Tacoma, Washington
Located at the foot of iconic Mount Rainier, along the shores of Commencement Bay in Washington State, Tacoma is recognized as a livable and progressive port city. With a population of more than 217,000 residents1, Tacoma is the second largest city in the Puget Sound area and the third largest in the state. In the last few decades, the city underwent a major transformation and became a center for international exports, the arts and diverse culture, outdoor recreation, and healthy, affordable living. Scenic views abound, from salt water beaches to twin suspension bridges, from nearby national parks to an urban forest preserve. Average temperatures in Tacoma typically range from 37°F to 78°F. Tacoma’s short summers tend to be warm and dry, and its longer winters cold and rainy. With an average annual rainfall of 41 inches (compared to the U.S. average of 38 inches), Tacoma stays green throughout most of the year, with only occasional snowfall (an average of 4 inches annually).2
See below for link to selected local attractions.
Selected Local Attractions
Please take a moment to browse the information below about our community and selected local attractions in Tacoma, Pierce County, and beyond. Items are alphabetized within the categories of general information, the outdoors, museums and landmarks, and sports and entertainment.
General Information:
Chamber of Commerce
https://www.tacomachamber.org/
Explore Neighborhoods
https://movetotacoma.com/explore-neighborhoods/
Joint Base Lewis-McCord
https://home.army.mil/lewis-mcchord/index.php
Puyallup Tribe of Indians
http://www.puyallup-tribe.com/
Travel Tacoma
https://www.traveltacoma.com/
UW Tacoma Staff Favorites: Restaurants, Activities, Nightlife, and Shopping
https://www.tacoma.uw.edu/sites/default/files/sections/StaffAssociation…
The Outdoors:
Five Mile Drive and Trails
https://www.metroparkstacoma.org/five-mile-drive-trails-point-defiance/
Mount Rainier National Park
https://www.nps.gov/mora/index.htm
Olympic National Park
https://www.nps.gov/olym/index.htm
Pierce County Parks
https://www.piercecountywa.org/114/Parks-Recreation
Point Defiance Park
https://www.metroparkstacoma.org/point-defiance-park/
Ruston Way Waterfront
https://www.traveltacoma.com/regions/tacoma/ruston-way-waterfront/
Museums and Landmarks:
Chihuly Bridge of Glass
https://www.traveltacoma.com/listings/chihuly-bridge-of-glass/479/
Museum of Glass
https://www.museumofglass.org/
Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium
https://www.pdza.org/
Seymour Botanical Conservatory
https://www.metroparkstacoma.org/place/w-w-seymour-conservatory/
Tacoma Art Museum
https://www.tacomaartmuseum.org/
Tacoma Narrows Bridge
https://www.wsdot.wa.gov/TNBhistory/
Union Station
https://www.gsa.gov/historic-buildings/tacoma-union-station-tacoma-wa
Sports and Entertainment:
Chambers Bay Golf Course
https://www.chambersbaygolf.com/
Cheney Stadium
https://www.milb.com/tacoma/ballpark/cheney-stadium
Emerald Queen Casino
http://emeraldqueen.com/
Grand Cinema
https://www.grandcinema.com/
Tacoma Arts Live
https://www.tacomaartslive.org/
Sports Leagues and Recreation
https://www.co.pierce.wa.us/1407/Recreation-Sports
Symphony Tacoma
https://symphonytacoma.org/
Tacoma Dome
https://www.tacomadome.org/
Wild Waves Theme & Water Park
https://www.wildwaves.com/
1 United States Census Bureau. (2020). Quick Facts. Accessed July 23. https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/tacomacitywashington,pierc…
2 Weatherspark.com. (2019). Average Weather in Tacoma. Accessed August 23. https://weatherspark.com/y/924/Average-Weather-in-Tacoma-Washington-Uni…