Mention tulips, and most minds will immediately conjure up images of the Netherlands, renowned for its breathtaking tulip fields. While a dreamy stroll among the tulips in Holland is on many travelers’ wish lists, there’s a charming alternative much closer to home, sparing you the expense and lengthy flight.

My own tulip adventure began with the goal of exploring the idyllic tulip farms nestled in Skagit Valley, Seattle. This led to a spontaneous spring road trip that took my family from sunny Southern California to the lush landscapes of Washington, with Portland, Oregon, as an alluring stop along the way.

If you’re planning a visit to the Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm to witness the breathtaking Tulip Festival, aim to time your trip for late March through early May. Located in Woodburn, south of bustling Portland, Oregon, and northeast of charming Salem, the farm boasts 40 acres of vibrant, multicolored tulip fields that will leave you spellbound.

For a firsthand recommendation, we visited the tulip fields on April 25 this year, and it’s the perfect time to catch the tulips in full bloom. Visiting too early in March or April could mean missing some of the blossoms.

Is it worth investing in a Sunrise Pass? Absolutely! We opted for the morning photographer’s pass, now known as the sunrise individual entrance pass. Although it comes at a slightly higher cost than the regular weekday and weekend passes, which are priced at $15 and $20, respectively, we firmly believe it’s worth the extra investment.

With this pass, you can access the tulip festival before the crowds from 5 AM to 7 AM. What’s more, it allows you to enjoy the festival at your own pace.

Weather permitting (no rain and wind speeds below 8 mph), the ideal time to witness hot air balloons gracefully soaring over the tulip fields is during sunrise. You can even choose the sunrise pass and spend an extra $10 to fly your own drone.

As we wandered through the tulip fields, we noticed a few other early birds reveling in the vibrant blossoms. Yet, it was the expert photographers that stood out, each with their tripods poised and ready to capture the perfect shot in the crisp morning air.

What about your four-legged friends? Can you bring them along? Absolutely! As long as your furry companions are well-behaved and on a leash, they are more than welcome to join you. Remember to be a responsible pet owner and clean up after them.

I brought my two furry friends, Pepper and Chloe, along for the tulip viewing adventure, adding an extra layer of excitement to our journey. While we aimed to keep our beloved pets pristine for their photo sessions with the tulips, the unpredictable weather and a brief stroll in the rain over damp soil transformed our white companions into brown adventurers. Nevertheless, they valiantly attempted to appear presentable for the camera.

But the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival offers more than just an opportunity to admire the stunning flowers. If you’re questioning the value of the visit and thinking there’s nothing else to do, think again! Trust me; it’s well worth the effort.

Visitors can enjoy a plethora of activities at the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival. The general admission fee covers a range of attractions, from the breathtaking tulip field views and entertaining tram or hay wagon rides to a play area for kids and quirky photo cut-out boards.

At the Tulip Fest at Wooden Shoe, a variety of food vendors await, offering wood-fired pizza, tacos, donuts, coffee, and even wine tasting events for those who enjoy fine wines.

But the Oregon tulips are not just a feast for the eyes; they also make for wonderful souvenirs. You can purchase bulbs or fresh bouquets to take home with you. For a more exhilarating experience, consider booking a hot air balloon ride in advance to enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the stunning tulip fields.

The area provides ample opportunities for capturing stunning photos, from the colossal windmill and charming flower truck to the adorable “Tulip Train,” seemingly endless rows of tulip fields with the majestic Mount Hood in the background, picturesque benches, and much more.

For photography enthusiasts in Oregon, the unpredictable spring weather can be a challenge. Frequent rain and wind might deter some, but there are still plenty of ways to capture stunning photographs, even when the weather doesn’t cooperate. Here are some tips to help you keep your camera steady and your creativity flowing.

While the weather forecast predicted rain throughout our entire week-long stay in Woodburn, it didn’t dampen our spirits. In fact, rainy weather presented an excellent opportunity to capture some stunning shots of the tulips.

While capturing a sunrise or sunset on a clear spring day is the dream for every photographer, it’s not always feasible. Rainy days, on the other hand, can provide a unique opportunity to capture photographs that, in my opinion, can be even more impressive than those taken in harsh mid-day sunlight, which results in high contrast and burned-out backgrounds.

So, don’t let a brief rain shower discourage you. Photographing tulips or other flowers adorned with raindrops can add fascinating texture and depth to your images. Imagine the enchantment of capturing stunning tulip fields in a soft, springtime drizzle.

In conclusion, no photo can fully encapsulate the breathtaking beauty of the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival. I strongly recommend planning a trip to experience this enchanting place during spring—it’s an experience you won’t soon forget.