New Community Outreach and Tourism Specialist
Welcome, Amanda!
Please join us in welcoming Visit Burlington’s new Community Outreach Advocate and Tourism Specialist, Amanda Arriondo Cronin! When she’s not buried head-first in a book or her latest art project, Amanda enjoys spending her free time hiking, biking, and exploring all the beautiful sights Skagit Valley has to offer. She brings a wealth of knowledge to this exciting new role and is thrilled to share her discoveries with others who have not yet experienced all the Hub City has to offer.
The COATS’ Votes: Amanda’s Favorite Spots In or Around Burlington
My Cup of Tea: Best Cozy Fall Drink
For those of us with poor circulation, fall is the time of the year you’re forced to accept that your hands and feet will be cold until the following April. I like to combat this yearly phenomenon by wrapping my freezing digits around a steaming cup of tea at Burlington’s own teahouse: My Cup of Tea.
Expertly managed by owner, Jenni Belisle, this quaint tea room on Fairhaven Avenue offers a wide variety of loose-leaf tea options, delicious assortments of baked goods on tiered tea displays, and an atmosphere that feels like a warm hug. Best of all, My Cup of Tea offers a monthly tea subscription for those of us who are too chilly to venture outside our homes.
The Cascade Trail: Best All-Season Bike Ride
The Cascade Trail is a 22.5 mile gravel trail that connects Sedro Woolley and Concrete, and biking it is my idea of the perfect day excursion (whether that’s with myself, a puppy, or my partner). There are 10 benches along the length of the trail perfect for curling up with a book, having a picnic, or just gazing at any of the gorgeous natural views along the way.
Best of all, the trail runs parallel to State Route 20 and passes straight through Lyman, Hamilton, and Birdsview. That means that any local restaurants along the way are fair game for bikers or walkers that work up an appetite! The trail is bikeable almost all year round, if you’re not afraid of that infamous west-side rainfall.
Deception Pass State Park: Best Day Hike with a View
If you are an epic view addict, Deception Pass State Park is an absolute must-see if visiting Burlington. The park is divided by the Deception Pass bridge, an 180’ high behemoth that will send shivers up the spine of anyone who traverses its length. Walking it will give you 360 degree views of the surrounding islands, Canoe Pass, Rosario Beach, and much more. Marine life is teeming within the bounds of the park; whales, seals, dolphins, and a myriad of birds are frequent visitors.
Explore either side of the park on Whidbey and Fidalgo Islands to see old growth forest, towering cliffs, sheltered coves, and island inlets. The beauty of this park cannot be understated; it still brings tears to my eyes when I visit - and I visit as often as I can.
Chuckanut Drive, Larrabee State Park, and Chuckanut Manor: Best Drive-To-Dinner Date
When my partner and I moved to the west side of Washington, we originally landed near Seattle. Chuckanut Drive is what sold both of us on moving to Skagit County - it’s that pretty! Since we found a home in Skagit, this scenic route has become our favorite “drive to dinner date.” Here’s how it usually goes: drive, hike, dine!
Tracing the shoreline of Bellingham Bay, Chuckanut Drive begins at the I-5 exit in Burlington and continues for 20 miles up to Bellingham. Wending through misty old-growth forest high above the waterline, the drive provides stunning views of the bay below and the San Juan islands. Larrabee State Park (by milepost 14) is a great plase to stop and work up an appetite. The park has a myriad of hikes to explore and allows access to beaches and tidepools if you want to sit by the water or search for marine life.
Lastly, my favorite part: the dining, obviously. Chuckanut Manor is a historic culinary roadhouse nestled in the cliffs right off of Chuckanut Drive. With massive picture windows and an outdoor balcony, this upscale restaurant is the perfect place to take in the view. I recommend timing dinner for when the sun goes down; finishing up dessert as you watch the sun descend over the islands is a light show you will not want to miss.
“My favorite part of living in Skagit Valley is knowing that you can bike an island, hike to an alpine lake, and eat oysters on the beach in the same weekend. Even then, you’d only be scratching the surface of all there is to see.”
