Despite its small size and quaint feel, there are plenty of fun things to do in Winthrop, Washington. Surrounded by incredible hiking and with a cool downtown resembling the Old West, it’s become one of our favorite early fall getaways, but it’s a great area to visit any time of year!

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About Winthrop, WA

Winthrop is a tiny western town with antique boardwalks, lots of shops, restaurants, river views, and endless opportunities for outdoor recreation. It is located about 3.5 hours northeast of Seattle if traveling via the North Cascades Highway (typically open from May through November, varying every year). If traveling via Highway 2, the drive from Seattle to Winthrop is roughly 4 hours and 15 minutes.

There are plenty of things to do in Winthrop year-round, including exploring the continent’s largest network of cross-country ski trails! So far we’ve only visited in early fall, but would love to go back in the winter soon.

Winthrop has a population of less than 500 people, so it truly feels like you’re escaping to a slower and simpler way of life. If you choose to visit, please be respectful and recreate responsibly.

Where to stay near Winthrop, WA

Generally speaking, it’s pretty easy to get around Winthrop and to find parking. That opens up some flexibility if you want to stay outside town at a cabin or even camp and just drive into town to visit. That said, we stayed right in town at Hotel Rio Vista for our most recent visit and found it to be really convenient to be able to walk everywhere. We also loved having a private balcony overlooking the river and a hot tub with views as well. Everything was clean and the staff were friendly, all at an affordable price. We’d highly recommend Hotel Rio Vista and will be staying there again ourselves!

Looking for something else? You can view more accommodations in Winthrop here.

15 fun things to do near Winthrop, WA

1. Stroll and shop around town

Downtown Winthrop is full of character, and you could easily spend an hour or two just admiring the Old West-style buildings and stopping in all the various shops.

2. Learn about Winthrop’s history at the Shafer Historical Museum

While you’re exploring, be sure to stop by the Shafer Historical Museum for one of the most educational and interesting things to do near Winthrop. They have a huge collection of artifacts and interpretive displays that share the history of the Methow Valley during the settlement and homesteading period from about 1880-1940. The buildings were not open when we went, but they have plenty of things to view outside that make a visit totally worthwhile! Bring cash for the recommended $5/person donation, which helps fund the museum.

If you’re looking for more learning opportunities, also consider visiting the Methow Valley Interpretive Center in Twisp to learn about Native Methow culture, past and present, as well as geology, flora, and fauna. They are open Saturdays 10-4 and Sundays noon-4, May to October only, or by appointment.

3. Have breakfast at Rocking Horse Bakery

Rocking Horse Bakery is a popular spot in town for pastries, breakfast sandwiches and burritos, and of course coffee. It’s good to get there early before the line stacks up and things start selling out. Our favorites things were the Marionberry cream cheese muffin and a peach caramel sour cream coffee cake. Highly recommend getting something extra to take on a hike!

4. Have dinner and beer on the patio at Old Schoolhouse Brewing

While you’re walking around, you’ll definitely notice the cute old schoolhouse in town, which just so happens to be a brewery! Grab a spot on the beautiful riverside patio at Old Schoolhouse Brewing if the weather is nice, and enjoy a bite to eat and some locally-brewed beer.

5. Try a creative cocktail at Copper Glance

If cocktails are more your style, be sure to hop across the street to Copper Glance. This cozy spot has a sophisticated menu with a stylish interior space and nice patio area as well. They serve up all the classics, plus more unique concoctions, along with small plates featuring local and organic ingredients.

If you’re needing to purchase drinks to go, check out The Wine Shed right next door.

6. Taste the wine at Lost River Winery

We never miss an opportunity to try local wine, and everything we’ve tasted at Lost River Winery has been delicious! Highly recommend adding a stop by this family-run winery to your list of things to do near Winthrop.

7. Try a cider flight and BBQ at Methow Valley Ciderhouse

Right next door to the winery you’ll find Methow Valley Ciderhouse. Stop by for their extensive food menu and flights of locally-made cider.

9. Go for an insanely beautiful fall hike

Winthrop is a great place to visit because you can balance out all the food and drinks with some incredible hiking nearby. Fall is an especially beautiful time to visit when the golden larches are putting on a brilliant display along with other vibrant fall color. Below are a few of our recommendations for the best hikes in the area, accessible in the summer and fall.

