Tacoma, WA

Travel Guide

Tacoma showing a city, a bay or harbor and a marina
Gig Harbor featuring a marina, a bay or harbor and forest scenes
Gig Harbor showing a bay or harbor and a marina
Gig Harbor which includes a bay or harbor
Tacoma showing a marina, a bay or harbor and a city
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

5/5(25 area reviews)

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(161 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(587 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

4.5/5(9 area reviews)

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 ¥19,722 per night from Jul 20 to Jul 21
¥19,722
¥22,623 total
Jul 20 - Jul 21
includes taxes & fees
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! (2,436 reviews)
"Very clean"

Reviewed on Jul 10, 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
The price is ¥20,509 per night from Jul 13 to Jul 14
¥20,509
¥23,072 total
Jul 13 - Jul 14
includes taxes & fees
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! (1,013 reviews)
"The staff was super friendly, rooms were clean, and great location."

Reviewed on Jul 6, 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 ¥26,848 per night from Jul 14 to Jul 15
¥26,848
¥30,718 total
Jul 14 - Jul 15
includes taxes & fees
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! (1,013 reviews)
"Great"

Reviewed on Jul 7, 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! (22 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)
Honeymoon Getaway
"My wife and I enjoyed the beautiful boat and views of the harbor. Everything was surprisingly comfortable and clean for a boat. Would visit again!"

Reviewed on Jun 8, 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)
Great place
"Very clean nice place"

Reviewed on Jun 30, 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

3.8
Guest rating
5 - Excellent
211
5 - Excellent 21%
4 - Good
454
4 - Good 45%
3 - Okay
285
3 - Okay 28%
2 - Disappointing
35
2 - Disappointing 3%
1 - Terrible
20
1 - Terrible 2%

2/5 - Disappointing

Verified traveler

Crime,overall look of city.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

It is very pretty, however due to the virus most places were closed

2/5 - Disappointing

Verified traveler

Everything was closed due to current health concerns.

1/5 - Terrible

Tab

The down town industrial district is nice and they have good food if you look for it. But overall Tacoma is not a place to stop.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Love the vastness and beautiful views.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Beautiful.

Cities near Tacoma