Tacoma Travel Guide 2025: The Best of Tacoma

Visit Tacoma to see stunning glass art and excellent museums. Explore nearby majestic Mount Rainier or a large urban park on Puget Sound.

Tacoma has transformed itself from its industrial roots into a uniquely enjoyable destination for visitors. Discover a thriving arts scene. Spend time in verdant city parks and gardens or visit nearby Puget Sound and Mount Rainier. Enjoy international cuisine and explore boutique shopping districts.

Marvel at the walk along Chihuly Bridge of Glass, a 500-foot (150-meter) overpass with over 2,000 displayed glass figures and models. Follow the walkway to the Museum of Glass where you’ll find a stunning range of translucent art. Make your own objets d’art at the Glassblowing Studio. Continue to the Tacoma Art Museum, where exhibits range from Native American artifacts to contemporary installations.

Ride the Tacoma Link, a low-cost light rail line serving the main routes around town. One popular stop is the Washington State Museum, which describes life in early frontier towns. A good bus service runs around the rest of Tacoma.

Head to Wright Park where the stunning W. W. Seymour Botanical Conservatory holds over 250 plant species. Travel a short way north to Point Defiance Park on Puget Sound. At 100 years old and 700 acres (280 hectares) in area, it is one of the oldest and largest urban parks in the United States. Visit Point Defiance Zoo, where you can ride a camel or encounter a polar bear.

Discover real wilderness by walking the trails in nearby Mount Rainier National Park. The shady paths on this volcanic mountain are the perfect place to come on a hot summer day, while in winter you can ski down the slopes.

Return to town for modern luxuries. Look for bargains in the shops of Proctor and Stadium districts and complete your day in a lively bar or restaurant on 6th Avenue. Sample local specialties: Washington cherries, Almond Roca, locally roasted coffee, Dungeness crab, oysters and rhubarb pie.

Fly into Sea-Tac International Airport, 22 miles (35 kilometers) north of Tacoma and 12 miles (19 kilometers) south of Seattle, a pleasant daytrip destination.

Where to stay in Tacoma

Downtown Tacoma

Known for its abundant dining options and interesting museums, there's plenty to explore in Downtown Tacoma. Top attractions like Tacoma Art Museum and Tacoma Union Station Rotunda are major draws, and you can catch the metro at Convention Center Station or Commerce Street Station to see more of the city.

Ruston

Travellers like the museums in Ruston, and Point Defiance Park is a top attraction you might want to visit.

North End

If you're spending some time in North End, 6th Ave and Job Carr Cabin Museum are top sights worth seeing.

South Tacoma

While you're in South Tacoma, take in top sights like Tacoma Mall and jump on the metro at South 25th Street Station to see more of the city.

New Tacoma

If you're spending time in New Tacoma, check out sights like Pantages Theater or Tacoma Art Museum and hop on the metro to see more of the city at Theater District Station or Commerce Street Station.

Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium which includes marine life

West End

If you're spending some time in West End, Tacoma Narrows Bridge and Point Defiance Park are top sights worth seeing.

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Popular places to visit

Tacoma Dome

3/5(6 reviews)

Catch an event at Tacoma Dome during your trip to Tacoma. Amble around this family-friendly area's waterfront or experience its acclaimed theatre scene.