Off-the-Beaten-Path Things to Do in Skagit County, WA

I’m always looking for off-the-beaten-path things to do in Skagit County because it’s the destination of the small group tour I host for food lovers. This verdant area between Seattle and Vancouver, BC is one of the agricultural epicenters of Washington state. You’ll find a seemingly endless landscape of farms until you hit the coast, where the scene changes to gorgeous views of the San Juan Islands and Olympic Mountains.

Whether you are a foodie, prefer outdoor adventures, or a little bit of both, Skagit Valley has it all. For those who want to discover the area as if they were a local, here are my favorite things to do in Skagit Valley.

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Skagit County (pronounced “skaaah-jit”) is about 1.5 hours north of Seattle and under 2 hours south of Vancouver, BC. It’s made up of a bunch of towns spanning about 95 miles east to west and 24 miles north to south. There are around 300,000 permanent residents living in the mostly rural area, but there are some bigger towns like Mt. Vernon, Burlington, Anacortes, and La Conner that are popular spots to visit.

These small towns are situated in what’s called “the Skagit Valley”, a pocket of land that’s incredibly fertile. It’s a popular place to visit during spring break in Seattle because of the colorful tulip fields in spring, but it’s actually a huge food production area. Besides your typical produce, it’s probably best known for grain, barley, and potatoes. What’s cool is that many local bakeries and breweries use these grains in their products to give you a true sense of place.

Besides farming, Skagit County’s idyllic location along the coast line also makes it a huge spot for oysters. One of the best seafood restaurants in Seattle actually has its oyster farm in Skagit County because the location is perfect for growing and harvesting those addictive bivalves.

The coastline also makes Skagit County perfect for adventure seekers looking for hikes and gorgeous views. Match the beautiful scenery with the strong local culture of artistry, you have a little bit of everything for everyone in Skagit County!

Things to Do in Skagit County

Now that you know a bit about the Skagit Valley, let’s dive into what to do when you visit. To make the most of your trip, rent one of the best PNW cabins and get ready for a fun adventure.

Alternatively, let me plan you a custom itinerary for exploring the area. I’d even be happy to recreate my Skagit Valley retreat for you to take on your own.

Visit the quaint town of Edison

If you blink, you’ll miss Edison, WA. It’s a tiny little town made up of no more than 20 restaurants and shops. It’s filled with artists, which is why you’ll find a disproportionate number of art galleries to the size of the town.

You’ll be able to explore all the shops in less than 30 minutes if you don’t linger too long, so you don’t need to plan a whole day around Edison. But it’s worth stopping in the shops to look around. I really liked the aesthetic of Hedgerow, which curates goods from around the world and looks like it belongs in the pages of Kinfolk.

When you start feeling peckish, head to Slough Food, Mariposa Taqueria, and/or Breadfarm for a snack. Then wash it all down with beer or spirits at Terramar Brewstillery. They have a speakeasy with craft cocktails and a ton of indoor-outdoor space to relax.

Eat at the best restaurants

Given the access restaurants have to local produce, the restaurant scene is low-key phenomenal in Skagit County. Some of my favorite stops include:

The Rex Bar & Grill for sandwiches
Skagit’s Own Fish Market for fish rolls
The Oyster Shuckers for shellfish

To learn about these and even more awesome places to eat, check out the guide to the best restaurants in Skagit County for my full list of favorites!

Explore foodie destinations in Bow

Bow, WA is quite small and doesn’t really have a downtown area like Edison, but it’s nearby and has a bunch food-related things to do in Skagit County worth seeking out.

One place I recommend checking out is the Samish Bay Cheese farm shop. I have a spring salad recipe I love to make with their Ladysmith chive cheese. Afterwards, head to nearby Bow Hill Farms for blueberry products.

You can also visit Taylor Shellfish Farms and eat fresh oysters along the gorgeous Samish Bay. They’ll even teach you how to shuck if you want to go home with a new skill.

Ride along Chuckanut Drive

If you go to Taylor Shellfish Farms, you’ll already be on Chuckanut Drive. This 20-mile scenic road hugs the coast between Skagit County and Whatcom County. It starts off I-5 exit 231 in Burlington and weaves north to Bellingham, a great spot for a day trip. The drive only takes about 30-minutes without stops, so it’s a fun way to spend a half day.

On the drive you’ll see breathtaking views of the San Juan Islands and Samish Bay. There are plenty of scenic viewpoints to stop at for photos, or you can get out to do some hikes or visit parks.

For example, Larrabee State Park has easy trails for exploring forest, beaches, and tide pools. Or if you prefer more exertion, check out the Oyster Dome Trail (sometimes called Bat Caves Trailhead).

Shop in downtown Mt. Vernon

Y’all know how I feel about finding the best Seattle antique stores. So anytime I travel, I’m usually doing a quick search to see if there are any worth visiting.

The Skagit Valley has a ton of antique shops. In fact, if you stop by the Red Door Antique Mall in Mt. Vernon, they’ll give you a map of all the antiques in Skagit Valley!

