An Insider's Guide on Getting into College

SponsoredAn Insider’s Guide on Getting into College

UPrep’s Director of College Counseling offers his take on the current admission landscape.

During his 20 years directing college counseling at UPrep, a 6–12 private school in Seattle’s Wedgwood neighborhood, Kelly Herrington has supported more than 1,500 students in their college search. UPrep graduates have matriculated to nearly 400 different colleges and universities in 44 states and 10 countries. Below Kelly shares three observations on the current college…

Publisher's Notebook: A Well Designed Life

Publisher’s Notebook: A Well Designed Life

Great design is never just about use.

Is life better when the things around us are beautiful? Beauty,  when we experience it, actually slows us down in the best possible way. It commands us to notice. A beautifully designed thing doesn’t just function—it holds within it the accrued talents of its maker, the culture of its time, and the promise that life…

Snoqualmie Casino & Hotel

SponsoredSnoqualmie Casino & Hotel

A new chapter in the Pacific Northwest’s luxury entertainment.

Photography courtesy of Snoqualmie Casino & Hotel Nestled in the heart of the Snoqualmie Valley with sweeping views of the Cascade Mountains, Snoqualmie Casino & Hotel, formerly known as Snoqualmie Casino, has long been known as Seattle’s closest casino—offering premier gaming, dining, and entertainment. Now, with the opening of the highly anticipated hotel, guests can…

Shaping Our Future Together

Shaping Our Future Together

Showing up for Seattle matters more than ever.

Seattle’s recovery looks promising, but progress is fragile. Sustaining and strengthening it will take commitment from leaders, businesses, and us: the people that call this region home. The more we show up now—supporting our neighborhoods, businesses, and the people who bring them to life—the more we’ll benefit from the thriving, beautiful city we call home. We…

Generation Next: Young, Local Fashion Designers to Hit the Runway 

Generation Next: Young, Local Fashion Designers to Hit the Runway 

The Bellevue Collection adds a student designer showcase to its annual fall fashion events.

Nothing marks the changing of the seasons like back to school, a crispness in the air, and, of course, fall fashion. For the past 20 years, the Bellevue Collection has marked the transition with an annual Fashion Week that highlights the latest trends in clothing, shoes, and beauty. This year, in celebration of its two-decade…

Paddle Camping on a One-Acre Island

Paddle Camping on a One-Acre Island

Posey Island in the San Juans is Washington State Parks’ smallest marine park, where seals, tide pools, and even orcas make appearances.

Stroke after stroke, we paddled further and further away from safety. Should we be here with our two precious kids, I thought as we headed out toward open water. As we rounded the corner it became clear and I let out a sigh of relief—yes, we can do this.  Over Labor Day weekend, my wife…

The Many Lives of Lish McBride

The Many Lives of Lish McBride

The Seattle author built her career on romance and bookselling—with a little trivia hosting on the side.

It’s Tuesday night, and romance author Lish McBride is gearing up for trivia night.  “I host trivia at Hemlock State Brewing Company in Mountlake Terrace,” laughs McBride of her unusual weekly gig. “Being a writer is a weird job. It’s very stressful in many ways. So, I love my trivia on Tuesday nights.”  She also…

Fave Five: Settling into Fall

Fave Five: Settling into Fall

Warm light, early sunsets, and the comfort of small adventures.

September and October are my favorite months in Seattle. It’s still lovely outside—plenty of sun—but the air is cooler. I find myself scanning the day for something good to do before dark: a last farmers market tomato, a long walk, or a reason to make soup. It reminds me of childhood, squeezing in one more…

Seattle's French Connection

Seattle’s French Connection

A garden takes root in Nantes as it marks 45 years as Seattle’s sister city.

Did you know that Seattle has a partnership with a city in France? Nantes, a city along the Loire River in the western part of the country, is one of our 20 sister cities worldwide, in places as diverse as Poland, Kenya, Cambodia, and Uzbekistan. Sister cities have been around for decades, created through formal…

Art Matters in Seattle. Let’s Keep it Going.

