Location: Spanaway
Top Things to do in Spanaway
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The 10 Best Things to Do in Spanaway, United States
Spanaway is a census-designated place (CDP) in Pierce County, Washington, United States. The population was 27,227 at the 2010 census. Spanaway is an unincorporated area near Tacoma, and is often identified together with the more urban, less wealthy Parkland.
Restaurants in Spanaway
1. Northwest Trek Wildlife Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 403 reviews
PREPARE TO BE AWED! Hop aboard a comfortable tram for a narrated tour of 435 acres in which American bison, Roosevelt elk, woodland caribou, bighorn sheep, moose and deer roam free. See bears, Canada lynx, bobcats, cougars, foxes, wolves and other native Northwest animals in natural exhibits along paved pathways under towering evergreens. Soar high in the sky on our Zip Wild set of zip line/challenge courses that test both mental and physical agility. All just an hour's drive from Seattle - but a world away. Say ahhhhhhh!
Reviewed By MaryBeth M
Northwest Trek is one of our favorite places. We went today and saw moose, big horn sheep, bison, trumpeter swans, black tail deer, elk, and various other animals while riding the tram. These animals are encouraged to be close to the road, they are fed on the road.
This is such a great place, you can bring your own lunch, walk around and see so many other animals. This is unlike a zoo. It is amazing. Our grandkids love this place. There is a new play area, a few zip lines all among the beauty of nature. This is so worth your trip.
2. Chambers Bay
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 148 reviews
With tawny fescue grasses, towering sand dunes, massive fairways, and breathtaking views of the Puget Sound and snow-capped Olympic Mountains, Chambers Bay brings the traditions of Scottish linksland to the Pacific Northwest. Located in University Place, Washington, this 18-hole, walking-only course provides an authentic links experience for players of every ability. Chambers Bay Grill is known for both its delicious food and panoramic views which makes it the perfect place to celebrate the end of a round or simply enjoy the splendor of the Puget Sound, the majestic Olympic Mountains and expansive golf course views. Frequented by golfers and locals alike, the Grill is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner with a full bar service and an interesting list of Northwest wines. The Grill also hosts frequent specialty events including Winemaker, Brewmaster, and Distiller dinners. This 930-acre site also includes over two miles of saltwater shoreline, two and a half miles of urban creek and canyon. Enjoy a walk on the beach and over 5 miles of public trails or relax at Central or North Meadow.
Reviewed By PilotMike2009 - Constant Traveller
Chambers Bay Golf Course has a wicked reputation. It's built on the remains of an old quarry, the greens are weird, and the memories of the USGA debacle at the 2015 U.S. Open have the golf snobs blasting this layout for a thousand sins. Well, they are all wrong. This is a great track, a fun locale, and a completely unique course which I would go back and play again any time.
In July 2017 My wife and I were in Tacoma on a holiday, expressly with an eye on playing Chambers Bay. While this sounds like a modest plan, we had two strikes against us. First, she’s a petite grandmother — not exactly a long-ball hitter. Secondly, I play with 100-year old hickory clubs. Neither of us are going to over-power this course like Speith or Johnson or even a low-handicap amateur. The question remained unanswered: can average golfers enjoy Chambers Bay?
The answer is unequivocally YES.
We arrived at the course early in the morning and enjoyed the convivial chatter in the parking lot as we and a dozen of other arriving players put on our golf shoes. After visiting the pro shop we jumped into a shuttle bus and are driven down a very steep hill to the first tee. There you will find a snack bar, the practice range and a putting green. We also met our caddies and a father-son pair with which we had been matched. The only thing lacking are golf carts. Yes, Chambers Bay is a “walking only” course, and that makes this very good experience even better.
The views across this course and Puget Sound are unmatched. It is a remarkable experience to stand on the first tee, fescue waving gold in the bright yellow morning sun, bright green fairways stretching as far as the eye can see. The city of Tacoma is completely hidden; the noise of modern life blocked by the ridge of hills behind the course. Its a magical instance, almost a “Brigadoon” moment, as if you somehow just had been teleported to the fields of Dornoch, Shishkin, Macrahanish or St. Andrews, just with nice weather and better food.
About the caddies. Yes, our foursome shared two caddies and they were excellent, absolutely perfect gentlemen and extraordinarily helpful. I don’t think you would want to play this course for the first time without a caddy; the ball simply rolls too far in unpredictable directions. There's a good chance you would get lost, possibly play the wrong holes and maybe never find your way home. Plus, shot placement is essential on this course, and knowing the distances also is a key element. Our caddies helped us with all this AND kept us cheery with encouragement and funny tales.
