A short winter escape to Tacoma to see Zoolights with my family left me eager to see more of this artsy and outdoorsy Pacific Northwest city. Located just south of Seattle, Tacoma boasts a lively mix of indoor and outdoor entertainment.
On my return trip, I found museums, glassblowing classes, indoor gardens, creepy ghost tours, and other fun ways to stay warm when the cold winds blow or it’s just too rainy to be outside. I explored Point Defiance Park’s hiking trails, beach, zoo, and aquarium on the milder days.
Here’s my must-see list of fun and intriguing attractions.
This trip was hosted. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.
Zoolights
Zoolights at Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium may be the best winter light display I’ve seen. The zoo doesn’t skimp on the lights. You won’t see many live animals, but the lighted versions are everywhere.
What makes it great:
- More than 1 million lights
- Themed displays
- Plaza Cafe serves food and hot drinks
- The gift shop is open during the event
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Important to know:
- Open from late November to January
- Wheelchair accessible
- Free parking
- Tickets must be bought online
SheBuysTravel insider tip: Visit during the week and early in the evening to avoid the crowds.
Puget Sound Glassblowing Studio
Dale Chihuly put Tacoma on the map with his wildly creative studio glass art. If you’d like to try blowing glass, Puget Sound Glassblowing Studio offers hands-on classes on the weekends. I found it a fun and relaxing way to learn the process, and now I have a unique souvenir.
What makes it great:
- Hands-on creative experience
- Relaxed atmosphere
- Small class sizes
- Unique souvenir
Important to know:
- Free parking behind the studio
- Classes are offered Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
SheBuysTravel Tip: If you can, hang around after class and watch glassblowing artist Anthony Remick, owner of Puget Sound Glassblowing Studio, at work. It’s impressive.
Pretty Gritty Tours
Pretty Gritty Tours leads a slew of tours in Tacoma. On the Downtown Ghost Tour, a creepy tale of recurring murder over the last 100 years kept my small group enthralled and happily horrified. Pretty Gritty leads several ghost tours, as well as tours focused on brews, sweets, history and and getting to know Tacoma.
What makes it great:
- Small group experience
- Several ghost tours
- Beer, sweets, history, and orientation tours
Important to know:
- Dress for the weather
- Wear good walking shoes
- Bring a camera
SheBuysTravel Tip: Parking downtown on weekends can be nearly impossible to find. I found a ride-share app to be an efficient and safe way to get there and back.
LeMay — America’s Car Museum
LeMay — America’s Car Museum displays more than 300 cars, including an ever-changing display in the main gallery. Route 66 memorabilia, NASCAR racers, muscle cars, the family station wagon, and everything in between — it’s all here.
What makes it great:
- More than 300 cars on display
- Automobile-related artifacts
- Racing simulator (extra fee)
- Slot car racing
Important to know:
- Free parking
- Buy tickets online or at the door
- Wheelchair accessible
SheBuysTravel Tip: If you’re prone to motion sickness (like I am) you may want to skip the racing simulator. I enjoyed it, but did turn a little green!
Museum of Glass
Studio art glass takes center stage at the Museum of Glass. The museum features a glass hot shop, where I watched artists shape molten glass, and exhibition galleries. Outside stairs lead to Dale Chihuly’s Bridge of Glass.
What makes it great:
- Studio glass art by Dale Chihuly and other artists
- Glass Hot Shop with spectator seating
- Bridge of Glass
Important to know:
- Parking garage beneath the museum
- Bag check at the admissions desk
- Buy tickets onsite
SheBuysTravel Tip: If stairs are a challenge, take the elevator to the Bridge of Glass — just ask the staff to unlock it.
Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium
Established in 1905, the 29-acre Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium enchants visitors with aquatic creatures and animals from all over the world. Well-placed viewing spots make the animals easier to spot.
What makes it great:
- More than 365 species of animals
- Free daily keeper talks and presentations
- Tidal touch zone
- Carousel
- Plaza Cafe and snack shops
- Gift shop
Important to know:
- Parking is free
- Wheelchair accessible
- Discount on admission tickets if you buy them online
- The aquarium is included in the zoo ticket.
- Available to rent: wheelchairs, strollers, powerchairs and umbrellas
SheBuysTravel Tip: Look for “Daily Presentations” under the Visit tab on the zoo’s website to see the schedule of free talks and animal presentations.
