I’ll be honest – fifteen years ago, if someone told me I’d be writing about Tacoma as a destination worth visiting, I might’ve laughed. Back in the early 2000s when I started driving clients around the Puget Sound, Tacoma had a bit of a reputation problem. “The aroma of Tacoma” was still a thing people joked about (thanks to the old pulp mills), and most folks just drove through on I-5 heading somewhere else.
But man, has this city changed.
Table of Contents
- How Tacoma Got Its Act Together
- Point Defiance and Other Spots
- The Location Thing
- There’s Actually an Economy Here
- Random Things I’ve Learned
- Worth It?
- FAQ: Tacoma Questions People Actually Ask Me
How Tacoma Got Its Act Together
I’ve been driving between Seattle, Tacoma, and everywhere in between for over two decades now. Watched Tacoma go from this overlooked industrial city into something actually interesting. The waterfront that used to be basically off-limits to regular people? Now it’s this stretch with museums, restaurants, places you’d actually want to spend an afternoon.
The Museum of Glass is the most obvious landmark – you can’t miss that crazy cone structure. But the exhibits are actually good, which surprised me the first time I checked it out while waiting for a client. Had people ask me to add an extra hour to their schedule just so they could watch the glassblowing demonstrations. The whole Museum District downtown is worth half a day. History museum, art museum, all within walking distance.
Funny story – picked up a couple from Chicago once who were staying in Tacoma because it was cheaper than Seattle. They asked what there was to do, and I mentioned the museums kind of halfheartedly, like “yeah, they’re there if you’re bored.” Next day they couldn’t stop talking about how much better it was than they expected. Made me realize I’d been underselling the place for years.
Point Defiance and Other Spots
Point Defiance Park is probably Tacoma’s best-kept secret. At least among people who don’t live there. It’s huge – like 760 acres – sits right on the water. I’ve picked up clients from Seattle who’ve never even heard of it, which is wild because it’s one of the better urban parks on the West Coast. Beaches, old growth forest, a zoo, these bluff trails with views of the Narrows Bridge that’ll make you stop and stare.
The Proctor District is another spot worth mentioning. It’s got this old neighborhood vibe that Seattle lost maybe ten years ago. Local shops that have been around forever, a good bookstore, coffee places where the baristas remember your order. Walkable. Chill. Kind of what people think Seattle still is but isn’t really anymore.
6th Avenue has turned into a solid restaurant row. There’s this Korean place, Indochine, that half my regular clients have asked me about after I mentioned it. Stadium District’s got some good spots too, especially if you like old architecture. Those houses are something else.
Oh, and Ruston Way if you want to walk along the water. Gets packed on nice weekends but it’s a nice walk.
The Location Thing
Okay so here’s the practical part. Tacoma’s location is pretty ideal if you’re visiting the area. You’re only about 30-35 minutes from SeaTac Airport, depending on traffic. Which means if you need reliable SeaTac airport transportation, you’re in good shape. Hotels in Tacoma run cheaper than Seattle, sometimes a lot cheaper, and you’ve still got easy access to everything.
I drive people from Tacoma up to Seattle all the time – it’s about 35-40 minutes to downtown in normal conditions. Mount Rainier’s closer from Tacoma than Seattle. Olympia’s less than an hour south. Portland’s doable for a day trip if you’re feeling ambitious. You’re kind of in the sweet spot for the whole region.
Plus, and this might sound weird, but Seattle airport transportation from Tacoma is often less stressful than from Seattle itself. You’re going against the main traffic flow during rush hour. Everyone’s crawling into Seattle in the morning, you’re sailing south. Makes early flights way less painful. I’ve had business travelers from Tacoma who specifically mentioned this – they can leave later than their Seattle colleagues and still make the same flight.
There’s Actually an Economy Here
What’s interesting about Tacoma, something I notice doing a lot of corporate runs, is that it’s got a real economy going. Not just tech startups and Amazon workers, though those are showing up too. The Port of Tacoma is the second-largest container port on the West Coast. Joint Base Lewis-McChord is huge. Healthcare with MultiCare and CHI Franciscan employs a ton of people.
