La Conner beckons with variety, whimsy

While admiring the tulips fields of Skagit Valley this April, be sure to stop by La Conner to discover an oasis of dining, shopping and cultural experiences.

What’s there: Dining, shopping, museums

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

How to get there: Take Interstate 5 south to Burlington exit 230, follow signs to state Route 20 and head west for about six miles. When you reach La Conner- Whitney Road, take a left and head south about four miles to the roundabout. Turn right onto Morris Street which leads to the heart of La Conner on South First Street.

Parking: Free parking lines both sides of First, Second, and Morris streets.

Plan to stay: 2-3 hours.

Amenities: The downtown area is easily accessible to disabled visitors. There are public restrooms on Morris Street and plenty of places to sit along the waterfront on South First Street to enjoy the view of the Swinomish Channel.

DINING

Breakfast: On the way to La Conner is the Farmhouse Restaurant on the corner of Route 20 and La Conner-Whitney Road, (360) 446-4411; hours 7 a.m.-10 p.m. daily. Or try Calico Cupboard, 720 S. First St., (360) 466-4451; hours 7:30 a.m.- 4 p.m. daily.

Lunch: La Conner Fruit and Produce Market Café, 116 S. First St., (360) 466-3018; hours 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Or try The Dulce Plate, 508 Morris St., (360) 466-1630; starting April 1, hours 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday.

Dinner: La Conner Brewing Company, 117 S. First St., (360) 466-1415; hours 11:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 11:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Or try Seeds Bistro and Bar, 623 Morris St., (360) 466- 3280; hours 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday.

UPCOMING EVENTS

24th Annual Skagit Valley Tulip Festival (month of April)

For more information and a map of the fields, go to www.tulipfestival.org. Cow Town Family Farm and Petting Zoo (March 31- April 22)

Visitors can pet chicks, calves, cows, horses, rabbits and goats. For more information call (360) 445-6681.

1. Tulip Town Skagit Valley Bulb Farm, Inc.

Location: 15002 Bradshaw Road, (360) 424-8152

Hours: 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily during festival

Admission: Adults $4, children 16 and under free

How to get there: From Route 20, take a left on La Conner- Whitney Road. Head south for about a mile and a half then take a left on McLean Road. Take a left on Bradshaw Road and Tulip Town will be on the left.

This year Tulip Town is introducing the International Tulip Peace Garden which showcases 16 tulip displays representing 16 countries. Tulip Town has indoor children’s activities, a food court, and trolley rides that offer an elevated view of the tulip fields.

2. Roozengarde Flowers and Bulbs

Location: 15867 Beaver Marsh Road, (360) 424-0419

Hours: 9 a.m.-7 p.m. daily during the festival

Admission: Adults $3, children 10 and under free

How to get there: From Route 20, take a left on La Conner- Whitney Road. Head south, then take a left on McLean Road. Take a right on Beaver Marsh Road and Roozengarde will be on the left.

Visitors can stroll Roozengaarde’s three-acre display garden which contains a labeled specimen of every tulip variety the garden offers in over 400 acres of blooming tulips. Roozengarde offers picnic areas, restrooms, a gift shop, food and espresso are available only during the festival. No pets allowed.

FOUR THINGS TO DO

1. La Conner Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition

Location: various locations along South First Street

Hours: Dawn to dusk

The La Conner Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition presents 19 sculptures located mainly on La Conner’s waterfront overlooking the Swinomish Channel. The exhibition has some great examples of wood carving and metal work. “Star Poles” by Seattle artist Steve Jensen displays three intricately carved totem-style poles of different heights. The native carvings and cedar medium make for a uniquely Northwest piece.

2. La Conner Quilt Museum

Location: 703 S. Second St., (360) 466-4288

Hours: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday- Saturday; and noon-4 p.m. Sundays only during the Tulip Festival.

Admission: Adults $5, children 12 and under free

The quilt museum’s exhibition space is on the second and third floor of the historic Gaches Mansion. The first floor maintains its turn-of-the-century look and feel while the second floor features quilts by Freddy Moran and Gwen Marston who teamed up to write the book “Collaborative Quilting.” On the third floor, patrons can enjoy Marianne Burr’s one-woman quilt show which showcases a variety of techniques, fabrics and styles.

3. Skagit County Historical Museum

Location: 501 Fourth St., (360) 466-3365

Hours: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday- Sunday

Admission: Families $8, adults $4, seniors and children 6-12 $3, children 5 and under free

The Skagit County Historical Museum is exhibiting “Harvesting the Light: Images of Contemporary Skagit Farm Life” through Nov. 4. This collection features more than 60 photographs depicting the daily work that makes the Skagit Valley the agricultural hub it is as seen through the eyes of 11 area photographers.

4. Museum of Northwest Art

Location: 121 S. First St., (360) 466-4446

Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily

Admission: Adults $5, seniors $4, students $2, children 12 and under free

Saturday, the museum will open its spring exhibit, “Raiment” which features multiple media and artists who seek to explore the human form, its coverings, adornments and embellishments. For example, Adrian Arleo’s ceramic wall hangings depict of figures with human heads and bird bodies. The feathers are the raiment, or covering, that suggests the human figure underneath.