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Free Things To Do

Museum District

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1. Take part in Tacoma Museum District’s Third Thursday Artwalk each month for free admission to Tacoma Art Museum, Washington State History Museum, Foss Waterway Seaport Museum and Museum of Glass. Please see the individual organization's website for hours and pricing. Tacoma History Museum is always free.

2. Wander through large displays of Dale Chihuly’s glass art at the 500-foot-long Bridge of Glass, which connects Washington State History Museum, Museum of Glass, and historic Union Station.

Public Art

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3. Explore Pierce County's public art, including: One Percent for Art Project with Pierce County, Spaceworks Tacoma, and Puyallup's Art Downtown Outdoor Gallery.

Fort Steilacoom Park

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4. Travel the 340-acre Fort Steilacoom Park and explore the extensive trail system by foot or bike with the entire family. If you have your furry friend with you, don't miss the 22-acre off-leash dog park.  

Relax in the heart of Tacoma

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5. Relax in beautiful Wright Park and the W.W. Seymour Botanical Conservatory located in the heart of Tacoma.

Childrens Museum of Tacoma

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6. Use your imagination and explore the hands-on exhibits that the Children's Museum of Tacoma has to offer (pay-as-you-will admission).

Fireman's Park

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7. See the 100+ year-old, 85-foot totem pole in Fireman's Park and enjoy the 180-degree view of Commencement Bay.

Pacific Bonsai Museum

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8.  Immerse yourself in the style and history of the bonsai tree. The art form is taken to new heights at the Pacific Bonsai Museum, a free, open-air museum.  

Port of Tacoma

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9. Climb the Port of Tacoma's observation deck to watch loading cargo ships. While you're there, take a free tour of the Port of Tacoma to learn about the history of the port and all its activity.

Ruston Way

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10. Walk, rollerblade, or cycle along the two-mile Ruston Way Promenade, Tacoma's premier waterfront drive.

Farmers Market

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11. Visit local Farmer's Markets in nearly every community throughout Pierce County, or the public market at Point Ruston, called the Waterfront Market at Ruston.

Fife History Museum

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12. Tour the Fife History Museum, view exhibits, and see a rare 76-ton train engine. Explore the rich cultures that shaped the City of Fife as we know it today. 

Harbor History Museum

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13. See rusted remains of Galloping Gertie, the first Tacoma Narrows Bridge that collapsed in the 40s, at the Gig Harbor History Museum.

Karpeles Manuscript Museum

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14. Experience history through remarkable manuscripts and documents on display at Karpeles Manuscript Museum.

Kopachuck State Parks Saltwater Beach

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15. Discover sand dollars and relax at Kopachuck State Park's saltwater beach.

16. Take a relaxing summer swim in American Lake in Lakewood.

Evangelische Lutheran Kirche

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17. Discover one of Elbe's wonderful gems in its 1906 Evangelische Lutheran Kirche, one of the smallest churches in the U.S. [24 ft. by 18 ft.]

Chambers Creek Regional Park

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18. Explore two miles of shoreline by walking the Bridge to the Beach at Chamber's Creek Regional Park in beautiful University Place.

Chambers Bay

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19. Walk the path around the 2015 U.S. Open Golf Course, Chambers Bay. Take in the rolling hills and the gorgeous waterfront.

Scenic Drive around Mt. Rainier

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20. Drive the beautiful State Hwy. 410, a designated National Scenic Byway around Mt. Rainier.

Picnic near Mt. Rainier

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21. Pause for a picnic in scenic areas of Wilkeson, Carbonado, and Mowich Lake, the rustic communities surrounding Mount Rainier.

Hike for breathtaking views of Mt. Rainier

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22. Hike or walk Chinook Pass, Crystal Mountain, High Rock Lookout, or the Mount Tahoma Trail system for breathtaking views of Mount Rainier - the fourth-highest peak in the U.S.

Puyallups Antique District

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23. Browse antique row in Puyallup's Antique District with 400 dealers in 20 eclectic locations.

Sumners Historical Landmarks

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24. Enjoy Sumner’s small-town heritage with a self-guided tour through its historical landmarks.

Point Defiance Park

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25. Wind through an old-growth forest with views of Puget Sound and the Tacoma Narrows Bridge on the five-mile drive at Point Defiance Park.

