Destination of the Week: Tacoma-Pierce County
Photo courtesy of Tacoma-Pierce County
This week, Daily Travel Source spotlights Tacoma and Pierce County, a place where Salish Sea shores, Mount Rainier views, and a vibrant city pulse all fit into one stunning sweep of Washington. From trailheads to taprooms, glass art to global flavors, the South Sound blends wild beauty with creative energy. We spoke with Matt Wakefield, Chief Marketing and Data Officer, about what makes this region uniquely unforgettable.
What makes Tacoma and Pierce County unique among Washington destinations?
With your feet in the water of the Salish Sea to the top of Mount Rainier, it’s just 42 miles, and in between lies a major city with serious creative energy and the museums to prove it. Few places on Earth pack tidepools, trails, tacos, and nightlife into one panoramic frame.
From the trails of Point Defiance Park to the shops and dining along Ruston Way, how do visitors best experience the area’s balance of outdoor adventure and urban charm?
In Tacoma, the trailhead and the taproom are practically neighbors. You can wander through old-growth forest in the morning and end the day with a seafood dinner watching the same sunset over Puget Sound. The city moves at the pace of its tides — part adventure, part after-party — where every path seems to end at a patio with a view. Even downtown feels outdoorsy, built around water, mountain views, and wide-open sky that reminds you you’re never far from the wild.
Tacoma’s Museum District and growing food scene both reflect the area’s creative energy. What are a few cultural or culinary experiences that first-time visitors shouldn’t miss?
In the Museum District, the Chihuly Bridge of Glass links downtown to the Museum of Glass — a living tribute to Tacoma native Dale Chihuly and the city’s long history of turning industry into art. Glass art is in the city’s DNA. The neighboring Tacoma Art Museum showcases the largest collection of Northwestern artists anywhere, as well as one of the most important collections of glass art in the world. Meanwhile, just up the street, while LeMay – America’s Car Museum is one of the largest automotive museums in the country, revving up the region’s innovation story with style and horsepower.
If you’re looking to dive into Tacoma’s culinary scene, the Lincoln District is alive with global flavors, from Korean barbecue to Mexican street tacos, and Proctor and Hilltop balance neighborhood charm with inventive, chef-driven menus. For a meal that captures the region’s evolution, reserve a table at Woven, a new collaboration between the Puyallup Tribe of Indians and celebrity chef Roy Yamaguchi. The menu at Woven draws on the shared Pacific Ocean between Hawaii, Asia, and the Northwest. It celebrates how the ocean binds us together. It’s a place to gather, to share stories, and to taste the spirit of the South Sound — where Indigenous heritage, island influence, and local bounty meet by Commencement Bay.
Beyond the well-known spots, what lesser-known neighborhoods, local businesses, or seasonal experiences reveal the authentic side of Pierce County?
You’ll find the soul of the South Sound in its side streets. Lakewood’s Koreatown is a full-day adventure of spas, bakeries, and barbecue. Sumner and Puyallup charm with antique shops, boutiques, cafes, and daffodil blooms, while Gig Harbor feels like a living postcard across the Narrows. Wander long enough and you’ll stumble into a farmers market, a maker’s fair, or a mural that reminds you why locals say, live like the mountain is out. And when it comes to authenticity, it’s not curated. It’s lived, in the small-town festivals, neighborhood coffee counters, and trails locals actually use.
Are there any upcoming developments, events, or initiatives that travelers should have on their radar for 2026 and beyond?
Pierce County is heading into an exciting new era. With FIFA World Cup matches bringing global energy to the region in 2026, Tacoma and the South Sound are ready to welcome the world, showcasing our waterfront, our creative community, and our signature mix of natural beauty and innovation. New trails are connecting downtown Tacoma to Point Defiance Park, while major projects along the Foss Waterway are transforming former industrial spaces into vibrant cultural hubs. Expect expanded arts programming, fresh festivals, and a food scene that keeps redefining Pacific Northwest flavor.
More specifically, Dune Peninsula at Point Defiance Park (named for Tacoma native Frank Herbert’s magnum opus) has started hosting summer concerts and has created an instantly iconic venue for watching bands play as the sun sinks over the Olympics, ferries glide across the Sound, and Mount Rainier glows in the distance.
