Situated south of Seattle on the banks of Puget Sound, Tacoma, Washington, is a vibrant city. It is well-known for its vibrant artistic community, breathtaking natural settings, and historic maritime history as the county seat of Pierce County. Another noteworthy attraction in Tacoma is the waterfront neighborhood, where the picturesque Ruston Way offers lovely vistas, strolling lanes, and dining options.
Tacoma, which is tucked away between the majestic Mount Rainier and the waters of Puget Sound, is a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts. Explore Point Defiance Park with locals and guests. For art fans, the Museum of Glass, with its eye-catching installations of modern art and live hot shop demonstrations, is a must.
28 Best & Fun Things To Do In Tacoma, WA
1. Tacoma Dome
The Tacoma Dome is one of the biggest wooden domed buildings in the world, an impressively enormous indoor multipurpose arena with a flexible layout.
Originally built in 1983, the dome can hold a variety of events, including conventions, trade exhibitions, athletic events, concerts, and gatherings for up to 21,000 people.
Today, Tacoma, Washington, offers visitors a wide range of thrilling activities, such as going to world-class concerts, sporting events, and other events.
Address: 2727 E D Street, Tacoma, WA 98421, United States.
2. Titlow Park
Discover family-friendly activities at Titlow Park, a popular coastal park in Tacoma, Washington, that combines scenic natural features with recreational opportunities.
In addition to enjoying a wide range of activities, including hiking, sports, and relaxing on the beach, visitors can learn about the park’s fascinating past and its recognizable lodge. Finally, they may forge enduring memories with their loved ones by spending quality time together in the park.
Address: 8425 6th Ave, Tacoma, WA 98465, United States.
3. Brown & Haley Factory Store
Visit the Brown & Haley Factory Store, an outlet mall that offers a variety of unusual activities for everyone in Tacoma, Washington, including the well-known Almond Roca.
This outlet provides factory seconds, cheap chocolates, and an insight into the process of chocolate-making, all while providing a distinctive shopping experience.
Take advantage of huge discounts on well-known Brown & Haley items, including as Mountain Bars, Almond Roca, and other chocolate candies.
Address: 110 E 26th Street, Tacoma, WA 98421, United States.
4. Duke’s Seafood Tacoma
Visit Duke’s Seafood, a well-liked beachfront eatery with a reputation for serving sustainably farmed seafood, a laid-back vibe, and breathtaking views of Commencement Bay and Puget Sound.
The eatery takes great satisfaction in providing premium seafood that is sourced ethically, as well as offering stunning views of Puget Sound and a laid-back atmosphere that is ideal for informal meals with loved ones.
As one of the many enjoyable things to do in Tacoma, Washington, enjoy the breathtaking views of the city’s waterfront while dining, indulge in the delectable and fresh seafood served in a variety of culinary techniques, and make enduring memories with loved ones.
Address: 3327 Ruston Way, Tacoma, WA 98402, United States.
5. Tacoma Narrows Bridge
Riding the Tacoma Narrows Bridge, a pair of twin suspension bridges over the Tacoma Narrows strait of Puget Sound in Pierce County, is another cost-free activity in Tacoma, Washington.
Established in 1950, the bridge provides travelers with convenient access to neighboring hiking, boating, and other outdoor activities, as well as stunning views of Puget Sound.
Address: Tacoma Narrows Brg, Washington 98335, United States.
6. Tacoma Nature Center
Take part in outdoor activity at Tacoma Nature Center, a sanctuary for local animals that provides tourists and residents with an opportunity to explore unusual and family-friendly Tacoma, Washington activities and experience nature in an urban setting.
This 71-acre nature center has Snake Lake, a trail system, a visitor center, educational activities, a kids’ play area with interactive features and water features, and a wide variety of birds, animals, and amphibians that live in the preserve.
Discover the local environment and wildlife through exhibits and programs, take in the peace and beauty of the natural world, hike, explore the trails, go birdwatching, and spend quality time with loved ones.
Address: 1919 S Tyler Street, Tacoma, WA 98405, United States.
7. Chalet Bowl
Experience fun and reasonably priced family activities in Tacoma, Washington, at Chalet Bowl, a bowling alley renowned for its vintage elegance and welcoming staff.
In addition to a traditional bowling alley, the bowling alley offers birthday parties and gatherings, a casual dining area, and a selection of video and arcade games.
A visit to Chalet Bowl ensures that you and your loved ones will have an exciting and entertaining day out, make lifelong memories, and enjoy a laid-back get-together with delectable food and beverages.
Address: 3806 N 26th Street, Tacoma, WA 98407, United States.
8. Tacoma Glassblowing Studio
Visit Tacoma Glassblowing Studio to see the fascinating process of glassblowing firsthand. This dynamic art venue offers a distinctive combination of interactive activities, art shows, a retail store with beautiful glass creations, and other unusual things to do in Tacoma, Washington, for everyone.
