Revealing Aspects of the Radiant 'Grit City'
This old railway town, where the "tracks collided with sails" as the northern terminus of the Northern Pacific Railway, now draws a devoted following due to its smaller population (approximately 223,000), relaxed pace, and captivating charm, contrasting its northern counterpart.
Perched at a patio table with vistas of water and mountains on a clear Northwest day, one can't help but believe that few spots on earth are more idyllic. Seagulls occasionally dive and soar, while eagles occasionally glide overhead, showcasing the town's picturesque location along the Salish Sea (which includes Puget Sound).
positioning it close to numerous natural wonders. Tacoma is roughly 60 miles (almost 100 kilometers) northwest of Mount Rainier National Park and 80 miles east of Olympic National Park. Within the city limits, outdoor enthusiasts are spoiled.
Natural assets and urban evolution
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Tacoma's 760-acre Point Defiance Park provides a tranquil retreat with botanical gardens, ancient forests, hiking trails, and beachfront. Recently, the park's tropical reef aquarium at the in-park Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium underwent a significant redesign costing $7 million, unveiled on June 14.
Lovers of "Dune" appreciate discovering that the park's Dune Peninsula is named after author Frank Herbert, a Tacoma native. According to stories, during the time when the peninsula served as a waste disposal site for the Asarco copper smelter, it inspired the writer's ecological thriller set in a desolate environment. The peninsula is now one of the city's most scenic areas, featuring the Frank Herbert Trail that circles its perimeter.
"The city itself has gone through extraordinary changes, with a revitalized downtown bustling with world-class eateries, art galleries, museums, and parks, along with top-notch entertainment and accommodations at the Emerald Queen Casino," says David Gudgel, CEO of seaplane company Kenmore Air. "The Chihuly Bridge of Glass is a must-see piece of artwork, and the Museum of Glass with its iconic cone architecture is one of the most unique museums in the world."
Although Tacoma has faced typical challenges common to many West Coast cities, in terms of homelessness and social issues, the city has made significant strides in the last few decades.
Many problems from the 1970s to the '90s, such as safety and gang concerns and the infamous "Tacoma Scent," a persistent odor caused by a century of nearby industrial development, have largely dissipated.
Both literally and figuratively, the city has cleaned up without losing the grit that earned it the affectionate nickname of "Grit City."
Immersing in Regional Beauty on Trails and Waterways
Tacoma has a small-town feel with expansive outdoor possibilities, says Kathy Conn, an East Coast transplant who has called Tacoma home since 2018 (having lived in Seattle for six years previously).
"Tacoma is home to a genuinely local and authentic vibe, compared to the sometimes impersonal atmosphere that occurs in larger cities," she says.
Conn takes full advantage of the adventure options, including hiking, camping, backpacking, paddle boarding, sea kayaking, and winter sports like snowboarding and snowshoeing.
"Tacoma boasts easy access to Mount Rainier and the Olympic Peninsula, with numerous waterfront access points to Puget Sound and ferries to the islands," she says. "There aren't many locations where you can see a national park volcanic mountain (Rainier) while wading in saltwater, as we can from the waterfront along Ruston (Way) and Point Defiance Park."
Unveiling a thriving hub for glass art
Being the birthplace of renowned artist Dale Chihuly, one of the first Studio Glass artists to adapt techniques from Venetian glass factories he observed in Murano, Italy, Tacoma carries a reputation as a true glass art city.
Benjamin Cobb, the hot shop director and lead gaffer at the Museum of Glass, notes that glass is deeply interwoven into the very fabric of Tacoma, and Chihuly initiated this connection.
"I've seen his artwork in elementary school classrooms!" he says. "Dale brought glass into the spotlight in the ’70s and ’80s, and as he became better known, it piqued interest in the material as an art medium."
Since opening its doors to the public in July 2002, the Museum of Glass has aimed to offer visitors a look at the working artist studio.
"They can visit our thought-provoking gallery exhibitions and then take a seat in the hot shop to observe the artistic process unfold," says Cobb. Another attraction, the 500-foot (152-meter) Bridge of Glass, links the museum to downtown Tacoma, featuring three Chihuly installations.
Cobb shares that Tacoma is also home to the Hilltop Artists program, established in the '90s to support schoolchildren with diverse backgrounds. Today, the program serves disadvantaged students by offering free glass instruction and mentorship, culminating in events showcasing their work.
"Teamwork is crucial in the art of glassmaking," they elucidate, stressing that demonstrating this collaboration encourages children to foster camaraderie and overcome any conflicts they may be experiencing.
