Ring in the Spring at the Abbotsford Tulip Festival

If you're heading anywhere near Abbotsford, British Columbia this month, the Abbotsford Tulip Festival is definitely worth the stop! Even making the special trip out there from the lower mainland or elsewhere is worth it. Pack a picnic and don't forget to bring a camera or phone with LOTS  of memory and battery power! In the two hours we were there, snap happy me managed to capture over 500 photos. Today, I am sharing my favorites from this magical and vibrant place.

Last year, the hubby (and baby bump) and I attended the Skagit Valley Tulip  Festival in the Mount Vernon area of Washington state and I fell in love with the bright and cheerful setting that tulip fields provide. I was so happy to hear of one that is much closer to Vancouver and doesn't involve a border crossing. It felt very special to return to a tulip festival this year with our offspring. Although it is much smaller in scale compared to Skagit Valley, it is still spectacular to see so many beautiful colors and different varieties of tulips.
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With baby bump at Skagit Valley Tulip Festival last year

With Lennon at the Abbotsford Tulip Festival this year

There are some rows here and there that aren't quite yet in bloom but that didn't stop the fields from looking as vibrant and brilliant as they did. You can check the Field Report on the festival's website if you are concerned before going. 

We went on a Monday as to avoid the weekend crowds and we noticed there were no food or drink vendors (luckily, we had packed a picnic). If you are hoping to get a coffee or food while you are there during the week, it is best to pack a picnic or there are many options for food nearby that you can head to before or after your visit to the tulip fields. There is a large covered area with picnic tables that you can use should you decide to bring food or dine from a food truck on the weekend.

There is a play area for little ones near the entrance. Lennon is too small to have enjoyed these activities but I did see toddlers and older children having a great time with lawn games and duck races! The terrain is not great for a rickety stroller (like an umbrella stroller) or wheelchair but it is manageable once you get onto the field's path and off the gravel parking lot.

It is a great place to take photos. Photographers can opt in for a special admission that gives you entry one hour before sunrise and one hour after sunset to capture the beauty of the fields. We noticed a couple was having their engagement photos taken there as well. Great idea!

The festival runs until May 1st and is open daily from 9am-6pm (with adjusted hours for season's pass holders and photographers) but be sure to check the Field  Report to avoid disappointment should tulip season be ending early (like it did at Skagit Valley last year). It is adjacent to Highway 1 and just off exit 95. Entry is $5 per person 2 years old and over and if you visit on the weekends, there is an additional $5 charge for vehicles. You can pre-purchase your tickets online. Cash, Debit and Credit Cards are accepted on premises which is very convenient! You can pick your own tulips at the U-Pick field for 75 cents a stem or they sell pre picked bunches of 10 for $5 a bunch (buy 4 and get a 5th free). See more details on the official Abbotsford Tulip Festival's website! 

Here is a gallery of my family's excursion (click on photo and then scroll left or right to view the gallery)! Look at all the colors! It doesn't get more picturesque than this! Enjoy!