by Elise Roberts | re-blogged from here.
Does the Methow Valley have natural scenic beauty? Check.
Cultural heritage and traditional art? Check.
Skiing, Hiking, and Mountain biking? Check.
Local organic farming? Check.
Delicious food and craft beer? Check.
That’s right, there IS a place that has it all, and it’s called Methow Valley. In just about 5 hours from Seattle, you can be in this outdoor playground where there are endless adventures to be had, regardless of the season! Trust me, it was hard to narrow down the list of my favorite things. Enjoy!
Take a Stroll Through TwispWorks
Spending a few hours exploring this quaint collection of shops and galleries is an absolute must. Not only will you be inspired and intrigued by what’s in store, but you can pick up some truly unique gifts for loved ones or yourself! The jewelry at Marracci Designs is truly one of a kind and often repurposes scrap gold and diamonds, making old jewelry into something unique, modern, and precious again. In addition to jewelry, fine art, beer, bags, and even handmade brooms make up just a small portion of the artisan wares available at TwispWorks.
Once you’ve had your fill of the shops, wander through the Natural Dye Garden or the Native Plant Garden, the most extensive demonstration garden of the shrub-steppe ecosystem in inland Washington. Grab some food and have a picnic on the lawn, there’s often live music playing.
Meet Up with a Friend at Glover Street Market
This incredible natural foods market is full of thoughtful products from both near and far, has a fresh juice/smoothie bar, and an astounding variety of delicious breakfast & lunch items. Salads, wraps, soups, and noodles are on the menu, every one of them made local ingredients with a freshness you can truly taste. I recommend the breakfast sandwich, a sprouted-grain muffin smothered with Glover Street bacon jam, grilled tomatoes & a fried egg. YUM! Honestly, there are so many items I could recommend here that I can’t possibly include them all here, so instead I can just assure you really can’t go wrong with anything.
The real showstopper for this place, however, is the wine cellar. Beneath the main store lies a cozy gathering place where you can uncork and enjoy your treats from upstairs. The flagstone floors, the rows and columns of wine bottles, and the relaxed atmosphere really take you away to another place in time. Be sure to stop in on Saturday for their wine tastings!
Get Your Gear at Cascades Outdoor Store
There’s something for every hiker, backpacker, trail runner, or cross country skier here at this husband & wife owned outfitter. Brian and Amy, said husband and wife owners, are super friendly and knowledgeable. They’ll happily make informed recommendations on any equipment you might need and even what trails or slopes to use it on! You can rent skis for the day, the week, or the season and pick up a Methow Trails ski pass, all in-store!
Find Local Goods at The Mazama Store
This family-owned general store holds only a certain kind of product. As owner Missy Leduc says, “Every product in the store is something we absolutely love.” That means a carefully curated selection of items ranging from cast iron kitchen items to gourmet cheeses, wines, and a bulk section with Jacobsen Salt Co caramels. Their kitchen also produces scrumptious snacks and bakery items you’d be crazy to ignore.
Attached to the Mazama store is The Goat’s Beard, an outfitter for hikers and skiers, run by experienced outdoorsy people who love to act as guide and host to the North Cascades. If the weather is nice, stop by and rent a bike from them. They will happily give you some suggestions on where to go.
Fat Bike Through the Bear Creek Golf Course
These 8 kilometers of pristine, groomed trails are an absolute must for any avid golfer, but during the winter months, the course opens up as a fat biking and snowshoeing paradise. Regardless of your chosen activity, prepare to bask in serene views of the Sawtooth Range and the Pasayten Wilderness area with access to the Pearrygin Lake State Park Winter Trail system. Word is, some turtles like to bury their eggs near the #3 cart path. If you time it right, you could catch a glimpse!
Reach the Top with North Cascades Heli
Not many people know there’s a heliski company in Washington state, but North Cascades is the one and only! Spoil yourself and enjoy consistently fresher, drier powder snow by catching a ride far above and away from the crowds. Runs start at 7,000 to above 8,000 feet, which means colder temperatures and terrain that rarely experiences the rain events that can hit the lower elevation ski areas. You will be supplied with a certified guide, skis or snowboards if you wish, and they will even pack you a lunch prepared by the Mazama Store!