Art Matters in Seattle. Let’s Keep it Going.

A little reminder that creative expression is the glue holding us together.

Last weekend, my two daughters and I caught the light rail in Shoreline and rode it down into the belly of Seattle. I love taking them through the city. The trains are crowded with every type of person and I always feel both protective and proud. I grew up in a rural part of northern…

Gone Glamping

Gone Glamping

Exploring Under Canvas, Washington’s newest luxury outdoor resort.

I am what could be considered an “indoor cat.” Aside from skiing—and the occasional summer hike—much of my favored activity happens inside. But, as luck would have it, a few years ago, one of my friend groups started camping regularly. Maybe it was COVID-related boredom, or an abundance of free time, but there we were,…

The Pulse: Grounds for Change

The Pulse: Grounds for Change

Sue Bird on stage, Starbucks in retreat.

Fall is officially here, but are we feeling it yet? It’s certainly getting colder. Maybe you’re shutting the windows at night or noticing all the pumpkins at the grocery stores. Some of us are pulling out scarves, others are clinging to late-summer light. I guess the question is, are you Team Fall or Team Endless…

Seattle’s WALK DONT RUN Festival is a Major Success for Downtown

Seattle’s WALK DONT RUN Festival is a Major Success for Downtown

Featuring more than 100 local artists, the 2-mile route drew thousands throughout the day. 

Last week, Seattle’s streets were abuzz with creativity during the inaugural WALK DON’T RUN art marathon. Inspired by NEPO 5K—an art event organized by local artist Klara Glosova in Chinatown International District and Beacon Hill—WALK, DONT RUN wound through the heart of the city, with dozens of installations, performances, pop-ups, open galleries, and merriment along…

Restaurant Roundup: Hungry Huskies and Matcha Magic

Restaurant Roundup: Hungry Huskies and Matcha Magic

Here’s what was served up recently in the Emerald City.

You could say Capitol Hill is the beating heart of Seattle’s culinary body of work, and it’s had an infusion of vigor with the latest batch of restaurant openings. It’s also a great place to taste the trends of the fall season—we can always use more walk-up window spots. Anyway, let’s dive into this bustling…

Howl About That

Howl About That

Woodland Park Zoo welcomes four Mexican gray wolf brothers.

The new arrivals at Woodland Park Zoo are, quite simply, incredibly handsome. Four Mexican gray wolf brothers, with coats streaked in buff, gray, rust, and black, just moved in from the California Wolf Center. At six years old, they’re still getting their bearings, which means they might be shy at first. “The zoo is a…

Rancho La Puerta: A Sanctuary For Holistic Health

SponsoredRancho La Puerta: A Sanctuary For Holistic Health

Unwind at This Luxurious Wellness Retreat

Rancho La Puerta is known as the original wellness resort in North America. Founded in 1940 by husband-and-wife Edmond and Deborah Szekely, “The Ranch,” as it’s come to be known, was espousing the importance of holistic living decades before its time. The foundational principles of living a well-balanced life that started The Ranch — emphasizing…

What Is The Heroes’ Journey — And Why Does It Still Matter?

SponsoredWhat Is The Heroes’ Journey — And Why Does It Still Matter?

Upcoming TedxTalk is more than a conference. It’s a movement

Images courtesy of Meraki Creative Before there were hashtags or TEDx Talks, there were stories. That’s where “Our Heroes’ Journey” comes in. In a world that often feels fractured, TEDxBelltown Women returns Nov. 8, with a full-day event designed to ignite connection, courage, and change. This year’s theme, “Our Heroes’ Journey,” serves not just as…

You May Have More Options Than You Think

SponsoredYou May Have More Options Than You Think

Washington State Charter Schools Association

As families prepare for the new school year, it’s worth remembering that Washington’s public education system offers more than one path. In addition to traditional district schools, families can also consider charter public schools — tuition-free, open to all, and designed to meet a wide range of student needs. Charter public schools are unique public…

Cicchetti Returns to Eastlake

Cicchetti Returns to Eastlake

After five years dark, the Mediterranean-inspired kitchen reopens with old favorites, new dishes, and a refreshed space.