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The Chihuly Bridge of Glass is Tacoma's stunning link to the Thea Foss Waterway and the Museum of Glass. The 500 foot pedestrian bridge holds three amazing Chihuly glass installations, open to the public 24 hours a day . Linger at sunset on a date, and you'll see why its one of…

  • 1501 Pacific Avenue
  • (253) 627-6031

Admission to the Children's Museum of Tacoma is by donation only. This model is called as Pay As You Will and was created to provide access to playful spaces and experiences for all families. We believe play is the elemental component of children's learning. Our museum engages…

  • 2820 54th Ave E
  • (253) 922-2489

Explore the diverse and rich cultures that shaped the city of Fife as we know it today.  The Fife History Museum is located in the former home of Louise Dacca, a member of the original Fife City Council.  Museum admission is always free! To make an appointment to tour…

  • 8714 87th Ave SW
  • (253) 589-2489

Fort Steilacoom Park in Lakewood, Washington is the largest park in the city. The 340-acre (1.4 km2) park includes Waughop Lake, an off-leash dog park, and several soccer fields and baseball fields.

  • 1 Sitcum Plaza
  • (253) 383-5841

There are three ways to view the bustling Port of Tacoma. 1) Visit our Viewing Platform throughout the year Our Observation Tower, located at One Sitcum Way, in front of our administrative offices, offers an excellent view of the harbor and provides a great opportunity to watch…

  • 1 Sitcum Plaza
  • (253) 383-5841

There are three ways to view the bustling Port of Tacoma. 1) Visit our Viewing Platform throughout the year Our Observation Tower, located at One Sitcum Way, in front of our administrative offices, offers an excellent view of the harbor and provides a great opportunity to watch…

  • 2515 S 336th Street
  • (253) 353-7345

Fifty to 60 of the Museum's 150 bonsai are displayed at any given time in an outdoor fine art museum setting in the open air of a large forest in Federal Way, Washington. Pacific Bonsai Museum is one of only three public museums in the world solely dedicated to bonsai, offering…

  • 6320 Grandview Dr West
  • (253) 460-4653

Home of the 2015 U.S. Open June 15-21, 2015 In keeping with the traditions of the game and the natural style of links golf, Chambers Bay was designed as a walking-only golf course. Experience Chambers Bay the way the game was originally created. By choosing one of our…

  • 4020 Ruston Way

Located between The Lobster Shop and Duke's Chowder House, this two-mile long scenic waterfront with panoramic views of Commencement Bay is a great place for walking, jogging, rollerblading and fishing.

  • 705 Dock St
  • (253) 272-2750

The mission of the Foss Waterway Seaport is to celebrate Tacoma's rich maritime heritage past, present and future. Located on the waterfront in a century-old wooden wheat warehouse, built for cargo arriving by rail and departing by sail ("where rails met sails") during the early…

  • 333 S. Meridian
  • (253) 604-4683

Changing collection of contemporary, outdoor sculpture. Self-guided maps at local public library and City Hall. Phone tour of 30 sculptures by dialing (253) 256-6172 or using the QR codes on phone tour signs posted at the artworks. Smartphone information includes an image of the…

  • 501 South I Street

Wright Park is ideal for a leisurely stroll or taking your kids to one of Tacoma's finest playgrounds and spraygrounds. Enjoy walking paths around this 27 acre park and arboretum that is home to a rich collection of more than 616 trees, including 30 state champions. There are 138…

  • 316 South G St
  • (253) 591-5330

Exotic tropical plants and seasonal floral displays await you at the W.W. Seymour Botanical Conservatory in Wright Park. This historic glass conservatory, with its distinctive twelve-sided central dome, is listed on the City of Tacoma, Washington State and National historic…

  • 6320 Grandview Dr. W.
  • (253) 798-4141

This 930-acre site includes over two miles of saltwater shoreline, two and a half miles of urban creek and canyon and breathtaking mountain and Puget Sound views. Enjoy a walk on the beach and public trails, play golf or dine at Chambers Bay, relax at Central or North Meadow or…

  • 9222 Veterans Dr SW
  • (253) 589-2489

his popular 5-acre park is located on the north shore of American Lake.

  • 5400 N Pearl St

Point Defiance Park is Tacoma's 760-acre jewel, which is home to the acclaimed Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, which is the only combined zoo and aquarium in the Northwest. Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium Most of the zoo's animal residents are native to the Pacific Rim. Enjoy the…

  • 5400 N Pearl St
  • 253-305-1090

Inspired by Japanese architecture when it was built in 1914, the Pagoda is the focal point of Point Defiance Park's Japanese Garden. Surrounded by a Japanese garden featuring pools, a waterfall, a footbridge, sakura cherry trees, and an authentic Shinto shrine and Tori Gate…