Located between Seattle and Vancouver, BC, La Conner is an artsy waterfront community on the Swinomish Channel. With boutique shops, eateries and winery tasting rooms, it’s a great day trip destination from the city.
The town is a favorite for flower lovers and birders alike, especially in the spring when daffodils carpet the fields in brilliant swaths of yellow. It’s also the perfect place to visit in March when snow geese migrate through.
The Museum of Northwest Art (known as MoNA) is an excellent place to see art from some of the Pacific Northwest’s top creators. Founded by Art Hupy in 1981, this art gallery has an impressive collection of works.
There are quarterly exhibitions and eight permanent collections to explore, plus a gift shop with some neat merchandise. The main floor displays a large, but not overwhelming, collection of paintings by the influential Northwest Mystics.
The Pacific Northwest Quilt & Fiber Arts Museum houses a very impressive display of quilts and other traditional and modern fiber arts. In addition to the usual rotating exhibits, this institution also hosts a number of classes to appeal to a range of age groups and artistic abilities.
Located in the historic Gaches Mansion, the Pacific Northwest Quilt & Fiber Arts Museum is a unique destination in the artistic waterfront town of La Conner. Founded in 1997 by local resident Rita Hupy, the museum is focused on textiles from the Pacific Rim.
The museum houses a small permanent collection, with changing exhibitions, and also offers classes in all aspects of fiber art. The museum aims to present exhibitions and programs that enrich and inspire, honor cultural traditions, and celebrate the creative spirit.
Currently, visitors can view a gallery show called “Reimagining Quilt & Fiber Art” that beautifully displays artists pushing the boundaries of what we typically consider ’quilting’ today and how they use new techniques and materials. Other highlights of this special exhibit include a group quilt created by the Pacific Northwest African American Quilters, and an exhibition from Seattle artist Esther Ervin that explores political issues in her work.
A stroll along the waterfront is a must for anyone visiting La Conner. The town is dotted with historic buildings that jut out over the water, giving you a front row view of a passing parade of leisure boats.
Alternatively, you can walk north over the Rainbow Bridge to Pioneer Park for a picnic among the trees. Or drive 10 minutes out of town to Kukutali Preserve for a 2-mile hike to Kiket Island via land bridge.
The quaint streets of First Street and Morris Street are home to many interesting shops and eateries. Calico Cupboard and Hellam’s Vineyard Wine Shop & Wine Bar both feature lovely patio dining overlooking the Swinomish Channel.
If you’re looking for a late-night spot to enjoy some seafood and good drinks, look no further than La Conner Pub & Eatery. This waterfront restaurant has a lively atmosphere, plenty of natural light, and great food.
In summer, you can sit on the patio to watch a parade of leisure boats pass by the Swinomish Channel. The restaurant has a full bar, and is family-friendly.
Another popular La Conner restaurant is Oyster & Thistle. It offers classic Old English country inn cuisine with Northwest dishes. Their menu features a variety of seafood dishes, including shucked oysters and salmon. They also offer gluten-free and vegetarian options.
La Conner is one of those classic Washington small towns with a lot going for it. It boasts an easily walkable downtown, gorgeous water views and a fantastic dining scene.
But it’s also home to an array of off-beat, only-in-La-Conner attractions that will make your trip truly unique. From an internationally known arch bridge to a tiny park dedicated to a town dog, we’ve got you covered!
Magnus Anderson was one of the first Scandinavians to settle in Skagit County, and he built his log cabin in 1869. The hand-split structure is now located near the town hall in downtown La Conner.
