Need a traffic break? Here are alternate routes to avoid a tulip traffic jam
The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival is under way, which means beautiful and bright flowers but also comes a lot of traffic. Whether you’re planning to visit the tulips, it can be frustrating to sit in traffic regardless. Luckily locals have come up with the best alternate routes to make tulip travel a little easier.
Here’s what to know:
When is Skagit Valley Tulip Festival? Where?
The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival takes place in April and May in the Mount Vernon area in Western Washington.
Visitors can “discover one-of-a-kind pieces that capture the beauty of Skagit Valley’s most beloved bloom” at the Tulip Festival Art Exhibit, organizers said.
The art exhibit runs Friday, April 3, and Saturday, April 4, at the Depot Arts Center in Anacortes.
The Tulip Festival Parade travels along Front Street in downtown La Conner on Saturday, April 11.
Nearly 200 artisan vendors gather at South First Street in downtown Mount Vernon for the Tulip Festival Street Fair, which also features food trucks, live music and children’s activities. The event runs Friday, April 17, through Sunday, April 19.
However, the main attraction is the local farms, where visitors can see, smell snap photos and pick bouquets of gorgeous flowers.
Tickets to visit participating farms can be purchased the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival website.
When are the best days and times to see tulips?
Hot weather, cold conditions, heavy rains and high winds can affect when tulips flower, Skagit Valley Tulip Festival organizers said, with blooms appearing as early as March and as late as May.
“Mid-April tends to be the safest bet to experience vibrant blooms,” organizers said.
Your experience may vary depending on which day you visit.
“Weekdays are often quieter, while weekends offer a more festive atmosphere,” organizers said.
“We always encourage guests to check bloom updates and parking information on tulipfestival.org before they arrive,” Roozen told The Herald.
See Tulip Festival alternate routes
If you’re planning to head north or south to see the tulips, there are a few alternate routes recommended by the city and locals
Interstate 5 travelers tend to take the Kincaid exit into downtown old Mount Vernon and head westward on Memorial Highway (536) and those streets and traffic lights just can’t handle the amount of cars.
Skagit County recommends exiting at mile marker 230 or 221.
“[State Route] 20 [via Exit 230] is a great option for anyone traveling from Canada, points north of Skagit County or those from the south who want to avoid congestion in town,” the Skagit County website says. “You can head west on SR 20 to SR 536 or take a left on your choice of Skagit County roads to reach the flower fields.”
Alternatively, if you choose to take exit 221, go west toward Conway and enter the tulip fields from the south, according to the Skagit County website.
Some locals may have a differing opinion when it comes to tulip travel.
“If you’re coming from the north, I’d say exit at Highway 20 west toward Anacortes,” Why We Love Skagit, a local blog suggests. “Follow that westward until Best Road and turn left (south) to access the fields and farms, including visits to Tulip Town and Roozengaarde Tulips.”