Since joining Seattle Met in 2011, Allison Williams has overseen the magazine’s travel and outdoor coverage, including deep dives into Olympic National Park, the Columbia River, and a Burger King drive-thru in Canada. She edits the travel-focused blog Tripster and contributes service, news, interview, and narrative pieces to the magazine, including long-form features about mountain mysteries and puppies in prison. She’s earned awards from the Society of Professional Journalists and been nominated for a City and Regional Magazine award. 

Allison was raised here in Olympia and studied writing at Duke University, Oxford University, Columbia Journalism School, and University of Alaska. She began her career in New York City in the newsrooms of Metro newspaper and Time Out New York, then hightailed it back to her native habitat so she could write guidebooks and climb mountains.

Teed Up

Where to Play Golf and Mini Golf in Seattle

With long fairways, short courses, and novelty putt-putt holes, golf season goes year-round.

03/29/2022 By Allison Williams and Seattle Met Staff

Mud Ahoy

Best Rainy Day Hikes Near Seattle

It's raining, it's pouring—the perfect time to go exploring.

03/28/2022 By Allison Williams

Short Stops

A Whimsical Boutique Anchors Olympia's Eclectic Downtown

Archibald Sisters reminds us why shopping is so fun.

03/24/2022 By Allison Williams

Growth Spurts

The Best Botanical Gardens Near Seattle

Flowers in bloom, rare plants, and long walking trails through pristine greenery.

03/22/2022 By Allison Williams

Book It

Are Travel Agents Still a Thing?

Even in the age of Kayak and Expedia, the professional planner is no anachronism—and Covid has brought new urgency to the field.

03/18/2022 By Allison Williams

Hot stuff

Bridgerton Is Back for a Steamy Second Season

Seattle author Julia Quinn enjoys the ride as her romance novels return to Netflix.

03/15/2022 By Allison Williams

Map Quest

A Road Trip That Leads to Rainier

Cider, squash, and bighorn sheep: Take a drive through the rural highways that lead to Mount Rainier National Park.

03/14/2022 By Allison Williams

Bobbing Along

Float Tanks Offer a Strange Form of Therapy

What would you pay for an hour of nothingness?

03/09/2022 By Allison Williams

Danger Less

Things Seattle Will Miss about Russell Wilson

Good luck pulling off orange sparkles, Ciara.

03/08/2022 By Allison Williams

Quote Unquote

Amelia Bonow Fights for Abortion Rights with Pills

“I think it’s really difficult for people to wrap their minds around this, but Roe v. Wade is toast.”

03/03/2022 By Allison Williams

Perspectives

Covid Travel Can Mean a Whole New Kind of Culture Shock

What does it mean to be a tourist in places with a very different take on health precautions?

02/25/2022 By Allison Williams

California Dreaming

Alaska Airlines Launches an All-You-Can-Fly Pass

But Seattle isn't included. Where's the love, Alaska?

02/23/2022 By Allison Williams

Short Stops

An Authentic Irish Pub Brings Salty Flavor to Ocean Shores

Galway Bay Irish Pub is better than it has to be, from the menus to the music.

02/21/2022 By Allison Williams

Book It

How to Reserve a Campsite or Backpacking Trip in Washington

Sometimes the wilderness requires a reservation.

02/15/2022 By Allison Williams

Trailblazing

What to See and Do in Portland

Where to start in the Pacific Northwest's other signature city. Plus, stops off the beaten path.

02/11/2022 By Allison Williams and Ramona DeNies

Après Tell

Ski Tailgating Brings the Party to Mountain Parking Lots

The hangout in the parking lot is as important as the powder.

01/25/2022 By Allison Williams

Snow no

Why Is This Ski Season Such a Mess?

Every local mountain has struggled this year—but not all for the same reason.

01/18/2022 By Allison Williams

Short Stops

The Strange Twin Museums of the Columbia Gorge

A deep dive into two interpretive centers, each with an unexpected surprise.

01/14/2022 By Allison Williams

Sky Lights

What I Found Chasing the Northern Lights

Visitors flock to Whitehorse in Northern Canada to chase the beguiling aurora borealis—but nature offers no guarantees.

01/11/2022 By Allison Williams

52 Weekends

A Year of Family Activities

Month by month, the best indoor and outdoor adventures around.

01/07/2022 By Angela Cabotaje, Allecia Vermillion, and Allison Williams Illustrations by Mike Holm