HotelTonight – Tacoma Washington Hotel Tonight
When most people think of vacation destinations in the Pacific Northwest, their minds automatically go to Seattle. Not very many people know much about the city of Tacoma, located just 32 miles southwest of Seattle. Tacoma, however, definitely deserves to be considered a major destination for travelers seeking arts, culture, entertainment, history and the great outdoors. There's so much to do and see in and around Tacoma, and I was never once bored during my short Tacoma getaway. After spending a few days in Seattle for business, I had a craving to get out of Seattle and explore a new city in Washington. Therefore, I decided to visit Tacoma. I quickly pulled up the HotelTonight app on my phone and browsed through its selection of last-minute Tacoma hotels. A few minutes later, I had booked a great hotel in the heart of downtown Tacoma, so I hopped into my rental car and headed southwest.
Downtown
Many Tacoma residents will tell you that downtown is the heart and soul of their city. After all, downtown is where you'll find the best arts and entertainment scenes in the city. Everywhere you walk downtown, you'll see fascinating architecture and public art installations, but that's not all that gives downtown Tacoma its trendy, artistic feel – it's also a haven for foodies. Tacoma locals venture downtown whenever they want a great meal, whether it be from a locally beloved, greasy diner or upscale fare from a renowned chef. Since I stayed in downtown Tacoma, I was able to walk to any restaurant, shop, museum or bar I wanted to visit in this urban center, so it's no surprise that I loved Tacoma right away.
Museum District
The Museum District is a sub-district located in downtown Tacoma, and it's one of the reasons why Tacoma's art and culture scene is regularly ranked high on national lists. There are six major museums in this area: the Tacoma Art Museum, the Museum of Glass, the Washington State History Museum, America's Car Museum, the Foss Waterway Seaport and the Children's Museum of Tacoma. There truly is a museum for everyone, and I decided to visit the Foss Waterway Seaport so that I could learn more about the area's maritime history and traditions.
Lincoln District
After I had thoroughly explored the trendy streets of downtown, I decided to get a feel for another side of Tacoma, so I ventured over to the Lincoln District. Also known as the "International District," the Lincoln District is truly diverse, and you can find everything from authentic Italian food to great Asian cuisine at the Hong Kong Market. Plus, the Lincoln District is home to many of the city's most treasured historic homes, so I saw beautiful old homes in styles like Victorian, craftsman and Tudors while walking through the Lincoln District.
Parks
It's no secret that Pacific Northwestern locals love enjoying the great outdoors, which I totally understand why – who wouldn't love getting outside when they live in such a beautiful part of the country? Because of this, Tacoma has many great parks and public spaces that its residents take advantage of visiting. There's Point Defiance Park, one of the biggest urban parks in the U.S., the waterfront park Ruston Way, the historic Wright Park and Titlow Beach, among many others. Whether you want a park that offers waterfront views or beautiful architecture, you'll be able to find it in Tacoma.
Mount Rainier
From many viewpoints in Tacoma, you can see Mount Rainier, the highest (and many would say most picturesque) mountain in Washington. It also happens to be an active volcano. Because of Tacoma's close proximity to Mount Rainier, locals love visiting Rainier to go camping, hiking and climbing. During the winter months, Rainier transforms into a winter wonderland, offering everything from skiing and snowboarding to snowshoeing and snowmobiling. All year-round, Tacoma locals visit Mount Rainier when they want to immerse themselves in the great outdoors, so I took a day trip to Rainier to explore this mountain's beautiful hiking trails.
HotelTonight – Last-Minute Hotels in Tacoma
While I didn't originally plan on visiting Tacoma on my trip to the Pacific Northwest, I sure am glad I did. This vibrant city has quickly become my favorite destination in the entire state of Washington, and I can't wait to return someday in the future (hopefully the near future). Since it's so close to Seattle, I may even decide to stay in Tacoma whenever I need to be in Seattle for business. Next time I find myself in Tacoma, I'll be sure to book my Tacoma hotel through HotelTonight. Since discovering HotelTonight, planning spur-of-the-moment trips has never been easier, and I love the freedom it gives me when I travel. After all, I always know that I have HotelTonight in my pocket, which means I can find great deals on hotels at a moment's notice.