Good news for Eastlake: Cicchetti Kitchen & Bar, the neighborhood’s beloved restaurant built around tapas and shareable plates, is reopening today after being closed since the pandemic shut it down in 2020. For regulars, it will feel like an old friend returning. “We’ve wanted to reopen for a long time, but with Seattle’s worker shortage…

Seattle Podcast: Javier Sade: Serial Investor Betting on Seattle

Seattle Podcast: Javier Sade: Serial Investor Betting on Seattle

Café Calaveras Finds a Home

Café Calaveras Finds a Home

Clarissa Griego brings culture and connection to her first brick-and-mortar coffee shop in the Yesler neighborhood.

Coral pink and marigold walls frame the space, while red, orange, and white flowers cascade down the walls. Sunlight pours through tall windows, catching the green plants, and a burst of colorful tile across the front counter sets the tone at Café Calaveras. The space feels warm, alive, and distinctly feminine. Two years ago, founder…

Kayaking the Bioluminescent Waters of San Juan Island

Kayaking the Bioluminescent Waters of San Juan Island

Sea sparkles and glowing jellyfish turn a nighttime paddle into an unforgettable adventure.

Under the cover of darkness, our small pod of explorers expanded into the waters of Griffin Bay in search of glow-in-the-dark marine life. Home to noctiluca scintillans, or “sea sparkles,” the waters of the Salish Sea around San Juan Island were named in Lonely Planet’s 2024 list of best places for bioluminescent viewing in the…

From the Northwest to Nashville

From the Northwest to Nashville

Country singer Max McNown carries the forests, lakes, and rain of his childhood into every song.

Max McNown carries memories of the Pacific Northwest wherever he goes. “Our favorite camping spot was up in Washington at Lake Merwin,” recalls the rising country music star during an interview with Seattle magazine. “We would pack the car to the brim, fill it with all of my siblings and my parents, and we would…

The Home For The Sleepers Of Seattle For 53 Years

SponsoredThe Home For The Sleepers Of Seattle For 53 Years

For more than 50 years, our goal has been to improve the lives of our customers by responsibly promoting durable, quality, earth-friendly products for the home. We source, sell, and act with integrity, striving always to provide unmatched service. Designed For Sustainability Bedrooms & More focuses on two-sided flippable mattresses, providing both investment value and…

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Restaurant Roundup: Hungry Huskies and Matcha Magic

Restaurant Roundup: Hungry Huskies and Matcha Magic

Here’s what was served up recently in the Emerald City.

You could say Capitol Hill is the beating heart of Seattle’s culinary body of work, and it’s had an infusion of vigor with the latest batch of restaurant openings. It’s also a great place to taste the trends of the fall season—we can always use more walk-up window spots. Anyway, let’s dive into this bustling…

Cicchetti Returns to Eastlake

Cicchetti Returns to Eastlake

After five years dark, the Mediterranean-inspired kitchen reopens with old favorites, new dishes, and a refreshed space.

Good news for Eastlake: Cicchetti Kitchen & Bar, the neighborhood’s beloved restaurant built around tapas and shareable plates, is reopening today after being closed since the pandemic shut it down in 2020. For regulars, it will feel like an old friend returning. “We’ve wanted to reopen for a long time, but with Seattle’s worker shortage…

Café Calaveras Finds a Home

Café Calaveras Finds a Home

Clarissa Griego brings culture and connection to her first brick-and-mortar coffee shop in the Yesler neighborhood.