Locals and tourists alike flock to intimate hot glass studios scattered around town, such as Area 253 and Tacoma Glassblowing Studio, for a taste of the craft.
Soaring Aloft
Gaining an aerial view of Tacoma only heightens the vista.
Kenmore Air, in conjunction with the Puyallup Tribe, has been offering spectacular South Sound seaplane tours in its second year and daily flights to San Juan Island since its inaugural season.
Gudgel from Kenmore shares the impact of this partnership.
Tacoma, WA: Placing 3rd on America's Most Worthwhile Towns to Visit list
"The scenic flights over the Puyallup Tribe of Indians' ancestral lands provide a profound insight into their historic connections to this region, which date back millennia," he explains. "From aloft, passengers can truly appreciate the breathtaking natural beauty of the tribe's land spanning from Puget Sound's waters to the towering Cascade mountains."
"For the Puyallup people, this land is deeply sacred, and their identity is intrinsically linked to the rivers, forests, prairies, and coastline that have sustained their way of life," Gudgel continues.
The narrated flightseeing tours highlight places of immense cultural significance and elucidate the meaning behind traditional place names stemming from Lushootseed, the Puyallup people's native language that is profoundly intertwined with the landscape.
Gudgel posits that this aerial view helps reconnect passengers to the Puyallup Tribe's enduring legacy as the original guardians of this land.
While gliding over these ancestors' territory, he declares, one cannot help but feel profound gratitude for the rich culture they cultivated, so closely tied to the natural world that surrounded them.
Checking in with Local Business Owners
Chris Staudinger, co-owner of Pretty Gritty Tours, oversees a Tacoma-based walking tour company dedicated to enhancing the reputation of the Pacific Northwest.
ESSENTIAL TACOMA
- Savor: Tuck into a "lobster bomb" at Tibbitts @ FernHill and savor grilled pork belly at James Beard Award semi-finalist The Table
- Quench: Revel in a Margarita Speziata at en Rama or savor a tiki drink at Devil’s Reef
- Rest: Repose at Silver Cloud Hotel Tacoma at Point Ruston Waterfront or glass art-themed Hotel Murano
- Play: Partake in music, drinks, and more at McMenamins Elks Temple
"Tacoma is experiencing a surge of expansion with a wave of entrepreneurial spirits settling to establish businesses, and they all share a deep affection for Tacoma," Staudinger says.
Pretty Gritty's tour options range from kayaking expeditions to downtown ghost walks, and explorations of Stadium High School, famous as the backdrop for the film "10 Things I Hate About You."
Their beer-focused tours feature establishments like Odd Otter Brewing Company to 7 Seas Brewing, a welcoming hangout sometimes called Tacoma's living room.
The city's burgeoning culinary scene showcases passionate local chefs leveraging fresh seafood and other seasonal produce.
Chef Shawn Tibbitts, owner-operator of brunch hotspot Tibbitts @ Fern Hill, expresses excitement about this "food-loving city's" vibrant assortment of food culture. "We have a myriad of small businesses growing, with many locals supporting them, which instills pride in me to see people whose dreams inspire others!" he declares. "Food is the fuel that powers our spirits."
Tibbitts, who embraces his Native Alaskan heritage, structures his menu around creativity and a departure from convention.
Visitors can find plenty of character along 6th Ave, known as "young, eclectic, creative, and caffeinated" by one local. Vinyl and vintage boutiques collide with a gourmet hot dog eatery (The Red Hot) and establishments like MSM (Magical Sandwich Makers) Deli, where lines often stretch out the door.
Savoring the Best
Gudgel recommends taking a leisurely stroll along the two-mile Ruston Way waterfront, which conformably hugs Commencement Bay, offering panoramic views of Puget Sound and neighboring islands.
Along the route, visitors encounter parks, restaurants with outdoor terraces, and public art installations.
"It's the perfect place to embark on a breathtaking scenic flight with us to discover the area from above, or to savour a typical Pacific Northwest sunset over the water," he suggests.
No matter where one witnesses the sun sinking below the horizon and captivating peaks, one will undoubtedly feel the enormity of Mother Nature, whose starring role in this city's narrative remains prime importance.
The Next Destination: Portland, Maine is No. 4
Delve into this coastal hotspot filled with a "big-city ambiance within a compact urban setting."
"Be sure to visit this culinary haven full of local charm!" Gudgel advises.
Read also:
The city of Tacoma is a prime destination for travel, located close to numerous natural wonders such as Mount Rainier National Park and Olympic National Park. (first sentence)
In 2024, Tacoma has been listed as one of the top towns to visit, attracting attention for its natural assets, urban evolution, and thriving hub for glass art. (second sentence)
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