This small town, in Skagit County, WA was named after Louisa Ann Conner, the wife of the owner of the trading post, back in 1870. La Conner is half a square mile in extent, and at last count had fewer than 1000 inhabitants. It is on the edge of the largest tulip growing region in the world. The annual Skagit Valley Tulip Festival is celebrated each April. The Rainbow Bridge spans the Swinomish Channel which separates Fidalgo Island from the mainland. Across the bridge is the Swinomish Native American village and reserve. The center of La Conner and the Swinomish Channel have been listed on the National Register of Historical Places.
Pacific Nothwest Quilt and Fiber Arts Museum
The Pacific Nothwest Quilt and Fiber Arts Museum is housed in the triple story Gaches Mansion. The Victorian home was built in 1891 and provides 4500 square meters of display area for exhibits. The 11 foot high ceilings are ideal for the presentation of quilts and textiles. The museum collection focuses on traditional and contemporary specimens from the Pacific rim region. Thematic exhibitions are open for several weeks or months. There is additional space set aside for lectures, workshops and interest groups to meet. The museum organizes the annual International Quilt and Fiber Arts Festival in October.
703 South Second Street, La Conner, WA 98257, Phone: 360-466-4288
Visit the FREE Museum of Northwest Art
Art Hupy, a freelance commercial photographer, founded this museum in 1981. For the first 14 years it occupied the second floor of the Gaches Mansion. In 1995, the current premises were renovated and provided 1200 square meters of exhibition space. There are quarterly exhibitions and eight permanent collections, focusing on artists from the northwest Pacific region. A variety of art forms are on display, including pottery, photographs, paintings, quilts and illustrations. There are annual auctions and artists' award dinners. The guides are knowledgeable and the gift shop is well-stocked. Entrance is free and the museum is open 7 days a week.
Museum of Northwest Art, 121 First Street, PO Box 969, La Conner, WA 98257, Phone: 360-466-4446
La Conner Rainbow Bridge
The bright red La Conner Rainbow Bridge spans the Swinomish Channel, connecting Fidalgo Island and the mainland, at La Conner. The riveted steel bridge, built in 1957, has a solid rib design. It has a single span of 167 m, with a total length of 240 m and a clearance of 23 m. It is the longest bridge of its kind in Washington and received an honorable mention from the American Institute of Steel Construction in 1958 for its pioneering design. It was placed in the National Register of Historical Places before it was 50 years old. The views of the bridge from town and vice versa are equally picturesque.
Shop at Nasty Jack's Antiques
'Nasty' Jack Wilkins and 'Diamond' Jim Reynolds, two colorful characters, started this enterprise in 1972. Jim left the business and, sadly, Jack passed away in 1994, leaving his daughter and son-in-law to run the store. American and English reproduction furniture, collectible tin signs and other novelty items are sold in the 12000 square foot of space. Magazines from one of the largest collections of LIFE and Saturday Evening Post, from 1937 to 1972, are on sale. Deliveries are made as far as Tacoma in the south and the Canadian border in the north. The store is open 7 days a week.
Nasty Jack's Antiques, 103 East Morris St., La Conner, WA 98257, Phone: 360-466-3209
Skagit County Historical Museum
The Skagit County Historical Museum was founded in 1968 in order to preserve and interpret artifacts that relate to the unique culture and history of Skagit County. Two hundred thousand items are displayed on a rotational basis. These include clothing, quilts, dolls, tools and farm equipment. The museum operates a reference library and offers consultation on caring for and storing heirlooms. Workshops, educational programs and guided tours are conducted on the premises. Videos and props for history lessons are for hire. The store sells books on local and regional history, old-time toys and Native American crafts. The museum is closed on Mondays.
501 4th Street / P.O. Box 818, La Conner, WA 98257-0818, Phone: 360-466-3365
Skagit Cellars
Skagit Cellars started as a hobby in a garage and a cellar and now ships wine across the United States. Mark and Gloria Hulst source organically grown grapes from sustainable vineyards to create their award-winning wines.
Kukutali Preserve
The Swinomish Indian Tribal Community, in partnership with Washington State Parks, has established the Kukutali Preserve. The primary objectives are to conserve the area, conduct research and provide public education programs.
Pioneer Park
A short distance from the Railway Bridge is the small urban Pioneer Park. Visitors are free to wander anywhere in the park but a few hiking trails have been laid out. There are stairs that rise 75 feet from the lower levels to the bridge. A rustic bandstand and bench seats are used on occasion for outdoor performances. The large picnic area is under cover and has drinking water on tap. The trail across the Rainbow Bridge leads across the Swinomish Channel to the tribal park and village on the other side. The trail below the bridge leads to artistic murals.
Skagit Crest Vineyard and Winery
Chuck and Donna started this small family-owned venture in 2008. Ten years later they had planted vineyards, built a house and winery, and started producing wines. These unfortunately are not open to the public. The Skagit Crest Vineyard and Winery tasting room is off the Gilky Square, overlooking the Swinomish Channel.
105 North First St., Suite 1 La Conner, WA 98257, Phone: 360-333-9819
La Conner Seafood and Prime Rib
La Conner Seafood and Prime Rib was founded in 1986 in a building with a checkered past, of smuggling, gambling and 60s and 70s hippy culture.
614 South First Street, La Conner, WA 98257, Phone: 360-466-4014
The Oyster and Thistle Restaurant and Pub
Situated on a hill, overlooking downtown La Conner, The Oyster and Thistle Restaurant and Pub is styled like an old English inn.
205 E. Washington St., La Conner, Washington 98257, Phone: 360-766-6179
Hope Island
Tucked between Skagit Bay’s Whidbey Island and La Conner is the Hope Island State Park, a small but popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts who want to spend a day or two secluded in nature.
La Conner Pub and Eatery
Known as the Tavern, La Conner Pub and Eatery serves a classic American menu in a family-friendly environment.
702 S 1st St., 98257 La Conner, Washington, Phone: 360-466-9932
