Northwestern Washington & the San Juan Islands - Washington, Oregon and the Pacific Northwest - page 204

plants 250,000 tulip bulbs annually and, with Mt Baker and a Dutch-inspired windmill
glimmering in the background, photo opportunities abound. Bring a camera!
Museum of Northwest Art MUSEUM
( www.museumofnwart.org ; 121 S 1st St; admission $8; 10am-5pm Tue-Sun) This art gallery
endeavors to portray the 'special Northwest vision' through the works of representative
artists. The ground floor is dedicated to changing shows by regional artists, while the up-
stairs space houses pieces from the permanent collection.
Skagit County Historical Museum MUSEUM
(501 S 4th St; adult/child $5/4; 11am-5pm Tue-Sun) Perched atop a hill that affords im-
pressive views of Skagit Bay and the surrounding farmlands, this place presents indigen-
ous crafts, dolls, vintage kitchen implements and other paraphernalia utilized by the re-
gion's early inhabitants.
La Conner Quilt Museum MUSEUM
( 360-466-4288; 703 S 2nd St; admission $7; 10am-4pm Wed-Sat, noon-4pm Sun) Of more
specialized interest, the quilt museum displays examples of quilt art from several genera-
tions. The museum is housed in the old Gaches mansion, which has stood here since
1891.
Festivals & Events
Skagit County Tulip Festival FLOWERS
( www.tulipfestival.org ) La Conner finds its pulse when the annual Skagit County Tulip
Festival lights up the surrounding countryside with shades of red, purple, yellow and or-
ange. Events include wine tasting, bike tours and bird's-eye helicopter rides over the ex-
pansive fields, which are embellished with a colorful carpet of daffodils (March), tulips
(April) and irises (May).
Sleeping
Wild Iris Inn B&B$$$
( 360-466-1400; www.wildiris.com ; 121 Maple Ave; r $119-179; ) La Conner's B&Bs have
the swank of boutique hotels and the homeyness of your gran's house. As a consequence,
you'll never feel like you're kipping in someone else's property. Take the Wild Iris for