Four Fun-Filled Days in Tacoma on a Budget

Discover the charm of Tacoma without breaking the bank.

21 June 2023

Tacoma, located in the state of Washington, offers a diverse range of attractions for budget travelers. A visit to Point Defiance Park, which has gardens, hiking trails, and a zoo, is a must. The city also has several museums and art galleries that offer free admission, making it accessible for those on a limited budget.

Save and get deals

Travel plan

Getting latest place information
Day 1

History and Art in Tacoma

  • Check into Hotel Olympus 4.1
    5 photos

    Hotel Olympus Apartments

    4.1 (15)

    815 Pacific Ave A, Tacoma, WA 98402, USA

    Point of interest,Establishment

    hotelolympusapts.com

    Learn more
    , an affordable option with clean rooms and great location
  • Visit the Washington State History Museum 4.6
    10 photos

    Washington State History Museum

    4.6 (1191)

    1911 Pacific Ave, Tacoma, WA 98402, USA

    Tourist attraction,Museum

    Museum exploring Washington state's history through high-tech exhibits such as a big model railroad.

    washingtonhistory.org

    Learn more
    , featuring exhibits on the state's history and culture
  • Take a walk through the Chihuly Bridge of Glass 4.6
    10 photos

    Chihuly Bridge of Glass

    4.6 (368)

    Bridge of Glass, Tacoma, WA 98402, USA

    Tourist attraction,Point of interest

    Pedestrian bridge decorated with colorful glass installations by prominent artist Dale Chihuly.

    Learn more
    , a stunning art installation featuring works by renowned artist Dale Chihuly
  • Explore the Tacoma Art Museum 4.6
    10 photos

    Tacoma Art Museum

    4.6 (1205)

    1701 Pacific Ave, Tacoma, WA 98402, USA

    Art gallery,Tourist attraction

    Exhibits feature Dale Chihuly glass works, European Impressionism, Japanese prints & American art.

    tacomaartmuseum.org

    Learn more
    , showcasing modern and contemporary Northwest art
  • Enjoy a meal at Southern Kitchen 4.3
    10 photos

    Southern Kitchen

    4.3 (2481) • $$

    1716 6th Ave, Tacoma, WA 98405, USA

    Restaurant,Food

    Soul food including favorites such as fried chicken & collard greens served in a laid-back space.

    southernkitchen-tacoma.com

    Learn more
    , a soul food restaurant serving up delicious fried chicken and collard greens
Day 2

Nature and Sweets

  • Take a morning stroll through Point Defiance Park 4.7
    10 photos

    Point Defiance Park

    4.7 (14352)

    5400 N Pearl St, Tacoma, WA 98407, USA

    Park,Tourist attraction

    Large park with the Point Defiance zoo & aquarium, hikes in an old-growth forest, gardens & beaches.

    metroparkstacoma.org

    Learn more
    , a 700+ acre park with gardens, wildlife, and beaches
  • Visit the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium 4.5
    10 photos

    Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium

    4.5 (12767)

    5400 N Pearl St, Tacoma, WA 98407, USA

    Zoo,Aquarium

    Zoo & aquarium with nearly 300 species, including tigers, meerkats & a landmark red wolf habitat.

    pdza.org

    Learn more
    , home to over 9,000 animals from all over the world
  • Enjoy some unique ice cream flavors at Ice Cream Social 4.5
    10 photos

    Ice Cream Social

    4.5 (90)

    1110 M.L.K. Jr Way, Tacoma, WA 98405, USA

    Store,Point of interest

    icecreamsocialtacoma.com

    Learn more
    , a local ice cream shop with flavors like lavender honey and potato chip
  • Check out the W.W. Seymour Botanical Conservatory 4.7
    10 photos

    W.W. Seymour Botanical Conservatory

    4.7 (620)

    316 S G St, Tacoma, WA 98405, USA

    Tourist attraction,Park

    Victorian conservatory in Wright Park with a big historical greenhouse housing 500+ plant species.

    metroparkstacoma.org

    Learn more
    , a beautiful glass conservatory filled with rare and exotic plants
  • Have dinner at Pacific Grill 4.3
    10 photos

    Pacific Grill

    4.3 (1567) • $$$

    1502 Pacific Ave, Tacoma, WA 98402, USA

    Bar,Restaurant

    New American grill offering seasonal, globally influenced fare in a warm, brick-walled dining room.

    Learn more
    , a trendy restaurant serving up seafood with a Pacific Northwest twist
Day 3

Street Art and Beer

  • Take a self-guided tour of the city's Street art scene 3.9
    10 photos

    Dome District Gallery

    3.9 (11)

    602 E 25th St #60, Tacoma, WA 98421, USA

    Art gallery,Point of interest

    domedistrictgallery.com

    Learn more
    , featuring murals and installations by local artists
  • Visit the Museum of Glass 4.5
    10 photos

    Museum of Glass

    4.5 (3336)

    1801 Dock St, Tacoma, WA 98402, USA

    Tourist attraction,Museum

    Diverse indoor & outdoor glass-art exhibits plus a cone-shaped studio with working artists.

    museumofglass.org

    Learn more
    , showcasing the medium of glass through exhibits, live demonstrations, and glass installations
  • Grab lunch at Odd Otter Brewing Company 4.6
    10 photos

