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.

Short Stop

Olympia Has One of America's Only Assyrian Restaurants

Nineveh brings an ancient culture to the capital city.

10/16/2025 By Allison Williams

Destination Dossier

What You Need to Know About a Trip to Olympia

The capital city has indie shops, great food, and a love of a good groove.

10/16/2025 By Allison Williams

Interstate Love Song

Best Pit Stops on I-5 from Seattle to Portland

Don't get mad at the backups or boring stretches. Just stop a lot.

10/07/2025 By Allison Williams

Off Grid

Unplugging Outdoors Is Hard but Totally Worth It

How one kayaking company is paying customers to ditch their phones—and why it matters so much.

09/26/2025 By Allison Williams

An Apple a Day

The Best Cidery Road Trips from Seattle

Nine Washington cidermakers (and one cider cousin) worth a full day trip.

09/25/2025 By Taylor McKenzie Gerlach and Allison Williams

Hear me out

It's Time to Stop Hiking the Enchantments

Yeah, I said it. But it's not for the reason you might expect.

09/19/2025 By Allison Williams

Palette Cleanser

The Best Fall Hikes in Washington State

Go beyond the larch trees. Some of the best seasonal foliage is lower to the ground.

09/11/2025 By Taylor McKenzie Gerlach and Allison Williams

True Detective

The True Tale of Seattle's Sherlock Holmes

Luke May was a one-man CSI unit who solved crimes in the city’s most tumultuous era. In 1923, one wild case would take him into a world of murder, astrology, and secret codes.

09/09/2025 By Allison Williams

Fair Game

Our State Fair Is...Which State Fair?

It's time to ride the coaster and hang with the 4-H kids—but there's more than one place to gorge on elephant ears.

09/04/2025 By Allison Williams

Listen Up

Things to Hear in Washington Before You Die (or Leave)

Our bucket list of sounds you can’t get anywhere else.

09/04/2025 By Allison Williams

Adrenaline Junkies

Things to Do in Washington Before You Die (or Leave)

Our bucket list of the state’s top experiences.

09/02/2025 By Allison Williams

Uncharted

The Local's Map of Washington

A visual guide to the real state geography.

08/28/2025 By Allison Williams Illustrations by Hawk Krall

Public Lands

The Best State Parks in Washington

From half-acre pocket parks to surf beaches and cross-state trails, the state park system is a whole different kind of wild.

08/26/2025 By Allison Williams

Double Double Trouble

I Braved Washington’s First In-N-Out Burger Line

Worth the wait? Sure. Worth the drive? It depends.

08/21/2025 By Allison Williams

American Alps

The Insider's Guide to Visiting North Cascades National Park

Where to hike, camp, and explore in Washington's wild, remote mountains.

08/21/2025 By Allison Williams

Photo Ops

Things to Photograph in Washington Before You Die (or Leave)

Charge up your phone and dust off your lenses.

08/19/2025 By Allison Williams

Eat This

Things to Eat in Washington Before You Die (or Leave)

Our bucket list of the best foods everyone should taste.

08/18/2025 By Allison Williams

Checklist

Things to Learn About Washington Before You Die (or Leave)

Our bucket list of museums, historic sites, and oddities.

08/13/2025 By Allison Williams

Checklist

Things to See in Washington Before You Die (or Leave)

Our bucket list of sights you can’t miss.

08/11/2025 By Allison Williams

Brake Time

The Best Pit Stops on I-90 Between Seattle and Montana

Pull over, there's something good over here.

08/07/2025 By Allison Williams