Washington State’s Vacation Getaway

© Connie Coleman

Known as both an artist enclave and a boater’s paradise, and with a decidedly coastal-community feel, La Conner has an almost magical quality that brings visitors back again and again. It’s the kind of community that many of us yearn for; charming and picturesque, with a vibrancy all its own. The La Conner vibe – that feeling that there’s something wonderful humming just below the surface – comes from the fact that the people who live and work in La Conner really do love this community and all it has to offer.

Tucked between the Cascade mountain range to the east and the San Juan Islands to the west, and within the Skagit River delta and along the Swinomish Channel, La Conner’s ever-changing landscape moves from stunning sunrises and sunsets, to the soft greens of nature, to the vivid blues of sky and water … all set to the backdrop of majestic 12,000’ Mount Baker.

Well-known as ‘the most romantic getaway in Washington State’, La Conner is approximately an hour from Seattle and two hours fromVancouver B.C. Among the list of places to visit in Washington State, La Conner is always one everyone’s vacation list.

As one of Washington State’s most treasured historic communities – many of our old homes and buildings are still intact and have been meticulously restored – La Conner continues to honor a way of life that was begun by early settlers. Hard work. Entrepreneurial spirit. Preservation. Respect for the natural environment that surrounds us. Throughout the community, you’ll find each of these ideals still present today.

There is a wonderful balance of residents who work and live here, including the Swinomish Tribal Community, Shelter Bay residents from across the Channel, fishermen, farmers, artists, and carpenters – a diverse mix of cultures and educational backgrounds.

There is also a healthy balance between our community and our surrounding natural elements. La Conner is wintering grounds for Snow Geese and Trumpeter Swans. Along the upper reaches of the Skagit River bald eagles congregate to feed and rest during early winter months. The fertile farmlands produce food and seed crops that are distributed around the world.

And La Conner’s annual Daffodil Festival and the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival – that starts with fields full of daffodils, then shifts to fields of stunningly beautiful tulips, and lastly shifts one more time to fields of delicate iris – draws visitors from around the globe.

There are so many reasons to Love La Conner – come find out for yourself why we’ve been honored with many Washington State vacation and destination awards over the years.