Do Cool Stuff / Porchfest / Tacomarama

Do cool things in Tacoma and you might find yourself featured here. Take Irina Rasputnis, for example. I met Irina when she needed a drummer in her outlandish marching band. More on the band later. First, I must bring rapidly approaching Porchfest to your attention! She created the event last Summer. Porchfest Porchfest, according to the website, “is a free,... Read More »

First Night Tacoma – (video)

FIRST NIGHT in Downtown Tacoma – New Year’s Eve My wife and I usually ponder the same two options for New Year’s Eve; go to a party or lay low and hit the sack before the ball drops. In recent years the latter option is a heavy favorite. However, last year we decided to give First Night a go, along... Read More »

Chalet Bowl in Tacoma’s Proctor District

Chalet Bowl Hidden in the heart of Tacoma’s Proctor District is Chalet Bowl, the longest continually operating bowling alley in Washington State. Twelve bright and shiny lanes beckon beginner and experienced bowlers alike. While the boutique facility dates back to 1941, it boasts plenty of modern-day conveniences. Each lane is equipped with a state-of-the-art scoring system, touch screen and overhead... Read More »

Ice Cream Social in 6th Ave District Tacoma

Ice Cream Social When the sun comes out and the mercury rises, two words come to mind: ice cream. Especially after a long winter (and especially for those of us who live in the sun-starved Northwest). So we shouldn’t have been surprised when we stopped by Ice Cream Social in 6th Ave Tacoma last weekend and encountered a long line... Read More »

Where to Go to See All Ages Music in Tacoma

All Ages Music Tacoma You would think, given how much the typical young person enjoys music, there would be no end to the number of venues hosting concerts. High school and college students could pick from an array of potential shows every weekend, and parents hoping to pass on their love of garage rock or old-school jazz could drag their embarrassed... Read More »

Your First Visit to LeMay America’s Car Museum

LeMay America’s Car Museum Aside from the Tacoma Dome, no Tacoma landmark owns a more prominent position than LeMay. Behold the largest automotive museum in North America. Situated on a nine-acre campus near the Dome at the junction of I-5 and I-705, the 165,000-square-foot museum first opened its doors in 2012. If you’ve yet to drop by, consider this a guide... Read More »

5 Snow-Free Hikes Near Tacoma

Spring is here, and it’s time to dust off those hiking boots. Sure, most high-elevation hikes are still buried under several feet of snow, but below are five day hikes near Tacoma that are snow-free and easy to reach (no chains or snow tires required). Little Si (North Bend) Everybody knows about Little Si’s big brother, Mount Si, which often... Read More »

Dinner at the Hub in Stadium District Tacoma

During a recent conversation with someone who had left Tacoma, I asked her what she missed the most. “The Hub,” she answered without hesitation. Breakfast, lunch or dinner. In good weather or bad. She missed being able to stop in on her favorite restaurant in her favorite neighborhood: the Hub in Stadium District Tacoma. That conversation was all it took... Read More »

Valentine’s Day in Tacoma

Valentine’s Day in Tacoma Tired of dinner and a movie? Do you need new ideas for your Valentine’s date night (or day)? You live in the right place. From fun filled frolic to close cozy corners, Tacoma is bursting with romantic locales and activities. Take a walk on the waterfront: You have great venues from which to choose. Head down... Read More »

Tacoma Public Library’s Northwest Room

Hidden on the second floor of Tacoma Public Library’s main branch downtown is a local treasure worthy of your exploration: the Northwest Room. Topped by the warm glow of Tacoma’s “original dome” and buttressed by marble columns, the Northwest Room provides Tacoma citizens with everything they need to rediscover their past. The Northwest Room occupies the second floor of the... Read More »