photo by Peter Cherry

Spring is here and nowhere is that more evident than the fields of Skagit Valley in Washington, which hosts its annual tulip festival from April 1-30th. Just look at the amazing colors of these flowers (millions in fact) spread across hundreds of acres just 60-miles north of Seattle, near Mount Vernon. One of the things I love about this event is its simplicity. There’s not a lot of formal to-dos or hokey events—Skagit Valley mostly just lets the tulips speak for themselves. The festival’s website does offer a handy Field Map visitors can use to navigate their way around (stop by the “Tulip Office” when you get to town and pick one up). I love the idea of renting a bike for the day, meandering down the country roads past farm after farm, awash with all the colors of the rainbow.

photo by Scott Lechner

photo by Washington Bulb Company

photo by Wade Clark

all photos via Skagit Valley Tulip Festival