Since joining Seattle Met in 2011, Allison Williams has overseen the magazine’s travel and outdoor coverage, and has contributed to all sections of the magazine. Allison was raised in Olympia and earned degrees from Duke University 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.

Wine Not

Things to Do in Walla Walla

History, outdoor sports, and the original Batman.

08/13/2021 By Allison Williams

Hot Dog

Animal Cooling Shelter Opens in Bellevue

As temperatures hit 90, a volunteer-run haven offers free relief from hot homes.

08/12/2021 By Allison Williams

Water's Fine

Swimply Rents Backyard Swimming Pools by the Hour

That's not weird, right?

08/10/2021 By Allison Williams

Wet and wild

11 Swimming Holes within Two Hours of Seattle

Dive in to Washington’s glistening lakes and rivers—the water's fine.

07/27/2021 By Allison Williams

Salish Sea Style

Where to Stay and What to Do on Washington's Idyllic San Juan Islands (and Beyond)

Scenic escapes, empty beaches, and a farm-to-table way of life: The San Juan Islands are waiting.

07/08/2021 By Allison Williams Illustrations by Levi Hastings

Wine Not

The Best Things to Do in Woodinville

Wine tasting isn’t the only game in town.

07/02/2021 By Allison Williams

Native Names

This Land Is Their Land: The Rise of Land Acknowledgments in the PNW

A growing wave of Indigenous acknowledgments tie outdoor recreation to the tribes that first lived here—but just saying so isn’t enough.

06/29/2021 By Allison Williams

Guide to Electric Bikes

Don’t Call an E-Bike a Bicycle

A guide to Seattle's plugged-in pedals.

06/22/2021 By Allison Williams

ELECTRIC AVENUES

Washington's Best E-Bike Routes

Six routes made for an e-bike adventure, from sleepy streets to formal trails.

06/22/2021 By Allison Williams

Quote Unquote

Case Berrysmith Guards Seattle's Busiest Beaches

"I’m a bigger dude. I’m an older brother, the oldest in my family of the cousins and stuff. So I’ve always been, like, the protector."

06/21/2021 By Allison Williams

Gorge Us

Where to Eat in the Columbia Gorge

Eat your way down the river, from French cuisine to soft serve sundaes.

06/08/2021 By Allison Williams and Allecia Vermillion Photography by Kelly Turso

Deep Cuts

The Best Things to Do in the Columbia Gorge

Kiteboarding, IPAs, and one seriously unexpected religious exhibit.

06/08/2021 By Allison Williams Photography by Kelly Turso

Seattle Standouts

Our Favorite Everything in Seattle

From an unbeatable bar bathroom to the best setting for a tantrum, our editors dove deep into what they love about our city.

06/04/2021 Edited by Allison Williams By Nate Bullis, Benjamin Cassidy, Sophie Grossman, Sarah Nipper, Zoe Sayler, Allecia Vermillion, and Erin Wong Illustrations by Stevie Shao Photography by Kyle Johnson

Best in the biz

Mud Bay Founder Lars Wulff Has a Pet Theory

His pet supply empire taught Seattle how to treat our four-legged friends right. 

06/04/2021 By Allison Williams Photography by Kyle Johnson

Best in the biz

King of the Hill Grocery Owner Abraham Aklilu Rules with Benevolence

He's seen it all on Capitol Hill.

06/04/2021 By Allison Williams Photography by Kyle Johnson

Go Green

Trailhead Direct Restarts Bus Service to Hiking Trails

Skip the parking lot shuffle at Mount Si or Tiger Mountain.

06/01/2021 By Allison Williams

On the Road Again

Travel Is Back, Just in Time for Memorial Day

Remember holiday traffic? Yeah, that's returning too.

05/27/2021 By Allison Williams

Start Packing

Rick Steves Is Ready to Plan International Travel Again

But the European travel guru has his eyes on spring 2022.

05/21/2021 By Allison Williams

Northwest Travel

18 Amazing Northwest Cabin Destinations

Bungalows, chalets, yurts: Like home, but better.

05/13/2021 By Allison Williams

Pray for Vacation

The Lodge at St. Edward State Park Resurrects an Old Holy Site

A new Kenmore hotel turns a historic seminary into high-end accommodations on Lake Washington.

05/11/2021 By Allison Williams