Did you know that La Conner is a great place for a family vacation in Washington State? We have all sorts of fun things to do – May would be a great time to bring your family and spend a weekend in La Conner!

Here are some ideas to get you started … you can also check out the Families and Kids and Excursions sections of our website for more ideas. Oh, and if you have little ones at your house, be sure to print off our coloring pages in our Families and Kids section.

May 4^th is Opening Day  of boating season in La Conner and it’s a lot of fun for the entire family. The parade starts at 3pm at the La Conner Marina Guest Docks at the north end of First Street, then follows the channel down beyond the Rainbow Bridge and back up to the starting point. Our wacky boat owners have a great time decorating their boats and it’s fun to see what they come up with every year.

May 10-12 La Conner High School presents the musical GREASE – which we all know has terrific music, lot of fun dancing and is a great way to see our local talent in action.

May 18^th is Family Art Day at the Museum of Northwest Art (MoNA) – this month the topic is Textured Clay Tiles. Family Day is a great way to expand your child or grandchild’s interest in art, and there’s simply no better place than the Museum of Northwest Art.

May is also National Biking Month, and La Conner is a fun place for a family bike ride. You’ll want to make sure your smaller riders are very well versed in riding on high-traffic roads, or that you have them safely tucked into a trailer or on a tandem with you. Check out our biking maps, pack a lunch (or ride early and be back in La Conner for a wonderful lunch in town!) and explore our Skagit Valley by bike.

If your kids are into skate parks, we have a community Skate Park as well – it’s a lot of fun for kids and adults alike! (Just remember to follow the park rules and wear protective gear.)

Make La Conner your family vacation Washington State destination!

Visit www.lovelaconner.com for more La Conner fun!

Are you looking for ideas for romantic weekend getaways in May?  One where you can stroll hand-in-hand through a charming Northwest waterfront village, do a bit of shopping or enjoy art gallery and museum exhibits, enjoy a waterfront view, savor some of the Northwest’s freshest foods and wine, and end your day gazing at a stunning Skagit Valley sunset?

We have the solution: La Conner’s the perfect choice for a romantic spring weekend getaway!

Only 1.5 hours north of Seattle and 2 hours south of Vancouver, B.C., La Conner is all about romance. We have a wide variety of lodging options to choose from; from bed and breakfast choices, to inns and guest cottages, you’ll find the perfect romantic spot to spoil your loved one.

Once you’ve arrived, there are lots of options for relaxed and stress-free activities. We recommend starting with a yummy latte or perhaps an iced Chai from one of our coffee establishments while you do a little shopping – then duck into some of our amazing galleries, followed by a stop at our 3 fabulous museums … the Museum of Northwest Art (MoNA), the La Conner Quilt and Textile Museum, and the Skagit County Historical Museum.

Along the way, don’t forget to stroll some of our residential streets where you’ll find many beautifully restored homes and gardens – some dating back to the late 1800’s!

If you’re the outdoor type, bring your bikes and take advantage of some of the most spectucular riding in Washington – with views of the Skagit Valley and Mount Baker in the background.

As afternoon turns to evening, you can sample wine or beer at our local wine shops and brewery before you head off to dinner. Imagine local seafood just brought in by local fishermen, paired with lovely local produce (we have 4 growing seasons!), and topped off by a decadent handmade dessert.

If you love art and art galleries, be sure to plan your weekend to include our Final Friday Art Gallery Walk - this month it’s on Friday night, May 31st, from 5pm-8pm.

A short walk or drive back to your lodging, and you can end your day just the way you envisioned it – full of wonderful romantic memories.

In need of some romance? Ready for a romantic getaway? You’ll find Love in La Conner!

Visit www.lovelaconner.com for more La Conner fun!

Marion’s Bistro

505 S. First St.
PO Box 880
La Conner, WA  98257

360-399-1711

marionrowlan@gmail.com

Casual dining
Closed Tuesdays

Visit www.lovelaconner.com for more La Conner fun!

Caffe Jubilee

106 S. First St, Suite A
PO Box 453
La Conner WA  98257

360-399-1435

b.scott@wavecable.com

Open daily 7:30am-6pm
Serving Caffee Ladro and speciality bakery items

Visit www.lovelaconner.com for more La Conner fun!

