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Neurodivergent TulipFest |
By Guest Authors: Jenn and Brian Warren
The Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival in Woodburn, Oregon is something that we enjoy each spring with our family! Acres of vibrant blooms yield a feast for the eyes and inspiration for our artistic inclinations. Once we’ve enjoyed the tulips, we often want something else to experience to make a full-day excursion. Here are our favorite things to do with our neurodiverse family after visiting the Tulip Festival.
We try to visit the Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm for their annual Tulip Festival on a weekday (Monday through Thursday) each year because there are fewer crowds. Our youngest boys have a blast pulling each other around in the cow carts and climbing on the colorful tractors. Our teens delight in the vibrant colors and abundant photo ops — selfies, anyone?
Visiting in the morning is a smart choice for a sunny day, but late afternoon can be even better for neurodivergent families, as most people leave by 4pm. If you want amazing photos and no crowds, we highly recommend the new sunset slot that starts at 5pm!
As unforgettable as the Tulip Festival is, meeting the Alpacas at Marquam Hill Ranch is even more memorable! The owner, Jennifer, has a background in special education, and she loves to share her enthusiasm for alpacas with kids of all ages and abilities.
What a fun way for us to extend our day this year! We toured the barn, learning all about alpaca fiber and caring for these unique animals. Then, we each fed the alpacas up close. Our kids even took turns walking the gentle alpacas around the barn!
Make sure to give yourself plenty of time to explore the gift shop, too — the brightly colored gifts and soft alpaca fiber clothing are irresistible!
Cowboy Coffee in Molalla is the place to go if you need a sweet treat or afternoon pick-me-up. The warm spring day had all of us craving a cold drink or ice cream. Cowboy Coffee’s soft serve cones, Razzles and affogatos hit the spot.
While you’re enjoying your coffee or cone, take a stroll along the Molalla Art Walk. Our kids’ favorite sculpture is the story of Coyote and Grizzly’s swallowing match, a trickster story from the Molalla people. Can you find a salmon, a basket and a canoe? Beautiful sculptures can be found throughout the city.
Spring is the perfect time to visit the Molalla River Recreation Corridor. This area offers many beautiful viewpoints and walking paths, as well as day-use and camping sites. The Molalla River is high and ice cold in the spring, so we kept our kids well away from the rushing water as they hunted for the perfect stick or studied banana slugs.
We decided to hike Amanda’s Trailhead up to Trout Creek. Walking through the moss-covered forest and looking down through the trees to the water below was so peaceful and refreshing. Note: This trail is listed as moderate, and it’s almost entirely uphill for the first half mile, so it may not be suitable for families with certain health conditions.
We're Jenn and Brian Warren, founders of Dinkum Tribe, a community focused on neurodivergent families who love life and travel with their kids. Together with our six children, we're cultivating authentic living, practical solutions, genuine relationships and an abundance mindset. Join us as we learn how to make the most of our moments at home, on the road and around the world. We're based in Silverton, Oregon, and we share our adventures at dinkumtribe.com, on our YouTube channel and our handle on all social media is @DinkumTribe.
