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 experience an all-new level of luxury, relaxation, and excitement.

The new hotel addition makes Snoqualmie Casino & Hotel a true entertainment destination. Rising elegantly above the valley, the property features 210 upscale guest rooms and suites designed with a modern Northwest aesthetic. Floor-to-ceiling windows showcase breathtaking views, while thoughtfully curated amenities create an inviting retreat for both leisure and business travelers.

Dining at Snoqualmie Casino & Hotel is an adventure all its own. Guests can enjoy the ever-popular Falls Buffet, while elevated options like Vista Prime Steaks & Seafood offer fine dining, or, savor authentic tastes at 12 Moons, featuring a wide selection of Asian cuisines. For a more casual vibe, the region’s newest sports bar and grill, Hawks Peak delivers big game-day energy-complete with an all-season outdoor deck and sweeping mountain views. Whether it’s a celebratory dinner, a casual meal with friends, or a nightcap under the stars, guests will find flavors to match every mood.

The gaming floor has also expanded to include a dedicated non-smoking area, ensuring comfort for all visitors. With over 1,800 slot machines, 58 table games, and exclusive high-limit options, Snoqualmie Casino & Hotel continues to set the standard for gaming in the region.

Beyond gaming, the property is a hub for world-class entertainment. The Snoqualmie Casino & Hotel ballroom and convention space hosts chart-topping artists, comedians, and cultural events, bringing the best of live entertainment just 30 minutes from downtown Seattle.

For those seeking relaxation, MoonRise Spa offers a full menu of treatments designed to restore balance and recharge the spirit. Add in a resort-style pool, modern conference spaces, and easy access to hiking, golfing, and outdoor adventures, and Snoqualmie Casino & Hotel becomes more than just a getaway—it’s a Pacific Northwest experience unlike any other.

Whether for a weekend escape, a celebratory dinner, or a night of entertainment, Snoqualmie Casino & Hotel invites guests to discover a bold new destination where luxury meets adventure, right in Seattle’s backyard.

The post Snoqualmie Casino & Hotel appeared first on Seattle magazine.

Students at a UPrep college fair.

Photo by Abby Choice

Highly Selective Vs. Highly Acceptive: Apply Across the Spectrum

In 2002, the eight Ivy League members plus MIT, Duke, the University of Chicago, and Stanford received about 175,000 applications. In 2023, they received more than 600,000 applications, with an almost equal number of spots in their class as in 2002. Yes, the application volume has increased at about 100 of the 3,000 four-year colleges in the U.S. A traffic jam of applicants is seeking admission at a small number of “highly selective” colleges, a term rebranded as “highly rejective.”

At most colleges, however, the acceptance rate hovers at 70 percent.

At UPrep, three college counselors support students during the college application process.

Photo courtesy of UPrep

The Early Bird Gets the Worm

Colleges promote different application plans. With the Early Action (EA) plan, a student applies by a designated date and receives a decision one month later. The EA student, if admitted, is not bound to enroll and can apply to other colleges via other application plans. A student who applies to one college through Early Decision (ED) in November receives a decision a month later. If the ED student is admitted, they must attend this college. The Regular Decision (RD) process typically entails a January application deadline, with a decision rendered in late March. There are also other types of application plans based on an institution’s geography. Many colleges admit a greater percentage of their EA and ED applicants than their RD applicants.

UPrep College Counselors demystify the college application process for students.

Photo by Abby Choice

Standardized Testing: To Submit or Not—That Is the Question

Most colleges are test optional, but there are exceptions. The University of California system, Reed College, and Washington State are test blind and will not accept standardized test scores. A small number of East Coast schools, including Dartmouth, Brown, the University of Florida, and Georgia Tech, require test scores.

Students often submit their test scores to colleges where their scores are at or above the mean and withhold their scores from colleges where their scores are below the mean. The UPrep College Counseling Office helps students discern which colleges they should send their scores to and which colleges they should apply to without including their test scores.

Click here to receive a copy of UPrep’s College Counseling Handbook.

The post An Insider’s Guide on Getting into College appeared first on Seattle magazine.

Charter public schools are unique public schools. They often take innovative approaches to teaching and learning, from offering more personalized support to focusing on culturally relevant curriculum or extending the school day. Many families choose them because they provide smaller, more tailored learning environments where students can be known as individuals.

PHOTO BY ALEV SEZER, AGENCY, INC

These schools are open to every family in the state, with no entrance requirements or tuition. Importantly, several of Washington’s public charter schools are among the highest performing schools in the state, serving students from diverse communities and showing what’s possible when schools have the flexibility to meet students where they are.

If you’re curious about what a public charter school looks like, visiting one can be a great first step. Tours often provide a chance to see classrooms in action, meet teachers and school leaders, and better understand the school’s approach.

