By Amanda Coward
Photo by Amanda Coward
Skagit county has a reputation as one of the most beautiful areas in Washington state. This area is sought after as a tourist location bringing people from all over the world to visit our tulip fields and other areas in the valley. When living somewhere you can forget to “stop and smell the roses” that is why I asked lifelong residents of Skagit County about a checklist of things one must to do when living here.
The checklist of must do activities in Skagit County includes hiking trails, camping spots, farms, festivals, local activities, food, drink, and must-see places. Gloria Gilbert, Brandon Gilbert, and Dave Gibbs were all born and raised in Skagit County. When asked about all the things that one should do this is the list they came up with. So, clear out your schedule and make room for the following list of things to do this year.
· Daffodil Festival – La Conner (March)
· Tulip Festival – Mount Vernon (April)
Roozengarrd (Open year-round)
Tulip Town (Opens April 1st)
· Berry Dairy Days – Burlington (3rd weekend of June)
· 3rd of July – Fireworks – Big Lake
· 4th of July Parade – Sedro-Woolley
Rodeo
Logger Rodeo
Carvings
· 4th of July Fireworks – La Conner Channel
· Lyman Car Show – Lyman (2nd Saturday in July)
· Fly-In – Concrete (Saturday, July 10th 9am – Sunday, July 11 5pm)
· La Conner Classic Boat and Car Show – La Conner (Aug. 6, 7, and 8)
· Skagit County Fair – Mount Vernon (August 11th-14th)
· Skagit Valley Festival of Family Farms – Skagit County (Oct. 2nd and 3rd)
· Pumpkin Patch – Mount Vernon (Oct.)
Schuh Farms
Tulip Town
· Christenson’s Nursery – Mount Vernon (Open year-round)
Hikes and more outdoors activities:
· Oyster Dome – Hike – Bow
· Lake Diablo – Diablo
Latter Creek Falls – Hike – Diablo
Hidden Lake Trail – Hike – Diablo
· North Cascades National Park
· Mount Baker National Forest
Baker Lake Camping for RV and tent
· Ross Lake National Recreation Area
-Ross Lake Resort (open seasonally from June-Oct.)
Cabin rental price $230-$410 or more per night.
Tent camping is an available option with a backcountry permit from the National Park Service.
· South Skagit Highway – O’Tooel Creek Falls – Hike
(Between Day Creek & Concrete)
· Walker Valley Off Road Vehicle Park – Big Lake
-This is a great for truck and ATV four wheeling.
· Rockport State Park – Rockport
· Raser State Park – Birdsview
· Bayview State Park – Bow
· Skagit River Bald Eagle Raft Trip – Rockport
-8-mile float 3-hour trip $75
This is recommended as this is an amazing way to enjoy the bald eagle population as well as the majestic Skagit River.
Food is an important part of our every day lives. These are a few places of must try dine in foods, take home foods, beverages, and deserts in Skagit County. There are many options but these are a list of favorite places that cannot be missed.
· Snow Goose Produce – Conway
Ice cream, produce, and goods.
The recommendation here is to get their ice cream. Can’t go wrong with any flavor but
to bring your appetite because the ice cream cone is HUGE!
· Mesman Farm – Mount Vernon
Organic meats, organic, eggs, and organic dairy.
The recommendation here is that “everything is fabulous” but if they had to pick one, the “top sirloin steak melts like butter in your mouth.”
· Hedlins Family Farms – La Conner
Produce and other food products
You can’t go wrong when buying local. This cuts out shipping and packaging waste. Also, when you buy local you are able to put your money back into your community. This is an extra fantastic reason to shop local small businesses.
· Calico Cupboard – Mount Vernon
Breakfast, lunch, coffee, and beverages.
The recommendation is the “eggs benedict” they make their bread fresh on site each day with the option of gluten-free this is a fantastic place for everyone to eat. The espresso and alcoholic drinks are a fabulous pairing as well.
· Birdsview Brewing Company – Birdsview
Dinner, beer, and live music
The recommendation is to order a “meatloaf sandwich” and a “growler of the golden pale ale” they also now offer their very own “Birdsview hard seltzer” the flavor is rotating as they brew a different flavor each time.
· Eagle Haven Winery – Sedro-Woolley
Wine vineyard and apple cider. (Open Fri. 4pm-7pm, Sat. and Sun. 1pm-5pm)
· Annie’s Pizza – Concrete
Award winning pizza
The recomendation is to order a “chucks diesel” pizza for the meat lovers or a “dancing Greek” pizza for the vegetarian option. They also have gluten-free crust.
As busy as we all are these days, it is good to have a well-rounded schedule. When making time for yourself around your school work, career, and other things life throws at you. It is important for your mental health and sanity to also schedule in some fun. Check some of these to do’s off of your list this summer break. Take time to enjoy the beauty all around you. Remember with the beauty of the wild comes also the wild animals. Keep an eye out for snakes, bears, cougars, bobcats, and many other forest animals you may come across on your adventures. It is always best to keep a first aid kit handy and some bear spray in your backpack. Also, stay aware of your surroundings. Before taking off into the woods it is always best to bring a buddy and to tell someone where you are going and when you will return.
Don’t forget to breath in that ocean air of the La Conner channel, smell the tulip flowers in the Mount Vernon fields, and let the rain fall down on you in the North Cascade National Park. Skagit has beauty like nowhere else in this world and there is no better time to explore than the present
