The Twisted Tales of Seattle
New ‘tourism’ book highlights bizarre, infamous, and obscure historical sites
You’ll never hear Seattle tourism officials bring this up, but, like it or not, Ted Bundy is part of the fabric of this region. So is the Green River Killer, the suicides of musicians Kurt Cobain and Layne Staley, the murder of Gits singer Mia Zapata, and the ship pilot who crashed into a West…
Preparing Middle and High School Students to Lead a Life of Learning | Sponsored
Students find their voice, passions, and potential at UPrep
At UPrep, a 6–12 private school in Seattle’s Wedgwood neighborhood, extraordinary faculty and staff are devoted to each student’s potential. At a school founded by teachers to nurture true leaders, passionate educators who possess deep expertise in their disciplines work collaboratively and strive to provide the best educational experience for students. The average class size…
What a (Pickleball) Racket
Seattle pickleball fans, rejoice. New courts open.
I love pickleball. My mother-in-law plays five times a week. A work colleague has a court in his backyard. My neighbor even gave up tennis for the sport, which was founded in Washington state decades ago. Now, Seattle is serving up more options for the sport’s growing legion of fans. Two permanent, bright purple pickleball…
AtWork! Empowers Abilities and Changes Lives | Sponsored
Innovative nonprofit fosters independence and self-worth
In the heart of Washington, AtWork! is empowering inclusion. For more than six decades, this trailblazing organization has championed disability employment services, opened doors, and dismantled barriers for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). Founded on the principle that every person deserves a chance to contribute, AtWork! is rewriting the narrative around I/DD. It…
Fave Five: Falling for Fall
ENJOY THE SEASONAL CHANGE WITH THESE COOL IDEAS
Can you feel it? Fall is here. The air has a cool mood, the red leaves surrender in piles along the street, and sweaters feel like a good idea. Fall in Seattle is a special weather blend that should be enjoyed and savored, before the dark and wet are upon us, like a perfect cup…
Datebook: Fall Arts Finds
A look at some of the upcoming season’s hottest works
As the long, hot days of summer melt away into cooler temps and earlier evenings, Seattleites are about to make the seasonal shift toward indoor activities. While monthly art walks and occasional museum visits are popular year-round, for those in the know, back-to-school sales also signal the start of Fall Arts: the time of year…
Hidden Washington: Spokane Stands Out
Lively times in the Lilac City
Washington’s Second City, Spokane, is topping the charts these days. National Geographic named it one of the 30 best small cities in the country. In 2021, Spokane was named a top 10 hipster city in the world, somewhat comically, by MoveHub, in a ranking that counts things like thrift shops and microbreweries per capita. This…
Lake Chelan: The Ultimate Fall Getaway | Sponsored
Discover a great lake retreat
If you’re seeking a destination that seamlessly combines natural beauty, outdoor adventure, and a touch of seasonal charm, then Lake Chelan should be at the top of your fall getaway list. Nestled in the heart of the Cascades, Lake Chelan offers a picturesque escape with its breathtaking views and activities for every type of traveler….
collapse of a conference
The Pac-12 has no one to blame but itself
The Pacific Coast Conference had a hell of a run for something conceived on a Thursday night in a Portland hotel. It has been more than 100 years since five schools came together on Dec. 2, 1915, at the Imperial Hotel, forming the conference that has won more NCAA team championships than any other collegiate…
Five Things You Need to Eat in September
A grilled cheese smash burger? Katsu spam masubi? Creative mash-ups born from the delicious idea of two-in-one
A lot of good things come from saying, “Why not do both?” When both options are coveted, marrying the two hardly feels like a compromise at all. The food scene is working hard to make our tough choices easier, particularly as we head into autumnal months when cravings turn to comfort foods, but stomach space…
Editor’s Note: A Loan and Scared
Young professional deals with overwhelming student debt
Nat Rubio-Licht sat at a desk the day the Supreme Court struck down President Biden’s student debt relief plan and stifled the urge to scream. Rubio-Licht, a young journalist with two bylines in this education-themed issue of Seattle magazine (“Higher-Ed Dread,” (page 106), and “Where Innovation Meets Education,” (page 88) owes the United States government…
Yes to the Dress
Bellevue Collection takes fear out of fashion
The Bellevue Collection will unveil its fall fashion collection at its 17th annual fashion event Sept. 8 and 9. “We hope to inspire our guests to be fearless in showing their own style,” says Jennifer Leavitt, vice president of marketing for The Bellevue Collection. The two-day event — dubbed “Fashion Week” — features trend reports,…
A Need for Speed
Motorsports racing driver Dominic Dobson chases an audacious goal
Dominic Dobson is a skilled motorsports racer who was raised here in Seattle. Growing up with a father who was both an avid motorsports enthusiast as well as an engineer, Dobson’s slippery slope started with a Briggs & Stratton go-kart from Sears, which quickly led into a McCulloch Kart in the 1960s. Eventually, Dobson came…
Living: THE LIGHTNESS OF SEEING
Challenging ‘Lopez Lookout’ project places a premium on spectacular scenery
The regulators and nesting eagles weren’t the only ones peering on with interest. The third largest of the San Juan Islands at 30 square miles, Lopez is home to about 3,000 year-round residents known for friendly waves at about anything that moves. Islanders are also known for their intense interest in protecting their remarkable environment….
