Tacoma, WA

Travel Guide
Gig Harbor featuring a marina, a bay or harbor and forest scenes
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

Tacoma which includes a city

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 Pantages Theater are major draws, and you can catch the metro at Convention Center Station or Commerce Street Station to see more of the city.

Downtown Tacoma
A blast from the past and fixture in Tacoma.

North End

5/5(25 area reviews)

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

North End
Tacoma which includes a city

New Tacoma

3.5/5(587 area reviews)

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 the city at Theater District Station or Commerce Street Station.

New Tacoma
Spring is in the air.

Ruston

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

Ruston
#Trovember #Food

South Tacoma

3.5/5(161 area reviews)

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

South Tacoma
Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium which includes marine life

West End

4.5/5(9 area reviews)

While visiting West End, you might make a stop by sights like Tacoma Narrows Bridge and Point Defiance Park.

West End
FairBridge Inn & Suites Dupont
FairBridge Inn & Suites Dupont
3 out of 5
1609 McNeil St., Dupont, WA
The price is NT$3,139 per night from Apr 4 to Apr 5
NT$3,139
per night
Apr 4 - Apr 5
Stay at this 3-star spa hotel in Dupont. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,001 reviews)
"Ease of access from interstate. Friendly helpful staff. Clean room."

Reviewed on 2024/3/26

FairBridge Inn & Suites Dupont
Hotel Murano
Hotel Murano
4.5 out of 5
1320 Broadway Plaza, Tacoma, WA
The price is NT$4,195 per night from Apr 7 to Apr 8
NT$4,195
per night
Apr 7 - Apr 8
Stay at this luxury hotel in Tacoma. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,612 reviews)
"A lovely stay in a beautiful hotel. The #3 elevator gave me some anxiety, and there was random construction that made lyfts hard to get but thats not on the hitel. Great bed and quiet rooms"

Reviewed on 2024/3/29

Hotel Murano
Emerald Queen Hotel & Casino
Emerald Queen Hotel & Casino
3 out of 5
5700 Pacific Highway East, Fife, WA
Fully refundable
The price is NT$4,607 per night from Mar 31 to Apr 1
NT$4,607
per night
Mar 31 - Apr 1
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Fife. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 3 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our ...
7.2/10 Good! (1,002 reviews)
"I really recommend staying here its very clean and nice and of course fun."

Reviewed on 2024/3/28

Emerald Queen Hotel & Casino
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Walk to the waterfront The Cozy Cottage
Walk to the waterfront The Cozy Cottage
3 out of 5
4710 N 46th St, Tacoma, WA
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Tacoma. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a kitchen. Popular attractions Tacoma Dome and Fort Nisqually Living History Museum ...
10/10 Exceptional! (1 review)
"Had a great time. It was everything that they said it would be."

Reviewed on 2024/3/15

Walk to the waterfront The Cozy Cottage
1515 Tacoma Ave S
1515 Tacoma Ave S
3 out of 5
1515 Tacoma Ave S, Tacoma, WA
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Tacoma. Enjoy free WiFi, onsite parking, and a kitchen. Popular attractions Tacoma Dome and Tacoma Art Museum are located nearby. ...
10/10 Exceptional! (1 review)
A great place to stay
"We needed a room last minute and they found one for us. It is a nice propty with great staff."

Reviewed on 2024/3/21

1515 Tacoma Ave S
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Tacoma

3.8
Guest rating
5 - Excellent
211
" "5 - Excellent 20.99502487562189%
4 - Good
454
" "4 - Good 45.17412935323383%
3 - Okay
285
" "3 - Okay 28.35820895522388%
2 - Disappointing
35
" "2 - Disappointing 3.482587064676617%
1 - Terrible
20
" "1 - Terrible 1.9900497512437811%

2/5 - Disappointing

Verified traveler
Jun 7, 2020

Crime,overall look of city.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler
May 23, 2020

It is very pretty, however due to the virus most places were closed

2/5 - Disappointing

Verified traveler
May 22, 2020

Everything was closed due to current health concerns.

1/5 - Terrible

Tab
May 2, 2020

The down town industrial district is nice and they have good food if you look for it. But overall Tacoma is not a place to stop.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Apr 24, 2020

Love the vastness and beautiful views.

5/5 - Excellent

Sel
Mar 16, 2020

Beautiful.

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