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.

Lite Brite

How to See the Northern Lights Near Seattle

Check the space forecast for northern lights alerts, there might be an aurora show coming to Western Washington. Plus: Where to view the lights.

08/18/2022 By Allison Williams

Short Stops

Portland's Sports Bra Invents the Women's Sports Bar

Screening exclusively WNBA, NWSL, and other women's sports games, this neighborhood bar in Northeast Portland is a perfect road trip stop.

08/16/2022 By Allison Williams

Quote Unquote

Avery Barnes Brings African Style to Pioneer Square

A city program, Seattle Restored, helped the young entrepreneur make an African streetwear boutique and community space a reality.

08/15/2022 By Allison Williams

Save Us

Satellite Devices Redefine Safety for Hikers

If you regularly hike or camp in the backcountry, a satellite communicator has become an essential piece of emergency equipment.

08/10/2022 By Allison Williams

Cool Dips

10 Hikes to Swimmable Lakes in Western Washington

Step one: Walk in the woods. Step two: Jump in. Mountain swimming holes from the Olympics to the Cascades beckon hikers willing to make the trek.

08/02/2022 By Allison Williams

summer slopes

Ski Areas Shift to Mountain Bike Parks in Summer

Stevens Pass reopens as a two-wheel destination this week, with Summit at Snoqualmie soon to follow.

07/27/2022 By Allison Williams

Take me out

Value Games Are the Best Way to Watch the Mariners

Half-price tickets, canned beer, and $3 hot dogs: Dirt cheap is the purest way to be a baseball fan.

07/25/2022 By Allison Williams

Refuse to Lose

Just How Good Are the Mariners This Year?

The longest winning streak in the nation, home run sluggers—is 2022 the year Seattle baseball finally comes together for a big playoff moment?

07/22/2022 By Allison Williams

Short Stops

A Remote Fire Lookout That Can Be Reached by Car

Deep in the forest between three volcanoes, within easy driving distance from Seattle, a piece of history sits right off an unpaved road.

07/15/2022 By Allison Williams

Where To?

Introducing the PNWander Travel Newsletter

Sign up for a regular dose of travel news, destination ideas, road trip itineraries, and ways to explore the Pacific Northwest.

07/13/2022 By Allison Williams

Boarding Pass

Every Nonstop Flight from Seattle's Sea-Tac Airport and More

From short hops in the Pacific Northwest to direct domestic and international flights to New York, Dubai, and more, here's everywhere you can get from here.

07/06/2022 By Allison Williams

Main Dish

Where to Eat in Walla Walla

From breakfast at Bacon and Eggs to dinner at the Kinglet, Max Petty's new tasting menu spot, fine wine is only part of the equation.

07/05/2022 By Allison Williams and Allecia Vermillion

Short Stop

A Tea Party for the Ages in Victoria, BC

The afternoon treat, served at this hotel in British Columbia, has to be sipped to be believed.

07/01/2022 By Allison Williams

Island Time

How to Get to Victoria, BC, by Boat or Plane

Journey to a land of afternoon tea and poutine for dinner on a ferry, passenger ship, or floatplane.

06/28/2022 By Allison Williams

flaked out

Snow Blocks Many Trails as Summer Hiking Season Begins

High snowfall means that it still looks like winter in Pacific Northwest mountains; here's how to stay safe and find the dirt.

06/23/2022 By Allison Williams

On Belay

Outdoor Rock Climbing Near Seattle

Break out the ropes and racks to climb Washington’s natural crags. Plus: The dirt behind the storyteller who created climbing's biggest podcast.

06/15/2022 By Allison Williams

Rover Road Trip

Best Northwest Hotels to Visit with Dogs

Some overnight trips are a little furrier: The best Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and British Columbia hotels that allow dogs.

06/14/2022 By Allison Williams

Sport

Best Seattle Rock Climbing Gyms

Our indoor crags boast sky-high fake rocks and some of the best bouldering in the country. Plus: Seattle's best free outdoor rock climbing spots.

06/06/2022 By Allison Williams

American Alps

The Insider's Guide to Visiting North Cascades National Park

Where to hike, camp, and explore in the most remote and possibly most spectacular public lands in Washington state.

06/02/2022 By Allison Williams

Growth Potential

The Tiny Mountain Town of Mazama Gets a Little Bigger

Methow Valley residents rallied to raise a new brew pub in their small settlement. But is the quiet corner of the Cascades ready for big time tourism?

05/27/2022 By Allison Williams