Fave Five: Early Signs of Spring
Where to go when everything starts waking up.
By Sarah Stackhouse March 25, 2026
This article originally appeared in the March/April 2026 issue of Seattle magazine.
March and April always blend together in my head. Around here, there’s still plenty of rain, but it feels a little more manageable as the green sprawls and the crocuses unfurl right before our eyes. This is the time when things respond to moisture and attention, and when getting back into it feels better than waiting for perfect weather. Here are a few ways to lean into the shift.
1. Gathered by hand
Marigold and Mint Botanicals
I like activities that don’t require mastery to have fun. Bouquet workshops at this Pioneer Square spot fall squarely into that category. The flowers are seasonal, locally grown, and already doing most of the work for you. Classes are small and hands-on, with guidance on floral mechanics and plenty of room to fiddle around with design. You leave with something colorful to carry home and the satisfying feeling of having used your hands for a while.
115 S. Jackson St., Seattle | mmbotanicals.com
2. Care and repair
SUKOSHI
Winter does a number on skin, so the idea here is a gentle reset. The new Bellevue boutique is the brand’s first in Washington and focuses on Asian skincare built around hydration and barrier repair, so you’re layering moisture instead of stripping everything away. Think gel cleansers, milky toners, lightweight serums, and soft mineral sunscreens that leave skin comfortable and glassy. The staff knows its stuff, and you’ll head into spring feeling refreshed.
172 Bellevue Square, Bellevue | sukoshi.com
3. Dig in
Washington Park Arboretum
This is the time of year to get those green thumbs going, no matter the track record. The Arboretum’s Spring Plant Sale is where that urge finds direction. You might discover conifer saplings or trays of native ferns and spring bloomers, all grown onsite and ready for the ground. Expect live music, demos, and some fun education activities while you wander. All purchases support the Arboretum’s horticulture and education programs—and give you a reason to spend the rest of the week outside.
April 26 | 2300 Arboretum Dr. E., Seattle | arboretumfoundation.org
4. Wallflowers
Frye Art Museum
Flowers are pretty—we all know that. What’s interesting about this exhibit is how it asks you to see them as more than decoration. The show pairs historic floral still lifes from the museum’s collection with newly commissioned wallpaper designs by contemporary artists, giving the genre room to stretch across time in unexpected ways. After months of gray, letting your eyes adjust to color again can feel like a small—but welcome—recalibration.
Wallflowers, through May 17 | 704 Terry Ave., Seattle | fryemuseum.org
5. Tulip time
Skagit Valley
Once April hits, spring doesn’t sneak in quietly. It announces itself. Millions of tulips bloom across the fields 60 miles north of Seattle, and Skagit Valley bursts with color. The festival spills into nearby towns with parades and markets. Night Bloom events illuminate the flowers, letting you wander the fields after dark to see them glow.
April 1-30 | 15245 Bradshaw Rd., Mount Vernon | tulipvalley.com
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