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Pacific Northwest - Events, Awesome Places to Go, Fun Facts
26
items Pacific NW events/festivals, dining, wineries, fun things to do AND fun facts.
Sections
4
Festivals and Adventures in the Pacific Northwest
Local Artists
MUST Try Experiences
Wineries
Festivals and Adventures in the Pacific Northwest
Pacific Northwest Festivals and Places to visit - Make your travel Plans! For people new to to the Pacific NW it covers Oregon and Washington in the United States and British Columbia in Canada. The I5 corridor (Interstate highway) runs through each of these states and providence tying the NW experience into an unforgettable visit/adventure.
Skagit Valley is in Washington. It is the location of the largest Tulip Festival in North America. The festival began in 1984 with families who originally came from Holland and raised bulbs to include the tulips. They brought their heritage and the l...
It is a treat for those of us who live here as we never know what fields will be planted each year. The tulips really strip the ground of nutrients, so once the bulbs are harvested, that field needs to rest 4-6 years. Other things can and are grown t...
The festival runs from April 1-30 each year. Mother Nature does not always adhere to our calendar, so it is best to check what kind of winter we have had to see if the flowers will be on time, early or late. But the festival goes off each year per th...
You can drive the valley, bike ride, or get a ride in a helicopter! Lots of activities such as art shows, wine tasting, street fair and Salmon bake are just a few things you can enjoy with the flowers. If you think you don't need to see this twice, think twice. Each year the fields blooming are different and so are the colors, so make the Skagit Tulip Festival and place you experience more than once!
It is a treat for those of us who live here as we never know what fields will be planted each year. The tulips really strip the ground of nutrients, so once the bulbs are harvested, that field needs to rest 4-6 years. Other things can and are grown t...
The festival runs from April 1-30 each year. Mother Nature does not always adhere to our calendar, so it is best to check what kind of winter we have had to see if the flowers will be on time, early or late. But the festival goes off each year per th...
You can drive the valley, bike ride, or get a ride in a helicopter! Lots of activities such as art shows, wine tasting, street fair and Salmon bake are just a few things you can enjoy with the flowers. If you think you don't need to see this twice, think twice. Each year the fields blooming are different and so are the colors, so make the Skagit Tulip Festival and place you experience more than once!
Skagit Valley Tulip Festival: Washington's Largest Tulip Gardens
Tip Toe through the Tulips in the Spring (Mid March-April) @ Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm in Woodburn OR.
Tickets need to be purchased in advance of your visit as this is a VERY popular destination. Plan to spend the day as you are about to have a Tulip Experience! There is something for everyone from 1-99. Once you have parked you have full access to the fields to wander and explore. If you would rather ride on a cart pulled by a tractor catch the next one coming by. Kids tired, borrow a cow cart to pull them in the fields. Games available for all to play. Local artists have booths as well as a beautiful shop for every tulip need to include net years tulip bulbs for you to plant. Wine tasting on site and local food vendors are there. Sunrise balloon flights possible on weather permitting days by the Portland Rose Balloon Company. Events happening throughout the festival. Some days Photography experts on hand to help you with those tricky shots. Toy tractors for the kids to ride on and Photo opportunities with antique tractors in middle of the tulips. AND so much more!
History - The family farm began in 1950 with the marriage of Ross and Dorothy and their purchase of the main farm. They worked hard expanding the farm and getting their six children through college. The Iverson family began growing tulips in 1974. Th...
Tickets need to be purchased in advance of your visit as this is a VERY popular destination. Plan to spend the day as you are about to have a Tulip Experience! There is something for everyone from 1-99. Once you have parked you have full access to the fields to wander and explore. If you would rather ride on a cart pulled by a tractor catch the next one coming by. Kids tired, borrow a cow cart to pull them in the fields. Games available for all to play. Local artists have booths as well as a beautiful shop for every tulip need to include net years tulip bulbs for you to plant. Wine tasting on site and local food vendors are there. Sunrise balloon flights possible on weather permitting days by the Portland Rose Balloon Company. Events happening throughout the festival. Some days Photography experts on hand to help you with those tricky shots. Toy tractors for the kids to ride on and Photo opportunities with antique tractors in middle of the tulips. AND so much more!
