Discover Heartwarming & Historic Roslyn Washington in the Winter
Craving a weekend getaway to a small town? With welcoming local shops, exciting outdoor recreation, and a peacefulness not found in the city, head to the historic coal mining town of Roslyn, Washington.
Let’s Explore: Roslyn Washington
How to Plan a Weekend Getaway to Roslyn Washington
If you’re a Seattleite who agrees that winter isn’t complete without snowy adventures, then the Snoqualmie Pass area is a great place to visit. Located on the eastern side, Roslyn lies 83 miles from Seattle. By car, expect the drive to take just under 1.5 hours to Kittitas County.
According to the 2021 census, Roslyn’s population is 946.
Like other small towns and island communities, operating hours for many businesses during the off-season is important to research while planning your trip. Even during summer, the Roslyn Historical Museum is not open daily. For current hours, check websites or give businesses a call (especially if there’s an activity that you really want to do! That being said, I did not have an issue finding open restaurants or grocery stores during multiple weekday winter visits.
One other timing consideration is the weather. While you will likely see snow on the ground in Roslyn Washington beginning in late-December, winter storms may interrupt travel over the pass. So, be sure check the forecast on either end of your trip. Fortunately, you can easily check the live road conditions on Snoqualmie Pass. And, review the cancellation policies of the hotel or vacation rental you chose to stay in.
Where to Stay Around Roslyn
Chances are you’ve heard of Suncadia. It’s a luxury Hyatt resort that has become a favorite escape for city dwellers living in western Washington. Although technically located in Cle Elum, Suncadia is only minutes from Roslyn and is hands-down the largest hotel in the area.
Regardless of how many people you’re traveling with or your traveling style, there’s something for everyone. In particular, the resort itself offers suites, penthouses, and condos with views including the river and golf course. If are looking for a place in which you have the space to cook your own food or relax by the fireplace, then this is a wonderful option.
Traveling with a large group? Besides the resort, Suncadia also offers vacation home rentals. To my surprise, I saw homes that could accommodate as many as 18 people! Pet-friendly options are available.
Or if you prefer to stay somewhere a little more remote and surrounded by nature, then I’ll let you in on my favorite Airbnb to date: Timber Stilts.
Located in Ronald, a small town adjacent to Roslyn, Timber Stilts is a picture-perfect midcentury modern home that is 1) on stilts and 2) nestled in a forest. Needless to say, the owners did a fabulous job naming it!
Here’s the property at a glance:
- Sleeps 6 (2 bedrooms, 1 bath, 2 pullout beds)
- Indoor floating fireplace for roasting smores
- Stylish Scandavian furnishings
- Hot tub
- Wrap-around deck
- Forest views from every room
Fun Fact: Amazon rented out Timber Stilts to take photos for their 2023 holiday catalog!! So no, I’m not exaggerating when I say it is picture-perfect..
Between Suncadia and Timber Stilts the biggest difference you’ll need to consider in the winter is accessibility. Since Timber Stilts is located in a somewhat remote neighborhood, the road leading up to the house closes to cars every winter. Instead, guests can catch a ride in a neighborhood snow taxi (for a fee). Or, if you arrive before the road closes (like we did) you may be driving in snow. So. please exercise caution. For us, we were able to park at the bottom of the driveway. Then, we made a few trips back and forth with our belongings. To be honest, it’s not an experience for everyone. But, it was part of the adventure for us!
Do you have a different place to stay near Roslyn Washington? If so, I’d love to hear it in the comments.
10 Fun Things to Do in Roslyn Washington
Learn Local Coal Mining History
Although Roslyn gained fame for appearing in the ’90s tv show Northwest Exposure, what it’s really known for is mining. Probably the best place you can visit to learn about this is the Roslyn Historical Museum. But as mentioned earlier, this can be tricky to do during winter.
My recommendation is to peruse the book “Images of America: Roslyn.”
I may or may not have a habit of collecting books from this series wherever I go.. If you’re not familiar with them, they feature historical photographs accompanied by stories told in the captions.
Lastly, another way to get a glimpse of local history is to respectfully visit the Roslyn Cemetery. I haven’t had the chance to do this myself, but I have heard that the various styles found here clearly reflect the diverse people who have called Roslyn home.
Cozy Up in Basecamp Books and Bites
If you follow me on Instagram, then you know I LOVE finding the best coffee shops in the Pacific Northwest. Without a doubt, Basecamp Books and Bites makes my list every time.
