Retail Crime in Washington the Worst in U.S.
Forbes Advisor report finds that retailers here are ‘most impacted’
A few years ago, a thief brazenly used a pair of bolt cutters to snip the wires securing several high-end purses at the former Macy’s department store in downtown Seattle. He then calmly left the store. Retail theft remains a driver of numerous store closures throughout the city — Target and Bartell Drugs are two…
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…
You’re Not Doing it Wrong
Navigating the soiled nest of family life
This morning, I found myself running late as I tried to get my daughter to the bus, but I wasn’t alone in my rush. There was a parade of cars driven by grumpy, frazzled parents eager to position themselves in front of the bus before the next stop. No one wants to miss the bus….
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…
What’s All the Fuss About?
Let these Seattle-area restaurants take the Thanksgiving cooking reins
The countdown kicks off earlier each year. Turkey window decals peck at the heels of the skeletons. Soggy brown leaves lay scattered across roads, sidewalks, and yards. From misty blue mornings to frigid evenings, we hear you, nature. It’s time to eat, drink, and be merry. If you’re looking to remove the stress from your…
Capturing Hope
A picture is worth more than a thousand words
A year ago, 23-year-old Anika wouldn’t have recognized the person she is today, emerging from a scattered and difficult past with deep gratitude for the support she’s received. “My journey has been broken, lots of broken roads, and very narrow,” says Anika, who asked that her last name not be used. “But I’m on a…
Shop Seattle 2023
Seattle Magazine's Holiday Gift Guide: A curated selection of fun gifts from small businesses
As we jump into the holidays, take a walk with me through the city of Seattle and beyond to find the best local shops for perfect holiday gifts. Whether you’re searching for a family member, friend, or co-worker, there’s no shortage of great gifts in our beautiful city. Treats Who doesn’t love sweets? Let’s tackle…
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….
Around the World, Sip by Sip (Part One)
Quench your thirst for travel without leaving Seattle
Whether it’s a dry rosé that evokes the sense memory of a sunbaked afternoon in Provence, or a crisp pilsner that brings back a boisterous Prague beer hall, libations transport our minds to faraway lands. The next time you go out, bring the same sense of adventure you would to travel by sampling one of…
Five Things to Eat in November
No need to wait for the holiday spread. Make every meal as comforting and celebratory as the feast ahead.
So often around this time of year, our attention turns to the holiday feast — the giant bird, abundant sides, and numerous pies — such that we forget how everyday meals can be regular opportunities to treat ourselves. Family-owned restaurants are returning to classic recipes and bringing a sense of comfort and ease to our…
Love at First Spark
Redmond pizza joint earns another honor
Italy loves Spark Pizza. The venerable Redmond restaurant has been named one of the Top 50 Pizzerias in the United States for the second consecutive year by Italian publication 50topizza.it. The online guide recognizes the best pizzerias in the world and is updated annually. Spark last year finished No. 48. It finished No. 31 this…
Higher Ed’s Big Test
State’s Top Education Leaders Emphasize Transformation During A Time Of Great Upheaval
University of Washington President Ana Mari Cauce and her colleagues are still trying to digest recent Supreme Court rulings that shook the foundation of higher education. In a matter of days, the High Court banned the use of affirmative action during the college admissions process and struck down President Biden’s student-loan forgiveness plan. It represented…
How to Trim the Tree and the Waste
Ridwell CEO: Sustainability doesn’t have to be perfect. It just requires intention.
