Tacoma’s Museum District: 5 Stops for the Perfect Artsy Day Out

Tacoma’s Museum District is the perfect place to spend the day exploring and creating art with your children. Discover dramatic works of public art created by Tacoma’s own Dale Chihuly, who popularized glass art in the United States. Explore art museums, public art and create at a variety of stops throughout the day. The best part: They’re all within walking distance of each other, and many of the activities are free.

TAM Studio at Tacoma Art Museum

The Tacoma Art Museum offers a free creative space, the TAM Studio, with a variety of things for children to do. Hands-on activities in the studio are inspired by works of art found in the Tacoma Art Museum’s collections.

Rachel Ervin, the museums director of marketing and communications, shares, “TAM Studio is a great place to take a moment and make some art with your family. It’s open at the same hours as the museum and is always an admission-free space. It’s also stocked with art supplies for use. For kids aged 2–8, we host a free monthly program called ‘Studio and Storytime,’ where we partner with Tacoma Public Libraries to bring story time to our galleries, then finish in TAM Studio with a special project inspired by the book and the artwork. TAM also has a variety of discounted and free admission programs and is free every Thursday from 5–8 p.m. for Neighborhood Nights.” 

Insider tip: Park in the lot below the Tacoma Art Museum. The parking spaces are easier to navigate with children, and they are away from the busy downtown streets.

Location: 1701 Pacific Ave., Tacoma

Museum of Glass

The Museum of Glass is a giant silver cone that dominates the Tacoma skyline and resembles a volcano.

The museum’s curator of education, Susan Warner, explains, “Museum of Glass offers children unparalleled access to an art form they rarely have the opportunity to experience firsthand. Whether they are watching glassblowers make new works in our Hot Shop, exploring our exhibitions, or creating their own art in programs like Kids Design Glass and our glass workshops, children who visit Museum of Glass receive far more than a traditional museum experience. They embark on a multidisciplinary journey that guides them through every stage of the artistic process, from conception and creation to completion.”

Live glassblowing demonstrations happen throughout the day, every day the museum is open. You can also watch a livestream of the Hot Shop online.

Insider tip: Museum passes for Museum of Glass (and Tacoma Art Museum) are available for checkout at Tacoma public libraries.

Location: 1801 Dock St., Tacoma

Chihuly Bridge of Glass

The Chihuly Bridge of Glass is an outdoor pedestrian bridge featuring three Chihuly art installations. First up is the Seaform Pavilion. Feel like you are walking underwater with over two thousand glass objects above you, an artistic version of a coral reef. At the center of the bridge are the Crystal Towers, designed to look like blue glacier ice. Chihuly captured the unique shades of blue perfectly. Last up is the Venetian Wall, with 109 sculptures among the largest pieces of blown glass in the world.

The bridge is a stunning example of public art and a great place for children to walk off some energy.

Insider tip: At night, the Crystal Towers are illuminated, creating an iconic Tacoma sight.

Location: Access the Chihuly Bridge of Glass between Union Station and the Washington State History Museum.

Union Station

Tacoma was the terminus of the Northern Pacific Railway. The architectural firm Reed and Stem — famed for its work on New York City’s Grand Central Station — designed Union Station. Today, it is a federal court building.

Dale Chihuly and his wife, Leslie, donated five substantial pieces for display in the building. Hanging from the dome is the extraordinary End of Day, a 20-foot-long chandelier. The additional works can be viewed on the second level.

Identification is required to enter the building.

Insider tip: Behind the building is a replica of the Liberty Bell donated to the city in 1950.

Location: 1717 Pacific Ave., Tacoma

Tinkertopia

Tinkertopia is a unique and magical shop and artist studio right across Pacific Avenue from the Museum District. The shop is a creative space that gives new uses to tons of recycled items. It truly sparks children’s imaginations from the moment they walk in the door. Bulk bags are available to choose items from bins to make art projects at home. Another option is to book 90 minutes of Tinker Time for $10. Supplies are included and you can make as much as you can in the time limit. Reservations are a must.

Insider tip: Purchase bulk items to take home for a perfect rainy day activity.

Location: 1914 Pacific Ave., Tacoma

Our favorite spots to eat

There are a variety of places to eat downtown, but these two are in the heart of the Museum District and easy to include as part of your day. Picnics are also an option. There are plenty of benches and places to set along the Foss Waterway near the Museum of Glass.

Lune

Lune is a cute place next to Tinkertopia. It offers a variety of sandwiches, crepes and specialty desserts. It is known for the viral Dubai chocolate strawberries.

Location: 1916 Pacific Ave., Tacoma

Sliced Sandwiches

This newly opened sandwich shop next to Museum of Glass serves up fresh, hearty sandwiches, salads, soups and pastas influenced by New York delis. Portions are huge and easily shareable with children. They also carry Cat and Rabbitt cake slices for a yummy treat.

Location: 1801 Dock St., Tacoma