For families interested in exploring options, WACharters.org/schools is a helpful resource. It provides information about charter public schools across Washington, helping parents discover schools that align with their child’s learning style and their family’s values.

There are many great public schools in our communities. By learning more about all the options available — including public charter schools — families can make informed decisions about what works best for their children.

The post You May Have More Options Than You Think appeared first on Seattle magazine.

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 inspiration, but as a collective call to action.

Curated by Liz Galloway and a small local team, this TEDx experience transcends the stage. “Whether you’re at the start of your story or deep into a rewrite, we’re here to hold space for your voice,” Galloway says. With more than 200 speaker submissions, the final lineup is a curated mosaic of bold, brilliant, diverse voices — entrepreneurs, scientists, artists, educators, and changemakers — each sharing the journey that shaped them.

The day blends inspiration with immersion. Guests will enjoy live music, culinary pop-up — including a mobile oyster and caviar bar — and a celebratory cocktail hour. VIPs have extra perks, beauty touch-ups, and a speaker meet-and-greet. A special Wellness Corner offers restorative activations for all attendees.

New this year: live podcast recordings by Whatever She’s Having and a spoken word finale and musician performance featuring “This Bridge We Build,” an anthem co-written and performed by Seattle’s KR and former TEDxBelltown speaker Meagan O’Nan. It’s a lyrical tribute to what women carry and how they rise.

Seattle Chamber of Connection joins as a featured partner, along with local creators, reinforcing this event as a powerful community moment made possible with partnerships. And with all talks uploaded to TEDx’s global YouTube channel, these voices reach far beyond Seattle — amplified for the world.

If you’re seeking purpose, passion, and powerful connection, this is where your journey continues. From inspiration to activation, TEDxBelltown Women is more than a conference. It’s a movement.

Reserve your seat at tedxbelltownwomen.com. Use code SEATTLEMAG50 for $50 off for a limited time.

The post What Is The Heroes’ Journey — And Why Does It Still Matter? appeared first on Seattle magazine.

Awaiting you in the heart of Queen Anne is the inspired lifestyle of Gables Queen Anne with unparalleled views and most importantly, a community created for you. Imagine yourself living in this upscale space with all the conveniences you need within walking distance. Our community provides well-designed high-end finishes for all studio, one- and two-bedroom apartment homes.

Gables Queen Anne is nestled in the midst of a vibrant urban neighborhood which has incorporated both exterior and interior art providing a warm, uplifting environment. Living here provides you with the opportunity to establish neighborhood relationships, shop for your groceries downstairs, and enjoy the many local neighborhood offerings from dining to shopping including specialty stores for you and your furry friend.

Seeking to showcase local Seattle artists and create the charm that would enhance the lifestyle at the community, Gables Queen Anne boasts exterior signature pieces by Stuart Nakamura, Marsha Rollinger, Gabrielle Abbott, and Xin-Xin, to name a few. When you visit our community, indulge in our interior art featuring more renowned local artists. You will feel welcomed and enveloped by the art which was thoughtfully curated to represent aspects of Queen Anne’s past and present.

Art is just the beginning of the exceptional amenities at Gables Queen Anne. Residents can experience our four unique rooftop terraces featuring outdoor kitchens and fire pits, beautifully designed club rooms including a game room, lounges with outdoor cabana seating, a fitness center and so much more. Our apartment homes feature classic, sophisticated interiors with private balcony options, high-end kitchen appliances and finishes, modern bathroom details, and refined touches throughout.

We invite you to make Gables Queen Anne your home.

The post Gables Queen Anne appeared first on Seattle magazine.

Designed For Sustainability

Bedrooms & More focuses on two-sided flippable mattresses, providing both investment value and long-lasting durability, while promoting an environmentally responsible mindset.

Courtesy of Bedrooms & More

Sourced Responsibly

We prioritize natural, organic and renewal materials, non-toxic components and processes, local manufacturing and carbon-neutral brand partners.

We are committed to breaking the cycle of waste. We design, build and source products that maintain their comfort over a longer lifespan. Our approach is supported by several elements:

• All of our mattresses can be flipped because of the two-sided design.
• Many of our beds have zippered covers, allowing for replacement of components; adjustable comfort; dual firmness; and zoning for lumbar support.
• Our sourcing is responsible, relying on renewable materials; non-toxic components; local manufacturing; and carbon-neutral and carbon-negative brand partners.
• Every mattress we remove from a customer’s home is recycled.

Customer Care and Beyond

Our brand and family are inextricably linked, and the service we provide to customers is both personal and caring. We have survived and thrived in the age of private equity and online vendors because we serve the best interests of our customers.

Knowledge Sharing

We offer knowledge and experience to shoppers with free educational resources, inspiring trust and loyalty in our customers. Free resources like our blog, the How to Shop for a Mattress class, and the Bedrooms & More website, inform engaged and inquisitive shoppers.

