Cheryl's (Mostly) Skagit Guidebook
Food scene
Skagit County is famous for excellent local produce and seafood. Skip the chain places when you are here and try all the local treats.
Great local food and friendly vibes. Every hippie's dream.
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Skagit Valley Food Co-op
202 S 1st StGreat local food and friendly vibes. Every hippie's dream.
Perhaps the best baked goods in the PNW, located in a super cute extremely tiny little town. Pre-order online and pick up to make sure you get the items you want. Some products also sold at Skagit Valley Co-op but it's worth the drive to the actual shop to get the specialty pastries.
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Breadfarm
5766 Cains CtPerhaps the best baked goods in the PNW, located in a super cute extremely tiny little town. Pre-order online and pick up to make sure you get the items you want. Some products also sold at Skagit Valley Co-op but it's worth the drive to the actual shop to get the specialty pastries.
Waxwing Farm
16665 Britt RdVisit their farm stand (check website to see if they are open)
Bow Hill Blueberries
15628 Bow Hill RdBlueberry everything!
Taqueria Mini Mart Mi Cocina
16016 McLean RdOne of the better authentic local Mexican places
Everyone's favorite Thai place in Mount Vernon. Takeout only and even "very spicy" for people who regularly eat spicy Thai!
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Rachawadee Thai Cafe
410 W Gates StEveryone's favorite Thai place in Mount Vernon. Takeout only and even "very spicy" for people who regularly eat spicy Thai!
Amazing pies! Get a whole pie if you're with a group or a serious pie lover.
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Whidbey Pies Cafe
111 Wonn RdAmazing pies! Get a whole pie if you're with a group or a serious pie lover.
Where people here like to get breakfast
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Calico Cupboard Old Town Cafe & Bakery
121-B Freeway DrWhere people here like to get breakfast
Locals recommend this restaurant for high quality ingredients and dedication to eco-friendly packaging.
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Taste of India
420 W Gates StLocals recommend this restaurant for high quality ingredients and dedication to eco-friendly packaging.
Popular local brewery with beverages brewed from local products.
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Farmstrong Brewing Company
110 Stewart RoadPopular local brewery with beverages brewed from local products.
The Scone Lady Bakery
109 N 1st StLocal favorite spot for scones of various types!
Tasty beer and good pizza with outdoor seating near the river.
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District Brewing
520 Main StTasty beer and good pizza with outdoor seating near the river.
Good spot for lunch! Tasty pizza, fries, and sandwiches, plus a very good selection of local beers.
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La Conner Brewing Co
117 1st StGood spot for lunch! Tasty pizza, fries, and sandwiches, plus a very good selection of local beers.
Pyung Chang Korean BBQ
521 S 2nd StEveryone's favorite local Korean BBQ!
Most gluten-free folks choose this place (although I have not yet visited myself)
Shambala Ancient Grain Bakery & Bistro
614 South 1st StreetMost gluten-free folks choose this place (although I have not yet visited myself)
This walk-up service bagel shop is a nice walk through a pretty neighborhood just slightly less than a mile from the house and locals love it!
Whidbey Island Bagel Factory
This walk-up service bagel shop is a nice walk through a pretty neighborhood just slightly less than a mile from the house and locals love it!
Great beer, burgers, and friendly service at this cute downtown place.
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Temperate Habits Brewing Company
500 S 1st StGreat beer, burgers, and friendly service at this cute downtown place.
Taste of Thai by Wipa
Some of the best Thai food in the area, with lots of options.
Highly recommended farm-to-table Northwest cuisine in La Conner
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Nell Thorn
116 1st StHighly recommended farm-to-table Northwest cuisine in La Conner
Easy Sightseeing
Things you can do out and about that aren't too strenuous.
Nice almost entirely level walk that is -almost- guaranteed to be snow-free year-round (but can be very(!) windy).
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Padilla Bay Trailhead
Shore TrailNice almost entirely level walk that is -almost- guaranteed to be snow-free year-round (but can be very(!) windy).
Tulips display garden that everyone is excited about during the tulip festival. Be sure you have a toilet plan, these places can get unexpectedly crowded!
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Taman Display Roozengaarde
15867 Beaver Marsh RdTulips display garden that everyone is excited about during the tulip festival. Be sure you have a toilet plan, these places can get unexpectedly crowded!
Skagit Wildlife Area
21961 Wylie RdA great place to see swans and snow geese
An easy 2 miles from the house, a nice place for a hike or walk. Do beware of cyclists on the multi-use trails, unless you are a cyclist yourself. It's six miles from the house to the viewpoint at the top if you stick to the street, but you can spend hours on the trails. Locals say watch for bobcats in addition to cyclists.
