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.

Park Thyself

Stop Leaving Seattle on Friday Afternoons

Don't get stuck in traffic; try enjoying the city instead.

06/28/2024 By Allison Williams

Destination Guide

North Bend: Where to Eat, What to Do, and Where to Stay

It's the little mountain town with a big dose of personality.

06/10/2024 By Allison Williams

Destination Dossier

Everything You Need to Know About a Visit to Hood River

A breezy look at one windy Oregon town.

06/05/2024 By Allison Williams Illustrations by Chantal Bennett

Here's the Beef

Sam’s Tavern’s Small Burger Is the Perfect Size

Sometimes a little is more than enough.

06/03/2024 By Allison Williams

Throwbacks

The Last Blockbuster Video Is Still Standing in Oregon

Bend's vestige of the "Be kind, rewind" era manages to surpass mere meme status.

05/29/2024 By Allison Williams

That's Weird

Washington’s Best Roadside Oddities

Pull over. There’s something weird to see.

05/24/2024 By Allison Williams

No Peanuts

Alaska Airlines Brings Back Hot Food for Main Cabin Fliers

We tried it. Here's our verdict.

05/22/2024 By Allison Williams

Plug it in, plug it in

Electric Vehicle Road Trips from Seattle

Destinations worth draining the battery—and where to charge up again for the return trip.

05/20/2024 By Allison Williams

Interview

Joe Bivins Is Fixing Our Roads

One Washington State Department of Transportation worker tells us what it’s like behind the orange safety gear.

05/20/2024 By Allison Williams

The worst luck

How to Visit Mount St. Helens While the Visitor Center Is Closed

The volcano's observatory is off-limits thanks to—what else—a natural disaster.

05/17/2024 By Allison Williams

Big Days

The Wedding Vendors Who Will Literally Climb Mountains for the Perfect Shot

When couples get hitched in the wilderness, they can still get professional hairdos and photos.

05/13/2024 By Allison Williams

What Roof

The Outdoorsy City

What it means to be a place where getting out of the house and into the wilds is a way of life.

05/10/2024 By Allison Williams

Sorta Crunchy

The Kinds of Outdoorsy People You Meet in Seattle

We sorted the hikers, bikers, and all kinds of nature lovers. You know the types.

05/10/2024 By Allison Williams Illustrations by David Wilson

Into the Woods

Why Are We So Scared of Bears?

The animals are not actually deadly, until they are.

05/08/2024 By Allison Williams Photography by Carlton Canary

Stuff Galore

Seattle’s Outdoor Gear Hall of Fame

The things we’ve had—and are keeping—forever.

05/07/2024 By Allison Williams

Outings

Short Spring Day Trips from Seattle

This state is way too nice to just stay home.

05/01/2024 By Allison Williams

The Mountain

An Insider’s Guide to Visiting Mount Rainier National Park

Hiking trails, visitor centers, and other spectacular reasons to head to our friendly local volcano.

04/29/2024 By Allison Williams and Seattle Met Staff

Short Stop

South Fork Gives North Bend Room to Hang Out

Beers, dogs, kids, and cinnamon rolls. All the bases are covered.

04/24/2024 By Allison Williams

Mobile Roam

Where to Rent a Vintage Trailer in the Pacific Northwest

Pack your best pink flamingo lawn ornament—it's time for an Airstream vacation.

04/23/2024 By Allison Williams

Take Off

What to Know about the New Flight from Sea–Tac to the Philippines

Seattle is getting even more international.

04/17/2024 By Allison Williams