Tacoma has always been the "gritty" sibling to Seattle. For decades, it was the place people drove past on I-5, maybe holding their breath through the "aroma" of the old paper mills. But honestly? That version of Tacoma is dead. If you’re looking for things to do in Tacoma in 2026, you’re walking into a city that has quietly become the Pacific Northwest’s most authentic arts and outdoor hub without the pretentious price tag of its northern neighbor.
You’ve got the mountain, the sound, and a weirdly high density of world-class museums. It’s a place where you can watch a $50,000 glass sculpture being blown in the morning and eat a $5 taco from a truck in a parking lot by noon.
The Glass Scene is Actually Cool (Really)
Most people hear "Museum of Glass" and think of dusty vases on pedestals. Don't make that mistake. The Museum of Glass is centered around the Hot Shop—a massive, stainless steel cone where you can sit in stadium seating and watch artists manipulate molten liquid at 2,000 degrees. In early 2026, they’re running "Goblet Week," featuring visiting artists like Kit Paulson and Ryan Thompson. It’s loud, it’s hot, and it feels more like a construction site than a gallery.
If you don't want to pay admission, just walk across the Chihuly Bridge of Glass. It’s a 500-foot pedestrian bridge connecting downtown to the waterfront. It’s basically an outdoor, overhead gallery of Dale Chihuly’s work. Looking up at the "Seaform Pavilion" ceiling with the sun hitting thousands of pieces of colored glass is a vibe you won't find anywhere else.
Beyond the Glass
While everyone flocks to the glass, the Tacoma Art Museum is often where the real soul of the city hides. They have one of the best collections of Northwest Native American art in the country. Right now, through much of 2026, they’re showing "Blackness is... the Refusal to be Reduced," which is a powerful, heavy-hitting exhibit that stays with you.
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Point Defiance is Bigger Than You Think
Point Defiance Park is 760 acres. To put that in perspective, it’s nearly the size of Central Park in New York, but it’s perched on a cliff over the Puget Sound.
Most tourists hit the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium and call it a day. The zoo is great—they just welcomed a new Sumatran tiger named Mawar and a siamang named Senya—but the real magic is the Five Mile Drive. Parts of it are now permanently closed to cars, which is a blessing. It means you can walk or bike through old-growth forests without smelling exhaust.
- The Rose Garden: It’s a classic for a reason. If you’re here in the summer, the smell is intense.
- Owen Beach: Recently renovated. It’s got that gray-sand, driftwood-scattered PNW charm. Perfect for spotting harbor seals or even an orca if you're lucky.
- Fort Nisqually Living History Museum: Basically a 19th-century time capsule. They’re currently rebuilding the Clerk’s House, making it even more immersive for the 2026 season.
Where the Locals Actually Eat
Forget the chains. Tacoma’s food scene is about 6th Ave and the Lincoln District.
If you want a fancy-ish dinner, Wooden City on Pacific Ave is the spot. You need a reservation. Seriously. Their beet ravioli with goat cheese and pistachio butter is legendary, but honestly, even their burger is a work of art.
For something more "Tacoma," head to The Red Hot on 6th Ave. It’s a hot dog joint with a massive craft beer list. No kids allowed, usually loud, and the "6th Ave Strut" dog is a rite of passage. If you're into the "10 Things I Hate About You" nostalgia, grab a coffee in Old Town and walk up to Stadium High School. It looks like a French chateau and it’s arguably the most beautiful high school in America.
The Lincoln District Secret
If you want the best Pho or Vietnamese street food, go to the Lincoln District around 38th Street. Vien Dong is a staple. It’s unpretentious, fast, and the broth will cure whatever ails you. It’s a part of town that feels real—lots of local gift shops and markets that haven't been "sanitized" for tourists yet.
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The Waterfront Walk
The Ruston Way Waterfront is two miles of paved path. It’s where everyone goes when the sun finally breaks through the clouds. You’ve got the Olympic Mountains on one side and Mt. Rainier looming on the other.
The new Dune Peninsula at Point Defiance (built on an old slag heap from a copper smelter—talk about a glow-up) has these "sail mounds" that give you the best views of the sound. There are literally slides built into the side of the hill for kids (and adults who don't care about their dignity).
What Most People Get Wrong
The biggest misconception? That Tacoma is just a day trip from Seattle.
If you try to do the LeMay - America’s Car Museum (the largest collection of its kind in the world) and the waterfront and the zoo in one day, you’ll hate yourself. This city moves slower. It’s about the "T-Town" pace.
Stop by Dorky’s Arcade in the evening. It’s a bar-arcade hybrid where you can play vintage pinball for quarters. It’s a little dark, a little noisy, and perfectly summarizes the city’s refusal to grow up and become "corporate."
Practical Next Steps
If you're planning a trip, here's how to actually do it:
- Check the Tide Tables: If you’re going to Owen Beach or Titlow, you want to be there at low tide to see the starfish and anemones.
- Book the Museum of Glass Hot Shop Workshops: If you want to actually blow glass yourself, you often need to book weeks in advance.
- Stay at the Silver Cloud at Point Ruston: It’s the only luxury spot right on the water. You can walk out your front door and be on the "Waterwalk" instantly.
- Download a Parking App: Downtown Tacoma is strict about their meters, though most museums have their own lots.
Tacoma doesn't care if you like it. That’s why people love it. It’s a working-class city that stumbled into being an art mecca, and it still has just enough grit to keep it interesting.