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Little Mountain Park
3000 Little Mountain RdAn easy 2 miles from the house, a nice place for a hike or walk. Do beware of cyclists on the multi-use trails, unless you are a cyclist yourself. It's six miles from the house to the viewpoint at the top if you stick to the street, but you can spend hours on the trails. Locals say watch for bobcats in addition to cyclists.
Breazeale Interpretive Center
10441 Bayview Edison RdNice place to learn about environment and history of the area
Schuh Farms
15565 WA-536Americana at its finest
A gorgeous beach, an easy hike or just visit the beautiful (but often crowded) bridge viewpoint. 30-35 minutes drive to Whidbey Island. You will need a Washington State Discover Pass. Read more at https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/deception-pass-state-park-north-beach (this is one of several areas, and one of the easier options).
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Taman Negara Deception Pass
41229 State Route 20A gorgeous beach, an easy hike or just visit the beautiful (but often crowded) bridge viewpoint. 30-35 minutes drive to Whidbey Island. You will need a Washington State Discover Pass. Read more at https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/deception-pass-state-park-north-beach (this is one of several areas, and one of the easier options).
Take a leisurely drive up to Bellingham along this twisty, scenic route. You can stop at Larrabee State Park on the way for beautiful views of Puget Sound (Discovery Pass needed).
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Chuckanut Drive
Chuckanut DriveTake a leisurely drive up to Bellingham along this twisty, scenic route. You can stop at Larrabee State Park on the way for beautiful views of Puget Sound (Discovery Pass needed).
Nice park with great views for picnicking and whatnot. Can be very windy! A great place for sunset watching.
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Taman Negara Bay View
10901 Bayview Edison RdNice park with great views for picnicking and whatnot. Can be very windy! A great place for sunset watching.
If you're here in autumn, you must visit this farm to see their pumpkin art! They have u-pick apples and you can also often see snow geese from the fields.
Gordon Skagit Farms
15598 McLean RdIf you're here in autumn, you must visit this farm to see their pumpkin art! They have u-pick apples and you can also often see snow geese from the fields.
Cute little place to visit, recently listed as one of Washington's cutest small towns. It has a nice boardwalk, a couple museums and antique shops, a good pub, plus the famous scones shop.
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La Conner
Cute little place to visit, recently listed as one of Washington's cutest small towns. It has a nice boardwalk, a couple museums and antique shops, a good pub, plus the famous scones shop.
About 30 minutes from here, the Maiden of Deception Pass is a Samish legend and a story pole located in the Rosario Beach area of Deception Pass State Park. In the legend, the Samish maiden Ko-Kwal-alwoot marries a man who lives in the ocean in exchange for providing her people with plentiful food from the sea.
Maiden of Deception Pass
About 30 minutes from here, the Maiden of Deception Pass is a Samish legend and a story pole located in the Rosario Beach area of Deception Pass State Park. In the legend, the Samish maiden Ko-Kwal-alwoot marries a man who lives in the ocean in exchange for providing her people with plentiful food from the sea.
Said to be "not as corporate" as the other tulip viewing venues in the area. Buy bulbs, visit gardens, and more.
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Kota Tulip
15002 Bradshaw RdSaid to be "not as corporate" as the other tulip viewing venues in the area. Buy bulbs, visit gardens, and more.
Outdoor Fun
Mostly nature activities!
If you love horses, this is the place for you and your horse-crazy family! 7 minute drive from the house. www.comeride.com
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Lang's Horse & Pony Farm
21463 Little Mountain RdIf you love horses, this is the place for you and your horse-crazy family! 7 minute drive from the house. www.comeride.com
Nice little park right down the street for soccer, basketball, tennis and pickleball! It has a small forested area, picnicking area, and a play area.
Hillcrest Park
1717 S 13th StNice little park right down the street for soccer, basketball, tennis and pickleball! It has a small forested area, picnicking area, and a play area.
A highly recommended hike by local hikers. See the WTA website for details: https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/sahale-arm
Sahale Arm
A highly recommended hike by local hikers. See the WTA website for details: https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/sahale-arm
A shorter hike recommended by locals. See WTA website: https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/sauk-mountain
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Sauk Mountain
A shorter hike recommended by locals. See WTA website: https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/sauk-mountain
This is a popular hike where you can also snowshoe. See WTA website for details: https://www.wta.org/go-outside/seasonal-hikes/hikes-of-the-week/artist-point
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Artist Point
This is a popular hike where you can also snowshoe. See WTA website for details: https://www.wta.org/go-outside/seasonal-hikes/hikes-of-the-week/artist-point
Yet another lovely hike -- it is a longer more challenging hike that many people combine with overnight camping. https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/lake-ann
Lake Ann Trailhead
Yet another lovely hike -- it is a longer more challenging hike that many people combine with overnight camping. https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/lake-ann
Just 20 minutes away - a 5 mile hike with nice views. https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/oyster-dome
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Oyster Dome Trailhead
Pacific Northwest TrailJust 20 minutes away - a 5 mile hike with nice views. https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/oyster-dome
Lots of nice trails to explore, about 30 minutes from Mount Vernon. Whistle Lake is a short hike with nice areas to sit on rocks and picnic. Good on a sunny day when you want a little shade.