History - The family farm began in 1950 with the marriage of Ross and Dorothy and their purchase of the main farm. They worked hard expanding the farm and getting their six children through college. The Iverson family began growing tulips in 1974. Th...
Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm
There is nothing more amazing to see the sunflowers perk up and turn to greet the sun as it rises behind Mt Hood in Oregon.
Enjoy 30 acres of summer flowers. varieties include: sunflowers, cosmos, zinnias, godetia, bachelor button, calendula, painted daisies, and more!
You do need to purchase admission tickets in advance due to the popularity of this event. The sunflower mazes are so huge you will need to follow the signs as you meander through the tall sunflowers. The shop is open as well as the wine tasting room and food vendors. It is a fun day with happy sunflowers!
Enjoy 30 acres of summer flowers. varieties include: sunflowers, cosmos, zinnias, godetia, bachelor button, calendula, painted daisies, and more!
You do need to purchase admission tickets in advance due to the popularity of this event. The sunflower mazes are so huge you will need to follow the signs as you meander through the tall sunflowers. The shop is open as well as the wine tasting room and food vendors. It is a fun day with happy sunflowers!
Summer Flowers • Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm
All things lavender in the Lavender Capital of North America®, Sequim Washington. Enjoy live music, food and browse hundreds of vendors at the Festival in the Park. Take a farm tour, pick your own lavender, watch on-farm demonstrations and take home ...
Sequim Lavender Fest
50 acres of breathtaking fields and a beautiful display garden of stunning dahlias featuring over 375 varieties. There is a rainbow of colors you will experience while taking photos, shopping in the mercantile, and purchasing fresh-cut dahlias to tak...
This festival is FREE!!!! All this color, activities, fresh air and beautiful flowers and it's free!
Special note - This event is also ADA accessible. I use a wheelchair and no issues accessing the entire gardens. So bring the family and enjoy! I have learned so much every time I have gone, so much fun!
This festival is FREE!!!! All this color, activities, fresh air and beautiful flowers and it's free!
Special note - This event is also ADA accessible. I use a wheelchair and no issues accessing the entire gardens. So bring the family and enjoy! I have learned so much every time I have gone, so much fun!
Annual Dahlia Festival
Enjoy nature, sculpture, and some fresh air on Whidbey Island for FREE! Whidbey Island in Washington is a beautiful island with so much to see and do. Price Sculpture Forest is ~16 acres of wonderful trails with Pacific North West native plants and wildlife that is open to the public daily for FREE. Artists have installed sculptures along the path to enjoy and they have taken trees that have fallen and turned them into works of art. Fun day for the family and an opportunity to enjoy a bit of the island.
Price Sculpture Forest park/garden in Coupeville on Whidbey Island
This will take your breath away! Deception Pass is famous for its iconic bridge connecting Whidbey and Fidalgo Islands, offering stunning views of turbulent waters and dramatic cliffs, making it Washington's most visited state park, known for its rugged landscapes, old-growth forest... Enjoy hiking, kayaking, camping, visiting tide pools, & beach combing.
Deception Pass State Park | Washington State Parks
No visit to Seattle is complete without a visit to the Pike Place Market. Farmers Market, with fruits and vegetables that are beautiful, flower markets that will have you picking up bundles of flowers arranged just for you, art market with everything from crafts to functional art and fine art. Local shops with offerings like specialty teas and pastas and wines, Pastry shops, bistro style to fine dining restaurants. Many street artists and performers. But the main show is the fish market! Every kind of fresh fish in the Pacific will be found here and as someone buys a fish you will witness the fish flying through the air from one vendor to the next as they get it wrapped for your travels. Such a fun day!
Pike Place Market
The Pacific Northwest is home to 6 trolls from Danish environmental artists Thomas Danbo. People love to go find these trolls as some involve trails and others are located in fun places. There is actually a 7th troll found under a bridge in Seattle called the Fremont Troll under the Aurora Bridge and if you are troll hunting your trip is not complete if you have not seen this troll as well. Visit the community of Fremont when you find the 7th troll.
Northwest Trolls: Way of the Bird King
The Portland Rose garden needs to be high on flower lovers list! This garden covers 6.9 acres and is over 100 years old. The roses are in bloom from May through August but the best month is June. This rose garden is is award winning and respected around the world as one of the finest gardens to visit. AND it is FREE!!! Spend a wonderful day in the gardens and enjoy the fragrance.
