Visiting Tacoma’s museum row? Check out our guide for nearby restaurants, parking options
Tacoma is home to a number of museums, many of which have free entry hours and neighborhood nights. If you’re planning an outing to a Tacoma museum in the region of Dock Street and Pacific Avenue, sometimes called museum row, scouting parking options and nearby restaurants ahead of time is crucial.
We took a look at Tacoma’s museum district, including opening and closing times, entry fees, free visitor days and times and contact information for more questions. We also mapped out nearby restaurants and parking.
Here’s everything you need to know before you go:
Museum row in Tacoma
1701 Pacific Ave.
253-272-4258
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wed., Fri.–Sun.; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thurs.
The Tacoma Art Museum was founded in 1935 and has been in its current location since 2003. The multi-level, mid-sized museum has over 5,000 pieces of art in its collection, most of which were made by Pacific Northwest artists. Admission is also free Thursdays 5 to 8 p.m. to the community. Parking is available in a lot on Hood Street.
1801 Dock St.
253-284-4750
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wed.-Sun.
This institution, dedicated to the medium of glassmaking, has been a Tacoma mainstay since 2002. The museum spearheads several innovative programs aimed at educating children about glassmaking and art, including the Kids Design Class and Science of Art. In addition, veterans and soldiers can partake in Hot Stop Heroes and expose glassmaking as a therapeutic passtime. Admission varies based on the exhibits currently on display. Parking is available on Dock Street.
Foss Waterway Seaport Maritime Museum
705 Dock Street
253-272-2750
Hours: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Thurs.–Sun.; closes 8 p.m. every third Thursday of the month
This heritage museum in downtown Tacoma has a robust collection of memorabilia cherishing South Sound’s storied maritime history. The museum states it is “equal parts education facility, boat shop, maritime museum, dock, moorage, and iconic events venue.” Admission is free evenings every third Thursday of the month from 4-8 p.m. Public street parking and boat moorage are available.
1501 Pacific Ave.
253-627-6031
Hours: 1–5 p.m. Thurs.; 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fri.–Sun.
Members-only hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mon.; 9–10 a.m. Sat.
The Children’s Museum operates on a donations-based admission and centers on providing art activities, storytime and dancing programs for families to enjoy together. Paid parking is available in the lot adjacent to the museum on the weekends, but it is closed during to the public on weekdays. Become a member with the museum to get access to members-only hours and free admission and enjoy free parking in the museum’s lot.
Washington State History Museum
1911 Pacific Ave.
1-888-238-4373
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tues.–Sun.; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. third Thurs. of the month
The Washington State History Museum features an array of permanent exhibitions, rotating displays and events. Explore a model railroad display, the history of migration and immigration in Washington state and view art pieces from third-generation Japanese-Americans. Upcoming events include the South Sound Day of Remembrance on May 18 and a series on Skate history for people aged 21 and over. Admission is free every third Thursday of the month. Parking is available on the building’s Pacific Avenue level, or behind Union Station.
Additional Tacoma museums
1940 South Wilkeson St.
253-272-4257
Hours: Noon to 4 p.m. Wed. & Sat.
This museum opened in 2012 and honors the legacy of the Buffalo Soldiers, a regiment of American Army fighters comprised by Black Americans who served between 1866 and 1944. Tacoma’s Buffalo Soldiers Museum is only one of two of its kind nationwide, the other being in Houston. The facility was started by Jackie Jones-Hook, the daughter of Buffalo soldier William Jones, who died in 2009. Street parking is available on South Wilkeson Street.
2702 East D St.
253-779-8490
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thurs.-Mon.
This car museum aims to preserve the history of America’s automotive treasures, offer training opportunities on automotive preservation and teach visitors about the automobile’s impact on American culture. The museum has obtained more than 3,000 vehicles and thousands of artifacts over the years. Paid parking is available, and there is also street parking.
Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum
407 South G St.
253-383-2575
Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wed.–Sat.
This library, founded in 1983 by David and Marsha Karpeles, has more than a million historical documents across multiple nationwide locations. The Tacoma location has a permanent exhibition on the 1945 Japanese Surrender. Admission is free.
2350 North 30th St.
253-627-5405
Hours: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fri. & Sat.
The Job Carr Cabin Museum was built in 2000 to be an exact replica of Tacoma’s first permanent non-Native residence on land not belonging to the Puyallup tribe. The facility hosts interactive living history programming and education opportunities. It’s named after Job Carr, Tacoma’s first non-Native permanent settler. He was born in New Jersey in 1813 and arrived in Olympia in late 1864 at the age of 51. Free parking is available on North 30th Street and North 29th Street.
Restaurants on museum row
Some museums on Pacific Avenue and Dock Street have their own cafes, but you may want to explore what else downtown Tacoma has for grub. Here’s a list of eateries to check out if you’re spending an afternoon trekking through museum row:
Bobalust Cafe for bubble tea
1701 Dock St.
Hours: 2–10 p.m. Sun.-Thurs.; open until 11 p.m. Fri. & Sat.
The Fish Peddler Restaurant for seafood
1199 Dock St.
Hours: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Camp Colvos Brewing + Pizza Co. for pizza and beer
2104 Commerce St.
Hours: Noon to 9 p.m. Mon.-Thurs.; open until 11 p.m. Fri. & Sat.; open until 8 p.m. Sun.
THEKOI for sushi
1552 Commerce St. #100
Hours: 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Mon.-Thurs.; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fri.; Noon to 10 p.m. Sat.; Noon to 9:30 p.m. Sun.
Zeeks Pizza for beer and pizza
1702 Pacific Ave.
Hours: 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Sam Choy’s Poke to the Max for Hawaiian
1716 Pacific Ave.
Hours: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The Old Spaghetti Factory for Italian
1250 Pacific Ave. #101
Hours: 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Mon.-Thurs.; 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Fri. & Sat.; 11:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Sun.
Rock The Dock Pub & Grill for burgers, salads and live music
535 Dock St. #118
Hours: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon.; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tues.-Thurs.; 11 a.m. to noon Fri.; 10 a.m. to noon Sat.; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sun.
