Image of sunrise behind Mount Rainier

Life in Tacoma

Your guide to living like the mountain is out! 

The Best of All Worlds

Tacoma is an ideal place to explore the past and create your own future. This big city with a small-town heart is teaming with arts and theater, vibrant neighborhoods, great restaurants, cultural diversity, booming business and beautiful parks and trails.

Tired of an urban scene? Then you’re minutes away from kayaking on the Puget Sound, hiking through a lush forest or camping at Mt. Rainier. A solid bus and train system makes it easy to navigate around the city—and out of it, when the mood strikes.

A Great Place to Live

Read why Sunset Magazine named Tacoma the Best Place to Live in the Pacific Northwest in 2018.

Read Article 

Around Tacoma 

Discover Tacoma’s best known attractions and hidden gems.

A woman in a red kayak paddling towards the Murray Morgan Bridge.
The Museum of Glass cone reflected in the sculpture pond
A man with a backpack standing on a trail looking towards Mount Rainier
Image of lawns and gardens at Lakewold Gardents.
A US Air Force FC-515 fighter plane on display on a lawn
 

Explore Tacoma's Waterfront

Rent a kayak or join a boat tour of Commencement Bay and the Tacoma waterfront.  

Photo by Chuck Lysen

 Museum of Glass

Discover work by Tacoma native Dale Chihuly and other amazing glass artists at the MOG, located near the waterfront in downtown Tacoma. Fuse your own glass art or watch artists at work in the Hot Shop. 

 

Hit the Trail 

Mount Rainier National Park and Olympic National Park are both within easy striking distance of Tacoma -- and that's just the beginning of the amazing outdoor recreation opportunities our region has to offer. Find a great trail and hit it! 

 

Lakewold Gardens

Just south of Tacoma, you'll find a peaceful haven to explore at Lakewold Gardens. 

 

Air Force & Army

Just south of Tacoma is Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM), which combines Army Base Fort Lewis and McChord Air Force Base. The base has a large impact on the economy and culture of the South Sound region; because of its proximity TCC serves a large number of Veterans and their families. Learn more at the free McChord Air Museum.   

Transfer in Town

The South Sound is home to TCC as well as multiple other higher education institutions, where many TCC students transfer. These include:

Many of our students also transfer to the University of Washington, located about an hour's drive north in Seattle -- Washington State University, in Pullman -- and other colleges in Washington State. 

The Insider's Guide

Travel Tacoma has the latest on events, restaurants, hotels and more:

  • Where to eat and stay
  • Practical info such as maps, weather, and calendars
  • Activities from shopping to hikes to festivals
Explore T-Town

More Grit City Goodness

Dig into these resources to learn more about Tacoma and surrounding Pierce County.

Image of five male and one female students in blue caps and gowns walking across the Museum of Glass bridge with the Tacoma skyline in the backgroundChamber of CommerceCity of TacomaMetro Parks TacomaPort of TacomaTacoma Public SchoolsThe News Tribune

Get Out of Town

Tacoma is great, but when you do want to get away, your options are endless. Within an hour of Tacoma, you can be ….

  • At a Seahawks or Mariner’s game in Seattle
  • Hiking the scenic trails of Mt. Rainier
  • Relaxing on the beaches of the Olympic Peninsula
  • Having a coffee on quaint Vashon Island
  • Exploring Olympia’s farmers market
  • Camping in the pristine Cascades
  • Snowboarding at Snoqualmie Pass or Crystal Mountain

... and more! There's so much to do in the South Sound. Get out there and enjoy it!