Burlington has been called the “Hub City” because it served as a connection point for two major railways as well as the current junction between I-5 and Highway 20. Seasonal banners will welcome visitors into the Fairhaven District, Burlington’s old downtown, which still maintains a small-town atmosphere. Its storefronts have become home to specialty shops, tasty cafes, locally owned restaurants, and other convenient services.
Outside of the “downtown atmosphere” visitors are sure to notice the abundance of retail options that line the streets. Burlington has become the fourth largest city in the county and has the most major retail spaces within its borders. Over 60,000 shoppers can be seen each day hustling throughout the likes of the Cascade Mall, Outlet Shoppes at Burlington, Fairhaven District, and Burlington Boulevard. While at the Outlet Malls at Burlington, be sure to look for the semi-truck protruding through a glass wall that displays hands on activities, learning centers, and creative toys. This visual statement is sure to attract your children into the fun-filled space known as the Children’s Museum. It is an attraction that you and your children are sure to enjoy. Visitors will have the opportunity to operate a real crane, get behind the wheel of a semi-truck, captain a tug-boat, shop in a market, put on a costume-filled theatrical performance, or even get down and artsy in the supply-filled studio/art center.
The Cascade Mall functions as a great indoor option for shopping and entertainment. The AMC Lowes Theatre shows new release films on 14 screens, the most recent Blockbuster hits, and a concession area.
With eight parks, there are many opportunities to enjoy the beauty of Burlington. Tournaments and athletic competitions bring many visitors onto the lush green fields that saddle the Skagit River Dike throughout Burlington. In the summer months, the largest and most populated park is the 51-acre Skagit River Park. It features 22 soccer fields, eight baseball diamonds, and 24 horseshoe pits. North of Burlington is a 27-hole link style golf course and the highly entertaining sprint car track known as Skagit Speedway. And for those who are looking for indoor options, Burlington is home to the only indoor roller skating rink in the county.
The agricultural roots of Burlington are also celebrated each June and September with two entertaining and family-friendly events: Berry Dairy Days and the Pumpkin Pitch & Harvest Festival. Berry Dairy Days in the 3rd weekend of June features a parade, 5k and 10k runs, a car show, and some pretty spectacular, locally grown, strawberry shortcake. September’s The Pumpkin Pitch & Harvest Festival features a variety of activities at Skagit River Park that are sure to catch your interest. Visitors can experience the annual pumpkin pitch, zucchini car races, pumpkin painting, pie eating challenge, and pony rides to name just a few.
Heritage Flight Museum
The Heritage Flight Museum is moving its aircraft and collections to its hangar at Skagit Regional Airport.
The Heritage Flight Museum was founded in 1996 by Apollo 8 astronaut Maj. General William Anders and is dedicated to the preservation of historic military aircraft.
For more information, please visit www.heritageflight.org.
Northwest Skagit County
Northwest Skagit County offers a network of rural towns that are a blend of old time charm and the amenities of today. This portion of the county includes large tracts of farmland, rolling hills, specialty shops and restaurants and access to miles of shoreline.
Alger
Located along Old Highway 99, the town of Alger was once known as a logging camp, but today is the center of everything racing in Skagit County. Skagit Speedway has been in Alger for 50 years showcasing high-octane racing around a 3/10 mile oval to fans from around the U.S. and Canada. Racing takes place every Saturday night between April and September.
Bay View
Located between the Skagit Regional Airport and Padilla Bay, Bay View is home to a small residential community, the Bay View State Park and the Breazeale Interpretive Center. The center offers indoor exhibits, a reference library, saltwater aquariums, and views to the west across Padilla Bay to Fidalgo Island.
Blanchard
Located between the base of the Chuckanut Mountains and Samish Bay, today’s small town of Blanchard was a bustling place between 1885 and 1925 when the Blanchard Logging Company was operating. As logging began to diminish, oyster farming was quick to take its place in the 1920’s. Today the Taylor Shellfish Farm can be found on Chuckanut Drive just north of Blanchard.
Bow
Originally named Brownsville, Bow became home to a post office and a population boom when the Great Northern Railway decided to reroute its railways around the Chuckanut Mountains. Today Bow is primarily a residential community overlooking Samish Bay.
Edison
Downtown Edison is a prime example of what Skagit County is all about. The quaint town is located at the intersection of Farm to Market Road and Bow Hill Road and was one of the first accredited high schools in Washington State. This tightly packed commercial district has artisan bread makers, a gallery, specialty shops and two famous watering holes with excellent food and nightlife.
Samish Island
Located at the northern end of Padilla Bay, Samish Island is roughly 3.5 miles long and 1 mile wide. The island has been accessible via the Samish Island Road since the dikes were built in 1930. Before that time it was surrounded by water with Samish Bay to the north and Padilla Bay to the south. The island has 480 homes and is the headquarters of the Blau Oyster Company.