Education is empowerment, but we also empower consumers through product design. Another benefit of zippered mattresses is their never-ending flexibility of comfort. Shoppers are no longer beholden to any brand, even ours, once they have access to the inside of a bed. Every component is replaceable, repairable, or convertible. They can customize the feel for the rest of their life, and never need to buy a mattress again.

Courtesy of Bedrooms & More

Think Global, Act Local

Our family business is active in our local community by building up neighborhood activities, working with regional vendors and empowering local customers to shop with confidence.

We are engaged in our community as lead sponsors of the Wallingford Family Parade; as president/chair of the Celebrate Wallingford committee; and board member of the Washington Retail Association. Each year, we partner with local charities such as Mary’s Place and Food Lifeline Seattle.

Our in-house brand 45th Street Bedding mattresses are assembled in Seattle. Further, to minimize our carbon footprint and maximize the local multiplier effect, we partner with in-state manufacturers to build out our product line.

The post The Home For The Sleepers Of Seattle For 53 Years appeared first on Seattle magazine.

Citydog! offers dog daycare, dog boarding, dog grooming and fun! The Club is perfect for dogs of all shapes and sizes that want to play and hang with the gang.

Citydog! Club daycare will give dogs what they need and love – socialization, play, naps, and exercise, along with a lot of love in an irresistible open play environment. Daycare includes complimentary basic training provided for intellectual stimulation. Dogs will fall in love with the lovable, compassionate, and assertive alpha dog handlers.

Dogs will socialize and play with their own special pack in one of the play parks; enjoy a daily organic treat; lap up fresh-filtered water; unwind in the quiet digs of the Sleep & Eat; and get cleaned, fluffed, and styled in the state-of-the-art Style Bar. After dogs enjoy a day at the Club, they come home to their human happy, fresh, and relaxed!

When boarding your dog at Citydog! Club you can go on a guilt-free trip knowing your best friend is having as much fun as you – maybe more! This is not your average boarding kennel. In fact, they don’t even like the word kennel because it is more like a home away from home for your dog. It’s more like an “un-kennel.” Watch your precious pup via the live Citydog! webcam.  Dogs will enjoy a comfortable night’s sleep on veterinarian-recommended Kuranda™ beds while dozing off to dreamy chill music. Dogs are never left alone – the overnight Watchdog! ensures each dog is safe, sound, and having sweet dreams.

Citydog! Club grooming is perfect after a run in the Play Park, as dogs are delighted to get cleaned, fluffed and styled – ready for show! Regular grooming contributes to dogs’ overall well-being, including their mental health. Dogs that feel better are happier, act friendlier, and are more energetic. Every dog, whether long or short coat, deserves to look and feel their very best. An invigorating massage with HydroSurge™ is the highlight of each Citydog! Style Bar experience. The exclusive InjectAir™ technology thoroughly penetrates the coat and brings oxygen to the skin, leaving dogs cleaner and healthier than ever. This state-of-the-art bathing system ensures a quick, relaxing, and easy dog grooming experience for each dog. After a hand blowout and brush, the finishing services begin with the expert stylists.

Member testimonial

 “All of the Citydog! Club people are so caring, not just for the pets, but for owners as well. I’m so happy to use them for daycare, boarding, and grooming as they take such great care of us. My dogs are 12 and 12-and-a-half years, and are starting to have some aging issues, so it’s a comfort to know the staff will take such good care with them. Thank you Citydog! Club.” — S. Reed

Citydog! Club is conveniently located in downtown Seattle and Ballard. You can book a complimentary meet & greet anytime between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. daily. Visit www.citydogclub.com.

The post Citydog! Club: More wiggle in the wag! appeared first on Seattle magazine.

This abundance of vibrant life is on full display at the new Ocean Pavilion. It features multiple habitat and activity areas, including a showstopper called The Reef — a multi-level habitat with several viewpoints to watch sharks, rays, schools of colorful fish and more.

Courtesy of the Seattle Aquarium

The other habitats offer plenty to enjoy, too. The Archipelago allows you to see mangroves — amazing trees that thrive in saltwater — and their intricate root systems, which provide homes and protection for all kinds of animals. Another habitat, At Home in the Ocean, puts a spotlight on clownfish and anemones; the epaulette shark; garden eels; corals; and more.

At the center of it all is One Ocean Hall, where you’ll find gorgeous, large-scale videos of ocean habitats around the world projected on the surrounding walls, and even the floor, for a truly immersive experience. With plenty of bench seating, it’s a great spot to sit and take in the sights and sounds around you.

Entering the new Ocean Pavilion, you may notice a sign describing the theme that’s evident throughout its habitats and installations: that all waters are connected, Earth has just one ocean — and each of us has a role to play in protecting it.

