*This post is in collaboration with Travel Tacoma. We received tours & a hotel stay .
Photography: Valerie Hansen
Last month we were invited to Tacoma by the tourism board for "You'll Like Tacoma Day." We had a blast and explored the city from top to bottom. Even after living in the area for several years, we discovered some new hidden gems. We've rounded up our favorite destinations to check out.
10 reasons why you'll like Tacoma:
Foss Waterway & Seaport Museum
This museum and waterway celebrate the amazing maritime history of the city of Tacoma. This tour was definitely one of the top highlights of our day. We were treated to an exciting boat ride by Destiny Harbor Tours. The boat tour takes you all along the downtown waterfront. The views are incredible and you will be positioned perfectly to photograph the breathtaking skyline:
Shake Shake Shake
If you love old time 50's diners and retro vibes, do go grab a bite at Shake Shake Shake! It's around the corner from Stadium High School. The shakes are thick, creamy and oozing with home style goodness. Here you can capture an amazing shot for your instagram gallery under the iconic "EAT" sign.
Stock List Gifts & Goods
This new store offers a little of this and that and is the perfect spot to find souvenirs or a unique gift. Stock List has items to decorate your home, jewelry and all things Tacoma. It's conveniently located on Pacific ave and nestled among destination restaurants. Grab a bite to eat and shop til you drop!
Hotel Murano
Experience top class accommodations in the heart of downtown Tacoma. This boutique hotel is the perfect spot for a stay-cation or a weekend getaway. There is everything to love here: the rooms, the view, the art themed decor and exceptional guest service. You will enjoy every minute of this home away from home.
Stadium High School
Are you a Harry Potter fan? Then you will love Stadium High School! Well even if you aren't, you will still be fascinated by this Hogwarts style castle. It looks like a replica of Hogwarts, because of the soaring towers. A popular movie from the 90's " Ten Things I Hate About You", was filmed here.
The school was originally constructed in 1891 as a luxury hotel. A fire during construction ravaged and destroyed the property. The city of Tacoma purchased it for 1.00, and turned it into a schoolhouse. Stadium High was one of the first schools in the country to build a stadium. It is also one of the most photogenic public schools in America.
Tacoma Rainiers
Enjoy hometown baseball at it's best, at historic Cheney Stadium. The Pacific Coast League baseball club has been in operation since 1960. A ball game with the Rainiers is the perfect way to spend a summer evening under the stars. It was fun to get a behind the scenes tour of the field and dug out.
"Buy me some peanuts and cracker jacks, I don't care if I ever get back!" Come experience Tacoma at a Rainier's game- you may never want to go back home!
Anthem Coffee
This fast expanding chain is shaping up to be Tacoma's flagship coffee spot. We checked out the one close to the waterfront, on Pacific Ave. Take a stroll down museum row and then relax with delicious brew in the heart of downtown. Anthem on Pacific has a cool artsy vibe with sea creature murals and decor. Incredible roasted blends and five locations await you!
3uilt Restaurant @7 Seas Brewing Company
This new restaurant pronounced "Built" , is located inside the historic Heidelberg brewery building. 7 Seas Brewing of Gig Harbor also opened a Brewery in the same space. We were treated to scrumptious sandwiches and chopped salad for lunch.
You can dine and have a few beverages under the roof of the former Chihuly storage facilities. If you want a relaxing place to enjoy Friday night eats and a northwest vibe, this is the eatery to check out!
The Glass Museum is a contemporary art museum featuring glass sculptures and a glass making studio. Several of the art displays are the creative work of famous artist Dale Chihuly, and are quite something to behold! The fountain out front is a beautiful. It also features Chihuly's work.
The Chihuly Bridge of Glass with 2400 pieces of glass is one of the most photographed spots in Tacoma. Take a scenic stroll from downtown to the waterfront on this pedestrian walkway.
Point Ruston
Just a few miles north of the Narrows Bridge, you will find a fabulous neighborhood called Point Ruston. It's Tacoma's newest up and coming area. This little haven overlooking Commencement Bay, is your answer to a perfect weekend getaway.
I'm obsessed with this area and I think you will be too! It's a great place to meet your bestie for coffee, ride bikes along the waterfront or feast on the best seafood in town. There are series of small parks along Ruston Way to visit as well. Check out all the details here!
I hope you can make a visit to Tacoma soon! Thanks for stopping by Maple Leopard and happy travels!
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To be honest, Tacoma was never really on my list until I saw this post! The Museum of Glass looks so cool!
ReplyDeleteHi Megan,
DeleteI live near it and used to think it was not so great..but oh my I LOVE it now!! Amazing transformation!~
Now I have to go go to Tacoma. It looks so beautiful and so much to do.
ReplyDeleteHi Luci,
DeleteFor sure..its worth your time to check it out, endless experiences!
All of your adventures in Tacoma look great! It's been on our bucket-list for a while now :) The glass museum photo is so cool!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, hope you can make a visit soon, and yes the glass museum is a must see!
DeleteTacoma sounds amazing! I would so love to visit.
ReplyDeletePack you bags and come on out, you will love Tacoma For sure!
DeleteShake Shake Shake looks like my kinda place! Being Scottish, I'm a little Harry Potter mad so any excuse to pose outside Hogwarts-esque buildings is my kinda place!
ReplyDeleteHa ha Lauren, well get yourself to Tacoma..You will love this Hogwarts look alike!
DeleteTacoma looks like a lovely place to visit! I'm a fan of Chihuly artwork and would love to visit the Glass Museum. Thanks for sharing some great things to do in Tacoma!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, yes If you like Chihuly;s work, you'll love downtown Tacoma..so much of his work all around!
DeleteThanks for stopping by, yes If you like Chihuly;s work, you'll love downtown Tacoma..so much of his work all around!
DeleteI have been visiting Florida so many times and even at some point lived in West Palm Beach but never got a chance to visit Tacoma. What a pity! Would really love to return..
ReplyDeleteHope you can head to Washington State to visit Tacoma soon!
DeleteLovely place to visit, this is the first I've heard of it! I would totally work my way through your top 10 list, especially that shake place tip 2 - yummy!
ReplyDeleteHonestly, I didn't know about Tacoma Wa, well until now. The Museum of Glass looked like an interesting place to visit, definitely worth a try.
ReplyDeleteI never hearn about this place before! It looks amazing! thank you for sharing this
ReplyDeleteI´d come to Tacoma just to see that High School ¨ten things I hate about you¨ was filmed at! I love movie inspired travel :) It´s taken me to some awesome off the beaten path places already.
ReplyDeleteMuseum of Glass is so creative one, it might looks very beautiful during night hour.
ReplyDeleteTo be honest, I'd never heard of Tacoma before. I'd love to visit the Glass Museum. It looks spectacular!
ReplyDeleteI am ALL OVER those 50s diners! I'm a sucker for that kind of retro kistchy stuff! So I had to google Tacoma at first to work out exactly where it was, and I came up with a bunch of cars. So if Tacoma's cool enough to have a car named after it, it's cool enough for me to visit!
ReplyDelete