Tacoma Kids

Spring is just around the corner, and if it ever stops SNOWING, it’ll be time to head up to the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival. Like the Sequim Lavender Festival (see previous post under July 2008), this is a primo day trip and great photo op. Located off of I-5 near Mount Vernon and Burlington, several large bulb farms feature special events during the Tulip Festival, which lasts from April 1 - 30th and features fields of daffodils and tulips stretching as far as the eye can see.

Bloom times obviously vary depending on Mother Nature, but you can check what’s going on in the fields with the “Bloom Map” on the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival website to determine when is a good time to go. Weekends get pretty crowded, so if you go on a weekend be prepared for lots of traffic. It’s lovely to go on a week day and I have friends who have taken bikes and ridden from field to field and had a great time (note: there is a lot of traffic and riding is on narrow farm roads so this may not be a great riding situation for younger/novice bikers).

Check the website for maps to the farms, driving directions, and other community events going on, as well as tips on places to eat and stay if you want to make it an overnight trip. This is definitely a feast for the eyes, not to be missed!

Here’s a great day trip: the Sequim Lavender Festival July 18-20th.

There’s a street fair in downtown Sequim, but the real draw here are the farm tours, which consist of walking through the lavender fields cutting your own lavender bouquets. Reilly had a ball doing this last year. Many of the farms feature their own mini-fairs, with food booths, music, and all kinds of lavender products. (more…)

There’s one weekend left to make it up to Leavenworth for Oktoberfest. If you’ve ever been to Germany and are missing it, this little Bavarian-style village will satisfy your taste without the airline expense! We caught the tail end of the first weekend of Oktoberfest and had a really great family outing. (more…)