Northern Exposure Filming Locations in Roslyn, Washington: Road Trip Guide
If you grew up watching Northern Exposure, you probably remember the quirky charm of Cicely, Alaska. The moose walking through town. The camel mural. Chris in the Morning on KBHR radio. And of course, Holling’s bar and Dr. Fleischman’s tiny medical office. What many fans don’t realize is that this iconic 90s series was filmed far from Alaska. The real Northern Exposure town is Roslyn, a small mountain community in Washington State. In this guide, we share the real filming locations you can visit today, how to plan your trip, and where to eat and stay. Roslyn is an easy and fun stop on a Washington road trip—and a perfect day trip from Seattle for any fan of classic TV.
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Our Experiences in Roslyn
Chris and I have a soft spot for real-world filming locations, but Northern Exposure sits in a special category for us. It was one of our favorite series of the 90s, and back then we had no idea it wasn’t filmed in Alaska.
Watching Cicely on screen actually sparked our first dreams of exploring the real Alaska—long before we ever set foot there.
Years later, we finally learned the truth: the entire series was filmed in Washington State, not Alaska. So visiting Roslyn felt like closing a full-circle moment.
Over the years, we’ve visited many memorable filming locations—Monument Valley for classic westerns, the Timberline Lodge from The Shining, and the Stanley Hotel in Colorado, where Stephen King wrote the novel.
Washington became another favorite because it’s also home to the Twin Peaks filming locations in the Snoqualmie Valley.
Exploring those scenes brought back so much 90s nostalgia, so Roslyn naturally became the next stop on our list.
When we finally arrived, it truly felt like stepping onto the set of Northern Exposure. The mural from the intro, The Brick tavern, the storefronts—they all look almost unchanged. For fans of the show, walking these streets is an unforgettable and surprisingly emotional experience.
We walked slowly through the quiet streets, listened to the old soundtrack on our phones, and photographed the places that once shaped the fictional town of Cicely.
Exploring Roslyn gave us that unique feeling you only get from a filming location that still looks and feels authentic. This small mountain town absorbs you with its charm, and if you loved the series, it brings back memories instantly.
About the Northern Exposure TV Series
Northern Exposure aired from 1990 to 1995 and quickly became one of the most beloved shows of the decade. The series followed Dr. Joel Fleischman, a young doctor from New York who arrives in rural Alaska to repay a student loan. Instead of a modern hospital in Anchorage, he’s assigned to the tiny fictional town of Cicely.
His polished, big-city mindset clashes with the free-spirited, eccentric residents, creating the heart of the show’s humor and charm.
The series mixed comedy, drama, and philosophy. It featured characters with depth, soul, and quirks—like bush pilot Maggie O’Connell, radio host Chris Stevens, tavern owner Holling Vincoeur, and Maurice Minnifield, a former astronaut turned businessman.
Their stories explored nature, culture, relationships, and the meaning of community.
Even though the series takes place in Alaska, nearly every scene was filmed in and around Roslyn, Washington. That’s why the town still attracts fans decades later. When you walk its streets, you instantly recognize the style and atmosphere that shaped Cicely.
Many fans believe that Talkeetna, Alaska, inspired the fictional town of Cicely, especially its small-town charm and eclectic characters, even though the series was filmed entirely in Washington.
Where Is Roslyn, Washington?
Roslyn sits on the eastern side of the Cascade Mountains, about 80 miles from Seattle. The town is only a few minutes off I-90, which makes it an easy stop during a Washington road trip or a perfect half-day trip from Seattle.
The drive takes about two hours and leads through forested mountain scenery, small towns, and wide valleys.
Roslyn is tiny, walkable, and full of preserved historic buildings. All major filming locations are clustered around the compact downtown area. You can park once and explore everything on foot.
Because the streets look almost unchanged from the early 1990s, it’s very easy to recognize the iconic spots from Northern Exposure as soon as you arrive.
Northern Exposure Filming Locations You Can Visit Today
Roslyn is packed with real filming locations that appeared throughout Northern Exposure. Most of them sit along just a few walkable blocks, so it’s easy to explore them in one relaxed visit. These stops bring the fictional town of Cicely to life and let you stand exactly where your favorite scenes were filmed.
Roslyn Café Mural: The Iconic Northern Exposure Opening Scene
The mural on the Roslyn Café is the most recognizable symbol of Northern Exposure. Every fan remembers the opening credits: a moose casually strolling down the main street, passing the huge mural that reads Roslyn’s Café — An Oasis. That shot became one of the most famous TV intros of the 1990s.
The mural is still here today, painted on the same brick wall in downtown Roslyn. It hasn’t changed much, which makes it the perfect first stop. The café itself serves hearty meals, local beer, and great coffee, so it’s a nice place to sit down and soak in the nostalgia.