Publisher’s Note: An Education in Education
The higher-ed landscape is complex and ever changing
Public school vs. private school? Big state university or small liberal arts college? A traditional curriculum vs. one steeped in social activism? Here in our region, we’re actually in some sort of “education heaven,” and we’re eager to brag about it. Washington state boasts some of the world’s most prestigious higher-ed institutions all within close proximity. …
A History Museum at Home | Sponsored
Creating your own mini galleries with art, photos, and objects you love
Everywhere you turn in Brendan’s home is a piece of history with a compelling story. A small delicate piece of metal stamped with a man and lion sits inset against a vibrant red matboard. “This is a gladiator fight ticket from the Colosseum in Thracian during the slave uprising in Rome. The time of…
Popular Stories
Hidden Washington: Been to Tacoma Lately?
Tacoma, Four Ways
Chat with Seattleites in the know and they’ll tell you about Tacoma’s food and arts scene, or the out-of-this-world thrifting. They’ll say it reminds them of an earlier version of Seattle, where the locals prize creativity and a friendly, can-do attitude above all, where people still go to make things. But don’t let others’ experiences…
Our Favorite River Floats in Washington
Spend a hot summer day floating on one of Washington's many rivers
Note: This article was published in July 2015 and some details of this article may have changed. For more current information, see the August 2018 cover story of Seattle magazine on the 40 Best Water Adventures in the PNW, which features some of Washington’s best river floats. Washington, as we all know, is a land…
Seattle’s Top Docs 2023 – It’s here
Seattle Magazine's 23rd Annual List of the best doctors in the puget sound region
Finding a doctor can be overwhelming. Referrals from friends and family are helpful, of course, but, in partnership with Castle Connolly, we want to make the process easier. For more than two decades, Seattle magazine has published a list of the region’s top doctors. None paid to be included and all were nominated by their…
The Best Ways to Patio Dine in Seattle
Since COVID, Seattle establishments are finding new ways to level up outdoor dining
Perhaps the greatest good that emerged from recent years for Seattle restaurants is the proliferation of outdoor dining. Outdoor dining in 2023 no longer means extended seating, but presents new ways to share the street and experience our neighborhoods. Whether we’re imbibing on an elegant rooftop terrace, digging into a bowl of pasta on a…
Downtown Seattle makes moves to become a 24/7 city
Unprecedented investment in downtown Seattle seeks to create a 24-hour city
To Downtown Seattle Association President and CEO Jon Scholes, a vibrant, thriving city depends as much on its nightlife as its daytime business climate. “I think we were at least an 18-hour city before the pandemic knocked us off our game,” says Scholes, noting that DSA’s revitalization strategy has long focused on the city’s quality…
15 Quintessential Seattle Things to Eat and Drink in 2023
Our food scene has changed. So has the list of foods that define it. Can we take chowder off the list?
In this seemingly post-pandemic world, cruise ships once again dock at our shores and visitors flood Pike Place Market, queueing up at the first Starbucks and crowding around the airborne salmon at Pike Place Fish. What should local food lovers recommend to travelers if they only have a few days to spend in this city?…
Sea-Tac drops in latest J.D. Power survey
Airport rankings fall from last year
A friend who recently flew out of Sea-Tac International Airport told tales of long lines, unhappy fellow passengers, and an unfortunate bag mix-up. He literally had to buy a new suit for a business meeting once he reached his destination. I heard a similar story from another friend whose family flew internationally on vacation this…
A Wilderness Picnic in Eastern Oregon | Sponsored
Satisfy your hunger while exploring a beautiful environment
Rugged terrain and culinary delights: We can’t think of a better way to stimulate the senses and soar human spirits than this combination, and we’ve got this going strong in Eastern Oregon. Long gone are the days when a picnic consisted of cold chicken, potato salad and a few apples tossed in to satisfy a…
An Inside Outside Plan
Five ways to camp this summer
Summer is the best time to go camping in the Pacific Northwest. The endless blue skies, sunny days, and perfect temperatures, combined with an amazing variety of places to discover, make it easy to get out the door and explore. Figuring out the ultimate setup for sleeping, cooking, storing gear, and traveling while camping can…
Seattle Summer Staycation
Indulge in an luxurious escape close to home
“Summertime, and the livin’ is easy …” … unless you live in Seattle. Far-flung family and friends finally wise up to the notion that we live in a magical place — surrounded by water, nature, and coveted cuisine. Time for a visit! They descend in waves while we struggle to house, feed, and entertain them….