Coral pink and marigold walls frame the space, while red, orange, and white flowers cascade down the walls. Sunlight pours through tall windows, catching the green plants, and a burst of colorful tile across the front counter sets the tone at Café Calaveras. The space feels warm, alive, and distinctly feminine. Two years ago, founder…

Restaurant Roundup: Kraken Snacks and Caribbean Roast Sandwiches

Restaurant Roundup: Kraken Snacks and Caribbean Roast Sandwiches

Here’s what was served up recently in the Emerald City.

Looking for a staycation with wine tasting, and even some wine making? You’ll find it at Woodvinville’s newest retreat, The SOMM Hotel & Spa, which opens Sunday, Sept. 28. Guests can take part in complimentary wine blending classes on site, where each participant crafts their own bottle according to their palate and preferences. James Beard…

Fave Five: Settling into Fall

Fave Five: Settling into Fall

Warm light, early sunsets, and the comfort of small adventures.

September and October are my favorite months in Seattle. It’s still lovely outside—plenty of sun—but the air is cooler. I find myself scanning the day for something good to do before dark: a last farmers market tomato, a long walk, or a reason to make soup. It reminds me of childhood, squeezing in one more…

Seattle Podcast: Javier Sade: Serial Investor Betting on Seattle

Seattle Podcast: Javier Sade: Serial Investor Betting on Seattle

Generation Next: Young, Local Fashion Designers to Hit the Runway 

Generation Next: Young, Local Fashion Designers to Hit the Runway 

The Bellevue Collection adds a student designer showcase to its annual fall fashion events.

Nothing marks the changing of the seasons like back to school, a crispness in the air, and, of course, fall fashion. For the past 20 years, the Bellevue Collection has marked the transition with an annual Fashion Week that highlights the latest trends in clothing, shoes, and beauty. This year, in celebration of its two-decade…

Publisher's Notebook: A Well Designed Life

Publisher’s Notebook: A Well Designed Life

Great design is never just about use.

Is life better when the things around us are beautiful? Beauty,  when we experience it, actually slows us down in the best possible way. It commands us to notice. A beautifully designed thing doesn’t just function—it holds within it the accrued talents of its maker, the culture of its time, and the promise that life…

Popular Stories

One Year In, Lenox's Dreams Are All Coming True

One Year In, Lenox’s Dreams Are All Coming True

It's just like chef-owner Jhonny Reyes imagined

Jhonny Reyes used to look at the former Marco’s Supper Club and The Innkeeper space in Belltown with envy. “I’ve always had my eye on this place,” Reyes says, while telling the story of how his restaurant, Lenox, polymorphed from popup to food truck to brick-and-mortar. “I helped open The Innkeeper, actually. And then it…

Why I’m Letting a Shuttle Drive Me to the Mountains

Why I’m Letting a Shuttle Drive Me to the Mountains

Trailhead Direct makes summer hiking easier, greener, and a lot less stressful

I used to think driving to the mountains was just part of the deal. Weekend hikes meant leaving early, hoping to beat the crowds, and then, more often than not, spending half the morning circling a gravel lot because I didn’t leave early enough. And that’s after dealing with narrow mountain roads and the stress…

Ten Top Travel Destinations for 2025

Ten Top Travel Destinations for 2025

How to prepare for these extraordinary destinations right here in Seattle

How to prepare for these extraordinary destinations right here in Seattle The theme of travel in 2025 is empathy, to remind ourselves that the world is a big place, and that other people face obstacles as well. To quote Robert Louis Stevenson, it’s time “to come down off this featherbed of civilization, and find the…

Seattle Summer Reads

Seattle Summer Reads

This crop of PNW books offers the perfect page-turner for every occasion, from poolside lounging to backyard breaks

Elita Kirsten Sundberg Lunstrum We wrote about this book when it came out in January, and even though it’s set in the dead middle of a Pacific Northwest winter, the mystery behind this novel makes it hard to put down. Lunstrum’s first novel, Elita (Northwestern University Press/TriQuarterly Books) follows Bernadette Baston — a university lecturer…

