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.

Get Out

Where to Buy Hiking Maps

Where you can (and can't) find topographical maps for your next outdoor adventure.

08/01/2012 By Allison Williams

Travel Books

Fifty Shades of Grey Is the New Hotel Bible

Instead of the Gideon, there may be a BDSM novel in your hotel room's bedside table. Upgrade?

07/30/2012 By Allison Williams

London 2012

When Art Was an Olympic Event

If the Games hadn't changed, Chuck Close could have been on Team USA next to Michael Phelps.

07/27/2012 By Allison Williams

Sports Drinking

Seattle Bars Showing the Olympics

Dibs on the gold medal for pint-drinking.

07/27/2012 By Allison Williams

Article

Road Trips 2012

The Northwest has the best stretches of blacktop in the world: We can cross mountain passes and trace deserted shoreline, even motor up to the world’s best farm-to-table feast. All it takes is a full tank.

07/27/2012 By Kathryn Robinson, Laura Dannen, and Allison Williams

Air Travel

All Nippon Airlines Launches Seattle-Tokyo Service

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner will fly on the route, but not until October.

07/26/2012 By Allison Williams

Insider's Guide

1962 World's Fair

Fifty years ago, the 1962 World’s Fair did more than just celebrate global culture. It put Seattle on display, inspired world leaders, and erected a certain needle-shaped tower. A look at the 184 days that changed Seattle—and the world—forever.

07/25/2012 With Kathryn Robinson, Matthew Halverson, Laura Cassidy, Christopher Werner, Laura Dannen, Brian Colella, Allecia Vermillion, and Janet Pelz By James Ross Gardner and Allison Williams

International Travel

Chocolate Treats Cause Canadian Border Trouble

Do you know your contraband?

07/25/2012 By Allison Williams

Article

The Sherpas of Ashford, Washington

07/20/2012 With Bruce Barcott, Charlotte Austin, and Craig Roman By Allison Williams

Framed

How to Take the Ultimate Mount Rainier Photo

How pros photograph the mountain—angles, locations, time of day, and more.

07/19/2012 With Bruce Barcott, Craig Romano, and Charlotte Austin By Allison Williams

Article

Mount Rainier Will Erupt (But Not How You Think)

07/19/2012 By Allison Williams

Article

Where to Stay in Mount Rainier National Park

07/19/2012 By Allison Williams With Charlotte Austin

Article

In and Around the National Park

07/19/2012 With Bruce Barcott, Craig Romano, and Charlotte Austin By Allison Williams

Article

Mount Rainier’s Wildlife and Wildflowers

07/19/2012 With Bruce Barcott, Craig Romano, and Charlotte Austin By Allison Williams

Article

Insider’s Guide to Mount Rainier National Park

07/19/2012 With Bruce Barcott, Craig Romano, and Charlotte Austin By Allison Williams

Sea Travel

The Coachella Festival Is Now a Cruise

The chill-out tent is to starboard.

07/18/2012 By Allison Williams

Peak Performance

The Brothers Whittaker

Whenever we play in the mountains, we owe a debt to Jim and Lou Whittaker. The Seattle twins conquered Mount Rainier, Mount Everest, and REI, then made mountaineering the Northwest’s signature sport.

07/18/2012 By Allison Williams