Luster Point Jewelers

717 S. First St.
PO Box 999
La Conner, WA  98257

360-399-1100

Website
rezaheidari152@yahoo.com

Open daily noon-5pm
Custom designs, special orders, repairs, diamonds and gems

Visit www.lovelaconner.com for more La Conner fun!

Pepperjack Home

106 S. First St, Suite D
PO Box 1375
La Conner, WA  98257

425-330-0204

Website
hello@pepperjackhome.com

Open daily 10 – 6pm
All natural handmade goods for bath, body and home.

Visit www.lovelaconner.com for more La Conner fun!

Ann Hardee Gallery

101 N. First St, Suite 6
PO Box 548
La Conner, WA  98257

360-399-1950

Website www.annhardee.com
annhhardee@yahoo.com

Open daily 11-6
Hand-crafted Jewelry, Art and Collectibles

Visit www.lovelaconner.com for more La Conner fun!

Maison de Kristine

109 N. First St, Suite 101 (in the Lime Dock Building)
PO Box 98
La Conner, WA  98257

360-399-1035

Website
Kristine@maisondekristine.com

Open 10-5 daily
Country French boutique offering French reproductions and home décor.

Visit www.lovelaconner.com for more La Conner fun!

Looking for a great weekend getaway? Come visit us in La Conner! Here’s a list of events and happenings going on in La Conner in  May and June- our list grows by the day, so be sure to also check out our monthly Event Calendar for the most up-to-date information. You can also pick up our Ahoy! La Conner event card at all our local businesses – this is a great take-away to remind you of what else you might want to come to La Conner for, or to share with family and friends who might also enjoy visiting us!

Happenings & Events

May 1-31
Special offers & Wine Tasting every day, Hellams Vineyard, 12noon-6pm

May 3
Skagit Community Band Concert, “Stella By Starlight”, Maple Hall 7:30pm
Skagit River Poetry Reading, Conway Muse 7:00-8:30pm
How to Make Your Own Photo Book, Christianson’s Nursery 6pm-7:30pm, RSVP

May 4
Opening Day Boat Parade, Swinomish Channel 3:00pm

May 4-5
Molas by Machine, Gail Harker Center, 9am-5pm

May 10
Mother’s Day Festive Cooking, Christianson’s Nursery, 6:00-7:30pm, RSVP

May 10-12
Grease! Presented by La Conner High School

May 11-12
Mother’s Day Weekend at Christianson’s Nursery, 9am-6pm

May 12  
Happy Mother’s Day!

May 16
Skagit Topic: Henry Klein 60 Years of Design, Skagit County Historical Museum, 6pm-8pm

May 17
Invincible Vines, Christianson’s Nursery, 6pm-7pm, RSVP

May 18
Family Art Days: Textured Clay Tiles at Museum of Northwest Art
Grapes and Plates Wine event, Swinomish Yacht Club, 5:00-7:30pm

May 20  
Victoria Day!

May 23
Spaghetti Sauce Taste-Off Dinner, Maple Hall 4:30-7:30 pm

May 23-24  
Master Hypnotist Ron Stubbs, Swinomish Casino & Lodge, 7:00-9:00pm

May 24  
Growing Proven Winners, Christianson’s Nursery, 6:00-7:00 pm RSVP

May 27    
FREE Bingo at Swinomish Casino & Lodge, 6:00-8:00pm

May 31
Final Friday Gallery Art Walk, 5:00-9:00 pm

June 1-2
“Inspiration to Imagination” course, Gail Harker Center for Creative Arts, 9:00am-5:00pm

June 1 
Grand Geraniums, Christianson’s Nursery, 11:00am-12:00pm RSVP

June 8
Wine Tasting with Facelli Winery, Hellams Vineyard, 1:00-6:00pm
Gallery Cygnus, Mary Randlett & Clayton James Artist Reception, 5pm-7pm
Your Herb Garden, Christianson’s Nursery, 11am-Noon, RSVP

