Tacoma
Full of beaches, shops and scenic views, the Tacoma waterfront is undoubtedly a stunning destination. You won’t even need to wait to arrive to enjoy the views — the drive south is already beautiful. Leaving the freeway, you’ll travel along the lovely Commencement Bay with its soaring waterbirds, huge ships and astonishing rock formations.
Start the day at the W.W. Seymour Botanical Conservatory. In the spring, the gardens are filled with bright, colorful flowers, cute gazebos and a small, picturesque koi pond. Entry to the conservatory is free, making it a convenient place to visit with friends and family, take pictures or simply spend a relaxing day in nature. The gardens lie nestled in Wright Park, which spans 27 acres and is located in the heart of Tacoma. The area offers something for everyone: a playground and statues, a bridge crossing a small lake and plenty of open space to explore. Notable landmarks include the Stone Bench, the Fisherman’s Daughter statue and the Acheson Memorial Rhododendron Garden. The park’s open space and scenic paths are perfect for picnics, long walks and stunning picnic views.
When you’re ready for a change of scenery, stop by Infinite Soups, a soup bar with an astounding 20-30 different varieties of soup. Bring your lunch on a quick walk down the street to Thea’s Park — it’ll take about 20 minutes. Along the Thea Foss Waterway, you’ll find the historic Peace Plaza, which serves as a quiet spot to sit down, relax and enjoy the views of Mount Rainier with tugboats and barges passing in the background. Beyond the landscape, Peace Plaza holds historical significance. It acknowledges Tacoma’s history of discrimination and injustice, and it serves as a reminder of the importance of peace and community. An obelisk displaying the words “Let there be peace on Earth” in 13 languages and a globe featuring Tacoma’s numerous sister cities commemorates this message. Continue your journey by taking advantage of Tacoma’s user-friendly bus system or walking the waterfront along Schuster Parkway and then Ruston Way. Enjoy the scenery and continue until you reach the picturesque Telescope Views at Ruston Point, set on the Dune Peninsula. Sit down and enjoy the sunset alongside some of Tacoma’s most adorable residents: the harbor seals. These glorious inhabitants are a highlight for visitors, often laying on rocks or popping their heads above the water. Remember to maintain a respectful distance and never feed the wildlife.
Walking across the Dune Peninsula while watching the beautiful colors of the sunset reflect on the water is a wonderful end to your day in Tacoma. Whether you’re traveling with friends, family or solo, Tacoma offers an affordable trip filled with nature, history and waterfront views and is sure to lead to a relaxing day full of breathtaking beauty.
Seal-iously important Tacoma facts:
The one-way distance is about 55 miles, so gas will cost about $10-20 per round trip, depending on the vehicle.-Taking-public–transit-will-take-much-longer,-but Washington State buses are free for those under 18, meaning your only cost will be food!
To increase your chances of spotting seal friends, we recommend visiting at low tide. Tide charts can be found at:
https://www.tideschart.com/United-States/Washington/Pierce-County/Tacoma/.
Bainbridge Island
Start the day with a ferry ride across Puget Sound while enjoying views of the beautiful Seattle skyline and its surrounding islands on the way to Bainbridge Island. Near the ferry terminal is Pegasus Coffee House, which features open seating and a homey atmosphere. It’s the perfect place to get drinks and pastries to fuel the rest of your day or to relax and chat with friends in the cozy space. Gluten free? No problem — they carry gluten free donuts. On Fridays, the coffee house even hosts live music!
With treats and drinks in hand, drive on up to Hidden Cove Park. This cove is the perfect place to enjoy picnics in the warm weather among its grassy field and breathtaking views of the water. The park has a dock that will lead you down to the water, where you’ll find two and a half miles of trails perfect for a peaceful hike.
After a quick nine-minute drive, you will arrive at Fay Bainbridge Park. Its picnic shelters, tables and even campsites make for a great get-together spot. For a different vibe, you can look for sea glass and shells while admiring the view of the Cascades and Mount Rainier. If luck is on your side, you might even spot orcas or seals!
On the drive downtown, stop by Sakai Park and meet one of the Puget Sound area trolls: Pia the Peacekeeper, an eighteen foot-tall wooden troll. She’s great for a photo shoot! However, keep in mind that parking here can be a bit tricky. If you’re interested, there are even more trolls throughout the Seattle area that you can look for!
After a long day of fun, stop by Thuy’s Pho House for some delicious and affordable pho. The combination of delightful warm soup and a cozy atmosphere makes it a must for any Bainbridge adventurer. Then, head over to Hall Hill’s Lookout and Labyrinth. This relaxing park has a wooden swing with a view of the Salish Sea that’s simply incredible. Along with the park’s intricate stone labyrinth, you can find the community prayer wheel, whose 300-pound bell will ring out after being spun nine times. After a lively day of affordable adventures, you’re sure to leave with life-long memories.
Ferry-ly important tips for Bainbridge:
All the parks mentioned have free parking. The Bainbridge Art Museum is also free for all, and the ferry is free for walk-ons 18 and under — just make sure to bring some form of ID!