The studio, which was established in 2006, provides hands-on glassblowing experiences, a gallery of glass art, live demonstrations, insights into the art form, and a retail store with an extensive selection of glass masterpieces.
Art lovers can take in the studio’s surroundings, take part in live demonstrations by talented glassblowers, get their hands dirty, and make treasured memories.
Address: 114 S 23rd Street, Tacoma, WA 98402, United States.
9. Blue Mouse Theatre
See the newest blockbusters at the Blue Mouse Theatre, a vintage cinema that provides a distinctive cinematic experience for those looking for something different and romantic to do this evening in Tacoma, Washington.
Established in 1923, the theater can accommodate 205 people and features a range of film genres. In addition, it is the venue for special events, film festivals, and community get-togethers.
Visitors can interact with other cinema enthusiasts, take part in special events, and watch classic films in a cozy environment.
Address: 2611 N Proctor Street, Tacoma, WA 98407, United States.
10. Children’s Museum of Tacoma
A fun and informative activity that is great for families with children nowadays is to take them to the Children’s Museum of Tacoma, an interactive play-based learning environment created just for youngsters.
This museum, which opened its doors in 1985, has several unique play spaces that are themed around nature, such as Woods, Water, Voyager, Invention, and Becka’s Studio. It also has a special section where kids may use a variety of painting supplies to express their creativity.
The museum also has a small library with kid-friendly literature for storytelling and reading. Essential abilities like creativity, problem-solving, and social interaction can be developed in children.
Address: 1501 Pacific Ave, Tacoma, WA 98402, United States.
11. Escape Hour Point Ruston
An interactive escape room experience called Escape Hour Point Ruston provides families, friends, and coworkers with a wide range of exciting activities to do in Tacoma, Washington.
This escape room provides a range of themed chambers where teams must cooperate to answer riddles, track down clues, and get out of there in the allotted time.
Enjoy a thrilling and exciting experience for friends, families, or coworkers while making enduring memories with them via shared challenges and victories.
Address: 5020 Main St STE P, Tacoma, WA 98407, United States.
12. Chihuly Bridge of Glass
Discover free activities in Tacoma, Washington, along the 500-foot pedestrian overpass over Interstate 705 that is known as the Chihuly Bridge of Glass.
Three significant glass art installations by Chihuly—the Seaform Pavilion, the Crystal Towers, and the Venetian Wall—are housed on the bridge, which was established in 2002. Each piece highlights the artist’s distinct and colorful aesthetic.
At this bridge, guests can take in the striking interplay of light and glass in Chihuly’s installations, explore a free, round-the-clock art experience, and take in expansive views of the Thea Foss Waterway and the Tacoma skyline.
Address: Bridge of Glass, Tacoma, WA 98402, United States.
13. Tacoma Comedy Club
Having a good time with aspiring and seasoned stand-up comedians at Tacoma Comedy Club is one of the most enjoyable things to do in Tacoma, Washington, during the evening.
The comedy club presents a range of comic performances that appeal to all tastes and preferences, ideal for helping you and your loved ones forget the day’s hustle and stress. It also provides a platform for up-and-coming artists to display their skills.
Come to Tacoma Comedy Club for a fantastic evening of comedy shows and laughing, and don’t forget to order some delectable food and cool drinks to go with it.
Address: 933 Market Street, Tacoma, WA 98402, United States.
14. Throwing Mud Gallery
Art lovers should visit Throwing Mud Gallery, a contemporary fine art studio that combines a pottery studio, a gallery of contemporary crafts, and a “paint your pottery” station to offer a variety of interesting daily activities in Tacoma, Washington.
The gallery offers pottery lessons for people wishing to learn and hone their ceramic talents, as well as an interactive area where guests can paint their own pottery. It also features a wide selection of artworks from local and regional artists in the categories of jewelry, wood, glass, and metal.
Discover your creative side by taking pottery lessons or participating in a paint-your-own pottery event. You may also peruse the gallery to discover unique handcrafted items that make great presents or keepsakes.
Address: 2210-2212 N 30th Street, Tacoma, WA 98403, United States.
15. Enigma Escapes
Discover exhilarating activities in Tacoma, Washington, for all ages at Enigma Escapes, an escape room experience providing exhilarating journeys for companions and families.
The attraction offers themed escape rooms where groups must cooperate to answer riddles and finish tasks in a set amount of time in order to get out of the chamber.
This escape attraction offers visitors an immersive and thrilling experience that puts your communication, problem-solving, and teamwork to the test.
Address: 101 S 10th Street, Tacoma, WA 98402, United States.
16. Dorky’s Arcade
Experience thrilling, enjoyable moments at the Dorky’s Arcade, a lively, retro-themed entertainment venue and a gaming haven, one of the family-friendly things to do in Tacoma, Washington.
A communal atmosphere is created by a bar serving alcoholic and cider beverages, food selections, and a variety of new and old arcade games, pinball machines, and other interactive entertainment options at Dorky’s Arcade.
The arcade also has a vintage, 80s-style design that takes guests back to the heyday of gaming. In traditional arcade games, visitors can challenge their friends and let go of their childhood memories.
Address: 754 Pacific Ave, Tacoma, WA 98402, United States.
17. Fort Nisqually Living History Museum
Through immersive historical experiences, the Fort Nisqually Living History Museum recreates a Hudson’s Bay Company fur trading station that once stood on Puget Sound and gives visitors a look into life in the 1850s.
The museum, which was established in 1930, has historically furnished buildings such as the Factor’s House, trading businesses, blacksmith shops, and a kitchen garden with plants used in 19th-century medicine and cuisine. It also has costumed interpreters.
Travel back in time to the 1850s, tour Point Defiance Park and its surroundings, and discover the history of the area, the Hudson’s Bay Company, and the locals’ way of life.
For anyone interested in learning about history and seeking enjoyable activities to do in Tacoma, Washington, this museum is the ideal choice.
Address: 5519 Five Mile Drive, Tacoma, WA 98407, United States.
18. The Grand Cinema
Seeing the newest blockbuster at Grand Cinema, a historic independent theater renowned for presenting independent, foreign, and art-house films, is one of the many enjoyable and romantic things to do in Tacoma, Washington, tonight. It provides moviegoers with a distinctive cinematic experience.
The theater’s beautiful Art Deco building and varied film lineup help it retain its original charm and personality. In addition, it sponsors special events, film festivals, and community education initiatives.
When you visit the Grand Cinema with a loved one, you can take in a film in a historically significant setting and help to preserve independent film culture.
19. Mount Rainier National Park
This weekend, Mount Rainier National Park in Tacoma, Washington, offers a variety of outdoor activities and is a vast wilderness area with varied ecosystems. Outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers can enjoy unique and pet-friendly outdoor experiences there.
In addition to the massive volcano that dominates the terrain, the park has old-growth forests, waterfalls, high-altitude meadows teeming with summer wildflowers, and a wide range of wildlife.
Experience outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, climbing, and backpacking while observing a variety of species in its natural habitat and learning about the park’s ecology, geology, and history.
Address: Washington, United States.
20. Cheney Stadium
Take part in athletic events at Cheney Stadium, a historic multipurpose venue offering sports enthusiasts a ton of exciting and distinctive things to do in Tacoma, Washington.
Established in 1960, the stadium accommodates soccer games, concerts, and other events and has a classic baseball park atmosphere with its conventional grandstand and steep seating sections.
Attend concerts, soccer matches, or other events offered at the stadium to experience the traditional ballpark experience in a welcoming and family-friendly setting.
Address: 2502 S Tyler Street, Tacoma, WA 98405, United States.
21. Foss Waterway Seaport
Discover the rich nautical history of the Puget Sound region at Foss Waterway Seaport, a maritime heritage and education facility that offers guests the opportunity to partake in some of the greatest and most instructive activities in Tacoma, WA.
The building offers a range of educational programs for schools and the public, including boatbuilding workshops and marine science activities. It also has interactive displays and relics that delve into the region’s history of shipbuilding, fishing, and maritime commerce.
When you visit Foss Waterway Seaport, you may take part in educational activities and interactive displays, discover the significance of the maritime industry in the development of the area, and take in breathtaking views of the waterfront.
Address: 705 Dock Street, Tacoma, WA 98402, United States.
22. Washington State History Museum
The Washington State History Museum is a comprehensive organization that was founded in 1891 and is devoted to conserving and understanding the state’s rich history.
The museum, which is situated in the heart of Tacoma, features a broad variety of exhibits covering many facets of Washington’s history, including Native American cultures, exploration, settlement, industry, and environmental issues. It provides an engrossing trip through the state’s past, from its Indigenous peoples to the present.
As part of their enjoyable and informative activities in Tacoma, Washington, visitors can learn more about the state’s complicated history, its people, and its influence on the country. They can also discover the diverse range of cultures that have created Washington.
Address: 1911 Pacific Ave, Tacoma, WA 98402, United States.
23. W.W. Seymour Botanical Conservatory
The W.W. Seymour Botanical Conservatory, a beautiful Victorian-style greenhouse famous for its stunning collection of exotic plants and colorful floral displays, offers visitors of all ages engaging and unusual activities.
Established in 1908, the conservatory features a unique central dome with twelve sides, accompanied by 3,000 glass panes that create a refined and enchanting ambiance. It is also home to more than 250 varieties of exotic tropical plants, such as bromeliads, ferns, palms, and orchids.
