One end of the "Sea-Tac" (Seattle-Tacoma) megalopolis, industrial Tacoma rates a visit to see the Washington State History Museum (http://wshs.org). It displays pioneer artifacts and nautical lore and is located in the historic Warehouse District.
Wander the restored downtown, especially Union Station, before going to the Museum of Glass (phone 253-284-4719; http://www.museumofglass.org). You can't miss the gigantic silver cone jutting over the waterfront. Cross over the 500-ft-/155-m-long glass bridge designed by Dale Chihuly. Afterward, visit the dramatic Tacoma Art Museum in its sleek stainless-steel sheath (phone 253-272-4258; http://www.tacomaartmuseum.org). For some nice-weather walks, go to Point Defiance Park, which juts into Puget Sound, and the neighboring zoo and aquarium.
Visitors to Tacoma may notice a familiar site. The original Narrows Bridge, which was built in 1940, has been featured on many television programs and in many publications. This bridge is often shown twisting and turning like a corkscrew in a 40-mph/64-kph wind. Only four months after its completion, the bridge bucked so violently that it ripped apart. Portions fell into the water. A replacement bridge was finished in 1950, and a third bridge is under construction to alleviate the severe traffic overflow.
The quintessential waterside village is Gig Harbor, just across the Narrows Bridge. This town offers the most scenic harbor on Puget Sound. The waterfront is full of fishing and sailing boats, tall pine trees and tropical-style houses lining the shore, with Mount Rainer in the distance. It's worth the short drive from Tacoma to grab lunch and eye the spectacular view. There are plenty of restaurants and gift shops, a historical museum and galleries to satisfy a musing quest.
Just east of Tacoma is Puyallup, home of the 17-day Western Washington State Fair every September. Puyallup also boasts many Victorian homes and the Ezra Meeker Mansion, built by one of the pioneer settlers of the area. Fields of flowers surround the town, which celebrates an annual Daffodil Festival in April.
In Eatonville, 30 mi/50 km south of Tacoma, you'll find the 600-acre/245-hectare Northwest Trek Wildlife Park. It's one of the finest free-roaming-animal parks in the U.S., home to moose, elk, bison, mountain goats and big-horn sheep that range over park territory. If you walk the nature trails, you may spot grizzly or black bears. Tram tours (heated in the winter) depart hourly.
For more information on Tacoma, contact the Tacoma Regional Convention & Visitor Bureau. Phone 253-627-2836 or toll-free 800-272-2662. http://www.traveltacoma.com. Tacoma is 30 mi/50 km south of Seattle.
