Location: Tacoma
Top Things to do in Tacoma
Countries
What to do and see in Tacoma, Washington (WA): The Best Specialty Museums
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. Job Carr Cabin Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 5 reviews
Job Carr Cabin Museum is bringing Tacoma's birthplace to life through interactive learning for visitors from all over the world. Step inside the Cabin, and you will feel as though you've been transported to 1870, six years after Job Carr arrived in the area and decided to "stake his claim" on the shores of Commencement Bay. This replica of Job's original Cabin provides a view into the lives of Tacoma's pioneers and early residents. The Cabin is open Wed-Sat 12-4 (Jun-Sep); 1-4 (Oct-May - CLOSED JANUARY) Private tours can be arranged with staff, if needed. Contact the Cabin Office via our website.
2. Tacoma Pioneer Telephone Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 5 reviews
Reviewed By ericsF1645HC - Mosier, United States
We went to the Tacoma Glass Museum and the Telephone Museum the same day - I much preferred the Telephone Museum. The Glass Museum has beautiful pieces of glasswork, but is quite "sterile" - the Telephone Museum, on the other hand, I found to be much more of an "experience", primarily due to the wonderful volunteers who showed us around and demonstrated a lot of the equipment, which they manage to keep in working order. Art, Bob and Carol are totally delightful, with many stories to tell of the 40 or so years each worked for AT &T, and there are examples of just about every phone and piece of phone equipment you can think of, and many you didn't know existed. Carol did a wonderful re-enactment of her days as a telephone switchboard operator, and Art and Bob told great stories of their days working with the old equipment, and were still able to operate it all (except when Bob blew a fuse, much to Art's feigned disgust)' All in all , a wonderful experience.
3. Washington State History Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 236 reviews
History museum full of informative displays and artifacts on the history of Washington state.
Reviewed By GC404 - Anchorage, United States
This nice facility is located in downtown Tacoma and can also be easily reached via the tram/public transportation... the main floor has exhibits covering Washington’s history from ancient past through present, and includes important topics such as Native grave repatriations, internment of Japanese Americans during WW2, etc. Everything is well curated and targeted towards audiences of all ages... there’s an excellent section featuring activities for kids too. Definitely worth checking out when you’re in Tacoma... enjoy!
4. Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 20 reviews
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.
5. LeMay Collections at Marymount
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 184 reviews
Reviewed By J5294YXelizabeths - Mount Vernon, United States
What a treasure! We are so fortunate to have this museum in our community!!!The staff and volunteers care so much about helping you feel part of their great work by educating you, and providing a very unique experience. The collection is one of a kind, and you need to go several times to take in all the details. The knowledge of automobile history shared during the tours is exceptional. The access to unique automotive treasures, and a better understanding of their back story is fun. Larry and Tim did a great job of taking the time to explain just the right amount of the story to engage you and keep your interest peeked. I had 2 fabulous tours, both of the cars on site, as well as the adjoining facility tour. The grounds surrounding the museum are very special too so well maintained, lush, green and magnificent. This a treasure our community is lucky to have and get to visit.
6. LeMay - America's Car Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,050 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 suzannem263 - Canada, null
Cost is reasonable and the time slips by without even noticing. We spent 3 hours wandering around the museum. There are so many cars , all beautifully displayed in an easy to follow route through the museum. There is even one vintage car where you can sit in and have a photo taken. The picture is free, with no strings attached. Can be printed or emailed. If anyone in your group wants to sample driving, one floor had demo video simulation drives where you can drive race courses around the world. If you are interested, get the package deal when you first enter which includes a drive, as it is quite a bit more costly as an add on when you reach that floor. Younger kids might have fun playing the slot cars. This is one of the largest and nicest car museum we have been to.
7. Foss Waterway Seaport
8. Griot's Garage
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 11 reviews
Attention car lovers! Griot's Garage has a burning passion for cars too. Our headquarters, a re-purposed Coca Cola bottling facility, features a museum-quality Auto Display stocked with cool custom cars, historically significant cars, and race cars. We also host a free car show, Caffeine & Gasoline, on the first Saturday of every month.
Reviewed By dahlia8 - Los Angeles, United States
If you’re into keeping your car looking sparkly clean this is the place to visit! There are car care products for every inch of your car! They have car care classes, everyone working there is enthusiastic and so knowledgeable, the store is super clean, no detail is missed including the most beautiful bathroom! Don’t miss the beautiful collection of vintage and newer Corvettes. So worth a visit!
9. Museum of Glass
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1,285 reviews
An international center for contemporary art with a sustained focus on glass.
Reviewed By K3073BObobp
Watching a master glass blower and his team working in the Hot Shop is always a wonderful experience. Add to that the wonderful exhibits and a beautiful gift shop gives you hours of art entertainment.