Letter to Seattle: Bank Statement
YWCA opens door to financial career
This is a letter from Tameka Siplin, a program graduate at YWCA Seattle | King | Snohomish, the region’s oldest and largest nonprofit organization focused on the needs of women; providing services and advocacy to support stable homes and economic advancement; reduce violence and improve health; and promote racial equity and social justice. Dear YWCA…
Fitness and Friendship
Couch potato finds camaraderie in running clubs
I never thought I would be the type of person to join a running club. Picture a subpar physique lacking in muscle and mental fortitude, throw in an admittedly too-long stint of smoking cigarettes, and add an aversion to hills as the cherry on top. However, when I moved to Seattle, I quickly learned it…
Clarity: Defeating Depression
Seeking help is a starting point, not the finish line
I was 20 years old and in my second year at the University of Washington when I stumbled into a rut. It was summer. I was the only one left in an apartment I’d rented with three other guys that school year. Everybody else had gone home, but I was taking classes and became something…
The Good News About Size
It's true: it really doesn't matter
Well, let’s suppose, just for a moment, that bigger is better. I say “just for a moment” because I don’t actually think there are any data to support the idea that bigger penises are more talented, satisfying or even more handsome. They are, however, culturally admired and many men, and some women, fetishize size and…
Bernie Griffin: Still in the Spotlight
Longtime 5th Avenue Theatre Managing Director Bernie Griffin just retired, but she remains a staunch advocate for an arts community she helped create. In the latest episode of the Seattle magazine podcast, Griffin shares tales from her colorful career backstage, how live theater is inherently risky and why she always returned to Seattle after holding…
Donald Watts: A Son’s Passion
Growing up with an NBA star taught Donald Watts untold lessons. Donald is now a full-time caretaker for his father, Sonics legend Slick Watts, who suffered a devastating stroke two years ago. Donald recounts his childhood, the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome that prevented him from playing in the NBA, and his commitment to youth and community….
Doug Baldwin & Hilary Young: Champions of Change
Former Seahawks wide receiver and Super Bowl champion Doug Baldwin discusses his motivation for giving back to the community and why he’s proud to call Seattle home years after his playing days ended. He’s joined by Hilary Young of Pioneer Human Services, a nonprofit that’s become a big supporter of Baldwin’s advocacy on behalf of…
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Preparing Middle and High School Students to Lead a Life of Learning | Sponsored
Students find their voice, passions, and potential at UPrep
At UPrep, a 6–12 private school in Seattle’s Wedgwood neighborhood, extraordinary faculty and staff are devoted to each student’s potential. At a school founded by teachers to nurture true leaders, passionate educators who possess deep expertise in their disciplines work collaboratively and strive to provide the best educational experience for students. The average class size…
AtWork! Empowers Abilities and Changes Lives | Sponsored
Innovative nonprofit fosters independence and self-worth
In the heart of Washington, AtWork! is empowering inclusion. For more than six decades, this trailblazing organization has championed disability employment services, opened doors, and dismantled barriers for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). Founded on the principle that every person deserves a chance to contribute, AtWork! is rewriting the narrative around I/DD. It…
Lake Chelan: The Ultimate Fall Getaway | Sponsored
Discover a great lake retreat
If you’re seeking a destination that seamlessly combines natural beauty, outdoor adventure, and a touch of seasonal charm, then Lake Chelan should be at the top of your fall getaway list. Nestled in the heart of the Cascades, Lake Chelan offers a picturesque escape with its breathtaking views and activities for every type of traveler….
A Wilderness Picnic in Eastern Oregon | Sponsored
Satisfy your hunger while exploring a beautiful environment
Rugged terrain and culinary delights: We can’t think of a better way to stimulate the senses and soar human spirits than this combination, and we’ve got this going strong in Eastern Oregon. Long gone are the days when a picnic consisted of cold chicken, potato salad and a few apples tossed in to satisfy a…