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.

border bound

Canada's Greatest Chinese Food Is at the Mall

In Richmond, just south of Vancouver, authentic Chinese fare flourishes in the most casual of venues: the food court. Plus a new way to eat like a local and a sparkling new hotel.

11/09/2021 By Allison Williams

Canadian Feast

Vancouver Does Next-Level Italian Dining

Venetian small plates enliven the ground floor of an already swinging hotel.

11/09/2021 By Allison Williams

Peak Punk

How Conservationist Harvey Manning Tricked the Climbing World

A new book digs into the Issaquah guidebook author's infamous Reisenstein Hoax—and what it means to have blank spots on a map.

11/08/2021 By Allison Williams

Quote Unquote

Can Marc Dones Solve Seattle’s Homelessness Crisis?

The CEO of the new King County Regional Homelessness Authority knows there’s no silver bullet.

11/05/2021 By Allison Williams

Sounds Off

Is Brandi Carlile a Pop Singer? She Doesn't Think So.

Washington's increasingly famous crooner holds tight to her Americana roots, even when the Grammys disagree.

11/02/2021 By Allison Williams

Northern Exposure

The Canadian Border Fully Reopens to Travelers

We can almost taste the poutine. Welcome back, Canadians!

11/02/2021 By Allison Williams

Writ Large

Two New Van Gogh Shows Are a Strange Kind of Art

What happens when classic paintings become an "experience"?

11/01/2021 By Allison Williams

Lite Brite

The Northern Lights May Come Out This Weekend

The best way to spot the aurora? Get out of town.

10/29/2021 By Allison Williams

Short Stops

A Heavenly Greek Bakery Hides in South Central Washington

St. John's Bakery in Goldendale has a godly reason for baklava this good.

10/27/2021 By Allison Williams

Haunted Houses

Six Freaky Halloween Vacations

Trips that make you go "Boo." Plus: How to freak out Stephen King-style.

10/21/2021 By Allison Williams

Water World

What to Do and Where to Eat in Lake Chelan

Central Washington's massive lake is popping year-round.

10/08/2021 By Allison Williams Photography by Brooke Fitts

mystery

Is D.B. Cooper Still on the Run?

Fifty years ago a mysterious criminal parachuted out of an airliner and into legend. An FBI agent, a self-trained scientist, and an outsider theorist have all dedicated years to unraveling the Northwest's iconic puzzle. But can you catch a myth?

09/27/2021 By Allison Williams Illustrations by Joseph Laney

Toe Pick

The Clumsy Adult's Guide to Ice Skating at Kraken Iceplex

Listen, you're gonna fall. And that's okay.

09/27/2021 By Allison Williams

Due South

Portland Opens Back Up to Travelers with a Few New Twists

The Rose City got a reboot during the pandemic—and a grown-up vibe.

09/24/2021 By Allison Williams

Free Wheeling

How to Get Around Seattle without a Car

Options range from high-end car services to that scooter you saw tossed in the bushes down the street.

09/22/2021 By Allison Williams

Live and Learn

Saturday Is Free Museum Day in Seattle and Beyond

Plan ahead—or find ways to skip admission fees year-round.

09/16/2021 By Allison Williams

Just Brew It

Never Have I Ever: Had a Cup of Coffee

This could be habit-forming.

09/16/2021 By Allison Williams

Bicycle Diaries

Never Have I Ever: Commuted via Bike

A weekend enthusiast straps on a helmet and coasts downtown.

09/16/2021 By Allison Williams

Oompah Yourself

Oktoberfest Is Still On in the Northwest

These bier bashes are welcoming in-person "Prost!" toasts this fall. Plus: Leavenworth's famous fest is back, sorta.

09/14/2021 By Allison Williams

Local Gems

Where to Eat in Yakima

From world-class tamales to well-crafted cocktails.

09/10/2021 By Allison Williams