit Casino Resort: This casino is located about 13 miles north of the tulips. The hotel has an indoor pool.
- Whatcom Falls Park: Located about 30 miles north of the tulip fields, this park has beautiful views of the picturesque Whatcom Falls.
- Little Mountain Park: This park is only 6 miles from the tulips, and it has epic views of the valley. The north viewpoint has a platform that juts out with tremendous views of the Puget Sound. The park has lots of trails and hikes. If hiking’s not your thing, you can drive to the south viewpoint and take in the views.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Tulips
Is visiting the festival worth it?
It is absolutely worth visiting the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival. It’s one of the best things to do while in Washington State. It’s quite the experience to see acres and acres of colorful tulip fields. You’ll be amazed by the sheer amount of variety you’ll see in the fields. We saw tulips of pretty much every color you can think of: bright red, deep orange, subtle pink, and dark purple. Many of the farms also have display fields, in which the tulips are carefully planted to create lots of different shapes.
Can you bring dogs to the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival?
Garden Rosalyn, Tulip Valley Farms, and Tulip Town allow leashed dogs as long as they are well-behaved.
Can you take professional portraits at the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival?
It is possible to take professional portraits at the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival with advanced permission. Contact the farms in advance of your visit if you would like to take professional portraits. Many of the farms charge professional photographers a fee and allow early access to the fields. That will ensure better lighting conditions and no other people in the background of the photos.
Summary
We’ve been to the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival multiple times over the years, and we’ve enjoyed each visit. It’s definitely worth traveling to see the tulips! Visiting the festival is one of our favorite spring traditions. We hope this post inspires you to make a visit to the fields and farms!
Disclaimer: We always strive for content accuracy. Since the time of publishing, travel-related information regarding pricing, schedules, and hours may have changed. Please look up such information directly from each vendor or institution for the most current information.
