Itinerary: Things to Do in Bow-Edison, Washington
Samish Bay Bow Edison Washington road trip from Seattle
Looking for a day trip out of town from Seattle for less than a day? Consider Samish Bay and the nearby town of Bow-Edison. This northern region of Washington state is a charming rural community that’s home to a number of local attractions including the annual Skagit Valley Tulip Festival, Blanchard Mountain, and Chukanut Drive. But beyond the buzzy events, there are plenty of other attractions that you can enjoy without the crowd. Whether you're coming from Seattle, Bellingham, or anywhere in the Pacific Northwest, this detailed itinerary will help you make the most of your Bow-Edison adventure – with options to extend it into an overnight getaway.
Samish Bay Bow Edison Washington road trip from Seattle
The Best Time of Year to Visit Bow-Edison
During spring, you're just minutes away from the spectacular tulip fields that make the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival famous worldwide. While the main festival draws crowds to nearby Mount Vernon and La Conner, Bow-Edison offers a more peaceful base for exploring the colorful blooms without the tourist masses. However, the tourist crowds can still spill over during this time of year.
Summer brings u-pick opportunities galore. Local berry farms invite visitors to harvest their own strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries – there's something magical about eating sun-warmed berries straight from the bush. Many farms also offer seasonal fruit picking, from apples in fall to pumpkins in October.
Getting There: Your Journey Begins
Distance from major cities:
From Seattle: 1.5 hours north via I-5
From Bellingham: 45 minutes south via I-5
From Vancouver, BC: 2 hours south
Best departure time: Leave early morning (8-9 AM) to maximize your day and catch the best light for photography.
9:00 AM - 10:30 AM: Morning Coffee & Farm Stand Shopping
Start at: Tweets, 5800 Cains Ct, Bow, WA 98232
Begin your Bow-Edison day trip with a breakfast and coffee stop at Tweets. This charming cafe has pastries and drinks to go, or you can dine inside or outside. The menu has breakfast and lunch items, and they often rotate seasonally. But some of our favorite dishes of the past here have been the onion gruyere fritata, and the polenta and chorizo torte with pork belly and kimchi. This is always our first stop every time we visit the area.
Alternatively, if you’re feeling more like lunch or picking up a sandwich to go, Slough Food is a small delicatessen and gourmet convenience store next door to Tweets. They serve soup and sandwiches like paninis and grilled cheese, as well as meats and sausages to go. We also love their made in house cannoli.
Next stop: Breadfarm, 5766 Cains Ct, Bow, WA 98232
If you didn’t grab pastries at Tweets, walk a block down the street to Breadfarm. This warm bakery is filled with freshly baked bread and pastries, and we always love grabbing a loaf for a picnic later on, or snacking on at home. We recommend getting the cherry lemon loaf, olive baguette, Skagit Valley potato bread, and hazelnut cookies. But my all-time favorite bread here is the focaccia. It’s flat, chewy, and perfectly seasoned.
10:30 AM - 12:30 PM: Agricultural Exploration
Choose your adventure (but note the seasonality)
Option A: Daffodil or Tulip Season (March-April)
If you’re visiting during tulip season in April, you’ll definitely want to experience the world-famous Skagit Valley Tulip Festival. It’s very popular, so prepare to battle crowds and traffic. We also recommend buying tickets in advance. Popular farms include Tulip Town and Roozengarde. If you’re looking for a more unique, less crowded experience, we recommend checking out Tulip Farm. They’re the only U-pick tulip farm the in area, and they recently started doing night bloom tours on Fridays and Saturdays from 8-10pm.
Alternatively, consider visiting the fields a month earlier in March when yellow daffodils are in bloom. Although there’s less color variation, the fields are significantly less crowded than during tulip season.
Time needed: 2 hours
Cost: $5-10 parking fees
Bring: Camera, comfortable walking shoes
Option B: Berry Season (June-September)
During the summer, visit u-pick berry farms for hands-on harvesting of strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries. Availability will depend on the season, but the later in the summer, the better the odds for the berries being ripe. Our favorite u-pick farm in the area is Bow Hill Blueberries.
Time needed: 1.5-2 hours
Cost: Pay by the pound ($3-6/lb)
Bring: Sun hat, containers for berries
Don’t Forget Ice Cream!
