What to do and see in Tacoma, Washington (WA): The Best Free Things to do

June 12, 2021 Florencio Paulino

Sitting at the foot of Mount Rainier, from whose former name the city takes its name, Tacoma is the perfect base point for exploring Mount Rainier National Park and the spectacular landscape surrounding.
Restaurants in Tacoma

1. Point Defiance Park

5400 N Pearl St, Tacoma, WA 98407-3224 +1 253-305-1030 http://www.metroparkstacoma.org/point-defiance-park
Excellent
79%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1,228 reviews

Point Defiance Park

Scenic park offering more than 700 acres of woodland trails, gardens and waterfront views, along with a zoo and aquarium.

Reviewed By Ldcvsi - Tacoma, United States

I live within a mile of Pt. Defiance Park and it is one of the best urban parks you will find in the United States. Central Park in New York City is amazing for the surrounding museums, but you will never see more beautiful views of the water front, islands, and mountains than you will see from Pt. Defiance Park on a clear day. And did I mention I the world class zoo, the amazing fuchsia gardens, the miles of hiking trails through the forest, beaches to hang out on, sea lions and harbor seals hanging out in the kelp beds? And, if so inclined, you can take a ferry boat ride over to Vashon Island and back, right from the edge of Pt. Defiance Park. And the new addition to the park, the Dunes, is a beautiful walk along the waterfront that is ADA accessible, and has to die for views. There is something for everyone in this park. Drive the five mile drive if you don’t have much time (but please drive slowly as there is lots to see, and there are bikers and pedestrians); but make sure to stop at all the view points for a view of Vashon Island and the Cascade Mountain Range at one view point, the Olympic Mountain Range at another view point, and a great view of the Narrows Bridges at the other.

2. 5 Mile Drive & Trails

5400 N Pearl St, Tacoma, WA 98407-3224 +1 253-305-1000 [email protected] http://www.metroparkstacoma.org/five-mile-drive
Excellent
78%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 246 reviews

5 Mile Drive & Trails

Reviewed By OlyGirlJan - Tacoma, United States

Great place to visit and have a full days adventure, must sees are Owens Beach, Point Defiance Zoo, also must do the 5 Mile drive and make it a day and have lunch at Anthony's on the waterfront with great food and spectacular views of Puget Sound and don't forget to go down the slides across from Anthony's its a great place for the kids to release some energy.

3. Pint Defiance. Specialty Beers & Taproom

2049 Mildred St W, Tacoma, WA 98466-6133 +1 253-302-4240 http://www.pintdefiance.com
Excellent
78%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 18 reviews

Pint Defiance. Specialty Beers & Taproom

4. Stadium High School

111 N E St, Tacoma, WA 98403-2630 +1 253-571-3100 http://www.tacomaschools.org/stadium/Pages/default.aspx
Excellent
86%
Good
14%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 21 reviews

Stadium High School

Reviewed By TeresaDeardork - Joplin, United States

I was in total awe of this gorgeous school with its wonderful view of Commencement Bay! Fans of 10 Things I Hate About You will be in for a treat. It's like an American Hogwarts. I recommend walking around, it's truly beautiful. Only wish I had attended.

5. Johnson Candy

924 Martin Luther King Jr Way, Tacoma, WA 98405-4188
Excellent
70%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
10%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 10 reviews

Johnson Candy

Reviewed By maifun

This is the kind of cute old-fashioned neighborhood spot that has sadly become too rare. A variety of knick-knacks and small gifts inside, along with the delicious candy. I bought a yummy little assortment of dark chocolate peanut clusters (that I want more of!!), dark chocolate covered apricots, peanut butter minuettes (cute little peanut-shaped candies, if you are a peanut butter fan they are a must try!), cherry sticks, lemon cremes, chocolate covered salted caramels, and more. I was dying to try the butterscotch cashews I've seen mentioned in other reviews, but they didn't have them on the day I visited. I wish they shipped so I could get more of those peanut clusters and peanut butter minuettes, but a big part of the charm of places like this is that you have to visit in person.

6. Union Station

Tacoma, WA +1 202-795-9966 http://unionstationrotunda.org
Excellent
48%
Good
38%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
3%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 145 reviews

Union Station

This grand relic from the golden age of rail travel was re-opened to visitors in the early 1990s.

Reviewed By PatriciaK815 - Haymarket, United States

Even though Union Station is now the Court House, we were able to get in to see the Atrium and view the Chihuly art.. Beautiful!

7. Dunagan Brewing Co.

1126 Commerce St, Tacoma, WA 98402-4307 http://www.dunaganbrewing.com/
Excellent
69%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 13 reviews

Dunagan Brewing Co.

8. Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum

407 S G St, Tacoma, WA 98405-4711 +1 253-383-2575 http://www.rain.org/~karpeles/taqfrm.php
Excellent
55%
Good
45%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 20 reviews

Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum

The Karpeles museum in Tacoma is one of several branches nationwide that feature extremely rare and important historical documents.

Reviewed By John13Tacoma - Tacoma, United States

This is a wonderful place, full of original documents that rotate through several Karpeles museums in the US. When we went, we saw all kinds or documents, letters, etc from the WWII era. Also saw an original of the Bill of Rights and Lincoln letters. Lots of fun.

9. W.W. Seymour Botanical Conservatory

316 S G St Wright Park, Tacoma, WA 98405-4733 +1 253-404-3975 [email protected] http://www.metroparkstacoma.org/conservatory/
Excellent
56%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 88 reviews

W.W. Seymour Botanical Conservatory

Reviewed By macramz - Tacoma, United States

My boyfriend and I walked to Wright Park after breakfast in the area. I haven’t been here since the century plant bloomed years ago. It is so beautiful inside, wandering the paths! Warm during winter.

10. Brown & Haley's Outlet Stores

110 E 26th St, Tacoma, WA 98421-1109 +1 253-620-3085 https://www.brown-haley.com/outletstores.php
Excellent
73%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 41 reviews

Brown & Haley's Outlet Stores

Reviewed By lpg1010 - Seattle, United States

This little outlet store is so quaint and historic. If in Tacoma it is a must stop on your sights to see. Pick up some of the famous Almond Roca for a great price. My favorite is the chocolate covered graham crackers, yum. Ask if they have them.

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