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

Where to stay in Tacoma

Tacoma which includes 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
Spring is in the air.

Ruston

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

Ruston
A blast from the past and fixture in Tacoma.

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
#Trovember #Food

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 which includes 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 which includes 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 $190 per night from Aug 3 to Aug 4
CA $190
per night
Aug 3 - Aug 4
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! (2,440 reviews)
"I love staying at the Murano, it’s clean and the staff are amazing everytime."

Reviewed on Jul. 13, 2025

Hotel Murano
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
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is CA $218 per night from Jul 27 to Jul 28
CA $218
per night
Jul 27 - Jul 28
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 ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,016 reviews)
"I didn't like the policy of house keeeping we six night. They cleaned our room just one day."

Reviewed on Jul. 12, 2025

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Seattle Federal Way
Emerald Queen Hotel and Casino - Tacoma

Emerald Queen Hotel and Casino - Tacoma

4 out of 5
1820 E 29th St, Tacoma, WA
The price is CA $252 per night from Jul 16 to Jul 17
CA $252
per night
Jul 16 - Jul 17
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Tacoma. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 3 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,024 reviews)
"Great room! Not a gambler, so not here for the casino, great Vietnamese food from “riverbank express”, located inside the casino . Being around cigarette smoke is a bit weird ( smelly), but I understand it’s good for biz to allow."

Reviewed on Jul. 12, 2025

Emerald Queen Hotel and Casino - Tacoma
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.
38' Yacht equipped with luxury and kayaks!

38' Yacht equipped with luxury and kayaks!

Gig Harbor
Stay at this houseboat in Gig Harbor. Enjoy patios. Popular attractions Skansie Brothers Park and Grandview Forest Park are located nearby.
9.8/10 Exceptional! (23 reviews)
terrific!
"It was a fun place to stay. Traveling with my 17 year old granddaughter. Wish it would have been 2 nights and more time to explore the town.Only drawback was that I thought we would walk to dinner. Restaurant nearby would only admit people over 21. Otherwise, a perfect get-away. AND owner responded ..."

Reviewed on Jul. 5, 2025

38' Yacht equipped with luxury and kayaks!
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! (24 reviews)
"This was the most amazing experience. The boat is small but oh so cute and clean. The snacks and wine were a nice touch. I wished I had less running around to do and more time to spend on the boat. Do not let the small rooms scare you; they were very comfortable to sleep 2. I will be back!!!!"

Reviewed on Jul. 14, 2025

Historic Charming Boat in Downtown Harbor
Charming 3-bedroom house in Puyallup with WiFi, AC

Charming 3-bedroom house in Puyallup with WiFi, AC

2 out of 5
Puyallup
Stay at this vacation home in Puyallup. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Emerald Queen Casino and Wild Waves Theme and ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (27 reviews)
"Karl’s place fit the bill for our 3 night stay. Quiet, clean and nice neighbourhood. Definitely would stay again"

Reviewed on Jul. 12, 2025

Charming 3-bedroom house in Puyallup with WiFi, AC
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.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Tacoma

3.7
Guest rating
5 - Excellent
17
5 - Excellent 19%
4 - Good
39
4 - Good 44%
3 - Okay
27
3 - Okay 31%
2 - Disappointing
2
2 - Disappointing 2%
1 - Terrible
3
1 - Terrible 3%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

We went to a concert at McMenamins Elk Temple and LOVED the venue!

4/5 - Good

Jess

Legendary Donuts is a fantastic place to check out. Amazing selection, and there’s a cat cafe across the street! (Catffeinated). Also check out the museum of glass, it a super cool.

1/5 - Terrible

Verified traveller

This is the worst hotel we have stayed at in the last 10 years. Choose another hotel! The receptionist should choose another occupation - we suggest a prison guard would be more consistent with her attitude and approach to service.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Only had time to see the Chihuly Bridge of Glass

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Lemay family's old car collection was a must see. Huge number of interesting cars and other auto memorabilia.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

If you are staying in Tacoma, set aside a day or two to explore the Point Defiance park, and the Point Defiance zoo & Aquarium. It’s not a far drive from the holiday inn and the aquarium is far superior to the Seattle aquarium (cheaper too)

Cities near Tacoma