Tacoma is a city that loves art, parks, and food - from museum visits to walks along Ruston Way and bar hopping on 6th Ave – Tacoma has it all. Since you’re here for a short time, we’ll make sure you’ll have a good time. Check out what this exciting region has to offer.
Fun things to do in Tacoma
- See animals and marine life at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium.
- Walk the Ruston Waterfront or rent specialty bikes at Wheel Fun Rentals and cruise down the waterfront.
- Visit the Museum of Glass, where you can watch a live demonstration of glassblowing or try it yourself by enrolling in one of their workshops.
- Visit the LeMay Car Museum to see beautiful antique cars.
- Visit the Washington State History Museum to learn about our state.
- Visit the Tacoma Art Museum and see the museum’s collection of more than 5,000 works that emphasize the Northwest.
- Visit Tower Lanes for 24 hours of bowling and indoor mini golfing.
- Visit Dorky’s Bar Arcade to experience nostalgic games like Mario Kart, Mortal Kombat, and
- Street Fighter for only a quarter.
- Visit Tacoma’s oldest local movie theater, The Grand Cinema, for the freshest popcorn and the cheapest movie tickets in town.
- Catch a comedy show at Tacoma Comedy Club.
- Go paddle boarding at Jack Hyde Park (must make an appointment with Dolan’s Board Sport to rent a paddleboard).
- Experience old Tacoma at the B&I Public Marketplace on South Tacoma Way.
- Have a picnic in Wright Park and visit the W.W. Seymour Botanical Conservatory to see tropical plants.
- Visit Stadium High School where “10 Things I Hate About You” was filmed. Yes, Heath Ledger has walked those grounds – RIP.
- Catch a show or concert at Washington’s largest indoor venue, the Tacoma Dome.
- Visit Mount Rainer, walk around the resort, ski or snowboard and ride the Mt. Rainier Gondola.
- Go zip lining at the Northwest Trek Wildlife Park if you’re brave enough.
- Visit Chambers Bay and watch the sunset, the Chambers Bay Golf Course was the first public course to host a U.S. Amateur.
- Go swimming, sun-bathing or kayaking at Owen Beach in Point Defiance Park.
- Visit Hidden Beach located near Titlow Park to get a good view of the Famous Tacoma Narrows
- Bridge AKA Galloping Gertie that came crashing down in the ‘40s.
- Walk down 6th Ave, check out local restaurants, thrift stores and hobby shops in that district.
- Visit the newly revitalize Lincoln District located on 38th Street, sample the variety of Asian cuisine, and check out the local gift shops that are filled with inexpensive Asian goodies.
- Visit the largest bookstore in Washington State – Tacoma Book Center, located on E 26th St.
- Visit Tacoma’s Antique Row on Broadway to find vintage goodies.
- Download the Geocaching app and start hunting for those hide and seek containers full of goodies.
- Stop by Tacoma Boys, grab a couple of locally made IPAs and head to Owen’s Beach.
- Grab a beautifully crafted cocktail at Top of Tacoma.
- Grab a beer and a hot dog at Red Hots on 6th Ave.
- Satisfy your sweet tooth, grab a treat at Corina’s Bakery, next to The Grand Cinema.
- Go roller-skating at Rollin’ 253.
- Grab some authentic Mexican food from Ricos Taco food truck on Center St.
- Experience the beauty of the Puget Sound by parasailing over it, make your reservation through The Ram.