As we kick off the holiday season, it may not surprise you to learn that the most wonderful time of the year is also the most wasteful. People in the United States create 25% more garbage between Nov. 1 and New Year’s Day, which adds a staggering 4 million to 5 million tons to the…
A Light-Filled Oasis
Mercer Island residence embraces natural beauty by drawing it inside
When Kent and Lisa Sacia decided to put a bow on their latest remodeling triumph, they turned to a trusted collaborator, Sander Groves Landscaping President Dan Groves. He was more than happy to take on the project, a reimagining of a 1972 Northwest contemporary by a noted Mercer Island architect. “I am in a position to…
The Tinsel is No Longer in a Tangle
Seattle shoppers are ready to spend this holiday season
One iPad pro: $799. One 24” MacBook: $1,599. If those are on your holiday shopping list, chances are you’ve already busted your budget. The 2023 Deloitte Seattle Holiday Retail Survey finds that the “average” holiday spend in Seattle is $2,073, up a whopping 59% from two years ago. That’s not all. That $2,073 is 25%…
UW Launches Final Phase of Campaign to Restore Historic ASUW Shell House
Effort coincides with release of The Boys in the Boat on Christmas day
The race is on. The University of Washington has launched the final phase of an ambitious campaign to restore the historic shell house where the 1936 Gold-medal winning Olympic rowing team once trained. The “Pull Together” campaign is designed to encourage final gifts toward the renovation of the century-old ASUW Shell House on the Montlake…
Popular Stories
The Book that Saved a Building
The Boys in the Boat has become a worldwide phenomenon as the movie prepares for a Christmas Day voyage
The new issue will be released at the end of October. Subscribe here. They journey to the old, wooden boathouse on the Montlake Cut from all corners of the country and world. As fans of the bestseller The Boys in the Boat, they want to see firsthand the more than 100-year-old structure that still sits…
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…
Best of Seattle: 2023 Readers’ Choice Awards
Seattle magazine’s annual spotlight on the best of the city
In this annual tradition, we call out the businesses, services, and local establishments that have contributed to making our city truly unique. These awards represent the collective voice of our readers, who have cast their votes to recognize and appreciate the best of what our city has to offer. Food and Drink Best New Restaurant…
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?…
The Art of Weathering Winter: What “Self-Care” Really Is (and Isn’t)
How to cultivate more community, according to author Angela Garbes & State Representative Darya Farivar
The term “self-care” has become so overused that its meaning can be bent to almost any purpose. Is it indulging in a cocktail or abstaining from booze? Is it splurging on a skincare product or making peace with fine lines? Some have begun to use the term “community care” to refer to a commitment toward…
Winter Escapes
These cold destinations are pretty hot this time of year
Winter in Seattle is a magical time for holiday lights, cool walks with hot beverages, and the occasional dusting of snowfall on our beautiful parks. Winter is also, paradoxically, the ideal time to get out of town. As the skies darken and the days get shorter, the lure of adventure tempts. Here are some ideas…
Running in a Wetsuit, Swimming in Shoes
Swimrun has become a popular endurance sport
Four friends are sitting around a bar in Sweden, sharing a few drinks and catching up. One turns to another and says, “Do you think we can swim and run 75 kilometers up the coastline of Stockholm?” After a few more drinks and perhaps a little chest puffing, a plan was set in motion. The…
Missoula’s Moment
The city is full of amazing wilderness and a sense of adventure
The wagon trail leading from Seattle to Missoula, Mont., is well-traveled. When Missoulians crave the city slicker vibe, they pony up and head west. When Seattleites want to slow things down, they head over the pass to Zootown, as Missoula is affectionately known. There is a kinship between Seattleites and Missoulians; we love our communities…
Hidden Washington: Snohomish is Hiding in Plain Sight
A friendly, quaint, and engaging small town
As Scottish novelist and essayist Robert Louis Stevenson said, “I travel for travel’s sake. The great affair is to move; to feel the needs and hitches of our life more nearly; to come down off this featherbed of civilization and find the globe granite underfoot and strewn with cutting flints.” What the great Stevenson might…
Gender-Bending in the Wilderness
Intense outdoor trip defied conventions
At a dear friend’s suggestion, my husband and I signed up for a six-day trip in the Frank Church Wilderness, one of the longest stretches of protected wilderness in the United States. It was run by Middle Fork River Expeditions, and it came with six experienced river guides, all men and one woman. Madeline oversaw…
Papa and His Pronouns
A parent works to adjust to his young daughter’s preferences
I love my daughter. Although I’m not sure she’s my daughter. I now call her my child. My little monkey. Sparky. Love of my life. My kiddo. But never, ever, my little girl, even though she attends Seattle Girls School. Because when Valen turned 11 last year, she told her mother and I that she…
Editor’s Note: An Experience That Lives Forever
The world isn't always as it seems
It was Friday night after a long week. I had just arrived home. The red light was flashing on my answering machine (remember those?). I was ready for the weekend. The call crushed me. My first love, my high school sweetheart, my partner in mischief, had passed away due to complications from Multiple Sclerosis. Gwen…
‘The Answer is in Us’
Equity expert Erin Jones encourages everyone to ‘show up for one another’
Erin Jones has a unique perspective on race. She was put up for adoption after her white birth mother’s family refused to let the mixed-race child come home. She was adopted by a white couple whose parents also struggled to accept her. She was raised in Minnesota until age 5, and then moved with her…
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…