Terrific tulips:Skagit Valley comes alive with rainbow of blossoms; here’s where to find the color.

SEATTLE — Rain or shine, tulip season is upon us! Following the cherry blossoms that signaled the arrival of spring, acres of carefully planted tulip bulbs will soon transform Skagit Valley into a vibrant rainbow of colorful blooms. About an hour’s drive north of Seattle, the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival is in full swing for the month of April.

Washington’s rainy fall is good for allowing for a long growing season perfect for tulips. Outside Holland, Skagit Valley has the most ideal climate for growing tulips, according to Nicole Roozen, festival director.

Even if you’ve been to the festival before, new display gardens are planted each year. And there’s a host of other new activities coming to this year’s festival, Roozen said. From tips on avoiding crowds to spring events nearby, here’s how to plan your ideal trip to the tulip festival.

Your ideal tulip farm experience

Wondering when to catch the best blooms? Tulips are planted in the fall and then bloom in the spring. Although the exact moment of peak bloom is entirely dependent on the weather, the fields are on track for the typical bloom cycle beginning the first week of April, Roozen said. Some varieties of tulips bloom earlier than others, so you are bound to catch some color throughout the dates of the festival, she added. The Tulip Festival has a bloom status page on its site that tracks the tulips from bulb to full bloom, although checking with individual gardens for specific updates is recommended.

This year, visitors can wander through five different tulip farms, plus several fields with scenic views that you can park at or drive by. Each farm has unique benefits and individual ticket pricing, so you can customize your trip depending on your interests. Not sure where to start? The festival has an interactive map with the locations of each farm and field.

Skagit Valley’s newest tulip field is just off Interstate 5. Skagit Acres, 18923 Peter Johnson Road, Mount Vernon, debuts its 3-acre farm this year with views of Mount Baker, food trucks and a beer and wine garden. General admission tickets are $18, or $30 for Double Bloom Admission, which also includes access to its sister farm, Tulip Town. Skagit Acres also offers charcuterie board-making, watercolor painting and other classes ($55-$90), plus photo opportunities with the Easter bunny on April 19-20 for $15. Skagit Acres is open every day 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Across the valley, Tulip Town, 15002 Bradshaw Road, Mount Vernon, visitors can explore 6 acres of various bloom varieties. Enjoy trolley rides through the field (weather permitting) and catch Easter weekend events, including an adult Easter egg hunt for $20 and a kid’s egg hunt that’s free with admission. General admission is $18, or $30 for Double Bloom Admission with Skagit Acres. If you don’t want to make the drive yourself, transportation from Seattle or Bellevue is available to Double Bloom purchasers for an additional $69 per person. Tulip Town is open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday-Sunday.

Garden Rosalyn, 16648 Jungquist Road, Mount Vernon, is located just west of the Skagit River, with a 9-acre field containing more than 30 bloom designs. Enjoy food trucks, views of the Cascade mountains and a charming pond with ducks — perfect for picnics. This year, a brand-new gift shop will offer bouquets, bulbs and spring décor to bring the tulip festival spirit back home. Tickets are $15 and the field is open everyday 8 a.m.-7 p.m., allowing for an earlier start to the day.

At veteran-owned Tulip Valley Farms, 15245 Bradshaw Road, Mount Vernon, you can pick your own bouquet in addition to exploring 140 bloom varieties across the 10-acre field. Explore the display garden, meet farm animals and talk all things tulips with founder and CEO Andrew Miller. Tickets are $13-$97, depending on which experiences you want to add on, and include discounts for children, seniors and veterans. Tulip Valley Farms is open every day 9 a.m.-5 p.m. And there’s more: Catch the sunrise with limited-entry tickets as early as 6:30 a.m. Friday-Sunday, or stay late for a night bloom experience with black lights, lasers and music 8-10 p.m.

RoozenGaarde, 15867 Beaver Marsh Road, Mount Vernon, was founded by a family that has farmed tulips as far back as the 1700s in Holland. The property contains over 50 acres of fields and a 7-acre display garden, making it the largest farm for visitors to explore tulip and daffodil blooms. General admission tickets are $16 Monday-Thursday and $20 Friday-Sunday. The field is open 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Friday and 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday-Sunday.

Traveling to and touring Skagit Valley

There are many ways to get to the valley — by car, train or bus. If you’re driving north from Seattle on I-5, the festival recommends using State Highway 20 to enter the tulip area. Each tulip farm has its own parking lot, free with admission. If you’re taking public transit, Greyhound buses and Amtrak trains both service Seattle to Mount Vernon. From there, you can ride Skagit Transit Route 615 Monday-Saturday to the Beaver Marsh and McLean Road stop and walk to the nearest tulip fields, about a quarter-mile to a mile away.

Looking for all-inclusive transport? Shutter Tours offer rides to and from Downtown Seattle Hyatt Regency Hotel for a full day of exploring the tulip fields, the town of La Conner and other nearby attractions for $117 per person. Or, travel to Mount Vernon on your own for private or small group tours through Skagit Guided Adventures. This half-day tour includes stops at Tulip Town and RoozenGaarde for $236 per person.

For those looking to embrace a core aspect of the Dutch lifestyle, Tulip Country Bike Tours offer bike rentals to ride around Skagit Valley for $40 per adult and $10 per child. Visitors can arrange for a guide to lead up to a 10-person tour for an additional $20 per person.

If you want to extend your stay beyond a day trip, the Tulip Festival website lists over a dozen nearby accommodations.

Special events

Did you know the festival commissions a unique piece of artwork each year? For the first time, guests will be able to see over 30 years of tulip artwork up close. The Tulip Festival Original Art Exhibit will be held April 18-25 at Depot Art Center, 611 R Ave., Anacortes.

Dozens of businesses and community organizations collaborate to provide unique events that coincide with the festival, from street fairs and high tea to nautical treasure hunts. It’s an effort that takes the whole year to prepare for, according to Roozen.

“The Tulip Festival itself stands for so much more than these beautiful flowers,” she said. “It really is a way that our community comes together.”

Tulip tips before you go

To ensure the best experience while exploring the fields, Roozen shared a few more tips. Be sure to dress accordingly (the fields can be muddy, especially on a rainy day) and take note of accommodations for furry friends. All tulip farms (except RoozenGaarde) allow well-behaved, on-leash pets in the fields, according to Roozen.

Be mindful of crowds: Roozen suggests going on weekdays if you can, when the fields are less crowded, and to prepare for extra traffic on sunny days. Getting there before the fields open can ensure a smoother entry process.

Stick to designated paths that allow ample space for exploration without disturbing the bulbs.

For more information on the festivities, visit tulipfestival.org. Happy tuliping!