Washington Park - International Rose Test Garden
This is one of my favorite botanical gardens. It sits on 55 acres and contains so many different gardens. For example you have the rose garden, the wine garden (leaves in wine/burgundy/maroon colors), the NW garden, the rhododendron garden and the list goes on and on. It is open year round with the different gardens coming into peak focus. They have art installations visiting throughout the year and chamber music periodically scheduled for your enjoyment in the garden. The garden is fairly level so it is easy access for all as you meander the various gardens. The first image is one from my studio when the Laburnum flowers are dropping to carpet the walkway as the Allium is reaching up in bright purple hues.
Home - VanDusen Botanical Garden
Local Artists
Local Artists and Coop's
Best of the Best Artisans of the PNW come together for the Tulip Festival each year at the PNW Artisans Marketplace. We are on the Tulip Route, open daily 10-6 during April each year.
As you trek through the tulips, don't miss the PNW Artisans Marketplace. Next to Christiansons Nursery on Best Rd., Mt Vernon Washington
As you trek through the tulips, don't miss the PNW Artisans Marketplace. Next to Christiansons Nursery on Best Rd., Mt Vernon Washington
pnwartisanmarketplace.com
Coop featuring Incredible local artists; Painting, Pottery, Glass, Wood, Photography, Textile, Jewelry
Art | La Conner Artists Gallery a Cooperative Spirit | United States
I want to introduce you to the owner of Marie's Bees; Marisa Papetti: Beekeeper, cheesemaker, educator extraordinaire!
Marisa has worked most of her life in roles of food service. Educating and offering hands on experiences to her community is what drives her. You can find Papetti teaching hands-on cheese-making classes at Bellingham favorites like The Community Food Co-Op, Ciao Thyme, and the Chuckanut Center, but what she l... Marie’s Bees has been in operation Since Feb, 2017, but Marisa has been beekeeping for since 2014.
Sustainable Connections is proud of this local, woman-owned business who is so connected to the community and our local food system. Marie’s Bees sources local hazelnuts from Holmquist Hazelnuts and uses Twin Brook Creamery for her cheese making. She... She is a much loved and value member of the community at large and the local artist community.
Checkout her products and sign up for one of her classes. They are fun and fill fast!
Marisa has worked most of her life in roles of food service. Educating and offering hands on experiences to her community is what drives her. You can find Papetti teaching hands-on cheese-making classes at Bellingham favorites like The Community Food Co-Op, Ciao Thyme, and the Chuckanut Center, but what she l... Marie’s Bees has been in operation Since Feb, 2017, but Marisa has been beekeeping for since 2014.
Sustainable Connections is proud of this local, woman-owned business who is so connected to the community and our local food system. Marie’s Bees sources local hazelnuts from Holmquist Hazelnuts and uses Twin Brook Creamery for her cheese making. She... She is a much loved and value member of the community at large and the local artist community.
Checkout her products and sign up for one of her classes. They are fun and fill fast!
Marie's Bees
My studio is 22 years old and I would love to share with you My Moments in Time from the Pacific Northwest and my travels. I am a wildlife, landscape and floral photographer. My work has been published in several different publications, hung in galle...
I offer my work in both Fine Art formats and Functional Art. My work is sold online via the URL provided in this link as well as various art shows. Click on the link for this post to see the variety of galleries and the images contained within...
I offer my work in both Fine Art formats and Functional Art. My work is sold online via the URL provided in this link as well as various art shows. Click on the link for this post to see the variety of galleries and the images contained within...
Natural Moments Studio
MUST Try Experiences
Bucket List Items!
A ride you will never forget!
This needs to be on your bucket list - A Hot Air Balloon Ride! Portland Rose Balloon Company started in 1996 and has grown to fly several balloons throughout Oregon. Their season begins in March and runs through beginning of October. They are a huge part of the annual Tulip festival (mid March-April) and the Sunflower Festival (mid-July-August) at the Wooden Shoe farm offering sunrise flights.
I have flown with them before and they are very experienced and helpful. They want everyone to have that unique one of a kind experience you will never forget.
They do get special requests such as marriage proposals and anniversary flights as any other celebration you want to have. They make sure the occasion is memorable!
