Top 20 Washington State Trips

Swiftwater Cellars

Swiftwater Cellars Winery is 1.5 hours east of Seattle, near the old coal mining town of Roslyn in the spectacular Cascade Mountain Range.

This beautiful northwestern style lodge is at the site of the old Roslyn No.9 Coal Mine that closed in 1963. 

Swiftwater Cellars has an impressive lobby with soaring ceilings, rustic beams, and a stone fireplace.  The lobby is flanked by a gift shop on one side, and a tasting room, restaurant and wine bar on the other side. 

There's no accommodation here, but you can stay up the road at the luxurious Suncadia Lodge or the stylish Hotel Roslyn.

Check opening hours.

5 best things to do at Swiftwater Cellars

1. Explore the magnificent lobby and gift shop at the Swiftwater Cellars.

Step inside the lobby of the Swiftwater Cellars, with a grand room complete with lofty ceiling, comfy chairs, and a roaring fire beside the stone fireplace.

The iron chandelier soars over the room at the Swiftwater Cellars, offering a rustic touch.

The gift shop is visible across the lobby, behind the stone fireplace.

Browse a tasteful selection of gifts inside the gift shop at Swiftwater Cellars.

The bronze bust pays hommage to the brave miners in the Roslyn area, many of whom lost their lives working in dangerous conditions. 

The worst mining accident was in 1892, when 45 miners lost their lives in an explosion at the Roslyn No.1 Coal Mine.  The mining death toll was the worst in Washington State history.

2. Enjoy breathtaking views from the upscale restaurant at Swiftwater Cellars, or sample wines in the tasting room.

The Hoist House Restaurant is just past the wine bar, and offers magnificent views of the Cascades, with an outdoor patio in summer.  Enjoy a relaxed lunch or dinner at the restaurant then sample some fine wines at the tasting room. Check hours.

3. Step outside to explore the Roslyn No.9 coal mine.

The old Roslyn No.9 Coal Mine opened in 1930, and was the last of the local coal mines to close in 1963. 

The coal boom had started in the 1880's at nearby Roslyn, when coal deposits were discovered by surveyors for Northern Pacific Railroad.  Immigrants took the train to Cle Elum from the East Coast, and flooded the coal town of Roslyn.  The coal was used to power steam engines in the Cascade Ranges, but was eventually displaced by the use of diesel.

The center of the Swiftwater Cellars building architecture was based on a coal mining tipple house, used to load extracted product.

The entrance to the old mine shaft is just steps away from the Swiftwater Cellars.   

The mining slag hill is visible on the left, with accrued waste from the No.9 coal mine.

4. Stay overnight at nearby Suncadia Resort.

For overnight stays, travel 1-mile west to luxurious Suncadia Resort, with a spa, golf course, hiking and biking trails, and swimming pool.

Savor incredible views from the Suncadia Lodge.

Snow-tubing is also popular on the nearby inner tubing hill at Suncadia.

5. Visit the historic town of Roslyn 3-miles away, famous from the 1990s Northern Exposure TV series.

The historic town of Roslyn is also just 3-miles away from Swiftwater Cellars, and was the location of the popular 1990's TV series Northern Exposure.  Visit filming locations and stop for a drink at the famous Brick Saloon in Roslyn.  
 
Other attractions in the area include two beautiful waterfalls at Snoqualmie Falls and Olallie State Park, and the magnificent hike up to Rattlesnake Ledge at Rattlesnake Lake.

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