Food Scene
On-site roasted coffee and plenty of space to either lounge, converse or work. Only a 10 min walk away from the house.
68 locals recommend
Bluebeard Coffee Roasters
2201 6th AveOn-site roasted coffee and plenty of space to either lounge, converse or work. Only a 10 min walk away from the house.
Art House Cafe
111 N Tacoma AveFantastic breakfast and lunch. Doubles as art studio. Modern.
Spectacular ramen (once you taste it you know they spent a lot of time making that broth)
13 locals recommend
Moshi Moshi
110B N Tacoma AveSpectacular ramen (once you taste it you know they spent a lot of time making that broth)
A more upscale restaurant on 6th Ave. Good for happy hour, otherwise need a reservation. Food is contemporary and focuses on pacific northwestern fare.
27 locals recommend
The Table
2715 6th AveA more upscale restaurant on 6th Ave. Good for happy hour, otherwise need a reservation. Food is contemporary and focuses on pacific northwestern fare.
If you want hotdogs and frito pie, this is the spot. Also a well-curated selection of beer.
59 locals recommend
The Red Hot
2914 6th AveIf you want hotdogs and frito pie, this is the spot. Also a well-curated selection of beer.
Tacos and tequila; a new Seattle transplant with plenty more coming.
33 locals recommend
Red Star Taco Bar
513 N 36th StTacos and tequila; a new Seattle transplant with plenty more coming.
You aren't a real restaurant in Tacoma unless you have a sandwich on the menu, and this place has some exceptional sandwiches in addition to great beer list, as well as wine and cider. Also a bottle shop.
23 locals recommend
Peaks and Pints Craft Beer Store, Taproom & Eatery
3816 N 26th StYou aren't a real restaurant in Tacoma unless you have a sandwich on the menu, and this place has some exceptional sandwiches in addition to great beer list, as well as wine and cider. Also a bottle shop.
Quintessential neighborhood bar known for its burgers and beer selection. Great crowd, friendly staff and a short walk from the house down I street. A must visit if you have the time.
40 locals recommend
Parkway Tavern
313 N I StQuintessential neighborhood bar known for its burgers and beer selection. Great crowd, friendly staff and a short walk from the house down I street. A must visit if you have the time.
Excellent selection of seasonal Mexican fused with Pacific Northwest style. Can't say enough about the breakfast burritos.
20 locals recommend
Brewers Row
3205 N 26th StExcellent selection of seasonal Mexican fused with Pacific Northwest style. Can't say enough about the breakfast burritos.
While the PNW has an inordinate number of Thai restaurants, this is our usual go-to in Tacoma. Cozy atmosphere at the end of Pacific Avenue, which is a great walkable selection of bars and restaurants. Dine in or take out.
10 locals recommend
Thai Pepper
701 Pacific AveWhile the PNW has an inordinate number of Thai restaurants, this is our usual go-to in Tacoma. Cozy atmosphere at the end of Pacific Avenue, which is a great walkable selection of bars and restaurants. Dine in or take out.
Kind of the go-to bakery in the area known for their scones and muffins. Also have some great vegan baked good. Coffee, lattes and breakfast sandwiches also on offer. A very nice walk from the house, through Wright Park and down the street.
47 locals recommend
Corina Bakery
602 Fawcett AveKind of the go-to bakery in the area known for their scones and muffins. Also have some great vegan baked good. Coffee, lattes and breakfast sandwiches also on offer. A very nice walk from the house, through Wright Park and down the street.
Spacious, small outdoor seating area, excellent happy hour, and beer excellent for summer.
Odin Brewing Tacoma
203 Tacoma Avenue SouthSpacious, small outdoor seating area, excellent happy hour, and beer excellent for summer.
Expansive outdoor seating in a converted union hall for the best brunch in the city.
16 locals recommend
Honey at Alma Mater
1322 Fawcett AveExpansive outdoor seating in a converted union hall for the best brunch in the city.
Fish and chips (or choose from a selection of seafood sandwiches) on the water, with views of Commencement Bay and the waterfront.
27 locals recommend
Northern Fish Co
2201 Ruston WayFish and chips (or choose from a selection of seafood sandwiches) on the water, with views of Commencement Bay and the waterfront.
Originally from Vashon Island, Camp Colvos set up in the Brewery District alongside Harmon Brewing, 7 Seas, and Incline Cider. Good beer, great pizza!
18 locals recommend
Camp Colvos Brewing
17636 Vashon Hwy SWOriginally from Vashon Island, Camp Colvos set up in the Brewery District alongside Harmon Brewing, 7 Seas, and Incline Cider. Good beer, great pizza!
Essentials
Full grocery store with deli and excellent sandwich selection (a Tacoma staple).
61 locals recommend
Stadium Thriftway
618 N 1st StFull grocery store with deli and excellent sandwich selection (a Tacoma staple).
Metropolitan Market Tacoma
2420 N Proctor StHigh end grocery store with quality produce
Drinks & Nightlife
Small spot with fantastic cocktails and good happy hour. Suggest the Hazelnut Old Fashion and Dark Side of the Moon.
11 locals recommend
1022 S J St
1022 South J StreetSmall spot with fantastic cocktails and good happy hour. Suggest the Hazelnut Old Fashion and Dark Side of the Moon.
Quiet, low-key spot next to Bluebeard coffee. Beer, wine and flat bread pizzas make this a favorite of ours that is a short walk away.
