It's an event when the snow is cleared away each spring for the annual reopening of the scenic route and more than 650,000 people make the pilgrimage over the highway each year. Cool things to see and do Winthrop - Downtown's wooden sidewalks, western storefront facades and frontier theme is a major tourist destination in North Central Washington. Crowds start to build after the North Cascades Highway opens each spring. The Forest Service maintains a picnic area and scenic overlook here. The hilltop resort overlooking the valley offers visitors four-star accommodations and recreation opportunities.
Summer means hiking, mountain biking and horseback rides.
In the winter it's cross country skiing. Lakefront cottages at the bottom of the hill are great for families. This popular Old West museum features a collection of pioneer buildings. Visitors will see an early print shop, stagecoach, old cars, assay office and a display of mining equipment. Winthrop National Fish Hatchery, a mile south of town - Tish hatchery is open daily for tours.