What I love about it is the delicious lunch/dinner foods (including veggie options), handcrafted coffee drinks that can be ordered for-here, and the wide selection of books and locally made goods. For the past 2 years, I’ve picked up beautiful ornaments made by local artists!
Looking for a bar scene? Located downstairs, you’ll find The Speakeasy featuring wine, spirits, cocktails, mocktails, beer, cider. Additionally, Wednesdays are trivia night.
Explore the Coal Mines Trail
Connecting Cle Elum, Roslyn, and Ronald is the former-railroad line that has since been converted to a wide multiuse trail for hikers, bikers, cross country skies, and horseback riders. In total, it spans 5.5 miles.
If you are looking for a hike, I’d say this is the closest one to Roslyn. Along the way, keep an eye out for signs that point to Roslyn Washington’s mining past.
As always, please follow the Leave No Trace principles. This way, we help play our part in protecting natural spaces.
Go Snowmobiling at The Last Resort
In the mood for some excitement? Head to The Last Resort to try your hand at riding a snowmobile in the Cascade Mountains. Don’t worry if you have little or no experience, this is where I rented for the first time and it went super smoothly!
A few things to know before you go:
- Everything you need to wear is provided
- Snowmobiles are top-of-the-line (ours even had a heated throttle!)
- Groomed trails located closeby
- Single / double riders
- Rentals unavailable Tuesday-Wednesday
Ride a Fat Bike in a Winter Wonderland
Before our trips to Roslyn Washington, I had no idea that you could ride a bike in the snow. Then, we swung by Ride Roslyn , and Kyle ended up renting a fat tire bike to do just that. He set off straight from the shop, headed for groomed trails. As he learned, when the snow is slushy it’s very helpful to have groomed trails!
Depending on your skill level, you can explore the Coal Mines Trail (beginner friendly) or the more hilly Roslyn Community Forest (intermediate-advanced). For mountain bikers, fat biking provides a chance to ride in conditions that you normally wouldn’t.
When asked if he would do it again, he said “Heck Yeah!”
Check Out Suncadia’s Seasonal Activities
Especially in the wintertime, Suncadia offers access to activities like ice skating (technically, glice skating), sledding, and snowshoeing. Also, they host a range of events for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years. To learn more, check their online guide or give them a call.
Plus, you’ll find treasures like a spa, restaurants, and hiking trails.
Stroll Downtown Cle Elum
Of the small towns around Roslyn Washington, Cle Elum is the largest. Here, you’ll find a Safeway with a fuel station. After walking around Roslyn, you may want to do more shopping in Cle Elum.
Naturally, my most-frequented stop here is Pioneer Coffee Co. The exterior is so lovely!!
Feel Like a Kid Again Snow Tubing The Summit
Recently, I had the pleasure of snow tubing at The Summit for the first time. I wasn’t sure what to expect as this area is quite popular. But I have to say, I was smiling the ENTIRE time.
During 1 hour and 45 minute session, we squeezed in 8 runs on the tubing hill. I think we got lucky since we went at the very start of the season before all lanes were open. And, we almost always opted to walk uphill rather than ride the Magic Carpet because it was faster.
Overall, the experience was well-organized and lots of fun!! Be sure to book your time slots online in advance. Of course, you can ski and snowboard at The Summit too!
Dine at Washington’s Oldest Bar
Dating back to 1889, The Brick Saloon is well-known as the longest continuously operating bar in the Evergreen State. Personally, this is the only place I’ve ever seen a spittoon.
Besides drinks, you’ll find American foods and vegetarian / vegan dishes.
Traveling with your family? There is a family dining area that is open until 9 p.m. On weekends, live music can often be heard.
Talk a Walk on Snowy Speelyi Beach
I don’t know about you, but it’s not often that I walk on a snow-covered beach. **Cue Taylor Swift**
For some fresh air in Roslyn Washington, check out Speelyi Beach. When we visited, the water level was extremely low. This made for an expansive area to walk for people and dogs like (it seems like a local spot to let the pups run!). Please remember to pick up after pups.
On the lakeshore, find solitude. One of the parts that impressed me the most was how glass-like the water was (it hadn’t yet frozen over).
Located on Lake Cle Elum, this area is managed by the US Forest Service. So, you’ll want to either display a Northwest Forest Pass or America the Beautiful Pass on your dashboard.
This post was all about planning a winter trip to Roslyn Washington in the United States.