Stepping inside feels like stepping straight into the series—simple décor, friendly atmosphere, and a sense of small-town charm that fits the show perfectly.
Dr. Joel Fleischman’s Office – Now Cicely’s Gift Shop
One of the most recognizable stops in Roslyn is Dr. Joel Fleischman’s office. In the series, this was where Joel treated Cicely’s residents and tried to make sense of life in Alaska.
Today, the building is home to Cicely’s Gift Shop, a small museum and souvenir store dedicated to the show.
Inside, you’ll see props, photos from the set, and memorabilia collected over the years. The biggest highlight is Marilyn’s original desk—fans love spotting it right where it once stood on-screen.
The shop is run by a local owner who knows the show well. If you enjoy behind-the-scenes stories, this is a great place to ask questions and hear more about how the set was recreated for filming.
The Brick — Holling’s Bar and the Heart of Cicely
The Brick is one of the most iconic Northern Exposure filming locations, and it still looks almost exactly as it did on-screen. This historic tavern has been operating since 1889, making it the oldest continuously running bar in Washington State.
In the show, it was Holling’s place—where characters gathered to argue, laugh, and share stories.
Inside, you’ll find the same rustic atmosphere: wood paneling, the classic bar, and the famous stove. It’s a great spot to order a burger, sip a local beer, and soak in the nostalgia.
Visiting The Brick feels like stepping straight into an episode, and it’s often the highlight for Northern Exposure fans exploring Roslyn.
KBHR Radio Station – “Chris in the Morning”
No Northern Exposure trip feels complete without stopping at the iconic KBHR radio station, home of Chris Stevens and his poetic morning broadcasts. In the series, KBHR was the cultural heartbeat of Cicely.
In real life, the filming location is the Northwestern Improvement Company building at 101 E. Pennsylvania Avenue.
You can look through the front windows and see the spot where Chris sat behind the microphone. The setup looks almost frozen in time, so it’s easy to imagine him delivering one of his philosophical monologues. It’s a quick stop, but it’s one of the most memorable filming locations in Roslyn.
Ruth-Anne’s Store & Village Pizza
Ruth-Anne’s General Store was the heart of Cicely’s daily life, supplying everything from groceries to local gossip. In Roslyn, the storefront you see on screen is still here, and today it houses shops where you can browse souvenirs, books, and local goods. It’s fun to step inside and imagine Marilyn or Ed stopping by the counter.
Right next door is Village Pizza, another recognizable filming location featured in the show’s opening credits. The interior has a nostalgic small-town feel, and it’s a great place to grab lunch during your Northern Exposure walk.
Their Village Combo pizza and the bottles of honey on every table are small touches that add to the charm.
Roslyn Museum & Roslyn Theatre
The Roslyn Historical Museum sits just steps from the café mural and offers a glimpse into the town’s coal-mining past.
Roslyn was founded in the 1880s as a mining town, and the museum preserves that history through photographs, artifacts, and stories from the families who settled here. It’s a small, friendly stop, and it helps you understand the real community behind the fictional Cicely.
A short walk away, you’ll find the Roslyn Theatre, another local landmark with deep character. The theatre occupies a historic 1890s building that once operated as the town’s mortuary before being transformed into a movie theater in the 1970s.
The huge mural of Marlon Brando from The Wild One painted on the exterior is impossible to miss. It’s a fun, quick photo stop and a perfect way to end your walk through Roslyn’s filming locations.
Where to Stay Near Roslyn
If you want to stay close to the Northern Exposure filming locations, the Roslyn area offers several cozy and convenient places. Small inns, cabins, and bed-and-breakfasts give you a relaxed, local feel and keep you within minutes of the town’s main landmarks.
For a more upscale stay, the Lodge at Suncadia Resort in Cle Elum sits just a short drive away. It offers mountain views, restaurants, pools, and access to nearby trails. It’s a great base if you want resort-style comfort while still being close to Roslyn.
If you prefer to stay in Seattle and make Roslyn a day trip, check out our detailed Seattle itinerary with lodging recommendations in the city.
Final Thoughts
Roslyn is one of those rare places where TV nostalgia and real small-town charm come together. Walking its streets feels like stepping into Cicely, and it’s easy to see why fans still make the trip decades after the show aired. The cafés, storefronts, murals, and mountain backdrop all help bring Northern Exposure back to life.
It’s a simple and relaxed stop that fits perfectly into any Washington State road trip. And if you’re already exploring Snoqualmie for Twin Peaks filming locations, you can easily combine both into one fun, 1990s-themed adventure. For fans of classic TV and quirky road trips, Roslyn is a memorable detour worth taking.
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