Bat Signal Seattle

Bat Signal Seattle

Bats are out this summer, and so are the community scientists tracking them

By mid-July, most Seattleites have clocked the summer clichés: backyard rosé, panic-buying box fans, and chatting with strangers in the grocery store about how nice it is. But here’s something better: bats. Washington is home to 14 species, 10 of which live in western Washington. They’re tiny, nocturnal insectivores that eat thousands of bugs a…

Seattle's French Connection

Seattle’s French Connection

A garden takes root in Nantes as it marks 45 years as Seattle’s sister city.

Did you know that Seattle has a partnership with a city in France? Nantes, a city along the Loire River in the western part of the country, is one of our 20 sister cities worldwide, in places as diverse as Poland, Kenya, Cambodia, and Uzbekistan. Sister cities have been around for decades, created through formal…

Gone Glamping

Gone Glamping

Exploring Under Canvas, Washington’s newest luxury outdoor resort.

I am what could be considered an “indoor cat.” Aside from skiing—and the occasional summer hike—much of my favored activity happens inside. But, as luck would have it, a few years ago, one of my friend groups started camping regularly. Maybe it was COVID-related boredom, or an abundance of free time, but there we were,…

A Long Weekend in Singapore?

A Long Weekend in Singapore?

Seattle’s longest nonstop flight makes the case for (and against) chasing chili crab across the Pacific.

When Singapore Airlines recently added a new Friday nonstop option from Seattle to Singapore Changi Airport, we noticed the 16-hour-and-20-minute flight is the longest nonstop flight operating from Sea-Tac International Airport. And it made us wonder. In this court of frequent-flyer opinion, presided over by our self-appointed “travel tribunal,” the matter before us today is…

Woodinville’s Refined Escape: Wine, Relaxation, and the Perfect Score

Woodinville’s Refined Escape: Wine, Relaxation, and the Perfect Score

Pair blissful Willows Lodge with the state’s finest wines for a weekend retreat just 30 minutes from Seattle.

When Chateau Ste. Michelle opened in 1976, Woodinville was little more than sleepy farmland. Nearly fifty years later the scene has exploded, with more than a hundred tasting rooms scattered across strip malls. But pull into Willows Lodge in the Hollywood District and the mood calms down considerably. Vineyards edge bustling multi-use paths, and visitors…

The Many Lives of Lish McBride

The Many Lives of Lish McBride

The Seattle author built her career on romance and bookselling—with a little trivia hosting on the side.

It’s Tuesday night, and romance author Lish McBride is gearing up for trivia night.  “I host trivia at Hemlock State Brewing Company in Mountlake Terrace,” laughs McBride of her unusual weekly gig. “Being a writer is a weird job. It’s very stressful in many ways. So, I love my trivia on Tuesday nights.”  She also…

Art Matters in Seattle. Let’s Keep it Going.

Art Matters in Seattle. Let’s Keep it Going.

A little reminder that creative expression is the glue holding us together.

Last weekend, my two daughters and I caught the light rail in Shoreline and rode it down into the belly of Seattle. I love taking them through the city. The trains are crowded with every type of person and I always feel both protective and proud. I grew up in a rural part of northern…

Seattle’s WALK DONT RUN Festival is a Major Success for Downtown

Seattle’s WALK DONT RUN Festival is a Major Success for Downtown

Featuring more than 100 local artists, the 2-mile route drew thousands throughout the day. 

Last week, Seattle’s streets were abuzz with creativity during the inaugural WALK DON’T RUN art marathon. Inspired by NEPO 5K—an art event organized by local artist Klara Glosova in Chinatown International District and Beacon Hill—WALK, DONT RUN wound through the heart of the city, with dozens of installations, performances, pop-ups, open galleries, and merriment along…

From the Northwest to Nashville

From the Northwest to Nashville

Country singer Max McNown carries the forests, lakes, and rain of his childhood into every song.

