Seattle's bagel scene is so underrated. Here are the spots offering the top-notch bagels, schmears, and sandwiches, according to an Emerald City local.

From aurora-woven villages in the distant northern corners to the quirky island communities of the south, Alaskan towns are as diverse as the landscapes they’re set in. They share the dark winters, nighttime summer sun, endless pine swaths, wondrous wildlife, northern lights and other regional signatures that we enjoy in more southern parts of the Pacific Northwest, but turned all the way up. For example, while we get 10 p.m. sunsets in June, northern Alaskans enjoy a literal Midnight Sun. If you want Pacific Northwest wonders, Alaska offers them at their peak state: their most extreme.

Alaska’s natural beauty is famous, offering untouched landscapes that dazzle with glittering glaciers, pine-studded wilderness and plummeting waterfalls. As a Pacific Northwest local, I grew up hearing nothing but praise for these stunning wonders. The rush of the cascading glacier melt and mountain springs is the soundtrack for these blankets of forests that stretch across the region. For many tourists, these waterfalls are the highlights of their trips and among the best reasons to visit Alaska.

The West Coast, my homeland, is famous for its massive mountains, beaches, vibrant cities, and, of course, ridiculously good food. From highland berries to wild seafood to luxurious mushrooms, the ingredients in the wild are outstanding. Meanwhile, food traditions from Scandinavian, Latin American, Eastern Asian, Italian, and Pacific cultures have greatly contributed to the culinary heritage of the region — today, you can find the best spaghetti of your life in San Diego, teriyaki in Seattle, street tacos in Los Angeles, sushi in Portland, and curry in San Francisco. As a native to the West Coast, I'm proud of this colorful tapestry. I love that where I live in the greater Seattle area, I can find world-famous pie, sandwiches, dumplings, and mussels within 20 minutes of my house. The comfort food is the best part, and there are so many dishes to have on your radar. So, here are the comfort foods that West Coasters swear by.

I love that where I live in the greater Seattle area, I can find world-famous pie, sandwiches, dumplings, and mussels within 20 minutes of my house. The comfort food is the best part, and there are so many dishes to have on your radar. So, here are the comfort foods that West Coasters swear by.

If you are in the Pacific Northwest and craving an unforgettable sandwich, any of these incredible options are sure to be just what you are looking for.

Washington State is known for more than just Starbucks coffee. From smoked salmon to seasonal berries, these are the iconic Washington foods you must try.

This underrated national park in Canada is home to the deepest lake in North America.

Does Seattle come to mind when you think of the best pizza cities in America? It certainly should. We've rounded up Seattle's absolute best pizzerias.

A Makah settlement is extremely well-preserved thanks to a mudslide that happened centuries ago.

The national park’s features confirm plate tectonic theory, making it one of the best places to see the planet’s geological processes at work.

This Oregonian scenic area is ideal for those looking for a unique vacation with Pacific Ocean views, good camping, and plenty of seafood.

An old Sitka spruce on Washington's coast of the Hoh Rainforest is under threat.

Amidst the technicolor tidal pools and glittering rocks of the coast sits what looks to be a bottomless pit into the sea.

In a remote corner of the U.S., active volcanoes wait patiently above the ridgelines, leaving residents on edge.

Sparkling tidal pools, towering pines, soaring bald eagles, and kelp forests sleeping beneath the frothing waves.  This is the Salish Sea. Home to thriving cities such as Seattle, Olympia, Victoria, and Vancouver, this northern coastal region is where nature meets urban meccas; where green cities paint a vision of what the future could look like. It’s a place where communities live closely to wildness such as orca pods and sea wolves; a place where activism is the norm...

Ecotourism is undeniably one of the most popular forms of travel right now. Of all the various ecotourism trends, whale watching is a favorite for many sustainable trip seekers.

With the world heating up, it's no surprise travelers are looking for respite from climbing temperatures. Instead of hitting the popular destinations in the heat of summer — with millions of others — it might be time to consider a coolcation.

Game-changing legislation targeting a number of common toxins found in personal care products has arrived in the U.S. The Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act (HB 1047) outlaws nine harmful chemicals that are commonly used in beauty formulations sold across Washington state, where the provision will be enacted. Signed on May 15, the law will go into effect in the Evergreen State come 2025.

When people think of Washington, they tend to either imagine the Space Needle, the rain of the Olympic Peninsula, or the wildflowers on Mount Rainier. While of these are incredible parts of the state in the Pacific Northwest, there is another bit of it that visitors need to know about. Washington has incredible lakes. With so many tourists heading to the coast and cities, locals tend to vacation either in the San Juan Islands, or at one of the many beautiful lakes that the state has to offer. H