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LIFE IN SKAGIT COUNTY

Field of tulips in Skagit County

Skagit Valley is one of the most beautiful places in the world. From the crystalline waters of the mighty Skagit River to the colorful tulip fields of Mount Vernon, the Valley is truly paradise on earth.

Find out what makes it such a wonderful place to live, from scenic Fidago Island camping sites to world-class restaurants in Mount Vernon, WA.

Outdoor recreation

From rugged mountain trails to fantastic beaches, Skagit Valley has it all. The diverse landscape and natural scenery makes the Valley an outdoor enthusiast’s playground. Popular activities include:

    • Hiking – Explore hundreds of miles of hiking trails and open spaces at North Cascades National Park Service, Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, and Bay View State Park. Click here for a list of state and national parks in and around Skagit Valley.
    • Wildlife watching – Reconnect with nature at Skagit Valley, where you can observe birds, elk, salmon, whales, and various other animals in their natural environment. Bring your binoculars and prepare to be amazed when you join any of these wildlife watching tours in the area.
    • Geocaching and letterboxing – Hunt for hidden objects with the help of GPS. Geocaching is a great way to explore the unbridled beauty of Skagit Valley.The Skagit River is a particularly popular spot for this activity.
    • Cycling and mountain biking – Picturesque Walker Valley Forest offers nearly 36 miles of biking trails for mountain bikes and off-road vehicles (ORVs). You can also join the Skagit Motorcycle Club for a series of runs. Meetings are typically held on the first Wednesday of the month.
    • Skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling – The Valley turns into an entirely different landscape in the winter, with the North Cascades offering countless opportunities for winter sports.
    • Camping – Get the full Anacortes experience when you go camping in Fidago Island. You’ll find campsites nestled among the pines and forested hills of Washington Park just off the western end of the island.You can also park your recreational vehicle (RV) at Swinomish Casino and Lodge, where you can lounge at RV sites with stunning views of Padilla Bay. Fidalgo Bay Resort is another option, with 141 hookups and five cabins that command views of Fidalgo Bay.

Click here for more info on camping in Anacortes.

  • Swimming, boating, and fishing – Skagit County, WA offers 229 scenic miles of marina shoreline, where you can launch your boat or cast your bait. Skagit River is teeming with Puget Sound salmon, making it a popular spot for anglers.The county is renowned for its fantastic beaches that range from rocky to sandy. These beaches are found in the state and national parks, which provide BBQ grills, picnic tables, restrooms, and campsites to make your trip more memorable.

Shopping

Anacortes is a shopping destination like no other. Hunt for bargains at Alley Cat Antiques,Pacific Blanket Trading Post, Watermark Book Co., and Anacortes Farmers’ Market. The majority of shops and restaurants in the area are located along Commercial Avenue.

But if you’re looking for designer duds, you should head over to Burlington. You’ll find major retailers at Cascade Mall and The Outlet Shoppes at Burlington.

Mount Vernon has Skagit Valley Square while Bow-Edison is known for its art galleries, bakeries, and wine shops.

Dining

There’s no shortage of bakeries, pubs, cafés, and restaurants serving New American, Polish, Hungarian, Mexican, Thai, Japanese, and Italian fare in Skagit Valley.

The local dining scene is renowned for fresh seafood and organic, made-from-scratch meals that delight the senses. Popular dining spots include Anelia’s Kitchen & Stage, La Conner Pub & Eatery, Santo Coyote, Terramar Craft, Breadfarm, Secret Cove, and Asian 1.

The Skagit Casino & Resort is also known for The Market Buffet, which lets diners sample an assortment of local and international dishes.

Adult gaming

The Valley brings you two Las Vegas-style casinos, namely Skagit Casino & Resort and Swinomish Casino & Lodge. Raise the stakes at any of the slot machines and popular table games like poker and roulette in these premier resort destinations.

These resorts are also known for their plush accommodations, on-site restaurants, and recreational facilities like RV parks, clubhouses, and golf courses.

Festivals

Skagit Valley loves nothing more than a great celebration. These festivals and seasonal tours attract many visitors from out of town:

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Ready to explore Skagit Valley’s real estate market? You can message our team, Jean Groesbeck & Associates, here. You can also contact us at 360.941.3734 and Info(at)JeanGroesbeck(dotted)com. We can’t wait to hear from you.

The nights are getting longer, the wind is getting colder, and snow has started to appear in parts of the country. It’s wintertime, and it’s also starting to feel a lot like Christmas. The winter season can be exceptionally fun in Washington State, but because of the extremes in weather, it can do some damage to homes. A snow-covered roof might look nice on pictures, but it can also spell disaster if the gutters are unclean. Click here to learn how you can protect your home from the full force of ice, snow, and cold wind brought by the winter season.
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The song, Baby It’s Cold Outside must have been written for Skagit County, as this area is known for dipping temperatures during the winter season. Residents of this county aren’t complaining, however, as this is one of the most joyful times of the year. They have learned to cope with the colder weather, and you can see this in many homes here that have been winterized to keep Jack Frost at bay.

We can learn a thing or two from Skagit County residents on how to keep comfortable and warm this winter while staying at home. This article promises to deliver the best tips to prepare your home for the nippy weather.
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