    Odd Otter Brewing Company

    4.6 (451) • $

    716 Pacific Ave, Tacoma, WA 98402, USA

    Liquor store,Bar

    Local cider & small-batch beer brewed on site, served in a quaint bar with live music & karaoke.

    oddotterbrewing.com

    Learn more
    , a microbrewery with a rotating selection of craft beers
  • Take a stroll along the Ruston Way Waterfront 4.7
    10 photos

    Ruston Way Park

    4.7 (166)

    Ruston Way, Tacoma, WA 98407, USA

    Park,Point of interest

    metroparkstacoma.org

    Learn more
    , a scenic walkway along the water with sculptures and dining options
  • Have dinner at The Fish Peddler 4.5
    10 photos

    The Fish Peddler Restaurant

    4.5 (2372) • $$

    1199 Dock St, Tacoma, WA 98402, USA

    Restaurant,Food

    Lofty seafood joint with a spacious, waterfront patio offering the day's catch, dips & oysters.

    pacificseafood.com

    Learn more
    , a seafood restaurant with fresh catches and an outdoor deck overlooking the water
Day 4

Market and Hiking

  • Start the day at the Proctor Farmers Market 4.6
    10 photos

    Proctor Farmers' Market

    4.6 (669)

    NOT LOCATED IN BLDG 2702, N Proctor St, Tacoma, WA 98407, USA

    Point of interest,Establishment

    Saturday marketplace for locally grown farm products, plus educational & entertainment programming.

    proctorfarmersmarket.com

    Learn more
    , a local market with fresh produce and artisanal products
  • Hike the trails at Mount Rainier National Park 4.9
    10 photos

    Mount Rainier National Park

    4.9 (15102)

    Washington, USA

    Tourist attraction,Park

    236,000-acre wilderness around Washington's highest peak encompassing wildflower meadows & glaciers.

    nps.gov

    Learn more
    , offering stunning views of the mountain and surrounding wilderness
  • Pick up some sandwiches at MSM Deli 4.7
    10 photos

    MSM Deli

    4.7 (2958) • $

    2220 6th Ave, Tacoma, WA 98403, USA

    Store,Restaurant

    Bustling sandwich shop featuring beer & large French bread creations, plus late-night weekend hours.

    facebook.com

    Learn more
    on your way to Mount Rainier
  • End the day with a happy hour at Top of Tacoma Bar 4.5
    10 photos

    Top of Tacoma Bar & Cafe

    4.5 (2154) • $

    3529 McKinley Ave, Tacoma, WA 98404, USA

    Bar,Point of interest

    Down-to-earth tavern suppling drinks & casual chow till late night, with happy hour twice daily.

    thetopoftacoma.com

    Learn more
    , a casual neighborhood bar with local beer and spirits.

Length of stay

1 day 2 days 3 days 4 days 5 days

Type of trip

Standard trip Budget Family Friendly Romantic Stag do

How to get there

Plane

The best way to get to Tacoma by plane is to fly to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and then take a shuttle or rental car to Tacoma.

Car

The easiest way to get to Tacoma by car is to take I-5 south from Seattle or north from Portland.

Train

There is no direct train to Tacoma, but you can take the Amtrak Cascades to the nearby Tacoma Dome Station.

Boat

There are no direct boat routes to Tacoma, but you can take a ferry from Seattle to Bainbridge Island and then drive to Tacoma.

Bus

You can take a Greyhound or Bolt Bus to Tacoma from various cities in the Pacific Northwest.

Destination

Tacoma

If you love rain and coffee, then Tacoma is the perfect vacation spot for you! Just make sure to pack an umbrella and a tolerance for caffeine overdose.

 Save and get deals

Number of days

1 2 3 4 5

Type of trip

Standard trip Budget Family Friendly Romantic Stag do

More travel plans

Tantalizing Tacoma: 4 Days of Family Fun

A family-friendly trip to Tacoma, United States offers a perfect blend of natural beauty, cultural attractions, and outdoor activities. Start your journey by exploring the breathtaking Point Defiance Park, where you can enjoy stunning gardens, a zoo, and a beach. Move on to the engaging Tacoma Children's Museum and the fascinating Museum of Glass, where you can witness amazing glass-blowing demonstrations, ensuring an educational and entertaining experience for the whole family.

Discover Tacoma's Charm & Rustic Vibe

If you're on a limited budget, Tacoma, United States is a great destination for you. Check out the Point Defiance Park, Fort Nisqually Living History Museum, and Museum of Glass, which offer free admission or minimal fees. You can also visit various local farmers markets, parks, and free art exhibits in the city.

Escape for a 3-Day Tacoma Adventure

Tacoma, located in the state of Washington, offers a captivating blend of natural beauty, history, and modernity. Steeped in culture, visitors to Tacoma can explore the Museum of Glass, Tacoma Art Museum, and the Washington State History Museum. Couples can indulge in the region's culinary delights, take a stroll on the famous Ruston Way Waterfront, or explore nearby Mount Rainier National Park for a truly romantic getaway.

5 Days of Fun and Culture in Tacoma

A trip to Tacoma in the United States as a tourist is a perfect blend of exploring natural beauty and experiencing rich cultural heritage. The city features iconic museums like the Museum of Glass, the Washington State History Museum, and the Tacoma Art Museum, which gives visitors something to learn about history and art. Also, visiting places like Point Defiance Park and Ruston Way Waterfront offers scenic views of the city's nature and waterfront parks.