In the shadow of Mt. Rainier, overlooking the Puget Sound, my husband and I fell in love with the Greater Tacoma area while stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. It turned out to be the perfect location for our forever home. I found so many fun things to see and do in the area that I thought it was also a great tourist destination. It is a gateway to all the Pacific Northwest has to offer.
Alas, Tacoma has a gritty past and visitors tend to gravitate toward its more famous neighbor to the north, Seattle. Do people not wonder why it is the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport?
When Reedy Press reached out to me and invited me to write 100 Things To Do In Tacoma Before You Die, I leaped at the opportunity to bring national attention to the community I care so much about. It is my love letter to Tacoma. The book includes listings in the city as well as throughout Pierce County. Here are some of my favorites.
1. Tacoma Museum District
Downtown Tacoma has an amazing number of museums for a city of this size. Three of my favorites are all within walking distance of each other. Stroll Pacific Avenue to find the Washington State History Museum and the Tacoma Art Museum on the same city block. You walk a little farther to the Museum of Glass, but it is over the iconic Chihuly Bridge of Glass, so it is worth the effort. Dale Chihuly is Tacoma’s famous native son who has created incredible glass art displayed all over the world. At the Museum of Glass, in addition to the artistic pieces, you can spend time in the Hot Shop and watch the process of glassblowing by renowned glass artists.
2. Point Defiance Park
Point Defiance Park is the crown jewel of Metro Parks Tacoma. The park began in 1888 and the people of Tacoma long recognized the importance of preserving the old-growth forest. Over the years, the parks system has partnered with various horticultural, zoological, maritime, conservation, and cultural organizations to maintain and protect this special place.
At Owens Beach, you can stroll the beach and keep an eye out for wildlife such as sea lions, harbor seals, or sea otters. Rent a kayak and explore Commencement Bay. Get more bang for your buck at Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium where you have a zoo and an aquarium for one price. Five-mile drive is now closed to vehicles, so it is a great space to explore the park on a bicycle. Overlooks have views of Gig Harbor and the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. Learn more about the history of the area at the Fort Nisqually Living History Museum. You can also access many hiking trails throughout the park to experience the old-growth forest.
3. Point Ruston
Point Ruston is a mixed-use community built on what was once one of the most polluted superfund sites in the United States. Now, you can enjoy shops, restaurants, and the Point Ruston Market, which has a variety of independent vendors. One of the newest restaurants is Copper and Salt, a farm-to-table restaurant with gorgeous views of Commencement Bay.
Dune Peninsula Park is a lovely waterfront park that utilizes remnants of the area’s industrial past to create urban art. It is connected to Point Defiance Park via the Frank Hebert Trail and the Wilson Way Bridge. Hebert was inspired by the polluted superfund site to write his masterpiece, Dune. Ruston Way is lined with parks and restaurants overlooking Commencement Bay and the Puget Sound. It is an easy walking distance from Point Ruston.
4. Wright Park
There are more than 600 trees in Wright Park, creating a lovely arboretum in downtown Tacoma. A loop path just shy of a mile follows the perimeter of the park. The iconic park statues were donated by Colonel Clinton P. Ferry who collected them on his travels to Europe in 1891. The variety of paths through the park is perfect to view the concentration of trees, especially in the fall when they erupt in flaming colors.
The W.W. Seymour Conservatory just reopened after a year-long renovation. It is one of only three Victorian-era conservatories on the West Coast. Located in Wright Park, it is a beautiful light-filled space. When the Pacific Northwest’s rainy, winter weather descends upon Tacoma, this is my go-to place to get away from the gloom. The carnivorous plant bog is so fascinating, and the plant wall filled with ferns, orchids, and other tropical plants is a sight to behold.
5. Pretty Gritty Tours
If you want a more in-depth experience of Tacoma, take a Pretty Gritty Tour. Founders Chris Staudinger and Tawny Clark were avid travel journalists before hanging their hats in Tacoma. As experienced travelers, they know the agony of a poorly constructed, boring tour. Their tours are engaging and fun.
They also have access to many areas not usually available for the public to tour. 100 Things To Do In Tacoma Before You Die features their Brewery Tour but there are so many other great options. Many of the tours utilize the free Link Light Rail which makes it easy to traverse around the city.
6. Cuerno Bravo Prime Steakhouse And Cantina
This spunky restaurant opened right as the COVID-19 pandemic hit. After a series of setbacks, Cuerno Bravo opened in downtown Tacoma. Located in a historic building, the chef blends old-world wood-fired cooking with fresh new flavors to create what will be the best steak you’ve ever had. Owner David Orozco’s passion for meat led to partnerships that allow him to source the best quality steaks.
Dining here is a sensory experience; it begins with the aroma of steaks cooking on a wood fire. As you get closer to the kitchen, you can hear the sizzle of the steaks. Intense flavors burst in your mouth when sipping a craft cocktail. Finally, your steak arrives at your table on a sizzling stone and it’s time to dive into this mouthwatering meal.
7. Visit Historic Steilacoom
Steilacoom was incorporated in 1854 and is the oldest city in Washington State. It is considered part of the greater Tacoma area. Start your visit with a hike in Farrell’s Marsh, a beautiful park much loved by locals who hike here every day. The viewpoints overlooking the freshwater marsh allow you to decompress as you take in the sights and sounds of this area teeming with life. The marsh draws many birds and I just love sighting the blue herons. I’ve also been privileged to see a large owl.
After your hike, visit the Coffee Cabin for a snack and some delicious coffee. The Steilacoom Historical Museum is just a short walk away. It has limited hours, so if it is not open during your visit, download the Historic Steilacoom Walking Tour. You can still visit the grounds of the historic Orr House and the beautiful apple orchard adjacent to the museum. Pioneer Park along the waterfront has interpretive signs. My favorite is the map that helps to identify the islands and land masses in front of you. On a clear day, you can see the Olympic Mountains.
Places To Stay In Tacoma
The Silvercloud Hotel at Point Ruston is one of the newest hotels in the area and has a lovely rooftop swimming pool. The rooms have gorgeous views of Commencement Bay and the Olympic Mountains from floor-to-ceiling windows. Some rooms even have a great view of Mt. Rainier.
Throughout the greater Tacoma area, you will find a variety of national chain hotels. For something really unique, stay at the 500-year-old Thornewood Castle. It was dismantled brick by brick in England and shipped to the United States. Known as “the house that love built,” Chester Thorne constructed it for his wife, Anna. Once a private home, it is now an inn and popular wedding venue.
In addition to being a great city to visit, Tacoma also makes a great base to explore the Pacific Northwest. It is an easy scenic drive to explore Mt. Rainier National Park for a day trip. Hop a ferry at Point Defiance to explore Vashon Island. You can book a whale-watching tour from nearby cities, or just head out to Point Defiance and watch Dalco Passage from one of the viewpoints where whales are often viewed. Venture out to Bremerton and take the ferry to Seattle. This hour-long ferry ride is an inexpensive Puget Sound cruise with stunning views of Mt. Rainier and Seattle. Visitors will find plenty to do in this city that I’ve grown to love.
Read about more of Peggy’s Pacific Northwest adventures, including:
