Play. Shop. Eat. Winthrop, WA

This could be a one horse town. It sure has an old country western vibe. If a trip to Winthrop, WA in the Mazama Valley is in your future this list will help you discover how to play, shop and eat in a town with endless trails for biking, hiking and running. And watch out for what the locals call "speed bumps" or deer, they freeze in the middle of roads and will surprise you on bends.

Play
Sun Mountain is just a fifteen minute drive outside downtown Winthrop. The trails out there are a trail runner and mountain biker's dream. The Chickadee trailhead is the start of the hilly Run the Sun 5-mile and 10-mile trail race, raced on Sun Mountain each summer (I've done the 5-mile race before). The Yellowjacket, Rodeo and Sunnyside trails are the flatest areas for trail running.

Shop
Downtown Winthrop offers several boutique shops. My favorites are The French Quail (mostly women's clothing and accessories, some men's apparel and shoes), Winthrop Mountain Sports (for your outdoor needs) and Trails End Bookstore (sells new and used books).

Eat
Hands down the best atmosphere to eat at near Winthrop is just eight miles out of town at the Twisp River Pub (they brew their own beer). And make sure you try the melt-in-your-mouth cinnamon rolls at The Valley Hub.

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Photo: CopyStrands