Shade Index

Washington's Worst Hiking Trails

Deception Pass and Cape Disappointment aren’t even the half of it.

07/23/2019 By Mac Hubbard

Behind the Scenes

Climb Every Mountain

What's better than a generic scenery photo and a story phoned in from sea level? Sending a photographer 10,000 feet up to accompany our fearless editor.

07/23/2019 By Jane Sherman

Get the Dirt

10 Best Hikes at Mount Rainier National Park

A totally subjective list from a lifelong Rainier hiker.

07/23/2019 By Allison Williams

Cover Story

The Secrets of Mount Rainier

The uncrowded campsites, tucked-away trails, rare wildlife, and hidden histories inside the crown jewel of the Cascades.

07/23/2019 By Allison Williams

Work Hard, Play Hard

Local Essentials: An Intern's Guide to Seattle

Skip the Space Needle and live like a Seattleite with this roundup of our favorite off-the-clock spots.

07/18/2019 By Seattle Met Staff

Pre-Flight Fancy

Just Landed: A New Alaska Airlines Lounge at Sea-Tac

Craft beer. A mom-ready nursing mezzanine. Fried chicken. Star Trek vibes.

07/12/2019 By Anna Coumou

In the Media

REI Is Launching Its Own Print Publication

The Seattle retailer will hike into the magazine world with 'Uncommon Path' in the fall.

06/24/2019 By Rosin Saez

Rainy Day Rescues

What to Do Indoors in Seattle When Bad Weather Strikes

8 places around the city that channel summer vibes, even on cloudy days.

05/29/2019 By Philip Kiefer

All Aboard

Sail the Local Seas on These 8 Boat Rentals and Cruises

How to travel our waterways the easy way.

05/29/2019 By Allison Williams

Cannonball

Great Swimming Holes within 2 Hours of Seattle

You don’t even need a boat for water hijinks—just hit the road to the region’s best swimming holes.

05/29/2019 By Allison Williams

This Year, Grown-Ups Can Go to Sleepaway Camp, Too

Picture-perfect Oregon overnight camps are pivoting to offer socially distant family cabin rentals.

By Julia Silverman
Published 07/03/2020

Hotels in the Northwest Are Open, but Things Are a Little Different

Can you swim in the pool? Can you eat in the restaurant? With COVID-19, your vacation mileage may vary.

By Jordyn Mayer
Published 06/20/2020

Going Camping in Oregon in the COVID Era? Plan Ahead.

As Portlanders head for the hills, they’ll find a patchwork of campground closures and limited services.

By Margaret Seiler [email protected]
Published 06/19/2020

Portland’s Nearby Wilderness Areas Begin to Reopen

As of May 15, the Gifford Pinchot National Forest is back in business.

By Benjamin Tepler [email protected]
Published 05/15/2020

Summer Camp Is in Limbo, Just Like Everything Else

Will it be “Kumbaya” around a virtual campfire this year?

By Margaret Seiler [email protected]
Published 04/14/2020

You Might as Well Write a Haiku About the Columbia Gorge for Poetry Month

We can't go there now/Instead, write of waterfalls/From a safe distance

By Conner Reed
Published 04/09/2020

SUMMER ON THE WATER

A Shipshape Guide to Boating in Seattle

Water is the city’s favorite playground—a place for sports, relaxation, even a creative commute. Come aboard with our guide to splashing around Seattle’s lak...

05/29/2019 By Allison Williams Photography by Tegra Stone Nuess