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
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
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
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
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 ¥16,672 per night from Apr 11 to Apr 12
¥16,672
¥19,165 total
includes taxes & fees
Apr 11 - Apr 12
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! (2,214 reviews)
"Great place… only thing I would recommend is to upgrade mattress"

Reviewed on Apr 1, 2025

Hotel Murano
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 ¥17,975 per night from Apr 6 to Apr 7
¥17,975
¥20,644 total
includes taxes & fees
Apr 6 - Apr 7
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! (649 reviews)
"My husband and I went here for date night. The rooms were very clean, which is a must for me. The whole hotel was nice and pretty. Check out was easy and the bed was very comfortable. We slept great! We’ll be back!"

Reviewed on Apr 1, 2025

Emerald Queen Hotel and Casino - Tacoma
Emerald Queen Hotel & Casino
Emerald Queen Hotel & Casino
3 out of 5
5700 Pacific Highway East, Fife, WA
The price is ¥15,503 per night from Apr 18 to Apr 19
¥15,503
¥17,686 total
includes taxes & fees
Apr 18 - Apr 19
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Fife. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a casino. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the convenient parking ...
7.2/10 Good! (1,000 reviews)
"The staff was incredible and the location is super convenient!"

Reviewed on Mar 30, 2025

Emerald Queen Hotel & Casino
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! (16 reviews)
Great view
"First time booking an overnight stay on a boat. I will do it again. Kathy G"

Reviewed on Mar 12, 2025

38' Yacht equipped with luxury and kayaks!
3-bedroom home in Puyallup with Wi-Fi, AC, & Pickle Ball court! Enjoy your stay!
3-bedroom home in Puyallup with Wi-Fi, AC, & Pickle Ball court! Enjoy your stay!
Puyallup
Stay at this vacation home in Puyallup. Enjoy cable/satellite TV service, an in-room coffeemaker, and air conditioning. Popular attractions Puyallup Fairgrounds ...
10/10 Exceptional! (9 reviews)
"Beautiful property and safe environment. The house was perfect for the 4 adults we had and the home is luxurious. Very easy instructions for the house and the hosts were very friendly. We will be staying here again."

Reviewed on Mar 30, 2025

3-bedroom home in Puyallup with Wi-Fi, AC, & Pickle Ball court! Enjoy your stay!
Charming 3-bedroom house in fabulous Tacoma Narrows neighborhood
Charming 3-bedroom house in fabulous Tacoma Narrows neighborhood
Tacoma
Stay at this vacation home in Tacoma. Enjoy air conditioning. Popular attractions Tacoma Dome and Tacoma Narrows Bridge are located nearby.
10/10 Exceptional! (2 reviews)
Wonderful experience, Would stay again
"I can say this has been one if the best experience I had with VRBO. The house was as amazing and had such a great at home feel to it. The host was so kind and helpful with accommodating our stay. Would definitely recommend this location to anyone looking for a wonderful home to stay in. We will definitely ..."

Reviewed on Mar 31, 2025

Charming 3-bedroom house in fabulous Tacoma Narrows neighborhood
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