The 10 Best Things to do in Tacoma, Washington (WA)

July 10, 2021 Etsuko Causey

Sitting at the foot of Mount Rainier, from whose former name the city takes its name, Tacoma is the perfect base point for exploring Mount Rainier National Park and the spectacular landscape surrounding.
Restaurants in Tacoma

1. Point Defiance Park

5400 N Pearl St, Tacoma, WA 98407-3224 +1 253-305-1030 http://www.metroparkstacoma.org/point-defiance-park
Excellent
79%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1,228 reviews

Point Defiance Park

Scenic park offering more than 700 acres of woodland trails, gardens and waterfront views, along with a zoo and aquarium.

Reviewed By Ldcvsi - Tacoma, United States

I live within a mile of Pt. Defiance Park and it is one of the best urban parks you will find in the United States. Central Park in New York City is amazing for the surrounding museums, but you will never see more beautiful views of the water front, islands, and mountains than you will see from Pt. Defiance Park on a clear day. And did I mention I the world class zoo, the amazing fuchsia gardens, the miles of hiking trails through the forest, beaches to hang out on, sea lions and harbor seals hanging out in the kelp beds? And, if so inclined, you can take a ferry boat ride over to Vashon Island and back, right from the edge of Pt. Defiance Park. And the new addition to the park, the Dunes, is a beautiful walk along the waterfront that is ADA accessible, and has to die for views. There is something for everyone in this park. Drive the five mile drive if you don’t have much time (but please drive slowly as there is lots to see, and there are bikers and pedestrians); but make sure to stop at all the view points for a view of Vashon Island and the Cascade Mountain Range at one view point, the Olympic Mountain Range at another view point, and a great view of the Narrows Bridges at the other.

2. 5 Mile Drive & Trails

5400 N Pearl St, Tacoma, WA 98407-3224 +1 253-305-1000 [email protected] http://www.metroparkstacoma.org/five-mile-drive
Excellent
78%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 246 reviews

5 Mile Drive & Trails

Reviewed By OlyGirlJan - Tacoma, United States

Great place to visit and have a full days adventure, must sees are Owens Beach, Point Defiance Zoo, also must do the 5 Mile drive and make it a day and have lunch at Anthony's on the waterfront with great food and spectacular views of Puget Sound and don't forget to go down the slides across from Anthony's its a great place for the kids to release some energy.

3. Washington State History Museum

1911 Pacific Ave, Tacoma, WA 98402-3109 +1 888-238-4373 http://www.washingtonhistory.org/wshm/
Excellent
59%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 236 reviews

Washington State History Museum

History museum full of informative displays and artifacts on the history of Washington state.

Reviewed By GC404 - Anchorage, United States

This nice facility is located in downtown Tacoma and can also be easily reached via the tram/public transportation... the main floor has exhibits covering Washington’s history from ancient past through present, and includes important topics such as Native grave repatriations, internment of Japanese Americans during WW2, etc. Everything is well curated and targeted towards audiences of all ages... there’s an excellent section featuring activities for kids too. Definitely worth checking out when you’re in Tacoma... enjoy!

4. LeMay Collections at Marymount

325 152nd St E, Tacoma, WA 98445-1214 +1 253-272-2336 [email protected] http://www.lemaymarymount.org
Excellent
76%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 184 reviews

LeMay Collections at Marymount

Reviewed By J5294YXelizabeths - Mount Vernon, United States

What a treasure! We are so fortunate to have this museum in our community!!!The staff and volunteers care so much about helping you feel part of their great work by educating you, and providing a very unique experience. The collection is one of a kind, and you need to go several times to take in all the details. The knowledge of automobile history shared during the tours is exceptional. The access to unique automotive treasures, and a better understanding of their back story is fun. Larry and Tim did a great job of taking the time to explain just the right amount of the story to engage you and keep your interest peeked. I had 2 fabulous tours, both of the cars on site, as well as the adjoining facility tour. The grounds surrounding the museum are very special too so well maintained, lush, green and magnificent. This a treasure our community is lucky to have and get to visit.

5. LeMay - America's Car Museum

2702 E D St, Tacoma, WA 98421-1200 +1 253-779-8490 [email protected] http://www.americascarmuseum.org/
Excellent
74%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,050 reviews

LeMay - America's Car Museum

LeMay - America's Car Museum (ACM), named one of USA Today's 10 Best Museums in Seattle and KING 5's 2014 & 2015 Best Museum in Western Washington, is an international destination where families and enthusiasts gather to celebrate America's love affair with the automobile and how it shaped our society. The stunning, four-level, 165,000-sq.-ft. Tacoma, Wash., facility features 12 rotating exhibits, five annual Signature Events and serves as an educational center, hosting students of all ages.

Reviewed By suzannem263 - Canada, null

Cost is reasonable and the time slips by without even noticing. We spent 3 hours wandering around the museum. There are so many cars , all beautifully displayed in an easy to follow route through the museum. There is even one vintage car where you can sit in and have a photo taken. The picture is free, with no strings attached. Can be printed or emailed. If anyone in your group wants to sample driving, one floor had demo video simulation drives where you can drive race courses around the world. If you are interested, get the package deal when you first enter which includes a drive, as it is quite a bit more costly as an add on when you reach that floor. Younger kids might have fun playing the slot cars. This is one of the largest and nicest car museum we have been to.

6. Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium

5400 N Pearl St, Tacoma, WA 98407-3224 +1 253-404-3800 [email protected] http://www.pdza.org
Excellent
54%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
3%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 989 reviews

Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium

Currently closed through March 31, 2020. Treat your family to a special day at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium. Where else can you see sea lions and sharks, peacocks and penguins, wolves and walrus, all in one place? The 29-acre Zoo is large enough to offer an awesome array of animals yet small enough to let you get really close to them. Who knows? You might run into a lynx on your way to see the polar bears! Be sure to visit Kids Zone. This fanciful exhibit engages children in active learning through play. The focus is on fun, movement and learning what animals need to thrive. The breathtaking views of Puget Sound, Mount Rainier and the Olympic Mountains are free - and so is the parking. So what are you waiting for? Bring your family to see ours. Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium is open at 9:30 a.m. daily. Closing times vary. Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium is just minutes off of I-5 in beautiful Point Defiance Park in Tacoma, WA.

Reviewed By sabra557x - Santa Cruz, United States

Visited here with our 7 year old and a 15 year old grandkids.11They both enjoyed it! Fun that it is is a zoo and aquarium all in one. They don't have "everything " a stand alone zoo or aquarium would have but a very nice mix of each and enough to make you feel like you got your monies worth. Laid out nicely. There is a couple of play areas for the little ones. Didn't take many pictures except of the kids and these solo shots of the musk ox. Nice views on the drive there as well!

7. Cheney Stadium

2502 S Tyler St, Tacoma, WA 98405-1051 +1 253-752-7707 http://www.milb.com/index.jsp
Excellent
60%
Good
36%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 181 reviews

Cheney Stadium

Reviewed By GWLGIS - Tacoma, United States

I attend Reign FC and Tacoma Rainiers Games here. Great Seats everywhere, I've sat all over the stadium and have always had a great time. Try the R-Bar for a great view and their HUGE Gas Fireplace!

8. Tacoma Art Museum

1701 Pacific Ave, Tacoma, WA 98402-3214 +1 253-272-4258 [email protected] http://www.tacomaartmuseum.org
Excellent
56%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 263 reviews

Tacoma Art Museum

Celebrating 81 years, Tacoma Art Museum is an anchor in the city’s downtown and a gathering place for connecting people through art via thoughtful exhibitions, exciting events, and enriching programs. The museum’s collection of more than 4,500 works emphasizes the art and artists of the Northwest and broader western region. Highlights of the collection include: -the largest retrospective museum collection of glass art by Tacoma native Dale Chihuly on continued view; -the largest collection of studio art jewelry by Northwest artists; -key holdings in 19th century European and 20th-century American art; -one of the finest collections of Japanese woodblock prints on the West Coast; and -the Haub Family Collection, one of the nation’s premier western American art collections, with approximately 300 works spanning 200 years. The Haub Family Collection is the first major museum collection of western American art in the Pacific Northwestern region. Named by USA Today as one of the “Top 10 Great Places to See Art in Smaller Cities,” the museum has developed a national reputation for presenting art in a thought-provoking yet accessible manner, with a strong commitment to Northwest art through its acquisition and exhibition programs. In addition to dynamic exhibitions, nationally touring shows, and historical retrospectives, TAM serves the diverse communities of the region through innovative programming and learning opportunities for all ages, including free community events. TAM is located in Tacoma’s Museum District, near the Museum of Glass, the Washington State History Museum, Children’s Museum of Tacoma, and historic Union Station.

Reviewed By thomasi846 - Rochester, United States

We went to the Tacoma Art Museum just to see the Impressionism exhibit, and discovered the museum is great! I will be keeping an eye on their traveling exhibits and will return. I also noticed Tacoma seems clean and inviting.

9. Chihuly Bridge of Glass

Between Dock Street and Pacific Avenue, Tacoma, WA 000-000-9999 http://museumofglass.org/outdoor-art/chihuly-bridge-of-glass
Excellent
68%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
0%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 619 reviews

Chihuly Bridge of Glass

Reviewed By nwmer - Vancouver, United States

This beautiful bridge with its ceiling of Chihuly Glass flowers is rivaled only by the Chihuly ceiling at Bellagio's in Las Vegas. But why go to Las Vegas when you can see his amazing work close to home?

10. Museum of Glass

1801 Dock St, Tacoma, WA 98402-3217 +1 866-468-7386 [email protected] http://www.museumofglass.org/
Excellent
53%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
13%
Poor
4%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 1,285 reviews

Museum of Glass

An international center for contemporary art with a sustained focus on glass.

Reviewed By K3073BObobp

Watching a master glass blower and his team working in the Hot Shop is always a wonderful experience. Add to that the wonderful exhibits and a beautiful gift shop gives you hours of art entertainment.

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