Travel & Outdoors

Hotel Horde

15 Best Hotels in Seattle

You need a vacation, and a great—and safe—one is closer than you think.

08/28/2020 By Allison Williams

Feature

The 15 Best City Trails in Seattle

The greatest urban escape routes in the Seattle area, threading downtown, the waterfront, far-flung neighborhoods, and the abundant nature beyond.

08/10/2020 By Allison Williams

Snap Judgment

Where’s the Best Sunset Spot in Seattle?

Spoiler alert: Kerry Park isn’t our only top vista.

07/31/2020 By Nicole Martinson

GO FOR IT

Hiking Is the Safest Way to Have Fun This Summer

Bears? Bees? Nah. As long as you bring a jacket and look where you’re walking, Northwest trails are a safe place to spend the pandemic.

07/24/2020 By Allison Williams

WELL PICKED

Summer's Still On at These Washington U-Pick Berry Farms

Stock up on local produce the old-fashioned way.

07/17/2020 By Annette Maxon

Summer Is In Tents

How to Find a Campsite Now That Everyone Is Camping

Where to set up a tent, trailer, or tricked-out RV on a crowded summer weekend.

07/16/2020 By Allison Williams

Outward Bound

Best Washington Hikes

Hit the trail on 20 of the most spectacular and most accessible routes in the state.

07/02/2020 By Allison Williams, Craig Romano, and Seattle Met Staff

Turn the Tide

Don't Go to the Beach for Memorial Day

Most of Washington's ocean-facing shoreline is closed, so it's not quite time for beach blanket bingo yet.

05/21/2020 By Allison Williams

Winged Victories

It's the Perfect Time to Bird-Watch in Seattle

Peak avian migration time means the skies are full of songbirds.

05/06/2020 By Nicole Martinson

Guide to Mount St. Helens

Washington's Next Volcanic Eruption

When? Where? Are we ready?

05/06/2020 By Allison Williams

BOOM TOWN

Guide to Mount St. Helens

The 1980 eruption was the biggest volcanic event in recent American history. Four decades later, the mountain has more than moved on—it’s become a new and vibrant wonderland for scientists and sightseers alike.

05/06/2020 By Allison Williams

Guide to Mount St. Helens

Mount St. Helens Wildlife: Don’t Call It a Comeback

Flora and fauna have more than returned to the destruction zone—they're thriving.

05/06/2020 By Allison Williams

Guide to Mount St. Helens

Art St. Helens: Creations Inspired by a Volcano's Destruction

Forty years on, the eruption still fuels evocative work. Plus: What's up with ash glass?

05/06/2020 By Allison Williams

Guide to Mount St. Helens

Mount St. Helens is Not a National Park

The volcano’s unique status makes upkeep complicated.

05/06/2020 By Allison Williams

Guide to Mount St. Helens

Visiting the East Side of Mount St. Helens: Otherworldly Escape

Intrepid explorers head to a quiet region to score views of a hidden landscape, plus a chance to view remnants of the eruption.

05/06/2020 By Allison Williams

Guide to Mount St. Helens

Visiting the South Side of Mount St. Helens: On Top of Old Smokey

Take a walk on the adventure side of the volcano. Keen athletes can spelunk underground, ski gentle slopes, or climb to the crater rim.

05/06/2020 By Allison Williams

Guide to Mount St. Helens

Visiting the North Side of Mount St. Helens: Crater Crash Course

A road trip down a stunning highway leads to a well-appointed visitor center and easy hikes. Never been to the famous mountain? Start here.

05/06/2020 By Allison Williams

Guide to Mount St. Helens

A Timeline of Mount St. Helens

An explosive history of a volcano that’s over the hill.

05/06/2020 By Allison Williams

Guide to Mount St. Helens

Bill Nye, the Volcano Guy

Don’t underestimate the bow tie.

05/06/2020 By Allison Williams

Guide to Mount St. Helens

Journey Into the Crater of Mount St. Helens

A visit to the inner sanctum of a fitful volcano, as Bill Nye the Science Guy tags along.

05/06/2020 By Allison Williams