We're just a few short weeks away from kicking off spring. The clocks have sprung forward and we can almost taste the longer days and slightly warmer weather. Below we've compiled a list of what should be included on your local spring to-do list.
Washington State Spring Fair
The 2023 Spring Fair will take place over two weekends, April 13-16 and April 20-23. This year's fair includes favorites such as the beloved fair scones, rides, musical and comedy performances, and of course, the adorable farm animals everyone likes to see. Entertainment taking place over the two weekends includes Motorsport Mayhem - tricked out monster trucks and smashing cars colliding, and the new Nitro Circus: Freestyle Crew - professional athletes across BMX, skate and pit bikes providing edge of your seat action sports feats. Online early bird pricing fair tickets available right now, ages 13+ $12, 6-12 years old $10, and kids five and younger are FREE. Check out here for more information to plan your visit: https://www.thefair.com/.
Cherry Blossoms at UW Seattle
Peaking the third week of March the cherry blossoms on the UW campus are a sight to see. They can be spotted earlier and a little later, but the peak weekend will have about 70% of the bloom. As quickly as they appear, they will disappear, so it's important to see them in the short week or two before peak and week or two after peak. The 29 cherry blossom trees surrounding the Red Square on UW Campus will draw a crowd, especially on the weekends, so expect some traffic heading into the area. Plan your visit to the UW campus to check out the bloom this year.
Skagit Valley Tulip Festival
Kicking off Saturday, April 1 and running through April 30, the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival draws large crowds every year. The celebration showcases thousands of tulips in full bloom. The festival is designed as a driving tour since the tulips are scattered throughout the Skagit Valley, but there are a few farms you can get out and take photos among the tulip fields. There is a reason every year this festival attracts thousands of people, the tulips are truly a sight to see. Check out here for more information to plan your visit https://tulipfestival.org/.
Whale Watching
Whales migrate through the Puget Sound on an annual basis from October through June, but spring is definitely your best bet to spot one. Specifically the month of May offers ample opportunities to spot a whale. For a free whale watching option, plan a trip to Whidbey Island or Camano Island and make yourself comfortable on the local shore to see if you can spot one. For a more guided tour, Puget Sound Express out of Edmonds offers a four-hour tour through the San Juan Islands. This company guarantees you will spot a whale, or your next trip is free. For more information on the paid tour option visit https://www.pugetsoundexpress.com/.
So as the frost begins to melt it's never too soon to start planning all your spring adventures.