Come Find the Old-Fashioned Allure of La Conner

The small city of La Conner is located right in the heart of the Skagit Valley at the delta near the mouth of the Skagit River. Like most small-sized communities, the authenticity shines in this waterfront village with a strong historical background, old-fashioned restaurants, locally owned boutiques and intriguing art galleries and studios. The community enjoys a vibrant art scene, constantly promoted by the Art Walk, which takes place every third Saturday of the month, and exhibits the works of local artists from La Conner and Skagit Valley. La Conner's streets are heaped with art; even the ice cream is offered in homemade cones.     

The natural beauty of the place makes it a wonderful outdoor recreational spot. The panoramic views are everywhere, showing gorgeous mountains, foaming streams and rivers, islands, the North Puget Sound and pastoral farms. Skagit Valley farms are full of fun opportunities for the family. You can pick apples, strawberries, raspberries and blueberries and afterwards, savor the taste.     

The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival is sponsored by the city. The Festival is usually held in April, a tradition lasting for decades and still in place today. You will need a pair of wooden shoes before you rush into the 400-acre field, strewn with bright blossoming tulips (amounting to sixty varieties) and the quaint Dutch windmill.     

The residents of La Conner take pride in the wide array of outdoor activities, including fishing and boating on the shores of the San Juan Islands or the banks of Skagit River and hiking and skiing at the Mount Baker. Everything from relaxation to exhilarating adventure awaits. The cultural diversity that is thriving in the city can be seen in the museums, the outdoor sculpture exhibits, the cultural events and the historical landmarks. Dining and shopping will not let you down.     

The community was founded in the beginning of the 1860's after the Civil War, and is the oldest settlement in Skagit County. The first post office opened in 1869.  John Conner, one of the first settlers, bought the town and anadditional 70 acres for $500. The name of the city honours his wife - Louisa A. Conner, replacing the old name of Swinomish. The city used to be the county seat before Mount Vernon took its place.    

La Conner was a fertile farm community and a steamer center, bringing passengers and freight from Seattle. The main reason for the growth of the town was the proximity to the water, enabling fishing and logging. Drawn by the inspirational beauty of the area many artists settled down here in the 1940's, finding a favourable home for their talent. Popular names like Guy Anderson, Richard Gilkey, Morris Graves and Clayton James chose to live in La Conner (The Museum of Northwest Art proudly exhibits their works). Some of the artists were renowned figures of the Northwest School of Art. It was not until the 1970's that the first tourists found the unparalleled treasures of the peaceful and old -ashioned community.    

It is not a surprising fact that La Conner gained fame as “The Best Tiny Town in Western Washington". The population of the city is at most 1,000 people, many of whom are people devoted to art: artisans, writers, crafters, as well as Shelter Bay residents, fishermen, farmers, carpenters and Swinomish Tribal Community member, It's truly a vibrant blend of cultures.      You can also encounter wildlife and do some bird watching in the beautiful natural surroundings.  La Conner is a winter shelter for Canadian geese and swans.    

La Conner is listed in  the National Registry of Historic places.