I will not bore you with a shot-by-shot recounting of our game; I know nobody cares. But I will tell you that every hole is unique, every shot requires strategy and every putt requires serious concentration. This is a mental and a physical work-out, but it’s all worth it.
My favorite hole was #6, high up on the ridge. My caddy told me to aim far, far left — right into the fescue — but the ball landed on the edge of the fairway on a ridge, skidded over the ridge, and turned hard right, rolling another 75 yards downhill almost into the cup. An amazing bit of "local knowledge" there; another reason to trust your caddy!
My wife enjoyed the bowl-like #9, an intimidating par three with a 100-foot drop from tee to green. She ended up in the fescue but that didn’t diminish her thrill of the chase!
Dustin Johnson called #18 “the dumbest hole in the world” but he’s wrong, it plays fair and true.
I recall the course has six sets of tees, which it needs. I played from the white tees with my hickory clubs and on most holes had excellent chances to play in regulation, so the distances are fair. The father-son team that we played with were long-ball hitters, and they played from the tips. Sadly, this is a course that values accuracy more than distance and they got hammered. My father used to say, "Short and straight beats long and crooked" and Chambers Bay proved him right.
After the golf, we enjoyed a very nice lunch at the club house, so just because the golf is over doesn’t mean the fun has stopped.
Greens fees were about $250 per person, which is reasonable value. I am extremely impressed that the Commissioners of Pierce County had the courage and the vision to reclaim this wasteland, to ban golf carts, and invest in the excellent golfing experience it is today. It’s good for the sport, it’s good for Tacoma and it’s good those of us who throw a bag over our shoulder on the first tee and challenge ourselves as much as the course.
3. AMC Loews Lakewood Towne Center 12
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 102 reviews
Reviewed By Chris P
This is a good theater. It has the reclining, assigned seats and very clean. It's a bit expensive, but worth the seat. Over all cost, recline seat, with popcorn and a drink cost about $25/person. Like most theaters, it's a bit cold, so bring a small jacket.
There really isn't a bad seat with the reclining chairs, so IF you get caught in the front row, it's not going to be the end of the world, you just recline all the way back. It's not the ideal seats, but it's not like the older tradition head craning seats.
Parking doesn't fair to well on a busy opening night of a movie, but if you have time to go during the week day, you can get an up front slot.
This theater is located in the Lakewood Town center, so if you have teenagers, there is lots to do. Currently there is still a Boarders Books with a Starbucks inside. If your looking at the front, off to the left, they are building Washington's first Chronic Taco. Popular is California, it should do well here. It looks like it will be open sometime the end of the month.
4. Pioneer Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 93 reviews
Reviewed By Roadtrip E - Auburn, Washington
Pioneer Park in the heart of downtown Puyallup is a great place especially for small kids on a summer day. There's a nice playground and a nice spray park. The park is adorned with dozens of the most beautiful hanging baskets you've seen. There are coffee shops right across the street and in the southeast corner is Giorgio's Greek restaurant. It's not big (one square city block by my estimation) but has lots of grassy areas, is crisscrossed with sidewalks, hosts a farmer's market and outdoor concerts. It's about five blocks north of the Puyallup Fair grounds. I won't give you much for the southhill part of Puyallup, but downtown still has that old small town feel and Pioneer Park adds to that feel.
5. Old McDebbie's Farm
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 9 reviews
Reviewed By Jodalee - Puyallup
This place is a gem. We have been going here since our daughters were small and now we bring our grandson whose one. He loves it! He loves to feed the animals, play in the musical forest, play with the toys and everything else. Jim and Debbie are so sweet and fun. It's a great place with fair prices to spend the day!
6. Lakewold Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 36 reviews
Lakewold Gardens is a premier 10-acre historic garden estate that features formal and natural settings. Located just south of Tacoma off of I-5 we are near the hustle and bustle of the city, but our gardens feel worlds away. Nestled amidst the lush English-inspired gardens is the Georgian-style mansion which overlooks Gravelly Lake. This historic and unique property is open year round to the public for self-guided garden tours and also serves as an elegant setting for a wedding, corporate event, or a private function. The Wagner House and gardens offer a variety of meeting room space that can be utilized many ways – from a small staff retreat in our upstairs boardroom overlooking the gardens, to an evening reception under our wisteria draped veranda – an event held at Lakewold is unlike any other. You and your guests will enjoy a beautiful backdrop and view from any of our event spaces. Special features include: a wisteria covered veranda, gorgeous spiral staircase, a unique quatrefoil pool, winding pathways, and a historic brick walkway. Discover why we are one of the premier venues in the South Sound.
