A Portland, Oregon Day Trip To Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival

Imagine strolling through fields of vibrant, colorful tulips, feeling like you’ve stepped into a picturesque Dutch landscape – all without leaving Oregon! The Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival is a must-visit destination for anyone who’s ever dreamed of experiencing the magic of Holland’s famous flower fields. For me, it was a long-awaited opportunity to capture stunning photos and revel in the beauty of nature.

Thanks to some serendipitous Instagram browsing, I discovered this hidden gem just an hour outside Portland, and I’ve been eagerly tracking their website for over a year now, waiting for the perfect moment to plan my visit. As soon as I laid eyes on the breathtaking tulip fields at Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm, I knew I had to get there – and with my camera in hand, no less!

About Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival

Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm, a family-owned operation with decades of experience, plays host to the renowned Oregon tulip festival each spring. Spanning four to six weeks, this annual celebration is just one aspect of the farm’s offerings. Throughout the year, visitors can also purchase bulbs, cut tulips, potted flowers, and more from the farm’s extensive inventory.

The tulip blooming process at Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm begins in October, with the first blooms emerging in late February.

By the end of April, the latest varieties have come into full bloom. During the festival, attendees can explore over 40 acres of vibrant tulips and daffodils, featuring more than 120 distinct flower varieties – a kaleidoscope of colors to delight the senses.

How to Get to Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival, Oregon

When planning a trip to the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival, consider flying into Portland International Airport (PDX) as it offers easy access to the event. As someone who resides on the West Coast and values their time, I opted for a quick flight from California instead of embarking on a lengthy drive. While it may seem like a detour, this excursion provided the perfect opportunity to indulge in all that Portland has to offer.

The airport’s proximity to the festival grounds proved to be a significant advantage. A 45-minute drive from the city center, the tulip festival is nestled in the quiet countryside of Woodburn, Oregon, roughly 34 miles south of Portland. I chose to depart early morning to catch sunrise, which made for an effortless and scenic drive.

Portland serves as an ideal home base for a visit to the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival.

With its abundance of culinary delights, the city offers ample opportunities to fill your days beyond the festival itself. As one of the best food cities in the United States, Portland ensures that you’ll never be bored.

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Where to Stay

When visiting the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival, I highly recommend spending a couple of nights in Portland. The downtown area offers an array of excellent restaurants and food carts within strolling distance. For a convenient and luxurious stay, consider Hotel deLuxe as one of your top options.

This hotel not only provides easy access to public transportation but also allows you to walk to many of the city’s must-eat spots, making it a perfect choice for travelers looking to indulge in Portland’s culinary delights.

Hotel deLuxe in Portland

Hotel deLuxe is a standout choice for accommodation that seamlessly blends convenience with a unique design aesthetic inspired by Old Hollywood glamour. The property’s interior design is meticulously curated, featuring stunning black and white photographs and film stills from the past throughout the lobby, hallways, and guest rooms. I’m particularly fond of hotels that fully commit to a theme, and Hotel deLuxe exceeds expectations.

The art deco style is expertly executed, never feeling forced or pretentious. Guest rooms are thoughtfully appointed with comfortable furnishings, spotless cleanliness, and exceptional service. To make your stay even more enjoyable, the hotel staff offers to deliver ice cream to your room – a delightful touch that’s sure to put a smile on your face. When you’re ready to venture out, The Driftwood Room is an excellent onsite craft cocktail bar that’s worth exploring.

Don’t miss their Manhattan flight, which I highly recommend. Situated just two blocks from the Providence Park MAX station, getting to and from the airport is a breeze. While transportation options are readily available, having a car can be convenient for trips like visiting the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival – if you do decide to rent one, you’ll have no trouble navigating around Portland. To book your stay or check prices and availability, click here.

When to Visit the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival in Oregon

Tulips in Oregon’s Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival burst into bloom during the spring season, with festival dates varying annually based on weather conditions. In recent years, the event has started in late March and run through late April, but this year’s extended blooming period saw it conclude in early May. The prolonged blooming was a pleasant surprise, allowing visitors to enjoy the vibrant flowers for an extra week.

I delayed my visit by a month, initially concerned that the tulips might not be fully in bloom if I went too early. Thankfully, my hesitation paid off, and the experience exceeded my expectations. With no prior knowledge of flower timing, I relied on instincts – and it turned out to be the right call.

Visiting Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival in Oregon

As many have asked about my photos from the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival, I’ve decided to share my personal experience and provide practical tips to help you recreate this memorable visit. I visited the festival early in the morning, just as the sun was rising at 6:17 a. m., and arrived at the tulip farm around 6 a. m. The sky was already light, but the sun had yet to break above the horizon.

Despite being dressed for summer, I have to admit it was quite chilly outside, with temperatures in the low- to mid-40s. Fortunately, there was no wind, making the still air feel warmer than my typical 64-degree windy days in San Francisco. The calm conditions made the experience even more enjoyable. During the day, the festival offers a range of activities for children, including food and drink options.

Depending on the weather, you can also book a hot air balloon ride, although I personally didn’t take advantage of this offer. Seeing the balloons soar above the fields was, however, quite enchanting. For more information on festival activities, click here.

Photography at Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival

To capture stunning sunrise photos at the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival, you’ll need to purchase a photography pass for $15 per person, which grants access to the farm before it officially opens at 9 am. In contrast, the standard entrance fee is $5. As I was determined to get some great shots with my camera gear, I woke up early and arrived just in time to capture the sun rising over the vast fields.

The large size of the farm allowed me to find a secluded spot away from other photographers, making it feel like I had the entire place to myself – although there were still plenty of others on site waiting for the sun to rise. To achieve similar shots as seen in this post, you’ll need to visit during sunrise hours when the beautiful lighting is at its best.

Unfortunately, none of the festival’s food or activities are available at this early hour, so I spent around 45 minutes snapping photos and was back in Portland by 8 am for breakfast. My camera gear included a full-frame mirrorless body, which I’ve been impressed with, as well as a trusty lens that has provided consistent quality over the past six months.

Have you been to any awesome flower festivals? If so I’d love to hear about it! Tell me in the comments below!

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