Things to Do in Tacoma, Washington

Nestled on the banks of the Puget Sound, Tacoma, Washington, is a splendid city with gorgeous views everywhere you look! There are many things to do in Tacoma, Washington. It’s well known for its dedication to the arts, wonderful museums, and coveted works of art made by Tacoma’s talented glassblowers.

Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

In and outside of Tacoma, WA, you’ll find a wide range of exciting, romantic, and adventurous things to do! Tacoma’s got it going on, from outdoor adventures to fine food, delicious wine and beer, and idyllic parks! If you’re coming to visit or moving here, read on! Below, we’ve collected the best things to do in Tacoma, Washington, just for you!

TIP- If you’re moving here, reserving a storage unit in Tacoma, WA, is a very good idea. That way, if you need storage when you arrive, it will be ready and waiting for you. Also, self-storage is much cheaper than storing your things with a moving company.

Things to do in Tacoma, Washington

Children’s Museum of Tacoma

Finding excellent activities your little ones will enjoy can sometimes be challenging. However, the Children’s Museum of Tacoma is a genuine treat for the kids. There are several themed areas where they can get their hands on super cool stuff! If you’re desperate for something to do with your munchkins in Tacoma, WA, this is the place!

TIP- Visit during the week as weekends can get crowded.

The Museum of Glass

As we mentioned earlier, Tacoma is a city that takes art and culture quite seriously. No place is more evident of this fact than the stunning Museum of Glass. With breathtaking galleries (static and revolving), plus guided tours, if you love glass art, the MOG is a must-see! 

Tip:- Live glass-making workshops let you see the process up close and personal.

Bonus: Hungry? Incalmo restaurant is open inside the MOG and features delicious farm-to-table delights!

The LeMay Family Auto Collection

Have you ever wanted to drive a Model T Ford? What about seeing some of your favorite classic cars from the 1950s and 1960s? To do both and much more, put the Lemay Collections at Marymount on your must-visit list. It’s the largest privately-owned automobile collection on the planet! Not only does the collection have cars, but it also includes trucks, motorcycles, and fire engines too! Whatever your taste in automobiles, you’ll get your fill here!

TIP: The Model T Driving Experience, while slightly expensive ($150), is well worth it for classic car fanatics!

Things to do in Tacoma, Washington

W.W. Seymour Botanical Conservatory

If you’re looking for first-date ideas, the W.W. Seymour Botanical Conservatory is a great place to start! With over 250 different species of plants, it’s breathtakingly beautiful. Do you like orchids? If so, the conservatory boasts over 200 of them! (It’s their signature plant!) The conservatory’s iconic glass building and dome alone are worth the trip. It’s made from 3000 glass panes, one of the biggest domes of its kind in the world!

Bonus: The Conservatory is always looking for volunteers who get special perks for giving their time and effort.

The Tacoma Glassblowing Studio

As we mentioned earlier, Tacoma is one of the world’s premier cities for glass blowing. That’s why it’s not surprising there’s a studio here where you can learn to do it yourself. That would be the impressive Tacoma Glassblowing Studio, where instructors will guide you every step of the way. Depending on your ability level, you can take several different classes and workshops. All of them allow you to create your own piece of glass artwork through the unique glass blowing process. 

Things to do in Tacoma, Washington

Foss Waterway Seaport

Tacoma is situated on the water, and the Foss Waterway Seaport is the best way to experience it. Not only is it a fun place to visit and get some fresh air, but also learn about the history of seafaring in Washington. Part of the seaport includes a wheat warehouse that’s over a hundred years old! Depending on the time of year you visit, there are many events and programs to experience and enjoy. 

TIP- Don’t miss the Tacoma Night Market and Sunday Brunch Market. Both are superb with live music, delicious food from local farmers, and amazing wine and beer! 

The Best Bars in Tacoma, Washington

In the Northwest part of the United States, beer and wine are tremendously important. Some of the best wine in the country comes from this area, and craft beer brewing is incredibly popular here. For those two reasons, it’s not surprising you’ll find some excellent bars in Tacoma. We’ve got a handful of the best below, but do keep your eyes (and lips) open for more!

  • Dystopian State Brewing Company– Community-focused, fun, and just a little weird. Plus, their beer is awesome! 
  • Bob’s Java Jive– Though their building looks like a giant coffee pot, the delicious craft beer is the best thing to drink here.
  • The Mule Tavern– Try their house-made ginger beer. It will rock your world!
  • Dorky’s– Classic arcade and pinball games with a side of craft beer? Yes, please!
  • 7 Seas Brewery & Taproom– Their weekly events and celebrations make this a local fave in Tacoma.
  • The Valley– A dive? Sort of? The music? Punk and classic rock. The beer? Smashing!
  • The Mix– One of the most popular places for karaoke, the mix is a fabulous LGBTQ bar in downtown Tacoma. 
  • Odd Otter Brewing Company– Have you ever been to a bar that someone started on Kickstarter? If not, now is your chance!

There are Lots of Fun Things to do in Tacoma, Washington!

To be honest, we’ve just skimmed the surface of the fun and exciting things to do in Tacoma, Washington today. If you’re moving to Tacoma for good, lucky you! You’ll get to discover everything else that Tacoma offers (and take your sweet time doing so)! 

At Northwest Self Storage, we offer safe, clean, and affordable storage units in Tacoma, Washington. All of our self-storage locations feature on-site managers and 24/7 video security for extra safety. Many new arrivals reserve a storage unit in Tacoma, Washington, online before they arrive. That way, after arriving, they have a safe place to store their things while searching for their new Tacoma home.

If you have questions about renting a self-storage unit in Tacoma, WA, feel free to chat with us online. You can also visit the Northwest self-storage location nearest you and meet the on-site manager. They’re super friendly and can help you decide which storage unit is the best for your specific needs. Until then, have fun enjoying all the wonderful things to do in Tacoma, Washington!

This post was originally published in 2018. I was updated on 08/24/2022.

3 thoughts on “Things to Do in Tacoma, Washington”

Leave a Comment