This needs to be on your bucket list - A Hot Air Balloon Ride! Portland Rose Balloon Company started in 1996 and has grown to fly several balloons throughout Oregon. Their season begins in March and runs through beginning of October. They are a huge part of the annual Tulip festival (mid March-April) and the Sunflower Festival (mid-July-August) at the Wooden Shoe farm offering sunrise flights.
I have flown with them before and they are very experienced and helpful. They want everyone to have that unique one of a kind experience you will never forget.
They do get special requests such as marriage proposals and anniversary flights as any other celebration you want to have. They make sure the occasion is memorable!
Portland Rose Hot Air Balloons - Portland Rose Balloons
Whale Watching is a MUST do in the Pacific North West! We have Orca, Humback, Minke, Killer and Grey Whales plus dolphins year round. There are several whale watching opportunities, but this is one of my favorite as I know one of the captains. He is also a professional photographer, so I can promise you he will go out of his way to ensure you get a trip of a life time. He also does bird watching trips and sunset cruises. They serve fantastic meals and have resident experts aboard so you do not miss a thing!
Whale Watching out of Bellingham Ferry Terminal
The San Juan Islands are calling! A trip North of Seattle is not complete without a trip to the San Juan Islands. Drive on to a ferry or walk or ride a bike. The ferry runs out of Anacortes and takes you to all the main islands in the San Juans where you can have lunch and shop and visit the area. Lots of hiking and biking opportunities exist on the islands. Fresh seafood typically caught that morning can be your lunch/dinner that day. There are lovely bed and breakfast options and great hotels so that you can spend a couple days soaking up the island adventure. Take in a spa and really relax.
Reservations are recommended to avoid waiting in line.
Reservations are recommended to avoid waiting in line.
Explore the San Juan Islands
Dale Chihuly a Pacific NW native is a world renown master glass artist. His imaginative creations have been installed throughout the world. You have a chance to come see his 1.5 acre garden in Seattle. There is a 100' sculpture suspended from the ceiling in the glasshouse. You will be in awe of what he has created as you wander the garden with trees, flowers and so much more. The garden is located next the famous Space Needle. The gardens offer tours, videos, classes and dining.
Chihuly Garden and Glass
Ride the Gold Elevator to the top of the 1962 Worlds Fair Space Needle for a birds eye view of Seattle. You will see all the way to Mt Rainer in the South and Mt Baker to the North on a clear day. You get a 360 degree view of the city all in glass. You can dine in the Loupe Lounge that does a full 360 degree spin around the Space Needle while you sit and enjoy the view. It is one of the first things I did the weekend I accepted a job to relocate to the Pacific North West and I have never left.
Space Needle
Check out the history of flight at the Boeing Museum of Flight. The museum takes you from the early days of flight to space flight and all the stages in-between. You will also tour the Everett factory where they actually build the planes. It is such a large facility/building that it has it's own weather systems that can form inside so the engineers had to overcome the design so it would not rain inside the building. It is amazing to be inside with several 777's lined up as they are being built. I felt it was like a parking lot of planes the first time I saw it. I spent almost 30 years at Boeing and it never ceased to amaze me.
Boeing Future of Flight Aviation Center & Boeing Tour 30 mi N of Seattle
Seattle was built on a city! It is true. In the 1800's the city kept being destroyed with fires and floods and then the great fire in 1889 hit and the city decided to rebuild itself only higher and in brick. So they raised the city up and built it over the old city and basically buried the buildings and streets that existed prior to the great fire. 75 years later Bill Speidel proposed finding the buried city and opening it up for tours. You begin the tour in a bar that looks like it came out of the Cheers TV show set with a guide who will take you the lost buildings and streets that Seattle now sits on top of. It is a great tour and you will learn about the early days and the gold rush days. It is a great tour.
Seattle Under Ground Tour
Buchart Gardens is one of the best botanical gardens I have ever seen. I have been multiple times as the gardens change with the seasons so I time my trips with the bloom season of specific flowers. Buchart Gardens offers multiple gardens to include: The Rose Garden, The Sunken Garden, The Japanese Garden, The Mediterranean Garden, & The Italian Garden. The gardens cover 55 acres and the garden is over 100 years old. The Buchart Garden is a National Historic Site of Canada.