Fort Nisqually Living History Museum
At Fort Nisqually, a British trading post for the Hudson Bay Company, it’s always 1855. On a winter weekday afternoon, my family and I found the fort deserted, except for costumed interpretive staff, a handful of chickens and a fluffy black cat.
What makes it great:
- Living history reenactors demonstrate daily life
- Tour original and reconstructed buildings
- Heritage gardens
- Museum store
Important to know:
- Free parking
- Buy tickets online or at the door
- Partially wheelchair accessible
SheBuysTravel Tip: Don’t skip the kitchen building, where historic interpreters may be baking or cooking something on the wood stove.
Point Defiance Park
Beyond the zoo and Fort Nisqually, Point Defiance Park gets wild. Forested hiking trails, wildlife, and scenic views reward you for getting outdoors all year round. Intersecting trails allowed me to trek a short loop through the trees. For a stroll beside the water, head to Owen Beach.
What makes it great:
- 10 miles of intersecting trails
- Wildlife: Racoons, deer, eagles and more
- Water access at Owen Beach
- Only 7 miles from downtown
Important to know:
- Free admission and parking
- Trails may be muddy
- Dogs must be on a leash
SheBuysTravel Tip: Avoid the mud by walking or biking on the Outer Loop of Five Mile Drive, a road permanently closed to cars.
Tacoma Art Museum
Museums beckon on rainy winter days. The Tacoma Art Museum displays an intriguing mix of art styles and artists. Its collections focus on art in the Northwest and the American West. Several of Dale Chihuly’s colorful art glass pieces fill one room.
What makes it great:
- Ever-changing art exhibits
- Extended exhibit: Studio art glass by Chihuly and others
- Extended exhibit: Northwest studio art jewelry
Important to know:
- Paid parking is available behind the museum
- Wheelchairs available to borrow
- Cafe with food, drinks, WiFi, and outlets for charging
SheBuysTravel Tip: Skip the paid parking hassle and walk instead. The Tacoma Art Museum is only 0.3 miles (3 to 4 blocks) from the Museum of Glass.
W.W. Seymour Botanical Conservatory
The elegant, domed glass W.W. Seymour Botanical Conservatory at Wright Park is the perfect place to wait out a rain shower. For more than 100 years, the conservatory has nurtured tropical greenery, orchids and other exotic flowers and invited guests to linger.
What makes it great:
- Built in 1908
- More than 250 plant species
- Orchids
- Rhododendrons
- Tropical plants
- Gift shop
Important to know:
- Street parking
- Free admission
- Wheelchair accessible
SheBuysTravel Tip: That incredibly sweet fragrance by the door? That’s the lemon tree blossoms! Also, parking is easier to find on weekday mornings.
Shopping and Dining
Locally owned shops and restaurants draw locals and visitors to Downtown Tacoma. Art galleries and museum gift shops offer one-of-a-kind souvenirs.
Places to Eat
It’s easy to find outstanding restaurants in Tacoma, and many emphasize fresh, local and regional ingredients. What’s difficult is mentioning them all! Here’s a taste of two restaurants I highly recommend.
Le Sel Bistro
The tiny French/American Le Sel Bistro offers a cozy, elegant ambiance inside and a deck with views of the water outside. I enjoyed a quiche with perfectly balanced flavors and creamy cheddar grits for brunch.
Moshi Ramen Bar
Complex flavors, succulent noodles, and friendly service made Moshi Ramen Bar one of the best restaurants that I dined at in Tacoma. I recommend the build-your-own option for the perfect ramen bowl.
Where to Stay
Silver Cloud Hotel Tacoma at Point Ruston Waterfront
I stayed at the Silver Cloud Hotel Tacoma at Point Ruston Waterfront, located just outside Point Defiance Park on Puget Sound. Within a short drive of Downtown Tacoma and the Museum District, Silver Cloud Hotel Tacoma at Point Ruston Waterfront offers luxury accommodations and panoramic water views.
The hotel features an on-site restaurant, a year-round rooftop pool, and pampering at Spa Serein. My spacious suite featured a wet bar and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the bay.
How To Get To Tacoma
Fly
Sea-Tac International Airport serves the Seattle area and is 18 miles from Tacoma.
Drive
Interstate Highway 5 (I-5) runs north-south through Tacoma, connecting it to Seattle, Washington, and Portland, Oregon.
Amtrak
The Amtrak Cascades train serves the Tacoma station daily. The train links Tacoma to Seattle and other cities as far north as Vancouver, B.C. The Cascade line goes as far south as Eugene, stopping in Portland and other cities along the way.
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