Courtesy of the Seattle Aquarium

Speaking of connected waters, your admission ticket is valid for the entire Aquarium campus, so be sure to visit Piers 59 and 60 to get to know the many amazing marine animals that make their homes here in the Pacific Northwest.

Your ticket purchase helps support marine conservation efforts locally and around the world, making this is an excursion that you can feel great about. Step out of “the Big Dark” and into the warmth and light of the tropics — plan a visit today!

The post A Tropical Reef in the Pacific Northwest appeared first on Seattle magazine.

Cozy Season in Tualatin Valley is about embracing the art of slow living. It’s a time to disconnect from the fast pace of modern life and reconnect with what truly matters: nature, community, and creating new traditions and memories.

While the weather may be cooler, the outdoor adventures in Tualatin Valley become the centerpiece of cozy comforts. Hiking trails through the area’s lush forests take on a magical quality as the trees shed their leaves, and the air becomes crisp and invigorating. For those who enjoy a more leisurely pace, a walk through a local nature park or a visit to one of the region’s national wildlife refuges offers a peaceful escape into nature where you can wrap up in layers and enjoy the quiet beauty of the season.

Explore Tualatin Valley’s agricultural farms and start new fall traditions. Pick your own apples and pears at the region’s farms, pick the perfect pumpkin, or get lost in a corn maze. Savor the taste of exquisite pinot noir at Tualatin Valley’s wineries — the closest to Portland — or sample a flight or pint of craft brew at a local brewery or cidery.

Whether you’re sipping a world-class pinot by the fire, enjoying a meal with friends, or simply taking a moment to breathe in the fresh, cool air, Cozy Season invites you to savor each moment and find joy in the simple things. In Tualatin Valley, Cozy Season isn’t just a time of year — it’s a state of mind.

The post Get Cozy in Oregon’s Tualatin Valley appeared first on Seattle magazine.

As the founder of Roundglass, an app that helps users work activities such as meditation, breathwork and yoga into their daily routines, health and wellness are woven into the fabric of Singh’s life.

With decades of tech experience, Singh created the company in 2014 with the goal of giving people the tools to take their health, both mental and physical, into their own hands. The company’s app, called Roundglass Living, boasts more than 500,000 users.

“The idea is to enable people to deal with life issues like stress, like anxiety, like difficult relationships, difficult emotions, and create healthy habits,” Singh says. “We deal with all of these things using wellbeing practices like meditation, food, music, journaling, reflection, breathwork, and mix and match them, personalized for every individual.”

Along with its wellness services, the company also operates a philanthropic arm called the Roundglass Foundation. A gift from the foundation helped create the Roundglass India Center, based at Seattle University, in September 2023, which focuses on the research and study of contemporary India and the Indian-American experience.

Singh has spent the last three decades in the Seattle tech community, working in supply chain management at companies such as global logistics company Expeditors and Microsoft, finally starting his own company, Edifecs, in 1996.

Edifecs, a health technology firm that focuses on data exchange and interoperability, works with more than 350 health care customers, providers and government agencies. Singh shepherded Edifecs for more than 25 years, leading it through the early days of bootstrapping and debt to a multinational company worth north of $1 billion.

Singh’s experience has given him a unique perspective on the region’s strengths. He says that Seattle is often unfairly labeled as Silicon Valley’s little sister, but insists that the bubbling tech scene here is collaborative, collegial and supportive for both entrepreneurs and employees. Washington state, in fact, ranks only slightly below California in average annual tech worker salaries, and is also a close second in a ranking of top-paying states for AI jobs.

He adds that the Bay Area’s technology sector often feels like a “hectic rat race,” while Seattle’s community is far more tempered.

“The idea is to enable people to deal with life issues like stress, like anxiety, like difficult relationships, difficult emotions, and create healthy habits,”

Singh notes that while it’s more relaxed than the high-pressure hustle and bustle of Silicon Valley, Seattle’s tech scene has just as much to offer. With major tech companies such as Amazon, Microsoft and T-Mobile staking their claim, there’s no shortage of talented employees and knowledgeable mentors. The city also offers a substantial venture capital landscape.

“(Seattle) has access to a pool of entrepreneurs that have been there, done that, access to talent, access to infrastructure and mentoring, access to capital — those things are available over here,” Singh says. “If someone said ‘Hey, I love the North- west and I want to start a company here,’ there’s nothing that one will not be able to find here that’s somehow radically different in the Bay Area.”

Plus, the proximity to nature makes it easier to unplug — something that’s always beneficial when working in high- stress environments. “I’m really happy that I’ve spent over 30 years in Seattle,” he says. “I find it to be beautiful. Good people, good nature, and I don’t mind the rain.”

The post Uncommon Thinkers: Sunny Singh appeared first on Seattle magazine.