Food & Drink
The Twisted Tales of Seattle
New ‘tourism’ book highlights bizarre, infamous, and obscure historical sites
By Rob Smith September 19, 2023
This article originally appeared in the November/December 2023 issue of Seattle magazine.
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 Seattle drawbridge back in 1978.
All these and more can be found in an updated edition of the Twisted Tour Guide to Seattle and Puget Sound. The book identifies bizarre narratives rarely profiled in tourism industry directives. As author Marques Vickers says, “Many of the narratives defy believability, yet they are true.”
Also included are gambling haunts, historic scandals, catastrophic disasters, and other local legacies and hidden discoveries. Readers can visit sites and learn about the distinctive stories behind many of these macabre events.
Vickers has published 11 Twisted Tours Guides profiling international urban cities. If you’ve got the stomach for it, paperback editions are available through Amazon, and electronic editions through numerous e-book online sales outlets.
Follow Us
8 Must-See Films at SIFF This Week
Movies that will make you laugh, cry, and think
As SIFF continues its celebration of 50 years, we've selected some must-sees for this week, from films that will get your heart pounding to those that make you laugh out loud — maybe even a few that'll reshape how you see the world...
The Wild Sauna of Seattle
A taste of Norwegian culture comes to the Pacific Northwest
In the heart of Kirkland, tied up to a public dock, one of the United States’ first floating saunas bobs on Lake Washington, providing a unique experience inspired by sauna culture in Norway. On a recent crisp chilly day, I had the opportunity to visit Von Sauna...
The Therapy Revolution
Changing your ability to love, one session at a time
To my mind, some form of counseling or therapy is helpful in preparation for meeting someone, in maintenance of a relationship, in repair when relationships stall or shatter, and in support when you have to start the whole dance over again. Photo by Glasshouse Images/Getty