Escape to rural Northwest Washington to find a riverfront town with a historic centre and fields covered with colourful flowers.
The town of Mount Vernon lies in the scenic Skagit Valley, which is famed for its tulips and historical barns. Explore the town itself for a lively local arts scene and enjoy peaceful walks by the river.
Amble around historic Downtown Mount Vernon, which is lined with public art sculptures, galleries and parks. Look for gigantic metallic tulips and the Alpha Helix, an abstract piece created from anti-submarine buoys. Visit on the first Thursday of each month to take part in an art walk around the town.
Spend your evenings enjoying films, plays and concerts in Lincoln Theatre. The elegant venue has been an integral part of Mount Vernon’s arts scene since it opened in the 1920s. Take a guided tour of the building led by a knowledgeable member of staff.
Relax in one of the city parks. Edgewater Park has a ramp for boat launches, while Little Mountain Park features a viewpoint looking over the Skagit Valley.
Cycle or stroll through the famous tulip fields of the region. Come in April to take part in the annual Skagit Valley Tulip Festival, when the fields are in full bloom and tours run through the multicolored farmlands. Bring kids to Tulip Town to marvel at the formal gardens and rows of delicate flowers.
The countryside outside Mount Vernon is dotted with historical agricultural buildings. Take a self-guided Historic Barn Tour of the region, visiting some of the 58 heritage barns in the area. Pick up a map in the Skagit County Historical Museum, based in nearby La Conner.
When flowers aren’t growing in the surrounding fields, wine grapes are. Make sure you enjoy some of the produce from the local vineyards when visiting the town.
Mount Vernon is a 20-minute drive east of La Conner and 75 minutes north of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. With a year-round mild climate, find plenty to do in any season, although spring is when the flowers are in full bloom. Get insider information on the region at the Mount Vernon Visitor Centre.
