Founded in 1886, Roslyn is a small town tucked away on the outskirts of the Cascades. But just because the town is small does not mean it’s lacking in character and charm by any means. Roslyn was long known as a coal mining town, full of rich history, now with a population of under 1,000 people. It was once the filming site for the popular ’90s show “Northern Exposure” and the town has continued to develop into a destination for those looking for great access to hiking in the Cascades or simply to take time to unwind. With stunning views and several spots to relax and sip, it’s the ideal place for a quick weekend getaway.
Where to Stay
Downtown Roslyn is home to a boutique hotel, Hotel Roslyn, with rooms for every type of traveler. The gorgeous, new hotel offers studio and one-bedroom suites along with two-bedroom townhomes for larger groups, each tastefully decorated.
Suncadia Resort is just minutes down the road from downtown Roslyn, offering plenty of activities all year long — and a number of in-house bars and restaurants — along with picturesque views of the Cle Elum River.
Where to Drink and Eat
Heritage Distilling
Heritage Distilling has six locations throughout the Pacific Northwest at this point, growing more and more each day, but when the company decided to expand, Roslyn was one of the spots they chose to call home due to its fascinating history.
Heritage took over space in one of the largest historic buildings in town, the Northwest Improvement Co. building, renovating it into one of the most beautiful tasting rooms you may ever see. The space served as a store for the coal mining families working for the company when it opened in 1896, and since then, it has been placed on the National Historic Register and designated as a Historic District.
Taste through the vodkas, gins and bourbons by choosing a sample flight, or even mix and match with a mini cocktail. Head upstairs for cozy lounge seating and grab a growler of your favorite spirit on the way out.
Roslyn Brewing Co.
Just like the rest of the town, Roslyn Brewing Co. celebrates Roslyn’s storied past. Founded in 1990, the brewery commemorates the original Roslyn Brewing Co. that once stood in town before the turn of the 19th century. The beers take you back to European traditions, with brews crafted using snow-fed mountain water, Northwest grown barley and Yakima Valley hops.
There’s plenty of bar seating inside, but if you take a few steps further out the back door you’ll find a gorgeous park-like setting for seating with lush greenery, tall trees and picnic tables. Grab a sampler or a pint and soak in the history.
Basecamp Books and Bites
Located on Roslyn’s main downtown street, Basecamp is a hub for travel, book and beverage enthusiasts alike. Upstairs features a unique café and book shop combination with plenty of seating, access to hiking trail and trip reports and great coffee. Head downstairs to cozy up in the basement-turned-restaurant for impressive craft cocktails like the Barrel-Aged Maple Old Fashioned using Whidbey Island’s Cadée Cascadia rye or try something fruity like the Bear in the Patch, using Spokane’s Warrior huckleberry vodka.
Basecamp also offers service outside in the Roslyn Yard adjacent to their space, allowing you to enjoy dinner and a cocktail in the grass.
Swiftwater Cellars
Roslyn checks off all the boxes when it comes to sipping, with beer, spirits, craft cocktails and, of course, wine. Swiftwater Cellars is located within the Suncadia Resort property, outside of downtown Roslyn, and it certainly is not your average tasting room. The tasting bar shares its space with the restaurant bar, offering an elevated tasting experience with plenty of lounge seating.
And just because Swiftwater opened in 2010, it certainly doesn’t mean the past isn’t commemorated there as well. The entrance to the No. 9 Roslyn Mine, running from 1930 to 1963, can be seen on your way into the building and the pile of coal slag that once came out of that mine can be viewed (or climbed if you’re up for it) just off of the tasting room’s patio. Grab a tasting flight featuring wines crafted from Washington and Oregon AVAs or enjoy a glass with a few bites from Swiftwater’s restaurant while enjoying the view.
The Brick
Although it is not a beverage producer, the “world famous” The Brick Saloon has been a beverage slinger since 1889. Nine years after opening, the tavern was rebuilt using 45,000 bricks, and how it got its namesake that has stuck ever since. The back bar itself is over 100 years old and the storied 23-foot-long running water spittoon still flushes water through it today under foot at the bar. All of these stats add up to The Brick being the state’s oldest continuously operating bar and a landmark worth visiting. But also go for the weekend live music, solid burgers and cold beer — almost all of the drafts are saved for local producers like Roslyn Brewing Co. and nearby Leavenworth’s Icicle Brewing.