June 8-9 
Immersion Dyeing, Gail Harker Center for Creative Arts, 9:00am-5:00pm

June 15-16
La Conner Yacht Sales Boat Show & Swap Meet, South Moorage Basin, 9am-4pm

June 15    
June Bloom Walk with John Christianson, Christianson’s Nursery, 1-2pm
“Taste of the Islands” Wine Tasting, Hellams Vineyard, 1:00-6:00pm
21^st Annual Museum of Northwest Art Auction, 5:00-10:00pm

June 21-23
Restoration Celebration & Open House, La Conner Quilt & Textile Museum, 11am-5pm

June 22  
Dan Hinkley “New and Exciting Plants for the Pacific NW”, Christianson’s Nursery, 1:00pm-2:00pm RSVP

June 23
Container Creations, Christianson’s Nursery, 1pm-2pm, RSVP

June 22-23  
Sketchbooks: Flora & Fauna, Gail Harker Center for Creative Arts, 9:00am-5:00pm

June 26-30
Color Studies Level 1 Certificate, Gail Harker Center, 9am-6pm

June 28  
Final Friday Gallery Art Walk, 5:00-8:00pm

June 29  
Tenth Annual Rose Festival with Ciscoe Morris & John Christianson, Christianson’s Nursery, 9am-6pm.
Working with Nature – Regina Benson, La Conner Quilt & Textile Museum, 1-3pm
Tempus Cellars Wine Tasting, Hellams Vineyard, 1:00-6:00pm

Ongoing Exhibits

Gallery Cygnus

• Through May 19: Todd Horton & Peregrine O’Gormley Exhibit
• June 8 – July 22: Mary Randlett & Clayton James Show

La Conner Quilt and Textile Museum

• Through June 23: Historical Quilts from the Latimer Museum
• Through June 23: At Home in High Places / Karin Franzen Exhibit
• June 26-October 6: From Nature’s Studio – Regina V. Benson
• June 26-October 6: Kaleidoscope: Fiber Embroidery by Liz Whitney Quisgard

Museum of Northwest Art (MoNA)

• Through June 9:  Out of This World / Rik Allen Exhibit
• Through June 9:  The Earth Below: Allen Moe Exhibit

Skagit County Historical Museum

• Through June 2:  60 Years of Design / Henry Klein
• May 21-June 4: Shall We Gather: Centennial Churches of Skagit County

Visit www.lovelaconner.com for more La Conner fun!

Those of us who live in the Northwest know that marinas in the San Juan Islands are a truly beautiful sight. Rows of gorgeous yachts sit next to handsome sailboats – which sit next to charming vintage runabouts and hardworking fishing boats. For those who either enjoy the boating lifestyle, or wish they could, our San Juan Island marinas, including La Conner Marina, provide a wonderful way to dream of our next boat, or dream of our first boat.

A long-standing Northwest tradition is Boating Season Opening Day – which most often occurs early in May. Yacht Clubs don their best navy and white attire, raise the flags and christen the start of boating season with many smiles and requests for sunny skies and warm weather.

La Conner’s boating season kicks off this year on Saturday May 4th, with our traditional Swinomish Yacht Club Opening Day Parade. Whether you own a boat of your own, or you just like looking at boats on the water, this parade offers something for everyone. And if you’d like to join in the parade, you can do that, too!

Parade participants decorate their boats according to the year’s parade theme – this year it’s The Big Dig – in honor of the 2013 Corp of Engineers and Port of Skagit’s work to dredge the entire Swinomish Channel back to a depth that makes it easily navigable for boats of nearly any size. With this year’s theme, it will be fun to see what these madcap boaters come up with for boat and passenger decorations … their imaginations are what always make the Opening Day Parade so much fun!

Join us from several viewing spots along the Swinomish Channel – the parade starts at 3:00pm at the  La Conner Marina Guest Docks and winds its way down the channel and under the Rainbow Bridge, then back to the guest docks.

We’ve got more details on La Conner’s Opening Day Parade here; you’ll also find information on how to enter your boat in the parade if you’d like to join in the fun from the water-side!

Visit www.lovelaconner.com for more La Conner fun!