Their Yurt trips are definitely something worth looking into. They fly you and all your gear out to their cozy yurt nestled deep in the North Cascades. Ski all day, relax and enjoy yurt life in the evenings. Doesn’t that sound like a dream?! This trip sells out every year and no one ever wants to leave on the last day.
Catch a Flick at Barnyard Cinema
This independent cinema opened in 2016 and is beloved by a large community of local film fans. One great thing about the theatre is that you can enjoy a libation before, during, and after the showing. The popcorn bar will make you giddy with any topping you could imagine at your fingertips and the seats are so cushy. Besides movies, Barnyard Cinema is host to live music, cultural and educational programs, and a killer game room! This is not your average movie theatre.
Skate Under the Open Sky at Winthrop Ice Rink
There are a few things that make the Winthrop Ice Rink special. First, the size: this is an NHL sized rink! Secondly, the entire arena is open-air, with breathtaking views of Mt. Gardner. Outdoor rinks rarely come in this size and almost never have these views!
Grab a Bite at Methow Valley Ciderhouse
I have three words for you. Baby. Back. Ribs. With house-made cider BBQ sauce. Where has this sauce been my whole life? Want the pulled pork on a Pizza? They can do that, too. Not healthy enough for you? Dive into the Ciderhouse Salad. Everything on this menu is delicious and more than likely has one of their six ciders infused into it somehow. Outside the eating and drinking department, the Ciderhouse also offers live music, bocce ball, and even showings of classic comedies. What more could you want?
Have a Bespoke Cocktail at Copper Glance
This is one place that takes their craft cocktails seriously. By using ingredients like maitake mushroom simple syrup or chanterelle infused vodka they blow your mind with incredible arrangements of unusual spirits & liqueurs. The foraging herbal mixologists behind the counter are truly artists and ensure you’re going to have a unique experience with every crafted drink. Honestly, the cocktails alone are worth a trip from Seattle.
You can also enjoy some of their incredible small bites with your drink, all made with fresh, local ingredients. Their kitchen is open until 11pm every night, making this an invaluable late-night hotspot.
Get your Craft Beer Fix at Old Schoolhouse Brewery
They refer to themselves as the gathering place or the living room of Methow Valley and that certainly comes across when you’re there enjoying the cozy and welcoming vibes. Whether or not you’re a “hophead,” there’s something for you here, and it’s going to be tasty. By using the pristine water of the North Cascade Mountains, OSB ensures their beers are free of chlorine and any other contaminants, thus enhancing the purity of flavor. If you like hops, start off with their signature beer, the Ruud Awakening, and go from there. If you’d like to see the brewing in action, be sure to head to the OSB Taproom at TwispWorks!
Spoil Yourself at Twisp River Suites
Between the friendly staff, incredible breakfast spread, riverfront deck, and hot tub, I wish I could live here. Mingle with other guests at the lobby, where drinks and charcuterie are served, or chat over their complimentary gourmet breakfast. Let the sound of the river lull you to sleep every night, and spend the end of each day relaxing in the porch swing or warming up by the fire pit.
Hate traveling without your dog? Across the street from the main hotel lies their pet-friendly units, complete with private yards, doggie doors, food & water bowls, and mutt mitts! You don’t have to miss out on any of the amenities, either. You and your pup are going to have the time of your lives!
Exploring Methow Valley, WA:
- Take a Stroll Through TwispWorks
- Meet Up with a Friend at Glover Street Market
- Get Your Gear at Cascades Outdoor Store
- Find Local Goods at the Mazama Store
- Fat Bike Through the Bear Creek Golf Course
- Reach the Top with North Cascades Heli
- Catch a Flick at Barnyard Cinema
- Skate Under the Open Sky at Winthrop Ice Rink
- Grab a Bite at Methow Valley Ciderhouse
- Have a Bespoke Cocktail at Copper Glance
- Get your Beer Fix at Old School Brewery
- Spoil Yourself at Twisp River Suites
