Day Out in La Conner: The little Town with a Lot to Offer
Enclave of Art, Food, Bathed in Historic Charm
I’ve always thought that the Pacific Northwest was one of the most beautiful places on earth. Nestled between ocean and mountains with forest, lakes, rivers, and open farmland what else do you need?
LaConner WA is in the heart of farmland in the pastoral Skagit Valley, and situated along the Swinomish Channel. This waterway connects to the ocean near Anacortes.
Founded in the 1860’s, the town retains many historic buildings both downtown and in the surrounding homes. Within these historic buildings are quaint shops, waterfront restaurants, and art galleries.
The town is known as a haven for artists and was also the long time home of the late novelist Tom Robbins.
It is also a popular stop for the thousands of folks who descend on the Skagit Valley in the spring for the Tulip Festival (April) and the Daffodil Festival (March).
Recently I re-visited LaConner on a weekday morning during late March. Despite straddling Daffodil and Tulip season, the town was surprisingly uncrowded. If you want to avoid crowds, and not have to scrounge for parking, consider a weekday visit, especially in spring.
Fast Facts
Top Things to Do in LA CONNER
Within the town itself, casual strolling is my favorite thing to do. Do a little shopping, look at a few galleries, and have a coffee + pastry, or a spot of lunch.
Stroll Downtown
Time to Allow
The historic downtown area (1st St.) is only a few blocks long, but there are many quaint shops, galleries, and food options here.
Don’t ignore Morris St., which intersects 1st. St. It’s likely the road you came in on. Many restaurants and a few shops, not to mention the visitors center are all found here.
museum of Northwest Art
Time to Allow
Like the name implies, this art museum focuses heavily on regional artists, including works by the Northwest School of Art. This group of artists (including Mark Tobey, Morris Graves, Kenneth Callahan, and Guy Anderson) worked in the region in the 1930’s and 1940’s, capturing the beauty of the area while incorporating mysticism and Asian influences. The museum is free and features a well stocked gift shop.
Quilt & Textile Museum
Time to Allow
Housed in the historic Gaches Mansion, the La Conner Quilt & Textile Museum contains three floors of rotating exhibitions featuring both traditional and contemporary textile art.
Built in 1891, the building itself is worth admiring, with its beautiful architecture and period details.
Skagit COunty Historical Museum
Time to Allow
This museum tells the story of Skagit Valley’s development. Learn about pioneer life, logging, farming, and maritime industries that shaped the region.
Photo credit: Joe Mabel CC via Wikimedia
Breweries & Wineries
Time to Allow
There are a few places locally to taste beer or wine. Try Skagit Cellars where there is something for everyone among their selection of whites, reds and roses. For the beer lover, La Conner Brewing Co. has a variety of their beers on tap. This family run business also serves food in their brewpub.
Art Galleries & Antiques
Time to Allow
La Conner’s reputation as an arts community is well-deserved. Several small galleries dot the downtown area, offering paintings, sculptures, glass art, jewelry, and more, much of it created by local artisans.
Chat with gallery owners and sometimes even the artists themselves.
The centerpiece of antique shops is Nasty Jacks, family owned since the mid-1970’s. Explore their antiques and collectibles (think furniture, home goods, magazines, records and much much more) in a historic building.
Explore the Great Outdoors
Rainbow Bridge and Waterfront Park
Rainbow bridge can be viewed from pretty much anywhere along the channel in LaConner. It crosses said channel into Swinomish tribal land. For an interesting view, check out Waterfront Park, which lies nearly underneath the bridge. The bridge gets its name from its arch like shape.
Boating on the Channel
San Juan Cruises offers a few departures from LaConner that go out towards Deception Pass, as well as lunch cruises during Tulip Festival.
Tulips and Daffodils
Skagit Valley in April is a popular destinations as thousands of families descend to take photos and and amble in the tulip fields. The area between LaConner and Mt. Vernon is where most fields lie so this is a good activity to do on your way to or from LaConner.
The largest destination has long been Roozengarde, but there are a few other farms offering visitation. Book your tickets in advance here.
Local Shopping
Aside from the many galleries and shops in town, here are a few of my go-to shops in LaConner.
Olive Shoppe & Ginger Grater
This delightful kitchen shop has existed for many years, and inside it reminds me of an old fashioned general store. Shop their collection of wines, olives, jams, kitchen supplies and housewares.
SEAPORT Books
A small, well curated bookshop run by book lovers. This delightful little store is right next to Skagit Cellars. A good book and some wine near the water? Sounds like heaven to me.