Mt. Vernon’s Main Street isn’t too big and has a few antique shops worth perusing. If it’s a Saturday during summer/fall, you can also stop by the great Mount Vernon Farmers Market that’s right alongside the pretty riverfront.

As you shop, don’t miss Perry and Carlson. This is a beautifully curated store/art gallery. We almost bought some beautiful cocktail napkins and succulent hangers there, but ended up leaving empty handed. Considering I’m still thinking about them, I might need to make another road trip up there to seal the deal!

Peruse the quaint town of La Conner

La Conner is a sweet town on the water that is south of Bow and Edison. It runs along the Swinomish Channel, so it’s a popular spot for boats to moor. The land has been home to the Swinomish tribe for thousands of years, but La Conner as a town is one of the oldest communities in Skagit Valley established in the 1870s.

Walking down the quaint town, you’ll feel transported to another era with its Victorian buildings and seaside-esque vibe. You can even follow this self-guided historic walking tour to learn more about the architecture.

I recommend spending a few hours walking up and down the main drag and popping into stores that interest you. Definitely stop into Handmade La Connor to pick up some of the best smelling and hand soap around (I love the grapefruit bergamot). Then pop into La Conner Brewing when you feel parched.

Go wine or beer tasting

Skagit Valley has a ton of wineries and breweries. For wine-o’s, there are a bunch of wineries around the area. North Sound Wine Trail has a list of all the wineries you can check out during your visit, but a few favorites are Skagit Cellars and Hellams Vineyard in La Conner.

If beer is more your speed, you can try the 11 breweries along the Skagit Ale Trail. I absolutely love Farmstrong Brewing and Garden Path Fermentation, the latter of which also makes mead and wine using local yeast caught from the air!

Check out Deception Pass

Deception Pass State Park is nestled in the cove between Washington’s mainland and Whidbey Island, one of the best islands off Seattle. You can drive to Whidbey Island via the Deception Pass Bridge. It’ll take you over some of the bluest water I’ve ever seen in Washington. On the Whidbey Island side there are stairs that take you down to the beach. I recommend checking this out for gorgeous views of the bridge.

Once on the other side, consider making a day trip of it to explore the best restaurants on Whidbey Island, Whidbey Island wineries, and other things to do on Whidbey Island.

Pro tip: There are a lot of kayaking and whale watching tour opportunities from Deception Pass.

Explore Anacortes

Anacortes is a seaport town near Deception Pass State Park. You may have been there if you’ve ever visiting the San Juan Islands, as the ferry terminal to get to them is based in Anacortes.

This town is probably best known for the shops along Commercial Ave and the seasonal Anacortes Farmers Market and Anacortes Art Festival. So definitely spend some time walking and popping into shops of interest. Keep your eyes peeled for cool murals and historic architecture as you browse. When you get hungry, pop into Good Bagels or GERE-a-DELI for a bite.

Once you’re done exploring downtown Anacortes, make sure to save time for checking out some of the pretty viewpoints on Fidalgo Island (what they call the peninsula Anacortes is located on). Mt. Erie is the most breathtaking, with almost 360-degree views of the surrounding Salish Sea. If you want more of a walk, check out the Guemes Channel Trail near the ferry terminal or Washington Park for plenty of easy hiking opportunities.

I have a whole guide on all the best things to do in Anacortes. Check it out for more ideas!

Visit u-pick farms & farm stands

There are so many awesome farms and honors-system farm stands in the Skagit Valley. One of my favorite things to do in Skagit County is to bring my reusable shopping bags and stop at as many stands as I can to pick up fresh produce and goods. Most accept Venmo, so you don’t even need cash.

Here are some of my favorites to visit. You can find more on the map below.

Gordon Skagit Farms (u-pick pumpkins and apples, fall only)
Waxwing Farm
Boldly Grown Farm
Pleasant Ridge Farm (also has u-pick apples)
Hedlin Farms
Snow Goose Produce (known for ice cream, too)

Get creeped out at an abandoned asylum

One of my favorite things to do in Skagit County, WA is visit Northern State Recreation Area to explore the historic hospital grounds. Part of the medical complex is still in service, but a good portion of it is abandoned and covered in plants and graffiti. The area has been turned into a state park with a bunch of walking trails ripe for exploring. It’s one of my favorite things to do during Halloween in Seattle because its so eerie!

Enjoy afternoon tea

If you love tea, you’ll love visiting Willowbrook Manor for one of their weekend afternoon teas. You can even stay the night, and you’ll want to given how beautiful it is. The home is a big stone cottage that whisks you away to the English country side. It’s surrounded by manicured gardens with plenty of nooks and crannies to explore.

Willowbrook Manor is actually a tea farm that grows camomile. They use it along with other sourced herbs to make custom tea blends in interesting flavors. You can try them along with a tiered tray of homemade treats, plus take some of their tea and famous scone mix home to recreate the experience on your own.

Attend the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival

If you’re visiting in April, make sure to check out the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival. This annual celebration attracts thousands of people a year all eager to see the rows upon rows of colorful tulips and daffodils.

Since this is a popular tourist activity, make sure to read my guide on how to avoid crowds at the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival.