Tacoma brings together a range of reasons to visit: expansive parks, a botanical garden, glass art, museums, and waterfront trails. If you’re looking for a hotel in Tacoma, you can first plan your trip around the things you’re most interested in. Would you rather explore green spaces and walking trails, or focus on workshops, art, and culture? The differences between these places can help you sort through your interests and see Tacoma as more than a single attraction.
Parks and trails: compare scale and use
The range of parks is clear from their size alone. Point Defiance Park covers 760 acres, with forests, gardens, and beaches. At 27 acres, Wright Park is much smaller, and is also an arboretum with more than 600 trees. The Tacoma Nature Center offers another perspective on nature: it is designated as a preserve and protects all plant and wildlife species. These different landscapes and the protection of plants and wildlife are distinct aspects of Tacoma’s natural offerings.
The trails also differ in their stated uses. Along the Ruston Way Waterfront, a two-mile paved pedestrian path offers views of South Puget Sound. The outer loop of Five Mile Drive is a car-free route for cyclists and pedestrians. If you’re choosing based on surface and use, you can compare a paved walking path with views to a car-free loop for walking and cycling.
Glass art and boatbuilding: create your own work and discover craftsmanship
The Museum of Glass offers hands-on workshops where you can create your own glass art. The Chihuly Bridge of Glass offers a different way to experience art: this 500-foot pedestrian bridge features permanent installations that are open to everyone. The distinction is clear: the workshops involve creating your own work, while the bridge features permanent public art installations.
The Foss Waterway Seaport focuses on regional boatbuilding craftsmanship. The Heritage Boat Shop preserves the techniques of regional boatbuilders. The Seaport also includes more than 1,200 feet of docks and floating piers for educational and recreational use. Together, these highlight two different aspects: preserving craftsmanship and using the docks and floating piers for education and recreation.
Plants, museums, and culture in October
The W. W. Seymour Botanical Conservatory showcases rare plants and flowers in a glass building. The Tacoma Art Museum features exhibitions of American art of the West as well as rotating exhibitions. You can include botanical displays and a range of art subjects among your interests for your stay.
Hundreds of public arts and cultural programs take place in Tacoma in October, many of them free. If you’re traveling that month, check the dates for the relevant year in advance: the specific program may change. October offers a distinct seasonal focus for anyone looking to include arts and culture in their trip.
Discover more destinations
Discover more destinations: Fife, Eatonville, Lakebay, Buckley, Fox Island, Greenwater, University Place, Dupont.
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