Go Outside
This store has also been around for a long time and features (nice) garden supplies, cookbooks, and a general farm to table vibe, also housed in a historic building.
Getting to La COnner
By Car
From I-5 (freeway) take the Hwy 20 exit (exit 230) and head west towards Anacortes. Turn left onto LaConner-Whitney Road (it’s called Bayview Edison road if you turn right, FYI). Continue for a few minutes. At the roundabout, turn right onto Morris St. Go a few blocks, and then start looking for street parking.
By Bus
Skagit Transit offers regular bus service to La Conner departing Skagit Station throughout the day. Check up to date schedules here. Amtrak and Greyhound also serves Skagit Station.
Driving Distances to Cities with Airports
| Place | Distance |
| Vancouver, B.C. | 87 miles |
| Seattle, WA | 51 miles |
| Bellingham, WA | 35 miles |
| Everett, WA | 39 miles |
Amtrak
There is an Amtrak train station in downtown Mt. Vernon. It is serviced only by the Amtrak Cascades that runs twice daily between Vancouver, BC and Seattle, WA however you can transfer to other Amtrak trains in Seattle as well as VIA Rail routes in Vancouver.
Weather
Best time to visit
July through early September is the driest and warmest time to visit. Despite the average temperatures below, in July and August temperatures between 75-85 F (and higher) are becoming more common. Being near the channel, which leads out to the sea, some cooling breezes are not uncommon.
Nice weather (above 65 F) is possible April through October. Rain is possible September through June so be prepared. May is often nicer than June. Snow falls occasionally in the winter months but usually doesn’t last very long.
Weather By Month
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| Temp | 41 | 46 | 48 | 55 | 61 | 65 | 77 | 75 | 67 | 59 | 52 | 43 |
| Prec. | 18 | 16 | 20 | 19 | 13 | 12 | 7 | 7 | 12 | 17 | 19 | 19 |
What to wear
Casual dress is just fine almost anywhere in this area. Anywhere in the Pacific Northwest, layers are your best bet. Bring a winter coat between late October through March, and a light jacket the rest of the year. Summer clothes are recommended in July and August, but be sure to pack some long pants as well.
An umbrella will brand you as a tourist in the Pacific Northwest. A hood on your coat will allow you to stay dry and inconspicuous. Want to fit in? Wear socks with your Birkenstock sandals.
Where to Stay in La Conner
La Conner Channel Lodge
If it’s a view you’re wanting, the Channel Lodge is a great bet. Situated overlooking the channel, and at the north end of downtown you are convenient to all that LaConner has to offer.
HOTEL PLANTeR:
This historic hotel is right downtown, and there is a quaint hidden courtyard in the back of it for guests to relax in. Hot tip: the courtyard is also accessible from the adjacent art gallery, just head to the back of the gallery and out the back door to get a peak and also check out the gallery’s outdoor art.
Vacation Rentals & BED & BREAKFAST:
Katy’s Inn is a Bed & Breakfast with Channel views and a full breakfast. This one comes highly recommended by other travelers.
Campgrounds:
There are limited camping options near town. There is a Thousand Trails campground, if you happen to have a membership.
Or, if you came into town on LaConner Whitney Road, take it back north, cross Hwy 20 (where the road is now called Bayview Edison Road) and follow it 5-10 minutes to Bayview State Park. The park features 70+ campsites and it located across the street from the Bay. The park has picnic facilities and a large grassy area along the bay for day visitors and campers alike (Discovery Pass required).
Where to Eat in La Conner
There are tons of great restaurants in the area. Here are just a few highlights.
COA MEXIcan EatERY
This slightly upscale Mexican restaurant has been expanding and now has locations in LaConner, Mt. Vernon and Bellingham. If you are visiting the area, the Mexican food around here is not to be missed.
Nell Thorn
For an even more upscale experience, the Nell Thorn is right downtown and features outdoor seating in season. Serving seafood, steak, salads, and pastas, this is a popular spot in town.
CALICO CUPBOARD
Another local chain, the LaConner location has been here for years and years and can be quite crowded for weekend breakfast and lunch.
WATERFRONT CAFE
This is one of our favorite lunch spots if for no other reason than their nice sized patio overlooks the channel. Last summer we ate here when the Swinomish tribe was holding canoe races in the channel, which was a treat to watch. Serving more casual fare like burgers and fish and chips. A good spot if you have kids with you.