It also has many sculptures strewn throughout the conservatory, contributing to its artistic appeal, and yearly changing exhibitions of blooming plants that showcase a range of hues and textures.
Address: 316 S G Street, Tacoma, WA 98405, United States.
24. Owen Beach
Beat the summertime heat at Tacoma, Washington’s Owen Beach, a well-liked public beach with a pebble beach and breathtaking views of Vashon Island. Both locals and visitors will find plenty of entertaining activities to keep them occupied.
In addition to engaging in a variety of recreational activities, visitors can explore picturesque walkways that provide breathtaking views of Puget Sound, grab a snack or beverage while they’re there, partake in a variety of water sports, and play and explore to make enduring memories with loved ones.
Address: 5605 Owen Beach Road, Tacoma, WA 98407, United States.
25. LeMay – America’s Car Museum
LeMay – America’s Car Museum is a vast automotive exhibition honoring the heritage and culture of the automobile that is open to car enthusiasts.
The museum was established in 2012 and displays a wide variety of cars, from vintage to contemporary. It also provides a thorough history of the development of the automotive industry and regularly organizes special exhibitions that highlight particular automobile models, companies, or topics.
In addition to enjoying interactive exhibits, family-friendly activities, and special events, car enthusiasts and anybody looking for unique things to do in Tacoma, WA, may discover the intriguing world of autos through a riveting collection.
Address: 2702 E D Street, Tacoma, WA 98421, United States.
26. Tacoma Art Museum
Visiting the Tacoma Art Museum ought to be at the top of your list of exciting and unusual things to do in Tacoma, Washington, if you’re an art enthusiast.
With a strong emphasis on Northwest and Western American art, the museum has 5,400 pieces of art in its collection. It also hosts a number of exhibitions with prominent local and national artists, as well as events, workshops, and art classes for individuals of all ages.
In addition to learning about the modern art scene and the region’s artistic legacy, visitors can enjoy a variety of art types and genres.
Address: 1701 Pacific Ave, Tacoma, WA 98402, United States.
27. Tower Lanes Entertainment Center
Tower Lanes Entertainment Center is a hub of entertainment including a wide variety of activities for people of all ages. Enjoy family-friendly things to do in Tacoma, Washington.
Established in 1957, the amusement center provides a range of activities and games, including arcade games, indoor mini-golf, and bowling lanes. It also has event space, a restaurant, and a bar with alcoholic drinks and a varied menu.
Enjoy a range of activities to accommodate various interests and preferences while you unwind and relax in an interesting environment. When you need a break from the activities, grab a bite to eat or a refreshing drink.
28. Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium
Having been founded in 1905, Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium is well-known for its extensive collection of animals, including marine life, and offers a range of entertaining and instructive activities for visitors of all ages in Tacoma, Washington.
As a zoo and aquarium combined, this attraction offers a variety of animals and marine life, as well as educational events, a multi-acre exhibit highlighting endangered Asian species, and a local ecosystem with exhibits featuring animals specific to the Pacific Northwest.
Expect a variety of enjoyable activities, like up-close observations of amazing animals, interactions with animals during feeding demonstrations and keeper talks, learning about wildlife conservation, and taking part in an outdoor family adventure with a variety of interactive exhibits and activities suitable for all ages.
Address: 5400 N Pearl Street, Tacoma, WA 98407, United States.
29. Museum of Glass
Discover the creativity and skill of glassmaking at the Museum of Glass, a modern art gallery devoted to the medium that provides art enthusiasts with a ton of entertaining and instructive activities in Tacoma, Washington.
Established in 2002, the museum showcases a permanent collection of glass art, a hot shop amphitheater, a range of exhibitions, seminars, classes, and camps to encourage creativity and knowledge about glass.
Experience the beauty and adaptability of glass as a medium for art; see the dramatic process of glassblowing and engage with artists; take part in practical glassblowing exercises; and get knowledge of the craft’s background and methods.
Address: 1801 Dock Street, Tacoma, WA 98402, United States.
30. Point Defiance Park
Start your exciting activities in Tacoma by visiting Point Defiance Park, a popular urban sanctuary that combines natural beauty with a ton of interesting and original things to do for visitors of all ages in Tacoma, Washington.
The park was created in 1890 and spans 760 acres with a breathtaking shoreline, varied gardens, and old-growth woodland. Along with a variety of outdoor activities like hiking, biking, boating, fishing, and picnicking, this park also boasts an aquarium, a museum, and breathtaking vistas of the Olympic Mountains and Puget Sound.
In addition to learning about history, culture, and the environment, visitors to Point Defiance Park can enjoy tranquil moments in nature, engage in a variety of recreational activities suitable for all ages and fitness levels, and escape the daily grind.
Address: 5400 N Pearl Street, Tacoma, WA 98407, United States.