10 Attractions around Tacoma
Looking to call Tacoma home? There is a wealth of things to do in the Tacoma area and around Puget Sound. Below is a list of the more popular attractions throughout the city.
Port of Tacoma/Port Ruston
One of the most beautiful places in Tacoma is just down Schuster Parkway along Ruston Way. A full sidewalk extends the length of the waterway past a variety of restaurants. Whether you are up for taking a stroll or walking your dog, the Port of Tacoma walkway offers the views of the water and boating activity around. At the very end of the pathway is the newly constructed Port Ruston which offers more fine dining, a children’s water park, and a front row seat to the bay itself. The area offers high-rise condominiums and a brand new theater as well.
Museum of Glass/TAM
In the heart of downtown Tacoma are two prestigious museums, the Tacoma Art Museum and the Museum of Glass. The Tacoma Art Museum offers exhibits by Northwest artists and is noted in USA Today as one of the “Top 10 Great Places to See Art in Smaller Cities”. Nearby is the Museum of Glass which features a glass blowing hot shop where masterpieces by the world-renowned glass artist Dale Chihuly are created. The museums offer free admission on the last Thursday afternoon of each month.
Light Rail
Tacoma has an active bus service that centers on the bus station on Commerce Street. In addition, the city offers a light rail service that runs from the Theater District to the Tacoma Dome station where a commuter can catch the Sounder train going north. The downtown light rail service is free to riders. The Tacoma Park-n-Ride offers a multi-story garage to those commuters who wish to park and ride the rail into the city.
Point Defiance Park
Beautiful Point Defiance Park is just up the hill from Point Ruston and features oceanfront parks, a five-mile drive through beautiful forest land and a full zoo complete with a children’s splash park and a variety of animal species. The park itself is host to many weddings in the rose garden as well as receptions in the Chinese pagoda. Point Defiance Park is also home to Fort Nisqually which offers tours of a living history museum where residents in period clothing re-enact life in the early 1900s.
Historic Brewery District
In downtown Tacoma near Pacific and 21st street, visitors will find the historic brewery district which offers several dining and drinking establishments with a multitude of local brews to choose from. The Harmon brewery and restaurant sits on Pacific Avenue while the Seven Seas brewery is right up the street. Two other buildings are being remodeled within blocks of each other to offer beer connoisseurs many tempting options.
UW-Tacoma Campus
Right in the heart of downtown Tacoma, across from the Museum of Glass and directly on the light rail line, visitors will find the UW-Tacoma Campus. College students specialize in such disciplines as Nursing and Social Work. UW-Tacoma is home to the prestigious Milgard School of Business.
Convention Center
The Convention Center in downtown Tacoma is a state-of-the-art facility which hosts many events throughout the year. Everything from EXPOs to the Festival of Trees is held at the facility, which is located just a block from the Hotel Murano and across the street from the Marriott Hotel. The Convention Center activity keeps the downtown area bustling as major companies hold events at the facility year-round.
Historic North End
The North End of Tacoma is home to many Victorian style homes with open front porches and Victorian style pillars. Two of the regal homes were featured in the movies filmed in the area including “The Hand that Rocks the Cradle” and “Ten Things I Hate About You”. Homes in this area are reminiscent of the southern style plantation homes, and many have panoramic views of the Puget Sound area.
Stadium High School
The Brown Castle, as it is known to the residents of Tacoma, is home to Stadium High School. This historic building was once meant to be a grand hotel until construction funds ran out, and the project was abandoned. The Tacoma school district acquired the structure to be used as the premier high school in Tacoma. The building is on the National Historic Registry and was also featured prominently in the movie, “Ten Things I Hate About You”.
Emerald Queen Casino
If you’re looking for a great meal and some gaming fun, the Emerald Queen Casino along the I-5 corridor in Tacoma has two locations for your dining and gaming pleasure. The Fife location which is just south of Tacoma also features a hotel for travelers.
The Tacoma area is ripe with many attractions for all to enjoy. For those traveling through, or for those planning on calling Tacoma home, there is truly something for everyone. If you'd like to view the temporary and permanent homes available in Tacoma, visit our regularly updated webpage.
Image source for cover photo of Union Station
