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La Conner is a town in northwest Washington state, on the Swinomish Channel. Its charming waterfront is tucked away amongst the farmland and tulip fields of the Skagit Valley. The protected farmland around the town is said to be some of the richest in the world.
Understand
[edit | edit source]Visitor information
[edit | edit source]Get in
[edit | edit source]By car
[edit | edit source]La Conner is not on any major highways, making it slightly tedious to get to.
It is about 10 mi (16 km) west of Interstate 5.
- From the south, exit in Conway for WA-534 West. Stay on the arterial as it turns onto Best Rd., then Chilberg Rd.
- From the north, exit in Burlington for WA-20 West. Take a left onto La Conner Whitney Road.
Either way, the drive through the farmland of the Skagit Valley is especially beautiful.
By bus
[edit | edit source]- Skagit Transit, ☏ +1 360-757-4433, custserv@skagittransit.org. Operates bus service within Skagit County including within and between Anacortes, Burlington, La Conner, Mount Vernon, and Sedro-Woolley. The buses do not run at night. Also offers connecting service from other counties, including route 80X traveling south from Bellingham and route 90X traveling north from Everett. Routes 80X and 90X stop in Burlington and Mount Vernon.
- Bus route 615 travels through La Conner on its way between Mount Vernon Skagit Station and March's Point P&R in Anacortes.
By boat
[edit | edit source]La Conner is on the Swinomish Channel.
- 1 La Conner Marina & RV Park (Port of Skagit Marina), 613 North 2nd St.
Sailing through nearby Deception Pass is not recommended for novice boaters, as the currents can be notoriously swift.
Get around
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La Conner is a great town to walk, with restaurants, museums, artist studios, and boutique retailers all packed into a few blocks. First Street follows the waterfront and intersects Morris Street, which runs the length of town.
Away from the town center, you'll need a car, or a boat, as the valley is spread out and there is little public transportation.
See
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- 1 Rainbow Bridge. A scenic steel arch bridge over the Swinomish Channel to Fidalgo Island, built in 1957.
- 2 Skagit Historical Museum, 501 S 4th St, ☏ +1 360-466-3365. Museum featuring exhibits related to the local area. Due to its location on a hill, it offers one of the best views of the town.
- 3 Museum of Northwest Art, 121 First St, ☏ +1 360 466-4446, info@museumofnwart.org. Sun Mon Noon-5PM, Tue-Sat 10AM-5PM. Showcases a permanent collection of northwest artists, as well as revolving shows throughout the year. Free.
- 4 Pacific Northwest Quilt & Fiber Arts Museum, 703 South Second St, ☏ +1 360-466-4288. Has a collection featuring textiles of the Pacific Rim area. Located in one of the oldest homes in town, the Gaches Mansion.
Do
[edit | edit source]Biking
[edit | edit source]The lush flat farmland makes for miles of easy biking.
Boating
[edit | edit source]Events
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- 5 Skagit Valley Tulip Festival. April 1-30. Every spring, the region celebrates the bloom of colorful tulips that paint the Skagit Valley more brilliantly than a Dutch impressionist could. Hundreds of thousands of Washingtonians and international visitors flock to see the endless fields of tulips between Mount Vernon and La Conner.
Buy
[edit | edit source]First Street is lined with gift shops, galleries and clothing stores.
- 1 The Wood Merchant, 709 S 1st St, ☏ +1 360-466-4741, info@woodmerchant.com. A large gallery for fine woodworking, from small toys to sculptural pieces to custom dining furniture. Each work is made in the U.S., most of it in the Pacific Northwest.
The region grows everything from strawberries to wheat. Many local farmstands sell their produce on the roads leading into town.
- 2 Pleasant Ridge Farm, 19166 Rexville Grange Rd (off Best Rd), ☏ +1-360-466-3228. A small farm stand with a great selection of produce in the fall.
Eat and drink
[edit | edit source]There are many restaurants along the waterfront and along Morris Street.
- 1 The Scone Lady Bakery, 109 North First St #105, ☏ +1 360-320-9072. Come to this small counter in the morning before they sell out of the distinctive fresh-baked berry and fruit scones.
Sleep
[edit | edit source]The town boasts plenty of charming small inns and Bed and Breakfasts.
- 1 La Conner Channel Lodge, 205 N 1st St, toll-free: +1-888-466-4113. Located at the waterfront. Rooms $209–309, Suites $219-349.
- 2 Wild Iris Inn, 121 Maple Avenue, ☏ +1 (360) 466-1400, toll-free: +1 (800) 477-1400, WildIrisInn@gmail.com. A boutique inn with queen and king-size beds, a garden, shaded sitting porches in front of some rooms, and a meeting room for about fifty. They serve a two-course breakfast as well. $109-240.
- 3 The Heron Inn, 117 Maple Ave, ☏ +1 360-399-1074, staff@theheroninn.com. A small inn with comfortable rooms, and available spa services like massages and facials. Optional breakfast service offers choice of hot and cold, vegetarian and meaty. Rooms $149–169, add $20 for breakfast for two; suites $150–220.
Go next
[edit | edit source]- Anacortes, gateway to the San Juan Islands
- Mount Vernon
- Deception Pass State Park
- Love tulips? Bollenstreek in the Netherlands is the only other growing region than rivals the Skagit Valley.
La Conner is on the North Cascade Loop itinerary.