Tacoma Tourist Attractions
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Tacoma is one of Washington's larger cities, conveniently located between Seattle and Olympia. The city has a variety of museums and cultural venues to entertain visitors and nearby are all kinds of recreational opportunities.
Karpeles Manuscript Library
The Karpeles Library contains some very famous documents and claims to be the "world's largest private holding of important original manuscripts & documents". However, they are not all at the Tacoma location, the Karpeles Library has buildings across the United States. At the Tacoma location visitors will find originals by Napoleon, Gandhi, Galileo Galilei, and more.
Museum of Glass
The Museum of Glass in Tacoma, is a fine art museum focusing on glass in contemporary art. The museum features changing exhibits to check ahead to see what about current and upcoming exhibitions. The Museum of Glass, or MOG as it is often referred, opened in 2002 and is located in a very unique building with an easily identifiable stainless steel cone and the adjoining Chihuly Bridge of Glass.
Children's Museum
The Children's Museum of Tacoma offers children a chance to learn and be creative while having fun. Some of the themes include art, gardening, neighborhoods, an area for parents to learn about entertaining ideas for children, and a regularly changing exhibit each week.
Point Defiance Park
Point Defiance Park in Tacoma is a beautiful space with gardens, forests, and ocean front shoreline. The park also includes the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, Fort Nisqually, the Camp 6 Logging Museum, as well as walking trails, a restaurant and more.
Camp Six Logging Museum (closed)
Closed until further notice.The Camp Six Logging Museum in Tacoma explores the history of logging and allows visitors to see what the industry and logging camps looked liked during the steam era. On display are artifacts, photographs, and equipment from the late 19th and early 20th Centuries. The Camp Six Logging Museum is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. On weekends during the summer months the museum also operates a steam train, offering rides to the public.
Fort Nisqually
Fort Nisqually was established by the Hudson's Bay Company in the 1830s. It was never used for military purposes and was eventually abandoned when the fur trade industry became less profitable. Fort Nisqually fell into disrepair but locals eventually took two of the remaining buildings and moved them to their present location. They restored them and recreated others, with seven structures open to the public.
Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium
The Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium is located in Tacoma's Point Defiance Park. The zoo has a large collection of animals, particularly from the arctic regions, as well as a large aquarium.
Tacoma Art Museum
In 2003 the Tacoma Art Museum moved locations to a new modern, and much larger facility. The museum features a permanent collection as well as temporary exhibits. Artist from the United States and around the world are showcased at the Tacoma Art Museum.
Union Station
Tacoma's historic Union Station has been lovingly restored and is worth a visit. The facility is available for rent evenings, weekends and holidays, and can hold up to 1,200 people. Union Station is open to the public weekdays during working hours.
Tacoma Opera
The Tacoma Opera has been in operation since 1968 and is well respected in Washington. The opera presents a full season of performances each year and also offers educational programs.
Washington State History Museum
The Washington State History Museum in Tacoma displays both a permanent collection and changing exhibits. Visitors will learn about the history of the state and the Pacific Northwest.
Commencement Bay Maritime Center
The Commencement Bay Maritime Center focuses on the history of Tacoma and the port.
Surroundings
There a number of towns and attractions in the area around Tacoma.
Enumclaw
The town of Enumclaw lies just east of Tacoma. This mid- size town is a pleasant place to visit and is considered a gateway to some of the nearby natural attractions such as Mt. Rainier National Park.
Mud Mountain Dam
Mud Mountain Dam was built in 1948 with the intention of keeping the surrounding areas from flooding, a regular occurence before the dam was errected. The area immediately around Mud Mountain Dam is visit friendly, with areas to view the dam and walking paths.
Military Museum, Fort Lewis
The Fort Lewis Military Museum reflects on the history of Fort Lewis and the Pacific Northwest. The Fort Lewis base was established during World War I and has a long history of activity.
Fox Island - Historical Museum
The Fox Island is located in Puget Sound and accessible by a bridge to the mainland. The Fox Island Historical Museum, with a focus on the island's history has undergone a recent expansion, allowing for more space for displays.
Lakewood - Lakewold Gardens
Lakewold Gardens offers 10 acres of gardens, statuary, landscape architecture and a Georgian-style mansion. The gardens were designed by a leading landscape architect, Thomas D. Church.
Steilacoom
The small town of Steilacoom is known for its historical buildings, many of which are well maintained. The town, founded in the mid 1800's, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Tribal Cultural Center and Museum
The Tribal Cultural Center and Museum explains the history of the Steilacoom Tribe with changing and permanent exhibits of jewelry, basketry and photography.
Steilacoom Historical Museum
The Steilacoom Historical Museum focuses on the last half of the 1800s, with pioneer artifacts, photographs, and memorabilia.
Sumner
Sumner is located just east of Tacoma. The town is small but its proximity to both Seattle and Tacoma provide all benefits of city life. The area offers a wealth of recreational opportunities and community is very active.
Sumner Ryan House Museum
Visit the Sumner Ryan House Museum to see this late 19th Century cabin. The house has been restored and features historical displays.
Puyallup
Puyallup was established in the 1870s, founded by, Ezra Meeker. The town hosts a number of annual events including the Puyallup Fall Fair held each September.
Meeker Mansion
Meeker Mansion in Puyallup is a late 1800s two storey home, built by the town's founder and mayor, Ezra Meeker. The home is open to the public and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
