Every April, millions of beautiful tulips burst from the ground and bloom in the Skagit Valley. And every year, our fellow Washingtonians remind us incessantly of how crowded the resulting festival becomes. They’re not wrong, but we firmly believe that you should go anyway.

Aside from the fact that the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival is one of the most enviable events in the entire country, it also supports the local economy, which is more important than ever. Here’s why you should go this year.

It all started in 1984, when the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival was officially inaugurated by the Mount Vernon Chamber of Commerce.

Richard Probst / Flickr The chamber directors noticed that people were already coming by the thousands to look at the beautiful tulip fields, so it seemed like the right thing to do.

Originally, the festival only lasted for one weekend.

Richard Saxon / Flickr It quickly moved to 10 days, then 17. And now, it lasts for the entire month of April.

Tulips are fairly unpredictable, and local farmers are never quite sure when the flowers will be in full bloom.

GoToVan / Flickr Mid-late April is often the best time to go, although plenty of people also come in late March to check out the gorgeous daffodils that bloom before.

There are two main spots for tulip viewing, Roozengaarde in Mount Vernon and Tulip Town, also in Mount Vernon.

Turcottes78 / Flickr Both places are absolutely enchanting in April, and it’s highly advised to visit both.

If you’re worried about traffic, you can always take the tour by bike or even on foot if you don’t mind walking long distances.

paweesit / Flickr There are also some great guided tours available, and some people choose to charter a private driver. There will be no avoiding the crowds entirely, but if you go on a weekday, you’ll have a much better chance of getting some people-free shots.

Aside from the festival itself, you should plan to check out some of the local spots to support small businesses and restaurants.

Curtis Cronn / Flickr Downtown Mount Vernon is pretty charming, and the nearby La Conner is the perfect place to visit when you’re done exploring the tulip fields. They have waterfront restaurants, shops, and a few great hotels and B&Bs if you’d like to make a night of it.

The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival is truly remarkable, and we’re lucky to have it here in Washington.

WisDoc / Flickr If you have yet to experience this amazing event, you’ve still got time—the tulips won’t be trimmed until after April 30.

Aren’t these photos amazing? For more information on navigating your way through the festival, check out the maps on the official website.

Richard Probst / Flickr

The chamber directors noticed that people were already coming by the thousands to look at the beautiful tulip fields, so it seemed like the right thing to do.

Richard Saxon / Flickr

It quickly moved to 10 days, then 17. And now, it lasts for the entire month of April.

GoToVan / Flickr

Mid-late April is often the best time to go, although plenty of people also come in late March to check out the gorgeous daffodils that bloom before.

Turcottes78 / Flickr

Both places are absolutely enchanting in April, and it’s highly advised to visit both.

paweesit / Flickr

There are also some great guided tours available, and some people choose to charter a private driver. There will be no avoiding the crowds entirely, but if you go on a weekday, you’ll have a much better chance of getting some people-free shots.

Curtis Cronn / Flickr

Downtown Mount Vernon is pretty charming, and the nearby La Conner is the perfect place to visit when you’re done exploring the tulip fields. They have waterfront restaurants, shops, and a few great hotels and B&Bs if you’d like to make a night of it.

WisDoc / Flickr

If you have yet to experience this amazing event, you’ve still got time—the tulips won’t be trimmed until after April 30.

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Address: Skagit Valley Tulip Festival, 311 W Kincaid St, Mount Vernon, WA 98273, USA