Be sure to do your research and check recent trip reports before heading out. And if you choose to do Grasshopper or Windy Pass or Slate Peak Lookout, you should read up on what it’s like to drive Hart’s Pass road. We have driven it twice without any issue, but it’s just good to confirm your personal comfort level and vehicle abilities before heading there!

• Grasshopper Pass (9.4 miles roundtrip, 1,200′ elevation gain) – our favorite hike in the area for incredible larches and mountain views
• Windy Pass (7 miles roundtrip, 1,300′ elevation gain)
• Slate Peak Lookout (.7 miles roundtrip, 250′ elevation gain) – this is just up the (very rough) road from the previous two hikes, so easy and worthwhile to add onto your outing
• Goat Peak Lookout (3.7 miles roundtrip, 1,400′ elevation gain)
• Copper Glance Lake (6.8 miles roundtrip, 2,560′ elevation gain) – we haven’t done this one yet, but it’s next on the list!

10. Stop by The Mazama Store and Mazama Public House

On your way back from hiking, it’s fun to stop by The Mazama Store or Mazama Public House for some snacks and a drink in a really chill atmosphere where you can almost certainly bet that everyone around you will also be in hiking clothes. Goat’s Beard Mountain Supplies is also right there if you happen to need any new gear or just want to shop around!

11. Marvel at the area’s suspension bridges

If you want to stretch your legs but do something a bit more lowkey than the previously mentioned hikes, check out one of the area’s suspension bridges and trails, such as the Spring Creek Bridge, Staeekhwa Bridge and Trail, or the Tawlks-Foster Suspension Bridge.

12. Even more things to do near Winthrop: visit nearby Twisp

Twisp is another little town just 10 minutes south of Winthrop with more great places to visit if you’re looking for even more things to do near Winthrop.

Twisp River Tap House has a solid rotating selection of beer and a huge deck out back overlooking the river. Glover Street Market is a natural foods market and kitchen that also has a wine cellar in the basement with intimate tastings on Saturdays. And one other spot to checkout is Old Schoolhouse Brewing’s Twisp taproom.

13. Get takeout from Linwood Restaurant

Linwood Restaurant is also located in Twisp but deserves its own mention. They serve up incredible Thai food for takeout, and we devoured it. We shared the Pork Garlic Noodles, but they were so tasty we honestly wished we ordered our own!

14. Incredible views and things to do near Winthrop: visit North Cascades National Park

If you’re coming from the Seattle area or elsewhere on the west side, chances are you’ll be traveling on Highway 20 right through the heart of North Cascades National Park (note that this highway closes in the winter). There is some incredible hiking in the area, and below we’ve listed a few favorites from easiest to most difficult. These hikes are especially beautiful in the fall!

• Diablo Lake Overlook (no hike required)
• Washington Pass Overlook (.25 miles roundtrip, 61′ elevation gain)
• Rainy Lake (2 miles roundtrip, 70′ elevation gain)
• Cutthroat Lake (3.8 miles roundtrip, 400′ elevation gain)
• Blue Lake (4.4 miles roundtrip, 1,050′ elevation gain)
• Cutthroat Pass via PCT (10 miles roundtrip, 2,000′ elevation gain)
• Heather – Maple Pass Loop (7.2 miles roundtrip, 2,000′ elevation gain)
• Lewis and Wing Lakes (10 miles roundtrip, 2,652′ elevation gain)

15. Head up to Lake Chelan

Finally, if you’re looking to extend your trip or really change things up, we always highly recommend a visit to Lake Chelan. It’s one of our favorite getaways in the state, and just an hour from Winthrop. There you can hop around tons of wineries and enjoy incredible views of the beautiful lake. Check out this article I wrote for Explore Washington State for some Lake Chelan planning inspiration.

More fall getaway inspiration

Whether you’re visiting from out of town and have more time to explore, or you live in the area and can get out for multiple weekends, it’s worth planning a fall getaway to the Blewett Pass area. Check out this post to start planning, with helpful information including where to hike, eat, drink, and see epic fall color.