Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Mt Vernon
POP 32,070
A former and rather unlikely winner of the 'Best Small City in America' prize, Mt
Vernon is a place that most people only see the back end of as they race through on their
way to Seattle or Vancouver on I-5. And, despite its prominence as a local agricultural
nexus and headquarters for Skagit County's annual tulip festival, they're not missing
much. Aside from a summer farmers market and a rather quaint theater (the Lincoln), Mt
Vernon's attractions are limited. Far more alluring are La Conner to the west or Mt Baker
to the east.
Freeway Dr; r from $69; )
, a comfortable motel just off I-5. For a potent tipple check
sells its own home brew beers including Dutch Girl lager, IPAs and the famous Trum-
peter stout. You can also load up on fine pizza here.
La Conner
POP 901
Celebrated for its tulips, wild turkeys, erudite writers' colony, and (among other culinary
treats) enormous doorstop-sized cinnamon buns; La Conner's myriad attractions verge
on the esoteric. Abstract writer Tom Robbins lives here if that's any measuring stick,
along with about 900 other creative souls, many of whom devote much of their time and
energy to tourism. Jammed with gift shops, classy B&Bs and - in April, at least - long
lines of cars, once-decrepit La Conner has undergone a post-1970s renaissance, trans-
forming itself from forgotten Northwest port into out-of-the-box artists' community.
The zenith of La Conner's cultural calendar is the annual tulip festival. This is either
the best or worst time to visit, depending on your traffic tolerance levels.
Sights & Activities
La Conner's three small yet interesting museums are highly informative and well main-
tained.
Roozengaarde Display Garden
GARDENS
(
www.tulips.com
;
15867 Beaver Marsh Rd, Mt Vernon; admission $6; 9am-6pm Mon-Sat,
11am-4pm Sun)
Halfway between La Conner and Mt Vernon, this renowned 3-acre garden
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