Try These 5 Indoor Activities in Tacoma for Winter

Tacoma, Washington, is home to beautiful parks and exciting outdoor activities. However, sometimes the weather doesn’t cooperate and you’re not able to enjoy these exciting outdoor attractions. When that happens, make plans to check out some of these entertaining indoor destinations around the city.

Museum of Glass

The Museum of Glass in downtown Tacoma is a striking museum dedicated to the beauty of glasswork. One of the most popular permanent exhibits at the museum is Spotlight on Dale Chihuly. This exhibit showcases the amazing work of the Tacoma-native glass sculptor. You can also check out the Gathering the Light exhibit to see work by Seattle artist Cappy Thompson. When you’re done viewing the exhibits, stop by The Hot Shop to watch live demonstrations and even have an opportunity to blow your own glass.

Tacoma Art Museum

When you’ve finished taking in the beauty of glass at the Museum of Glass, head to the Tacoma Art Museum to discover even more lovely pieces of art. The museum focuses on art from artists in the Northwest. In fact, out of the more than 5,000 pieces in the collection, 3,800 are classified as Northwest art. In addition to these pieces, you’ll also have an opportunity to see impressive works by 19th-century European artists, such as Pissarro, Degas, and Renoir. Additionally, the museum has a fine collection of Japanese woodblock prints from the 17th and 19th centuries.

Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium

If you have children and you’re trying to find something that will entertain them on a rainy day in Tacoma, take them to the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium. While you’ll need a raincoat to see some of the animals in the outdoor exhibits, the zoo still has plenty of indoor attractions you can explore. For example, in the Pacific Seas Aquarium, you can view hammerhead sharks and green sea turtles in the Baja Bay exhibit and learn more about nearby marine life at the Northwest Waters exhibit.

Washington State History Museum

The permanent exhibits at the Washington State History Museum will give you a fascinating look at the history of the area. Stepping into The Great Hall of Washington History is like walking through time. The exhibit starts with artifacts from Native American tribes in the area, progresses through statehood, looks at immigration, and more. Another popular exhibit is the 1,800-square-foot model railroad that recreates rail lines from around the area.

LeMay – America’s Car Museum

If you love cars, you don’t want to miss an opportunity to view some of the vehicles on display at LeMay – America’s Car Museum. The collection at the museum consists of automotive artifacts and around 250 vehicles. As you walk through the museum, you’ll see vehicles noted for their speed, innovations, and importance to car culture. You can also test your driving skills on one of the racing simulators.

The next time rain is in the forecast in Tacoma, you know you can still have a fun day in the city when you head to these top indoor attractions.