Things to do in Tacoma, Washington
- Tacoma was known as the 'City of Destiny' in the late 19th century after it was selected as the western terminus for the Northern Pacific Railroad.
- The city is home to a unique 'Tacoma Aroma,' a colloquial term once used by residents to describe the scent of the local pulp and paper mills, which has largely dissipated due to modern environmental regulations.
- The Chihuly Bridge of Glass, a 500-foot pedestrian walkway, serves as a permanent open-air exhibition space linking the city's downtown to its waterfront.
- The city's Union Station, completed in 1911, features a massive copper-clad dome and now serves as a federal courthouse housing a significant collection of Dale Chihuly glass art.
About Tacoma, Washington
Tacoma is a Puget Sound port city defined by its deep maritime history and an industrial landscape transformed into a robust arts district. The city sits on a peninsula cradled by Commencement Bay, serving as the cultural anchor of the South Sound. Visitors frequently explore the waterfront Museum of Glass or find expansive outdoor recreation at Point Defiance Park. The downtown corridor integrates historic architecture with modern cultural institutions like the Washington State History Museum, positioning the city as a distinct alternative to neighboring Seattle.
Highlights of Tacoma, Washington
The places our editors single out — and why they're worth your time.
Parks
This 760-acre urban park features old-growth forest, saltwater beaches, and extensive hiking trails overlooking the Puget Sound.
Zoos
The zoo combines marine life exhibits with terrestrial animals native to the Pacific Northwest and the Arctic.
Museums
This museum houses a massive collection of automotive history, including significant displays of vintage cars and racing vehicles.
Museums
Visitors can observe professional artists shaping molten glass in a high-temperature hot shop built directly into the facility.
Museums
The building preserves the regional heritage of the Pacific Northwest through interactive exhibits focused on the state's industrial and cultural evolution.
Parks
This park offers access to miles of shoreline and dense forests along the edge of the Puget Sound.
Parks
Designed in the late 19th century, this historic park features a formal landscape and a botanical conservatory.
Parks
This scenic park provides a historic lighthouse structure and panoramic views of Vashon Island and the Tacoma Narrows.
Top things to do in Tacoma, Washington
The 109 highest-rated places in Tacoma, Washington, ranked by travellers.
1
Parks
Point Defiance Park is a 760-acre urban park situated on a peninsula extending into the Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washingto...
2
Zoos
Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium is the only combined zoo and aquarium in the Pacific Northwest, focusing specifically on w...
3
Museums
LeMay - America’s Car Museum is a 165,000-square-foot facility housing one of the largest automotive collections in Nort...
4
Museums
The Museum of Glass is a 75,000-square-foot facility dedicated to the medium of glass art, featuring a prominent 90-foot...
5
Parks
Wright Park is a 27-acre arboretum in Tacoma, Washington, housing over 600 trees representing more than 100 distinct spe...
6
Parks
Titlow Park is a 75-acre waterfront destination situated along the Tacoma Narrows in Tacoma, Washington. It serves as a...
7
Parks
Dash Point State Park covers 398 acres along the Puget Sound coastline between Tacoma and Federal Way. The site features...
8
Parks
Wapato Park features a 30-acre lake surrounded by a 1.5-mile paved trail, serving as a primary recreation hub in South T...
9
Beaches and ponds
Owen Beach is a waterfront destination located within Point Defiance Park in Tacoma, Washington, along the shores of the...
10
Museums
The Children's Museum of Tacoma utilizes a 'pay-as-you-will' admission model supported by the non-profit organization Gr...
11
Parks
The Point Defiance Rose Garden is a historic horticultural site established in 1895, making it one of the oldest public...
12
Parks
Sunnyside Beach Park is a saltwater beach park located along the Puget Sound in Steilacoom, Washington. The site feature...
13
Parks
Browns Point Lighthouse Park is a 3.4-acre waterfront site located on the northeastern tip of the Commencement Bay penin...
14
Parks
American Lake Park is a 5-acre waterfront destination situated on the shores of American Lake in Lakewood, Washington. T...
15
Museums
The Washington State History Museum features immersive, high-tech galleries chronicling the state’s heritage from pre-co...
16
Parks
Charlotte's Blueberry Park is a public agricultural park in Tacoma featuring approximately 3,300 blueberry bushes. The s...
17
Parks
Sehmel Homestead Park is a 98-acre recreational facility in Gig Harbor operated by PenMet Parks. The grounds preserve th...
18
Parks
West Hylebos Wetlands Park is a 120-acre protected wilderness area located in Federal Way, Washington, featuring a signi...
19
Parks
Dash Point Park & Pier is a waterfront recreation area located on the Puget Sound, featuring a prominent 400-foot fishin...
20
Museums
Fort Nisqually Living History Museum is a re-created 1830s Hudson’s Bay Company trading post located within Point Defian...
21
Parks
Kandle Park is a prominent Tacoma community space featuring the city's first public wave pool. The outdoor aquatic facil...
22
Parks
The W.W. Seymour Botanical Conservatory is a historic Victorian-style greenhouse located in Tacoma’s Wright Park. Constr...
23
Parks
The Tacoma Nature Center is a 71-acre wetland and forest preserve situated around the Snake Lake basin. It functions as...
24
Parks
Tacoma Chinese Reconciliation Park is a waterfront memorial site commemorating the 1885 forced expulsion of Chinese resi...
25
Places of interest
The Tacoma Narrows Bridge consists of two parallel suspension bridges spanning the Tacoma Narrows strait of Puget Sound....
26
Parks
Jack Hyde Park is a waterfront park located along the Ruston Way corridor in Tacoma, Washington, overlooking Commencemen...
27
Venues
Tacoma Musical Playhouse is a community-based theater dedicated exclusively to the production of musical theater. Locate...
28
Places of interest
Purdy Sand Spit is a unique geological landform extending into Henderson Bay, situated where the Burley Lagoon meets the...
29
Parks
Jefferson Park in Tacoma is a community-focused neighborhood park managed by Metro Parks Tacoma. The park features a ded...
30
Parks
Penrose Point State Park occupies 278 acres on the shores of Carr Inlet in Puget Sound. The park features over two miles...
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Tacoma, Washington on the map
Top attractions plotted across the city.
Plan your visit to Tacoma, Washington
July through September, when the Pacific Northwest experiences its driest weather and temperatures are most conducive to exploring coastal parks.
3 days, allowing enough time for museum visits and outdoor excursions to coastal parks.
The city is best navigated by car, though the downtown area is served by a light rail starter line and local bus transit.
The downtown and waterfront districts provide the best access to museums and public transit, while the North End offers a quieter, historic neighborhood atmosphere.
Mid-range; generally more affordable for accommodation and dining than nearby Seattle.
Frequently asked
Aventuro lists 109 curated attractions in and around Tacoma, Washington, ranked by traveller ratings.
Point Defiance Park is the highest-rated place to visit in Tacoma, Washington right now.
The largest category is parks, with 57 places to explore.
Travellers also explore Downtown Los Angeles, Bayonne, New Jersey, Washington, D.C..
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