I pick up executives at the port sometimes who are flying in from Asia or wherever, and they’re always kind of surprised by how substantial the business infrastructure is. It’s not Seattle, but it’s not trying to be. Doing its own thing.
Random Things I’ve Learned
Traffic on I-5 through Tacoma can be brutal between 3-6 PM on weekdays. That stretch near the Dome? Parking lot. Avoid it.
Parking downtown is way easier than Seattle. Like, shockingly easier. Most places still have meters that take quarters – bring quarters – and there are garages that won’t cost you $40.
If locals are eating somewhere, it’s probably good. The places with lines on Saturday morning in Proctor? There’s a reason. That taco truck that’s always parked near the brewery district? Also there’s a reason. I can’t remember the name but it’s the one with the green awning, you’ll see it.
Tacoma Farmers Market at Freighthouse Square is legit. Bigger than you’d expect, runs year-round.
Worth It?
I’m not saying Tacoma’s going to replace Seattle or Portland on your Pacific Northwest trip. But if you’ve got extra time, or you’re looking for a cheaper home base for exploring the region, or you just want to see a city that figured out how to reinvent itself without losing what made it interesting – yeah, Tacoma’s worth your time.
I’ve seen a lot of places around here change over the years. Some got worse, some got too expensive to enjoy, some lost their character completely. Tacoma got better. Not perfect – there are still sketchy blocks and areas that haven’t caught up with downtown’s changes – but better. More interesting than it was. Worth more than just a drive-through.
And that’s coming from someone who spends half his life on I-5 watching cities scroll by. Tacoma’s one of the ones I don’t mind slowing down for anymore.
FAQ: Tacoma Questions People Actually Ask Me
Is Tacoma safe to visit?
Depends on where you go, like any city. Downtown, the Museum District, Proctor, Stadium District – totally fine. I’ve never had issues and neither have my clients. There are some blocks you probably don’t want to walk around at night, but that’s true of Seattle too. Use common sense, you’ll be fine.
How far is Tacoma from Seattle?
About 35-40 minutes in normal traffic. Can be an hour or more if you’re driving during rush hour, especially northbound in the morning or southbound in the evening. I-5 gets ugly around the Tacoma Dome area between 3-6 PM.
Is it worth staying in Tacoma instead of Seattle?
If you’re trying to save money, absolutely. Hotels can be 30-40% cheaper, sometimes more. You’re still close enough to Seattle that it’s not a big deal to drive up for the day. Plus you’re closer to the airport, which is nice if you’ve got an early flight.
What’s the best time to visit Tacoma?
Summer, obviously. June through September you’ve got the best weather. But honestly, shoulder season isn’t bad either – April/May and September/October. Less crowds, still decent weather most days. Just bring a rain jacket because this is still the Pacific Northwest.
Can you do Tacoma as a day trip from Seattle?
Yeah, for sure. Drive down in the morning, hit the Museum District, grab lunch on 6th Avenue, walk around Point Defiance or the waterfront, head back in the afternoon. Easy day trip. Though honestly if you’re already making the drive, might as well stay overnight and see it without rushing.
Is there good food in Tacoma?
Better than you’d think. 6th Avenue has gotten really good over the last few years. Indochine for Korean-Asian fusion, some solid Italian places, couple good breweries with decent food. Proctor District has good breakfast spots. It’s not Seattle’s food scene but it’s not bad at all.
Do I need a car in Tacoma?
Yeah, pretty much. The transit isn’t great and things are spread out. You could probably do downtown without a car, but if you want to see Point Defiance or Ruston Way or go up to Seattle, you’re going to want wheels.
What about parking – is it expensive like Seattle?
Not even close. Most street parking is metered but it’s like $1-2 an hour. Garages are reasonable. You’re not going to spend $50 on parking like you might in downtown Seattle. Bring quarters for the meters though, a lot of them still don’t take cards.
