WESTERNBUD.COM

WELCOME cont. from pg. 9 in your own rented coach, shuttle, or van; the master gardener will navigate your tour. This is approximately a three-hour event with most groups breaking for lunch in between gardens by attending the Kiwanis Salmon Barbecue or other places for food stopovers.

Other Festival Sponsor Tours

Anacortes Dinner Cruises, departs from Anacortes (360) 333-5282 www.anacortesdinnercruise.com

30% OFF ALL ONLINE ORDERS $0

Cruise the scenic waters of the San Juans in style on a three-hour cruise. Guests can unwind knowing the only people on board will be a small crew and four to eight guests. Enjoy a freshly prepared meal while soaking up the amazing views from the boat’s outdoor and indoor areas. Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays only.

Outer Island Excursions

Whale & Wildlife Tours, departs from Anacortes (360) 376-3711

Reserve online at www. outerislandx.com

Naturalist guided, family friendly, fast and comfortable. Visits 172 islands abounding with whales and wildlife. Individuals, groups, parties, or transportation. A must do while visiting the Northwest! Ask about the Tulip Festival prebook. Buy one get one 50% off! Use promo code TULIP23.

Skagit River Queen Boat Tours, departs from La Conner (907) 415-8762 www.pacificnwfloattrips.com

Captain Dave Button will take you on a water tour of the Swinomish Channel on the pontoon boat River Queen. Visit Shelter Bay, Goat Island, and The Hole in The Wall. $15 per person.

Shutter Tours (425) 516-8838 www.shuttertours.com

Relax in a comfortable tour bus with a top-rated tour company. See tulips and receive tips to improve your photography. Photo stops include tulip fields and lunch in La Conner. Seattle hotel pickups available.

Bike Rentals

Most tulip fields, events, attractions and display gardens can be accessed easily by bicycle but be prepared for the weather, bike defensively, and watch for changing road conditions.

Tulip Country Bike Tours (360) 424-7461 www.countrycycling.com

Tulip Country Bike Tours offers bike rentals and self-guided bike tours of the tulip fields on a limited basis. Their rentals include a map, self-guided tour route, and staff recommendations for lunch and other stops. Groups of 10 or more can reserve a guided tour of the fields. Visitors with their own bicycles can join guided tours at a discounted rate. pril 14 - 23 A

PNW

Exploration (360) 399-8964

www.pnwexploration.com

PNW Exploration is a family run, e-bike rental company offering locally curated, self-guided tours of Skagit Valley. This year, for the first time, they are offering guided tulip tours for small groups of up to 10 people. Options are Early Tulip Pedal, Afternoon Tulip Pedal, and Sunset Tulips & Wine.

Traveling to the Tulip Festival

By Train

Amtrak service runs to Mount Vernon. On arrival, be prepared to rent a car, call a taxi or work with one of our tour providers listed above to get to the tulip fields as there are no cont. on pg. 12

Anacortes business locations, parks and public areas join the hunt for 200 artist created nautical prizes hidden in for de tail s and a map g tes.or .anaco r www visi t shuttles or tours from the train station.

BY BUS

Monday through Saturday Skagit Transit Route 615 operates along McLean Rd. If you take this bus, make sure to get on and off at Beaver Marsh Road as this is the closest stop to the tulip fields and gardens. Note that you will still be walking a distance to reach your destination.

BY CAR

The tulip fields are located 60 miles north of Seattle along I-5 and 70 miles south of Vancouver, BC, Canada. The tulips are generally grown in a 15-mile triangle bordered by Highway 20, the Skagit River, and the Swinomish River

Channel. Use State Route 20 to enter the tulip area and please carpool, if possible.

Parking

Parking is available at designated lots in the Tulip Field area. The four display gardens have free parking adjacent to their facilities. Roadside parking is limited due to shoulder conditions and traffic safety regulations.