Spend a June Family Getaway Weekend in La Conner!
June Family Getaway Weekend Itinerary
A June family getaway weekend spent in the Skagit Valley provides an array of options for exploring your culinary senses. Use La Conner as your base location, bring a hearty appetite and save room in the car for goodies to take home. (Note: This itinerary can also be traveled in reverse.) Let the family getaway weekend experts assist you in planning the perfect weekend!
The Skagit Valley is one of the most fertile regions in Washington State, and with a drive through this location, you are sure to see why. A lush valley bursting in techno-color welcomes Spring in an unforgettable way. Tourists, artists and nature lovers are drawn to the annual Skagit Valley Tulip Festival during the month of April. Summer’s crops spring to life with grape and berry vineyards, potatoes, alfalfa and other fruits and vegetables. In early fall, farmers set up shop along the country roads, selling their fresh harvest directly from their trucks. Winter brings wild life viewers by the hundreds to catch the flurry of snow geese and trumpeter swans migrating to this fertile land.
Family Getaway Weekend Day 1
Take I-5 Exit 221 and follow Fir Island Road (watch for La Conner directional signage) toward La Conner.
Stop in for a treat at Snow Goose Produce located on Fir Island. Offering the best in organic produce and local fare such as fresh and smoked seafood, baked breads, artisan cheeses and wines. Even the ice cream, served in huge homemade waffle cones, is local made with natural ingredients from Lopez Island Creamery and Edaleen.
Growing a side variety of organic vegetables, fruits and flowers, Hedlin Farms has a farm stand location just at the round-about in La Conner – they’re known for quality produce which they not only sell at the stand, but you’ll find in many local restaurants.
Enjoy a bountiful lunch at Seeds Bistro and Bar in La Conner, serving delicious seasonal fruits and vegetables from local farms, fresh free-range chicken, fresh seafood, grass-fed beef, naturally nested eggs and more. Save room for delectable desserts!
Stroll through the waterfront village of La Conner with its distinctive Northwest art galleries and local boutiques. Visit the La Conner Quilt and Textile Museum featuring three stories of quilts and textiles that range from traditional to contemporary.
Nell Thorn Restaurant & Pub offers an unforgettable quality dining experience built on locally-sourced foods. Travel writers and guests alike rave about this well-known and well-loved Northwest restaurant. Diners can sit on the patio when the the weather is lovely, tuck into a booth in the bar/pub, or sit upstairs in the dining room. Check out the ‘what’s fresh today’ blackboard on the far wall as you walk in the front door.
Stay the night in La Conner – choices include Bed & Breakfast Inns, a restored hotel, waterfront suites & condos or comfortable family-style lodging.
Family Weekend Getaway Day 2
Calico Cupboard Cafe and Bakery is a longtime Skagit County fixture, known for generous breakfasts and hefty cinnamon rolls. This award-winning homey cafe serves breakfast and lunch with locally-sourced ingredients, and of course, baked items made from scratch.
Head north out of La Conner to Padilla Bay Reserve, where you can commune with the wildlife by taking a walk, run or bike ride on the Padilla Bay Dike Trail. This is a great stopping spot for kids!
Drive the Farm to Market Road for numerous opportunities to sight see, visit farms, market stands and specialty shops along the way. Sample organic cheeses, yogurt and meat at Samish Bay Cheese in Bow.
Don’t miss the big red barn at Rosabella’s Garden Bakery for apple cider donuts, the famous 5-lb apple pie and other treats. When you arrive in Edison, stop at the Bread Farm Bakery for treats, then have a delicious lunch at Slough Food, specializing in serving local and whole foods. Picnic in the outdoor dining area – a great place to people and wildlife-watch!
Head back toward I-5 and visit the Sakuma Brothers Market Stand in Burlington, the area’s premier berry grower (and seller). Sakuma grows hundreds of acres of strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries and more. They also grow and harvest their own teas – the only tea grown in the United States.
Take Highway 20 going east for a wine tasting at Challenger Ridge Vineyards & Cellars in Concrete. Established in 2000, today it is the largest Pinot Noir vineyard in Washington State. The Cascade Trail runs through the vineyard and offers 23 miles of scenic views.
Heading back toward La Conner, the whole family will love a stop at Schuh Farms in Mount Vernon along the old Memorial Highway (536). This family-owned farmstand and gift shop offers flowers, berries, baked goods (be sure to look for their pies!) and plants. The barn offers local culinary delights including cheeses and seasonal gifts. During certain times of the year, you can take a hayride, visit the petting zoo, and put your kids on the barrel-train ride. Be sure to walk down the path to their coffee stand – the homemade milkshakes are fabulous.
Swing back into La Conner for another terrific dinner – there are several waterfront options to choose from – all using local ingredients as much as possible and offering terrific dining options. Then, either spend another night surrounded by the charm of La Conner, or end your bountiful journey as you take a leisurely trip back home.
Optional Trip:
If you have a 3rd day, learn about Deception Pass, the 1500 ft long and 180 foot high Deception Pass Bridge, and the surrounding area on an amazing Deception Pass Tour aboard the Island Whaler. Enjoy the thrill of the fast jet boat through the pass with a knowledgeable interpreter – this is absolutely a bring-your-camera excursion.
Festivals & Events:
Annual Skagit Valley Tulip Festival (April)
Anacortes Wine Festival (April)
Skagit River Poetry Festival (bi-annual; May 2014)
Burlington Berry Dairy Days (June)
La Conner Classic Boat and Car Show (August)
Burlington Harvest Days (September)
Skagit Valley Festival of Family Farms (October)
La Conner Boneshaker Bicycle Festival (October)
La Conner Arts Alive! Festival (November
La Conner Turkey Trot (November)
Paige – we will have our July 4th parade and picnic, then fireworks over the Channel at about 9:45pm. Using our website calendar, go to July 4 to see general information. And check back on our homepage as we’ll post more information as we receive it.
I wanted to know about 4th of July celebrations.