The Central Washington mountain hamlet was chosen as the set for 1990s drama Northern Exposure because it could convincingly pass for Alaska—though the famous moose that strolls through town in the opening credits was pure Hollywood fiction. In the decades since, tiny Roslyn has morphed into a tourist destination thanks to easy access to campgrounds and fishing spots, plus snowmobile routes in winter.

Roslyn’s 26 cemeteries fit together like quilt pieces on the edge of town, telling the story of early fraternal lodges that provided community and support to local coal miners, then a burial plot. Wander the stonework headstones and well-tended memorials surrounded by a comforting ring of forest.

A proposed manufactured-home development of more than 700 housing units outside of town, called 47 Degrees North, has garnered pushback from locals who are already reeling from the second-home boom of recent years. Spot protest signs posted around Roslyn and the road to nearby Cle Elum.

Some of Roslyn’s best small businesses do double duty, like Hotel Roslyn, with both sleek overnight accommodations and a fine home boutique, or Basecamp Books and Bites, with new reads, outdoor gear and maps, and a coffee shop with a patio.

For all the usual burger taverns and breakfast cafes, downtown Roslyn also secrets food carts like Lemon Thyme Macarons, pouring Filipino flavors in a pandan latte and the decadent dessert halo-halo, an iced confection whose cheery purple color comes from ube halaya, or purple yam jam.

Hidden on an otherwise residential street, Carek’s Meat Market dates back to 1913 and still makes its spicy jerkies and sausages in house. The cash register is almost as
old as the business, but the market does take cards.

Marlon Brando’s handsome mug peers through town from a mural on the back of historic Roslyn Theatre—a building that once served as the town mortuary. New releases are $7 on Tuesdays, and occasionally sports events like Seahawks games screen for free.