Plan a visit and discover the charm and allure of this quaint town in Washington. Whether you are interested in art, history or simply enjoying the natural beauty of the region, La Conner has something for everyone!
About
Brief History Of La Conner
La Conner, Washington, began as a small settlement along the Swinomish Channel John S. Conner, a prominent settler, founded La Conner in the 1860s. He established a trading post in the area in 1867 and named the emerging settlement after his wife, Louisa Ann Conner.
In its early days, the town faced challenges as a small community trying to attract settlers and businesses to the remote area. Over time, its strategic location on the Swinomish Channel proved advantageous. Steamboats and vessels regularly docked at its wharves, turning La Conner into a hub of maritime trade.
As the town grew, it began to develop its infrastructure with new buildings, roads and other amenities. By the turn of the century, La Conner was thriving with a vibrant local economy.
What Is La Conner, Washington Known For?
La Conner, Washington is known for its historic downtown area, lined with buildings dating back to the late 1800s. The historic storefronts now house an eclectic array of shops, art galleries and restaurants with views of the waterfront.
Located in the Skagit Valley, La Conner is a great place to stay when visiting the Skagit Valley farms and dairies.
Weather and Getting There
La Conner is conveniently located about 60 miles north of Seattle. Take the Conway exit from I5 and head west to La Conner on Chilburg Road.
La Conner enjoys a temperate climate similar to Seattle. Temperatures rarely exceed 85 degrees in summer, and rarely go below 30 degrees in winter. Summers are sunny and dry. Winters tend to be overcast with frequent misty rain, but rarely a downpour.
Dining
La Conner has 8-10 excellent restaurants, all within walking distance in downtown. Seafood, including fish and chips is popular fare, and there are a few gourmet restaurants where most fried food is frowned upon. Two Mexican restaurants and a Thai restaurant are on Morris Street.
Festivals & Events
La Conner, located in the beautiful Skagit Valley of Washington State, offers a delightful array of activities throughout the year. Whether you’re a nature enthusiast, an art lover, or simply seeking a relaxing weekend getaway, here are some festivals and events to consider:
February – Birding Showcase
March – Daffodil Festival, Birding
April – Tulip Festival
May – Opening Day Boat Parade, Guitar Festival
June – Berry Dairy Days
July – July 4th Fireworks, both local and by the Swinomish Tribe
August – Live Music and outdoor dancing Sunday afternoons.
September – Poets on the Coast,
October – Brew on the Slough Beer Fest, Arts Alive!
November – Tiny Trees & More
December – Christmas Lighted Boat Parade
Outdoors
La Conner offers many outdoor activities like hiking and bird watching near the San Juan Islands. Anacortes and the San Juan Island Ferry is only a 30 minute drive. Washington Park, in Anacortes has numerous small trails and waterfront views on three sides. It’s a great place for an evening picnic and to watch the sunset. Deception Pass State Park, a short 30 minute drive from La Conner is the gateway to Whidbey Island. The Park offers great hiking along the water as well as beautiful views.
Pioneer Park, in La Conner, offers easy hikes and great picnic spots. Padilla Bay, an estuary where the Salish Sea meets the Skagit River is a short 15 minute drive from town. Padilla has a beautiful flat 4.4 mile trail that is perfect for birders. Another good place for birding is Kiket Island, located in the Kukutali Preserve, a short 8 minute drive from La Conner.
Bring your bike and pedal to Bow Edison. Here you can create a picnic or stop at one of their quaint eateries.
Things to Do
Set in the fertile Skagit Valley, this area boasts a number of family farms. From tulips to dahlias, blueberries to pumpkins…this valley has it all. Local restaurants benefit from the fresh local produce found all throughout the valley. Each October, visit La Conner and celebrate the family farm. The Celebration of Family Farms includes a wide variety of farms, most notably, Cascadian Farm located in Rockport.
The laid back lifestyle, beautiful light and stunning scenery brought a number of artists to the area. In 1981,the Museum of Northwest Art (MoNA) was established. This museum features art by notable northwest artists Morris Graves, Guy Anderson, Clayton James and Barbara Straker. Each November the town celebrates artists in the area through Arts Alive! This festival includes visual, musical, culinary and literary arts. Visit the first weekend of November and take the opportunity to meet the artists, sip fine wine and rub elbows with the locals.
Don’t miss the La Conner Textile and Quilt Museum. Located in the historic Gaches Mansion, this museum presents exhibitions and programs to inspire and educate visitors in all types of fiber art.
Each April thousands of visitors head to La Conner for the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival. For 34 years, the Skagit Valley has celebrated millions of tulips in full bloom. Follow the driving tour that winds through acres of colorful tulips. Two tulip growers, Tulip Town and Roozengaarde/Washington Bulb Co. offer display gardens and gift shops. Stroll the gardens and choose your favorite flowers. Then order your favorite bulbs for convenient delivery.
Every winter the valley hosts migrating Snow Geese and Trumpeter Swans. Join birders as well as wildlife photographers from around the world. See thousands of geese and swans gleaning the local farm fields. Although you can see geese and swans from October through April, December through February are the best viewing times.
Much of La Conner is on the National Register of Historic Places. First Street includes a number of restored historic buildings that now hold locally owned shops and restaurants. From here you can stroll along the Swinomish Channel and snap a picture of the Rainbow Bridge that spans the channel.
La Conner offers unique boutique shopping opportunities. Fine woodworking, antiques, lavender, home decor, fine art….La Conner has it all. Hungry? Visit one of La Conner’s fine dining restaurants or stop by the local La Conner brewery for a hand crafted pizza and a cold brew.