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Anacortes Community Forest Land
Lots of nice trails to explore, about 30 minutes from Mount Vernon. Whistle Lake is a short hike with nice areas to sit on rocks and picnic. Good on a sunny day when you want a little shade.
Only 30 minutes away, this small but beautiful park is full of both easy and challenging hiking trails and stunningly vast water views. No special pass required to park but parking can be limited. See the Washington Trails Association website for more information.
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Sharpe Park
14692 Rosario RdOnly 30 minutes away, this small but beautiful park is full of both easy and challenging hiking trails and stunningly vast water views. No special pass required to park but parking can be limited. See the Washington Trails Association website for more information.
This is a beautiful and relatively easy hike in the Sudden Valley area. Colder and wetter than other parts of the area, so not necessarily a good choice in winter. If you love moss, you will find a fantastic selection here. See the WTA website for more information: https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/stimpson-nature-reserve
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Stimpson Family Nature Preserve
2076 Lake Louise RoadThis is a beautiful and relatively easy hike in the Sudden Valley area. Colder and wetter than other parts of the area, so not necessarily a good choice in winter. If you love moss, you will find a fantastic selection here. See the WTA website for more information: https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/stimpson-nature-reserve
This is a long trail, not too far away, that is pretty good in autumn. See the WTA website for more information: https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/alger-alp-north-route
Alger Alp Trail
This is a long trail, not too far away, that is pretty good in autumn. See the WTA website for more information: https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/alger-alp-north-route
This is a pretty out-and-back walk along Lake Whatcom that can be nice into early December. Combine with Chanterelle Trail if one or the other proves to not be strenuous enough. No parking pass required. See WTA website for more information: https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/lake-whatcom-park-hertz-trail
Hertz Trail Trailhead
This is a pretty out-and-back walk along Lake Whatcom that can be nice into early December. Combine with Chanterelle Trail if one or the other proves to not be strenuous enough. No parking pass required. See WTA website for more information: https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/lake-whatcom-park-hertz-trail
This is where you will find the The Rodale Institute Pacific Northwest Organic Center. You can pick blueberries there! The setting is stunning. It's great to visit after hiking. Read more by searching online for "rodale institute pacific northwest organic center washington"
55749 State Rte 20
This is where you will find the The Rodale Institute Pacific Northwest Organic Center. You can pick blueberries there! The setting is stunning. It's great to visit after hiking. Read more by searching online for "rodale institute pacific northwest organic center washington"
Shopping
This artists' collective in downtown Mount Vernon offers a rotating, curated selection of locally sourced gifts and art.
LIDO Collective
This artists' collective in downtown Mount Vernon offers a rotating, curated selection of locally sourced gifts and art.
Artwork and artisanal items from Northwest Washington and around the world where 60% of every sales goes back to the artist or artisan who created it.
Habibi
Artwork and artisanal items from Northwest Washington and around the world where 60% of every sales goes back to the artist or artisan who created it.
Internationally acclaimed gourmet chocolates that are almost too fancy to eat. Take some home to a friend.
Forte Artisan Chocolates
700 S 1st StInternationally acclaimed gourmet chocolates that are almost too fancy to eat. Take some home to a friend.
Tri-Dee Arts
215 S 1st StUnique art supplies and gifts store, lots of fun to explore.
If you are seeking some weather-appropriate clothing or like shopping for a bargain, this well-organized and locally owned thrift store is relatively close by.
Bargains Galore Thrift Store
If you are seeking some weather-appropriate clothing or like shopping for a bargain, this well-organized and locally owned thrift store is relatively close by.
Local Community
You may enjoy visiting the local library just to see what is going on. It is a cute and friendly local library.
Mount Vernon Library Commons
You may enjoy visiting the local library just to see what is going on. It is a cute and friendly local library.
This small plaza is usually busy with music and gatherings during good weather. The Mount Vernon Farmer's Market is held here.
Skagit River Walk Park
735 Mt Vernon Terminal RailroadThis small plaza is usually busy with music and gatherings during good weather. The Mount Vernon Farmer's Market is held here.
Follow Washington State University's Breadlab on social media to learn about their activities. Their pop-up bread sales sell out FAST!
The Bread Lab
Follow Washington State University's Breadlab on social media to learn about their activities. Their pop-up bread sales sell out FAST!
Always free and open to the public during the day. They have some popular special events where you can learn about local plants, fruit tree growing, gardening, and more.
WSU Skagit County Master Gardeners Discovery Garden
Always free and open to the public during the day. They have some popular special events where you can learn about local plants, fruit tree growing, gardening, and more.