After your late morning activity, swing by Snow Goose Produce. This market is known not only for vending many local products and produce, but also their huge scoops of ice cream. There are usually at least 20 ice cream flavors available. It’s the perfect sweet treat to top off a morning in Skagit Valley.
Samish Bay Bow Edison Washington road trip from Seattle
12:30 PM - 2:00 PM: Oyster Lunch
Where to eat: Taylor Shellfish Farms, 2182 Chuckanut Dr, Bow, WA 98232
For lunch, depart Skagit Valley and take a drive on the scenic Chuckanut Drive until you reach Taylor Shellfish Farms in Samish Bay. On the way, you might notice the many tempting oyster bars. But the real treat is at the end of the road. After a sharp left turn past the oyster bars, drive down past the railroad tracks to Taylor Shellfish's shop at the water's edge. Here, you can enjoy seasonal food items served ready to eat, such as freshly shucked oysters, chowder, and fresh salads. Or you can also stop by their on-site market to pick up fresh shellfish like oysters, mussels, and clams to take with you on the go. Personally, we opted to buy a dozen of unshucked oysters and crack them open ourselves, only to discover it’s definitely not the easiest thing to do. It’s a fun activity, but you can also save yourself the hassle by ordering pre-shucked oysters.
Taylor Shellfish Farms locally produce oysters and supply many of the restaurants in the area. If you’re new to oysters, we personally recommend Kumamoto or Shigoku oysters, but definitely try one or two if you can to compare their different flavors.
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Outdoor Adventure
While the farms of Skagit Valley are scenic, there isn’t much you can do in terms of outdoor activities other than touring the farms or cycling the roads (bring your own bike for this). To get a good feel for the area, we recommend exploring nature north of Skagit in Chuckanut. Larrabee State Park, which also happens to be Washington’s first state park, is located in the Chuckanut Recreation Area, and it offers walking and hiking trails for all experience levels. Clayton Beach is a short 1.2 mile roundtrip hike ideal for kids and families, while Fragrance Lake Trail is a moderate 4-miles roundtrip hike. Those seeking a challenge will love the climb to Oyster Dome, a 5.0 round trip mile hike with a 1,050 feet elevation gain.
For those wishing for a more low key activity, take a leisurely driving tour of the agricultural areas, stopping for photos and wildlife observation.
4:00 PM - 5:30 PM: Arts, Culture & Shopping in Bellingham or La Connor
For the last part of the day, visit a nearby small town. Which one you choose will depend on your final destination. If you’re heading north, check out downtown Bellingham, which has a distinctive college town vibe mixed with maritime charm. Start by exploring the historic Fairhaven district with its charming brick buildings, waterfront views, and unique boutique shops, then head to the main downtown core to browse the vibrant arts scene at local galleries and catch some live music or theater if timing works out. Make sure to grab a craft beer at one of the many local breweries like Boundary Bay or Kulshan Brewing, pair it with fresh seafood or farm-to-table cuisine that showcases the Pacific Northwest's incredible local ingredients, and if weather permits, take a stroll along the waterfront trail for stunning views of Bellingham Bay and the San Juan Islands.
Or if you’re heading south, stop by La Conner. Start by strolling down First Street to admire the beautifully preserved Victorian-era buildings that house charming art galleries, antique shops, and boutiques showcasing local Pacific Northwest craftsmanship. Take time to explore the Skagit County Historical Museum to learn about the area's rich maritime and agricultural heritage, then wander through the numerous art galleries that have made La Conner a renowned artists' destination, featuring everything from contemporary paintings to traditional Northwest Coast Native American art. Enjoy a snack or dinner at one of the restaurants overlooking the Swinomish Channel, where you can watch boats drift by while savoring fresh seafood and locally sourced ingredients. Our favorite places to eat here are La Conner Pub and Eatery or La Conner Brewing Co for a family-friendly vibe, or Nell Thorn for fine dining. End your visit with a peaceful walk along the waterfront boardwalk or through the Rainbow Bridge area for stunning views of the surrounding farmland and water,
In Conclusion
The key to enjoying Bow-Edison and its surrounding areas is embracing the slower pace and connecting with the land, the food, and the people who make this community thrive. Pack your sense of adventure, bring your appetite for fresh flavors, and prepare for a Washington State experience that celebrates the simple pleasures of rural living.
Ready to plan your trip? Check local websites for current farm hours, seasonal activities, and accommodation availability. Your perfect Bow-Edison day trip awaits!
