Tacoma

Travel Guide

Tacoma featuring a marina, a bay or harbour and a city
Gig Harbor featuring a bay or harbour, forests and a marina
Gig Harbor featuring a bay or harbour and a marina
Gig Harbor showing a bay or harbour
Tacoma featuring a marina, a city and a bay or harbour

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-metre) 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 kilometres) north of Tacoma and 12 miles (19 kilometres) south of Seattle, a pleasant daytrip destination.

Where to stay in Tacoma

Tacoma featuring a city

Downtown Tacoma

In the central business district, this thriving museum and university area boasts attractions like the Museum of Glass, Tacoma Art Museum, and Washington State History Museum. Explore historic sites such as Old City Hall Building and Union Station, while enjoying the revived retail and dining scene.

Downtown Tacoma
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Ruston

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

Ruston
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North End

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

North End
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South Tacoma

3.5/5(20 area reviews)

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

South Tacoma
Tacoma featuring a city

New Tacoma

3.5/5(50 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
Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium showing marine life

West End

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

West End
Hotel Murano

Hotel Murano

4.5 out of 5
1320 Broadway Plaza, Tacoma, WA
The price is CA $158 per night from Sep 7 to Sep 8
CA $158
per night
Sep 7 - Sep 8
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Tacoma. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (2,530 reviews)
"Great place to stay when seeing a show at the Tacoma Comedy Club. Had a great experience at the hotel and the bar staff was great as well. Will be our new go to!"

Reviewed on Aug. 18, 2025

Hotel Murano
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Tacoma - Seattle

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Tacoma - Seattle

3 out of 5
1425 E 27th St, Tacoma, WA
The price is CA $140 per night from Sep 1 to Sep 2
CA $140
per night
Sep 1 - Sep 2
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Tacoma. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
7.6/10 Good! (1,346 reviews)
"Great staff, clean room. Fairly noisy due to thin walls and nearby highway."

Reviewed on Aug. 18, 2025

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Tacoma - Seattle
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Seattle Federal Way

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Seattle Federal Way

3 out of 5
31611 Pete Von Reichbauer Way South, Federal Way, WA
The price is CA $152 per night from Sep 1 to Sep 2
CA $152
per night
Sep 1 - Sep 2
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Federal Way. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,041 reviews)
"Great folks doing things right! Thanks for your kindness!"

Reviewed on Aug. 21, 2025

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Seattle Federal Way
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.
Northend Charmer! Private room, private bathroom in Tacoma’s beautiful NE.

Northend Charmer! Private room, private bathroom in Tacoma’s beautiful NE.

Tacoma
Stay at this vacation home in Tacoma. Enjoy laundry facilities, in-room fireplaces, and air conditioning. Popular attractions Tacoma Dome and Emerald Queen Casino ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (8 reviews)
"My honey and I drove up from Oregon for a concert at Dune Peninsula, and needed a place to stay for the night.The place was convenient to get to the venue. It was off a quite street. We had the "Queen From" small, yet cozy and comfy. A great living area, with a cute fridge and microwave.It was very ..."

Reviewed on Jul. 21, 2025

Northend Charmer! Private room, private bathroom in Tacoma’s beautiful NE.
Historic Charming Boat in Downtown Harbor

Historic Charming Boat in Downtown Harbor

Gig Harbor
Stay at this houseboat in Gig Harbor. Popular attractions Skansie Brothers Park and Grandview Forest Park are located nearby.
9.8/10 Exceptional! (28 reviews)
"I don’t even know where to begin with the compliments! The check-in was easy, the boat was clean & comfortable. It was a truly unique and special experience, and we had such a nice time. Walking distance to great restaurants & shopping and tremendous views on a clear day. Thank you for an awesome ..."

Reviewed on Aug. 16, 2025

Historic Charming Boat in Downtown Harbor
Tacoma Tiny House

Tacoma Tiny House

Tacoma
Stay at this vacation home in Tacoma. Enjoy free WiFi and an in-room coffeemaker. Popular attractions Tacoma Dome and Tacoma Narrows Bridge are located ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (28 reviews)
"This was such a cute place to stay. Would definitely recommend."

Reviewed on Aug. 10, 2025

Tacoma Tiny House
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.

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