11 locals recommend
State Street Beer Company
606 N State StQuiet, low-key spot next to Bluebeard coffee. Beer, wine and flat bread pizzas make this a favorite of ours that is a short walk away.
Large space with a restaurant inside serving oysters and sandwiches. Great spot to hang out with wide beer selection.
51 locals recommend
7 Seas Brewery and Taproom
2101 Jefferson AveLarge space with a restaurant inside serving oysters and sandwiches. Great spot to hang out with wide beer selection.
Dystopian State Brewing Co.
611 S Baker StUnique themed brewery specializing in dark beers.
Local beer enjoyed on the deck with expansive views of the Narrows. For food, grab tacos next door.
15 locals recommend
Narrows Brewing Company
9007 S 19th StLocal beer enjoyed on the deck with expansive views of the Narrows. For food, grab tacos next door.
Great for drinks and either an appetizer or light dinner. Comfortable spot within the downtown post office and has a great patio in the summer.
22 locals recommend
En Rama
1102 A StGreat for drinks and either an appetizer or light dinner. Comfortable spot within the downtown post office and has a great patio in the summer.
Five bars spread across eight floors with the Spanish Ballroom hosting local and traveling bands. Suggest grabbing a beer from the Brewery and Bottle Shop on the first floor (street level of Commerce Ave at base of the Spanish Steps) and tour the building for its eccentric artwork, stories of known locals, and beautiful restoration of the property from when it was the Fraternal Order of Elks.
60 locals recommend
McMenamins Elks Temple
565 BroadwayFive bars spread across eight floors with the Spanish Ballroom hosting local and traveling bands. Suggest grabbing a beer from the Brewery and Bottle Shop on the first floor (street level of Commerce Ave at base of the Spanish Steps) and tour the building for its eccentric artwork, stories of known locals, and beautiful restoration of the property from when it was the Fraternal Order of Elks.
Arts & Culture
King's Books
218 St Helens AveLocal bookstore
Going beyond native Tacoman Dale Chihuly's work, though there is a lot of that, it covers the art of glass making and has a studio where you can watch glassblowers.
268 locals recommend
Museum of Glass
1801 Dock StGoing beyond native Tacoman Dale Chihuly's work, though there is a lot of that, it covers the art of glass making and has a studio where you can watch glassblowers.
Recently expanded, a well-curated museum focused on regional contributions from Native Americans, local artists and western influence.
167 locals recommend
Tacoma Art Museum
1701 Pacific AveRecently expanded, a well-curated museum focused on regional contributions from Native Americans, local artists and western influence.
Official museum for the state of Washington housed within an old train station.
87 locals recommend
Washington State History Museum
1911 Pacific AveOfficial museum for the state of Washington housed within an old train station.
Music + Books, this local favorite for cds and vinyl on 6th recently renovated to include a bookstore.
9 locals recommend
Hi-Voltage Records
2714 6th AveMusic + Books, this local favorite for cds and vinyl on 6th recently renovated to include a bookstore.
Entertainment & Activities
Not for profit theater showing documentaries and art house films.
64 locals recommend
The Grand Cinema
606 Fawcett AveNot for profit theater showing documentaries and art house films.
Spanish Ballroom is the music venue occupying the center of the McMenamins Elks Lodge. Hosting local bands and touring musicians. Check out the website for the calendar. Historic venue worth the visit.
60 locals recommend
McMenamins Elks Temple
565 BroadwaySpanish Ballroom is the music venue occupying the center of the McMenamins Elks Lodge. Hosting local bands and touring musicians. Check out the website for the calendar. Historic venue worth the visit.
Parks & Nature
Nearby park with running/walking loop and the largest concentration of champion trees in the state. Beautiful anytime of year, but best in spring and fall.
84 locals recommend
Wright Park
501 S I StNearby park with running/walking loop and the largest concentration of champion trees in the state. Beautiful anytime of year, but best in spring and fall.
Waterfront of Old Town Tacoma, beautiful stretch along Commencement Bay with walking/running/biking trail from downtown to Point Ruston/Point Defiance
Dickman Mill Park
2423 Ruston WayWaterfront of Old Town Tacoma, beautiful stretch along Commencement Bay with walking/running/biking trail from downtown to Point Ruston/Point Defiance
Fantastic park that has beaches, cliffs, views and trails that cross through old growth forest and cultural sites. Great for trail running and leisurely strolls.
118 locals recommend
Point Defiance Park
5400 North Pearl StreetFantastic park that has beaches, cliffs, views and trails that cross through old growth forest and cultural sites. Great for trail running and leisurely strolls.
Sightseeing
If downtown, walk by the UW campus in Tacoma. They have done a great job reclaiming old warehouses and developing the area. Near museums and old brewery district, which is seeing a bit of a revival
22 locals recommend
University of Washington Tacoma
1900 Commerce StIf downtown, walk by the UW campus in Tacoma. They have done a great job reclaiming old warehouses and developing the area. Near museums and old brewery district, which is seeing a bit of a revival
The neighborhood you in which you are staying. Eclectic mix of homes built between 1896 and 1957. Can spend hours walking the streets and observing broad range of architecture.
North Slope Historic District Park
1015 N 8th StThe neighborhood you in which you are staying. Eclectic mix of homes built between 1896 and 1957. Can spend hours walking the streets and observing broad range of architecture.