Reviewed By watravelinggal - Port Orchard, Washington
We did a day trip to Lakewold this past week. What a lovely series of gardens it is. There is a fee to get in and there are self guided or docent guided tours. We did the self guided tour; the site was easy to...MoreThat you for the great review! We're glad you had such a good time during your self-guided tour. We look forward to having you back through the changing seasons to see more!
7. LeMay - America's Car Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 891 reviews
LeMay - America's Car Museum (ACM), named one of USA Today's 10 Best Museums in Seattle and KING 5's 2014 & 2015 Best Museum in Western Washington, is an international destination where families and enthusiasts gather to celebrate America's love affair with the automobile and how it shaped our society. The stunning, four-level, 165,000-sq.-ft. Tacoma, Wash., facility features 12 rotating exhibits, five annual Signature Events and serves as an educational center, hosting students of all ages.
Reviewed By Ted L
Talk about a kid in a candy store. The LeMay Auto Museum is just nirvana for everyone who loves wheeled transportation in all its beautiful, strange, weird and kooky forms. LeMay is located in Tacoma in a really interesting free-form wood laminated building overlooking the harbor and next to the freeway -- easy to get to. It's not over priced like some museums because you can easily spend an entire afternoon swooning over classic cars, sports cars, cars with vintage pedigree in addition to some motorcycles and even electrics. My recent visit featured a nice collection of post-WWII vehicles that represented the Eisenhower era of my youth. Studebakers, Kaisers, Hudsons, Packards, etc. all gleamed in their deserved spotlight. It was a kick in the pants to revisit the marques that are long gone but not forgotten,
The LeMay is definitely worth a detour. And, enjoy lunch in the museum cafe while you are at it. Parking is free.
8. Puyallup Farmers Market
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 82 reviews
Reviewed By Keleia - Maple Valley, Washington
We had a wonderful time at the Puyallup Farmers Market and really enjoyed the fact that ALL dogs are welcome! I will say that it was so nice to be there on a day when the weather was absolutely perfect. No rain, temperature was mild and very fun taking my service dog Pearl out with us. We picked up some organic skin cream, purchased some very nice wood cutouts from a vendor and special ordered an item to pick up in another week. I especially loved a vendor that sold Fair-Trade Baskets from Africa that are absolutely amazing. By purchasing through a vendor at the market, it helped to promote a cottage business as well. We had some ono Hawaiian/Polynesian food. Packed it up after seeing/purchasing what we wanted and headed for home. We went back one more time and even brought a friend. We plan on going again next year to see what's new! We do have a local Farmers Market (5 minutes from our home) but it was fun to check out some old stomping grounds from years ago. Terrific for singles, couples, families and friends. Can't say I was disappointed about anything! I'd even make the trip all by myself.
9. Olympus Spa
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 28 reviews
Olympus Spa (Main) was opened to the public on June 20th, 1997 to provide a beautiful and elegant oasis for women in the South of Seattle area.IMAGINE… escape to a sanctuary where stress and busyness of every day life is left behind. Recently selected as the favorite local spa by the rigorous Seattle times, Olympus Spa offers women a welcoming atmosphere devoted to the restoration of the body, mind, and soul. With Eastern medicinal tradition blending perfectly with Western relaxation techniques, we offer a relaxing and rejuvenating spa experience every woman deserves. Let your stresses melt away in our heated earth energy rooms. Revitalize your senses in our hydrotherapy pools and saunas. Inspire your beauty within.
Reviewed By Tonya L
Came here to unwind and relax. Used the facilities without treatments and the pool baths and clay room are my favorites. Tranquil with tea, sauna, steam room and clay room for major detox. Refresh the skin, mind and soul for a few hours of treatment pools and facility options!
10. Bradley Lake Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 51 reviews
Reviewed By pat c - Puyallup, Washington
Small park with a lake in the middle. It's a good walk around the lake though, great to bring the dog or just walk with a friend. There is a small playground for younger children and a covered pavilion for get togethers with friends or family. And it's set off the main drag, so not a lot of traffic. It does get busy on weekends and late in the morning though and the parking lot is small, but there is nearby street parking. There is also a couple of small baseball fields for kids.
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