The Tacoma skyline with the museum district, the Tacoma Dome and America’s Auto Museum in the distance.
Tacoma was the choice for the terminus of the Northern Pacific Railroad in the 1800’s because the city straddles Commencement Bay, the largest deep-water port in Washington, and a major factor in Pacific Northwest commerce and industry. Early on, as a result of connecting the railroad with the deep-water port, the city motto was “when rails meet sails.” In later years, with the discovery of gold in Alaska, Seattle took the lead as the favorite stop for fortune-seekers headed north, and gritty, blue-collar Tacoma had it’s ups and downs. After years of living in the shadow of Seattle, Tacoma is coming into it’s own again, in a big way. Since the early 1990’s over a billion dollars in public and private investment has revitalized Tacoma. The Foss Waterway is a man-made body of water that separates downtown Tacoma from the enormous shipping concerns where in 2015 42 billion dollars worth of product came and went, primarily to Pacific Rim trade partners, and Alaska. Number one export? Computers and industrial machinery. Number one import? Computers and industrial machinery.
The “Hotbox” at the Tacoma Glass Museum
The western side of the Foss Waterway is where it’s all happening for the Tacoma visitor. Boasting the state’s highest density of art and history museums, great restaurants, America’s Auto Museum, and the Tacoma Dome, there’s a ton of fun for all ages all connected by Washington’s first modern light rail system “Tacoma Link.” Park the car, take the light rail, it’s stress-free as well as free of charge. Hop on and relax!
Tacoma is a great low-hassle getaway. It’s easy to get there, and once you’re there, it’s really easy to get to a ton of attractions.
Pacific Avenue is where you want to be. It’s just a short walk from the Hotel Murano to Pacific Ave. On Pacific, you’ll find the Tacoma Art Museum, The History Museum, The Chihuly Bridge to the Glass Museum, Foss waterway, and the Dock St. Marina, Anthem Coffee, Union Station, and fantastic lunch at Indochine. Then, once you do all that… you can hope on TacomaLink (light rail) for free, and be whisked to the Tacoma Dome, or America’s Automobile Museum — both a short few minutes away.
At the History Museum…
Nancy Judd,
Faux Fur Coat, 2005, Cassette and video tape, upcycled coat and dress.
Caution Dress, 2011, Caution tape and vintage dress.
Parking is a breeze at the Murano also, so if you have your car, you can zip to the Southern Kitchen in a few minutes, or Point Defiance Park where you’ll find the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium and fabulous gardens to stroll through.
When you’ve touristed yourself out, head back to the Murano for a great meal, a cocktail, or just to relax in your (cool) room.
Entrance to the Hotel Murano, so cool.
Places
Hotel Murano
1320 Broadway
Tacoma, WA 98402
253-238-8000
www.hotelmuranotacoma.com
Southern Kitchen
1716 6th Ave.
Tacoma, WA 98405
253-627-4282
www.southernkitchen-tacoma.com
The Southern Kitchen Crew
Tacoma Art Museum (TAM)
1701 pacific ave.
Tacoma, WA 98402
253-272-4258
www.tacomaartmuseum.org
Tacoma Art Museum
America’s Car Museum
2702 E D St,
Tacoma, WA 98421
253-779-8490
www.americascarmuseum.org
Auto Museum, Slug Bug.
Pacific Grill
1502 Pacific Ave.
Tacoma, WA 98401
253-627-3535
www.pacificgrilltacoma.com
Crab & Lobster Angel Hair Pasta with Mint at Pacific Grill.
Union Station
1717 Pacific Ave.
Tacoma, WA 98402
Chihuly at Union Station
Museum of Glass
1801 dock st.
Tacoma, WA 98402
253-284-4750
www.museumofglass.org
One of our fave’s: “Log Sheep with Squirrel Friend.” (Kid Art)
Glass Museum, works of a more serious nature.
History Museum
1911 Pacific Ave.
Tacoma, WA. 98402
253-272-3500
www.washingtonhistory.org
Area 253 Glassblowing
2514 S Holgate St.
Tacoma, WA 98402
www.area253glassblowing.com
Patrick at Area 253
Indochine
1924 Pacific Ave,
Tacoma, WA 98402
253-272-8200
www.indochinedowntown.com
The Red hot
2914 6th ave.
Tacoma, WA 98406
253-779-8490
www.redhottacoma.com
anthem coffee
1911 pacific ave.
Tacoma, WA 98402
253-572-9705
www.myanthemcoffee.com
Dock St marina
1817 dock st.
Tacoma, WA 98402
www.dockstreetmarina.com
Point Defiance park
5400 N pearl st.
Tacoma, WA 98407
www.metroparkstacoma.org
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