The Butchart Gardens on Vancouver Island British Columbia
The best botanical garden featuring native coastal Pacific North West plants. Van Dusen Botanical Garden is 50 years old and covers 55 acres (fairly level garden). As you enter the garden you can go towards the rose garden or the rhododendron garden or maybe you would like to head towards the wine garden which is the most amazing collection of wine colored plants. One of my favorite spots is Laburnum Walk. Laburnum Trees, over 100 years old come into full bloom in mid-late May each year as their golden yellow petals drop to the path as the alluvium reach up to meet the petals. It is magical. There are many sections to the garden. They schedule art installations for a couple months at a time or sometimes they arrange for chamber music or symphony music to be played live as you wander the gardens. Dining is available in the garden. It is located in downtown Vancouver British Columbia. Holidays are a special treat when they install holiday lights for nighttime viewing.
Home - VanDusen Botanical Garden
Wineries
Wine Tasting at the Wooden Shoe Vineyard and flower gazing/wondering taking in nature. Does it get any better??? Wooden Shoe Vineyard began growing their vineyards in 2009 and producing wine in 2012. They have expanded to a full tasting room open from March - October. Extra hours during the Tulip and Summer Sunflower event so you get the flowers with the wine.
They offer 3 white wines, 4 pink and 6 reds. Woodburn Oregon has a lot going on with the Wooden Shoe Farm and Vineyard. I am not missing it on my treks there, so hope to see you there!
They offer 3 white wines, 4 pink and 6 reds. Woodburn Oregon has a lot going on with the Wooden Shoe Farm and Vineyard. I am not missing it on my treks there, so hope to see you there!
Vineyards, Wines & Tasting Room • Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm
Award winning wine and ciders (Burro Loco) in the Skagit Valley in Washington. Love the wine, visiting with the owners Ector and Shanna DeLeon as they have the pulse on the entire valley. Ector is a veteran of 3 tours of duty before he took on the winery. They hold local open events and private events at the winery and host the different chamber of commerce events.
Wine tasting is on weekends but check their schedule for hours as they change for the different seasons and the annual Tulip festival.
Tulip Valley Winery is family owned and operated since being founded in 2004. They are located in the heart of Skagit Valley where they produce Tulip Valley's hand crafted wines from estate grown grapes in our Abberin Vineyard near Sunnyside, WA. The...
It officially opened the tasting room in 2007 in the 1920's gothic roofed dairy barn. They are surrounded by three-acres of Pinot Noir grapes and English and French cider apples that encompass 9 varieties of apples and pears. With the view of Mount B...
The grapes are mainly grown on their estate vineyard in the Columbia Valley of Eastern Washington, but the grapes and apples are all crushed and made into wines and hard ciders onsite. The wines and hard ciders have won numerous awards, most recently...
You will also find my fine art giclee canvas pieces prints hanging throughout the winery for sale. My studio name is Natural Moments Studio. I can attest to the quality of their wine as I have tried everyone! I was not a red wine fan until I tasted their red wine and it was smooth and full bodied and I was a fan! The owners also take the time to help people learn about the wine tasting experience to really enhance the experience.
Wine tasting is on weekends but check their schedule for hours as they change for the different seasons and the annual Tulip festival.
Tulip Valley Winery is family owned and operated since being founded in 2004. They are located in the heart of Skagit Valley where they produce Tulip Valley's hand crafted wines from estate grown grapes in our Abberin Vineyard near Sunnyside, WA. The...
It officially opened the tasting room in 2007 in the 1920's gothic roofed dairy barn. They are surrounded by three-acres of Pinot Noir grapes and English and French cider apples that encompass 9 varieties of apples and pears. With the view of Mount B...
The grapes are mainly grown on their estate vineyard in the Columbia Valley of Eastern Washington, but the grapes and apples are all crushed and made into wines and hard ciders onsite. The wines and hard ciders have won numerous awards, most recently...
You will also find my fine art giclee canvas pieces prints hanging throughout the winery for sale. My studio name is Natural Moments Studio. I can attest to the quality of their wine as I have tried everyone! I was not a red wine fan until I tasted their red wine and it was smooth and full bodied and I was a fan! The owners also take the time to help people learn about the wine tasting experience to really enhance the experience.
Winery | Tulip Valley Winery | Mount Vernon