The city is divided into districts, each with its own character. Plan to visit downtown’s museum and theater districts or the massive Tacoma Dome to take in arts and music performances. Farther afield lie historic Old Town and outdoorsy Point Defiance to the north; the Lincoln International and Lakewood districts to the south offer plenty of Asian culture and a variety of eats.

Bundle up the whole family for a festive holiday outing at the annual Zoolights festival, November 29-January 5, 2025, to see more than 800,000 LED lights crafted into sculptures at the Tacoma Zoo at Point Defiance. Sip hot chocolate as you search for the giant Pacific octopus and Sasquatch along the route. The zoo is open daily to visit everything from sharks to lemurs.

It’s an old-fashioned Christmas at Fort Nisqually Living History Museum, where the Christmas Regale offers parlor games, traditional ornament making and a holiday market on December 7. Children can meet Father Christmas and help bring the annual yule log into the fort.

Can’t get enough lights? Downtown Tacoma
sparkles—literally—at the Tacoma Light Trail event series from December 31-Jan. 12, 2025. Either walk or drive a self-guided route to see artist-designed light sculptures, accompanied by music and poetry that’s accessed by QR code. There’s also a lighted bike ride and live music and poetry performances.

Shops

Vintage discoveries await at the many shops in Antique Row in Tacoma’s Theater District—don’t miss the three-story maze of collections and curiosities at Sanford & Son. For hip menswear from local makers (think hoodies and tees with designer flair), stop by eTc Tacoma, downtown. Be sure to say hi to shop dog Mona at nearby Stocklist Goods as you browse a fun selection of puzzles, apparel and greeting cards.

 

Sleeps

Fans of glass art can establish a base camp at downtown Hotel Murano, a unique property showcasing Tacoma’s favorite craft. The 319-room boutique hotel features pieces from nearly 50 glass artists, from the chandelier and glass canoes in the lobby to mini-installations on each floor, restaurant and cocktail bar.

The 1916 Elks Temple, transformed into lodging by Pacific Northwest lodging group McMenamins in 2019, offers 45 rooms in a stately white neoclassical building a stone’s throw from Antique Row shopping. Enjoy performances at the on-site concert hall and choose from five eating and drinking venues, or simply wander the halls filled with quirky art and memorabilia.

Visitors don’t need a car to experience many of Tacoma’s museums, as several are conveniently located along downtown’s Museum Row. Make a day of it and enjoy exploring Washington’s history and art, with views of the Thea Foss Waterway and plenty of places to dine and shop along the way.

Start at the Washington State History Museum, an imposing red brick building with sturdy arches that houses permanent and temporary exhibitions showcasing Washington’s history from Indigenous cultures to the experience of Black Washingtonians. Don’t miss the largest model railroad in Washington, lovingly maintained by a local club. Exit on Level Three for a spectacular walk across the 500-foot pedestrians-only Chihuly Bridge of Glass, surrounded by luminous and colorful creations even more beautiful at sunset.

Art lovers can immerse themselves in the colorful and sometimes gravity-defying works of Dale Chihuly, whose giant, dripping sea-life-inspired glass sculptures are featured at the Tacoma Art Museum, which also boasts a significant collection of Northwest studio art jewelry and Western American art. At the Museum of Glass, guests can wander through exhibits ranging from historic studio art movements to kids’ designs and watch live demonstrations in the Hot Shop auditorium.

Breakfast at Campfire Coffee feels like camping downtown with some of Tacoma’s best coffee and breakfast sandwiches, served on hand-built picnic tables fashioned with reclaimed wood. The owners roast the beans over an actual campfire. For lunch, take the crew to family-friendly seafood joints for classics like fish and chips along Commencement Bay, such as Anthony’s near Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium or its sister restaurant, Harbor Lights.

For beautifully plated seasonal Pacific Northwest dishes, creative cocktails and specialty pizzas, downtown’s Wooden City is highly recommended. Adventurous diners will want to head south from downtown to the Lincoln International and Lakewood districts for Korean, Vietnamese or Chinese groceries and excellent family-owned East Asian dining. For a satisfying bowl of pho beef noodle soup, try Lincoln’s Vien Dong or Tacoma Szechuan in Lakewood for spicy dumplings in chili oil and warming, bubbling seafood hot pot.