La Conner, WA

1. 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

2. 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

3. 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.

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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. The maturation process is wholly natural with no artificial additives. The winery is in Burlington, 20 minutes drive from La Conner. The tasting room is situated alongside the Swinomish Channel and is open on weekends only. There is a second tasting room in Manson. Dinners and concerts are held throughout the year, at the winery. Wine Club subscribers receive a selection of four wines, twice a year.

106 S 1st St La Conner, Washington, Phone: 360-708-2801

7. 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. There are two miles of hiking tracks through the 93 acre preserve, most of which is on Kiket Island. Several fish species, shellfish and eelgrass beds can be found along the two miles of shoreline. Waterfowl and several threatened and endangered species make their home in the preserve. Away from the water, there is a delicate meadow ecosystem. The preserve is open daily from dawn to dusk.

8. 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.