Max McNown carries memories of the Pacific Northwest wherever he goes. “Our favorite camping spot was up in Washington at Lake Merwin,” recalls the rising country music star during an interview with Seattle magazine. “We would pack the car to the brim, fill it with all of my siblings and my parents, and we would…

Javier Saade: Serial Investor Betting on Seattle

Javier Saade: Serial Investor Betting on Seattle

In this episode Jonathan Sposato sits down with Javier Saade; Saade is a recent Seattle transplant and a seasoned leader committed to making a meaningful impact on the city’s economic and entrepreneurial landscape. From founding companies to shaping innovation policy in the Obama administration, Javier has built a career guiding impact-driven ventures while serving on…

The Truth About College Admissions With Adam Miller

The Truth About College Admissions With Adam Miller

Adam Miller, vice president for admissions and financial aid at Whitman College, is pulling back the curtain to give us an exclusive look at how college admissions really work. In this episode, he brings fresh insight and energy to the conversation, sharing how parents can best support their child’s college journey, what makes a standout…

Scott Stulen: Leading Seattle Art Museum into the Future

Scott Stulen: Leading Seattle Art Museum into the Future

Scott Stulen is bringing fresh energy to the Seattle Art Museum. In this episode, he shares his vision for making SAM more accessible and community-focused, his journey to the Pacific Northwest, and how pop culture — even Ferris Bueller’s Day Off — shapes his approach to art. Tune in to hear what’s ahead for the…

Alejandro Grajal: Woodland Park Zoo Saves Wildlife

Alejandro Grajal: Woodland Park Zoo Saves Wildlife

Woodland Park Zoo CEO Alejandro Grajal wants you to think differently about zoos. In this episode, he talks about conservation, climate action, and how zoos can serve as civic spaces. He also shares what’s coming next, including the new Forest Trailhead and a chance to walk with flamingos.

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Snoqualmie Casino & Hotel

SponsoredSnoqualmie Casino & Hotel

A new chapter in the Pacific Northwest’s luxury entertainment.

Photography courtesy of Snoqualmie Casino & Hotel Nestled in the heart of the Snoqualmie Valley with sweeping views of the Cascade Mountains, Snoqualmie Casino & Hotel, formerly known as Snoqualmie Casino, has long been known as Seattle’s closest casino—offering premier gaming, dining, and entertainment. Now, with the opening of the highly anticipated hotel, guests can…

An Insider's Guide on Getting into College

SponsoredAn Insider’s Guide on Getting into College

UPrep’s Director of College Counseling offers his take on the current admission landscape.

During his 20 years directing college counseling at UPrep, a 6–12 private school in Seattle’s Wedgwood neighborhood, Kelly Herrington has supported more than 1,500 students in their college search. UPrep graduates have matriculated to nearly 400 different colleges and universities in 44 states and 10 countries. Below Kelly shares three observations on the current college…

You May Have More Options Than You Think

SponsoredYou May Have More Options Than You Think

Washington State Charter Schools Association

As families prepare for the new school year, it’s worth remembering that Washington’s public education system offers more than one path. In addition to traditional district schools, families can also consider charter public schools — tuition-free, open to all, and designed to meet a wide range of student needs. Charter public schools are unique public…

What Is The Heroes’ Journey — And Why Does It Still Matter?

SponsoredWhat Is The Heroes’ Journey — And Why Does It Still Matter?

Upcoming TedxTalk is more than a conference. It’s a movement

Images courtesy of Meraki Creative Before there were hashtags or TEDx Talks, there were stories. That’s where “Our Heroes’ Journey” comes in. In a world that often feels fractured, TEDxBelltown Women returns Nov. 8, with a full-day event designed to ignite connection, courage, and change. This year’s theme, “Our Heroes’ Journey,” serves not just as…