Immersive Cultural Activities
in Washington & Skagit County
For the history buffs in your travel group, enjoy diverse cultural activities in Washington and Skagit Valley, like exploring historical landmarks, visiting a museum, or joining interactive art workshops. From museums to historical landmarks, we thank you for taking the time to learn about the history and culture behind our beloved Valley.
Celtic Arts Foundation
City of Burlington Parks and Recreation
Pacific Northwest Quilt & Fiber Arts Museum
Skagit County Historical Museum
Skagit Valley Tulip Festival
Explore and Discover the Magic Skagit
Attractions and Activities for Every Interest
Native Culture in the Skagit Valley
Explore Skagit Valley’s native heritage through nature, art, historical museums, and salmon exhibits. North Cascades National Park is home to a historic site of a 1,400-year-old Indian hunting camp on the Rock Shelter Trail in Newhalem. In autumn, you can view spawning salmon at the Northern State Recreation area and explore the restored salmon habitat of Hanson Creek. A visit to one of our many museums is worth the stop to learn more about our native culture and the roots of Skagit Valley.
Pioneer Heritage
Skagit Valley’s early settlement history is marked by exploration, resilience, and ingenuity. In 1792, George Vancouver discovered Deception Pass, and by 1841, the Wilkes Expedition identified present-day Fidalgo Island. Euro-American settlement began in the 1850s with pioneers like William Jarman and Enoch Compton, who were drawn to the fertile lands cultivated by the Coast Salish. Despite challenges such as the 1855 Indian War, settlements expanded on Fidalgo Island and the mainland. Agricultural success grew as settlers began diking marshlands near La Conner in 1863. Logging operations, trading posts, and settlements emerged across the region, with towns like Anacortes and Mount Vernon developing as transportation improved, particularly after the removal of massive logjams on the Skagit River in 1879. These efforts laid the foundation for Skagit Valley’s growth and prosperity. Skagit Valley has a few history museums that offer wonderful cultural activities in Washington, where you can learn more about our roots.
Visual Arts
La Conner’s picturesque setting in Skagit Valley has drawn artists since the 1930s, becoming a creative hub. Early pioneers transformed the town into an artistic enclave, crafting studios from driftwood and beach sand. In 1953, Life magazine’s feature on noteworthy pioneers elevated these “Mystic Painters of the Northwest” to international acclaim. By the 1960s and 1970s, La Conner attracted a new wave of artists and bohemians, further cementing its reputation as an artistic haven. Today, visitors can explore this rich heritage through cultural activities in Washington. The Museum of Northwest Art, local galleries, the vibrant Anacortes Gallery Walk, and public sculptures are popular attractions and immersive experiences.