Each year, as hordes of snow geese take flight from the Skagit Valley, hundreds of thousands of humans flock there for the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival, when the country’s nexus of tulip and daffodil growing erupts into a living rainbow of spring flowers bookended by mountains. It’s as picturesque as it sounds. Delivering a boost of color therapy, the tulips offer living proof that spring is on its way. In its 41st year, the 2023 festival offers a new crop of experiences, including night light shows, painting and sunset wedding engagements — and even the launch of a new display garden, Tulip Valley Farms.
About 20 million bulbs are harvested from Skagit County’s 1,000-acre growing fields each fall, while an additional 75 million are grown for cut flowers in fields and greenhouses. The daffodils arrive before the tulips, usually in March. However, the blooms follow nature’s schedule, so check on RoozenGaarde’s bloom map to follow their progress and plan your visit. Throughout April, four main display gardens offer acres of intricately designed bulb gardens arranged for high visual impact, along with a mix of food, shopping and activities. Filling up the festival passport gives you a chance to win a stay at a local inn, including dinner and e-bike rentals, or gift certificates from local restaurants Calico Cupboard, Annie’s Pizza and Skagit River Brewery.
The best tulip-viewing experience for you
So how do you choose the right garden for you and your loved ones? Check out these hand-picked experiences that are best for …
Folks on a budget
A self-guided driving tour of the tulip and daffodil growing fields (not the display gardens) is the low-key, free option — please respect “No Parking” signs and be mindful not to step on the plants when you pull over to snap a photo. (Pro tip: After perusing the petals, head to the nearby Snow Goose Produce for giant scoops of Lopez Island Creamery ice cream, baked goods and fresh veggies.)
Dog lovers
Leashed canine companions are welcome at Tulip Town and Garden Rosalyn for free. However, Tulip Valley Farms’ two locations require visitors to purchase a $5 pooch pass online. See each garden’s website for guidelines.
Visitors with kids
Children 5 and under are free at Tulip Town and Tulip Valley Farms, the latter of which also offers a $40 family pass Monday through Thursday for up to six people total, with a max of up to two adults ($40). Kids 2 and younger are free at Garden Rosalyn and RoozenGaarde.
Check out the trolley ride at Tulip Town and take a photo with Mother Nature at Tulip Valley Farms. Kids over 10 can try painting en plein air at Tulip Valley Gardens on April 15 and 22 ($45).
DIY florists
Visitors can pick their own flowers at Tulip Valley Farms or Gardens daily from 8 a.m. to noon (entry plus 10 stems is $30) or buy fresh, prearranged flowers at RoozenGaarde’s bouquet market (50 stems for $30). At Tulip Town, you can take a farm tour, pick a bouquet and take a guided floral workshop for $50.
Dates and night owls
Tulip Town has several sunset events, including a date-night package for two ($175, includes admission, a bottle of wine and cheese board), and an engagement package ($175), which includes admission for two guests to join the happy couple and share a bottle of bubbly. Tulip Valley Farms goes all-out with Night Bloom, an after-dark laser and light display augmenting the tulips’ colors from 8 to 10 p.m. Friday through Sunday ($20/person).
Photographers
Whether you want to photograph solo, bring students or host a shoot of your own, Tulip Town offers a photographer day pass with the option of adding 10 guests ($100, plus an additional cost per guest, grants early entry from 6 to 8 a.m. and at sunset, or an all-season pass for $375 granting that same access any day of the festival.)
Tulip Valley Farms also has a variety of photo offerings, whether you want to be in front of the camera — or behind one. The garden location offers 30-minute professional photo sessions for groups of up to five for $300 on Fridays and Saturdays. On April 9 and 23, the farm is also hosting a photo class at 8 a.m. Content creators and professional photographers may want to splurge on a photo pass ($99, entry opens at 5:30 a.m., before general admission, and closes at 7:45 p.m.) or even a drone pass ($200).
Bicyclists
You can’t ask for better biking scenery than acres of colorful flowers. Keep in mind, the narrow roads can get muddy, and be alert for tulip-rubbernecking from drivers. PNW Exploration leads garden tours and Country Cycling offers rentals. Going solo? Take this bike map to experience the festival and Mount Vernon like a local.
Those who want to see something new
The Festival’s newest garden, Tulip Valley Farms opens on April 1 as a collective of two venues, a farm in Mount Vernon and display garden in nearby Burlington. On the farm, 12 acres of tulips grow beneath hazelnut trees amid Mount Baker views, with a gift shop and food trucks. The garden, however, offers 2 acres of tulips and hosts pre-ticketed events like Tea-Time, a painting class, and yoga on its 9-acre grounds. Visitors can pick their own bouquets at either location.
Tulip Fest travel tips
Cindy Verge, the tulip festival’s executive director, recommends packing layers, boots and some patience because rain, mud and crowds are likely. The quietest times to visit are Tuesday through Thursday, especially on drizzly mornings. For photos, come for the early morning or late afternoon light. Excess rain can prompt field closures, so check tulipfestival.org and farm sites for the latest weather conditions.
Our picks for tulip display gardens in Skagit Valley
Garden Rosalyn (6648 Jungquist Road, Mount Vernon)
Thirteen acres in all, with 6 acres of designed tulip gardens overlooking the Cascades, complete with a duck-and-goose-filled pond and windmill. Amenities include food trucks and a gift shop.
Open April 1–May 10, from 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. daily. Get tickets online; $17; children two and under are free; gardenrosalyn.com
RoozenGaarde (15867 Beaver Marsh Road, Mount Vernon)
This original festival destination amped up its flower power this year with wider rows and up to three times the bulbs per acre for 2023’s display gardens. A ticket includes access to 5 acres of displays planted with over a million spring bulbs of 200 varieties and 25 acres each of tulips and daffodils, as well as food trucks, a gift shop and a fresh-cut tulip market. Pets are not allowed.
Open until 7 p.m. daily. Get tickets online; $15 for ages 3 and up, children ages 2 and under are free. roozengaarde.ticketspice.com/2023-skagit-valley-tulip-festival
Tulip Town (15002 Bradshaw Road, Mount Vernon)
A 30-acre farm with 5 acres of designed gardens featuring 50 varieties of tulips, a trolley ride weather-permitting, indoor murals, and flower stand with bouquets and potted tulips. The space also includes a cafe; a garden to enjoy beer, wine or cider; and gift shop. (Pro tip: Purchase your tickets online. Prices are higher at the gate.)
Open Monday–Thursday from 10 a.m.–6 p.m. and Friday–Sunday from 9 a.m.–7 p.m. Get tickets online; $15 for general (timed) admission or $25 anytime ticket, $7 for kids ages 6-11, kids 5 and under free. See website for other ticketing options; tuliptown.com
Tulip Valley Farms (15245 Bradshaw Road, Mount Vernon) and Tulip Valley Gardens (12637 Pulver Road, Burlington)
The two sister locations make their debut at the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival on April 1. At the Mount Vernon farm, visitors will find 12 acres of blooms and can participate in a Night Bloom illuminated adventure Thursday to Saturday, while the smaller garden in Burlington hosts a variety of events.
Tulip Valley Farms is open daily 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Night Bloom laser show Thursday – Saturday 8 p.m. – 10 p.m.; $12-$15 for timed general admission tickets, kids 5 and under are free; tulipvalley.com
Tulip Valley Gardens is open daily 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; additional hours vary, depending on experience selected; $12 for ages 6 and up, kids 5 and under are free, additional experiences priced separately.
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