Tacoma

Tacoma’s 6th Avenue district is less than a 10-minute walk from campus. This bustling street packs a lot into just 10 city blocks—upscale dining, casual hangouts, coffee shops, a record store, second-hand clothing boutiques, comic books, and more.

Located north of campus, the Proctor District is only a 20-minute walk from Puget Sound. Proctor is home is the place to go for coffee, locally-made ice cream, gift shops, a plant nursery, a movie theater, bowling, and tons of dining options. On Saturday mornings, this neighborhood also hosts the Proctor Farmer’s Market.

Tacoma’s picturesque Stadium District is a 30-minute walk from campus. Here, you’ll find Tacoma’s Stadium High School, made famous in the film 10 Things I Hate About You. It’s also home to Wright Park, W.W. Seymour Botanical Conservatory, a bookstore, and lots of dining options.

Point Defiance covers 760 acres of old growth forest and pebble beaches. Only a 15-minute drive from campus, this lush park boasts miles of hiking and running trails, Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, Fort Nisqually Living History Museum, an off-leash dog park, rose and rhododendron gardens, and beach access for wading, kayaking, and paddleboarding. Point Defiance is also home to the Point Defiance Ferry Terminal, offering easy access to Vashon Island.

Just east of campus is Tacoma’s Ruston Way Waterfront. This coastal road connecting downtown to Point Defiance offers 2-miles of paved trail for walkers, runner, and bikers, and stunning views of Commencement Bay and Mount Rainier. You can learn about Tacoma’s racial history at Chinese Reconciliation Park or go fishing off Ruston Ways many public piers. At the north end of Ruston Way, you’ll find Point Ruston, a hub for dining, shopping, and entertainment.

Downtown Tacoma is a 10-minute drive southeast of campus. This long stretch on either side of Pacific Avenue (or simply “Pac Ave”) features restaurants, a retro arcade, access to Thea Foss Waterway, the Tacoma Dome, and the city’s Museum District, Theater District, Antique Row, and the Brewery Blocks.

Located west of downtown, the Hilltop is just a 10-minute drive from campus. This historic neighborhood has been the heart of Tacoma’s Black community for generations, with a rich legacy reflected in the local businesses that still call the Hilltop home. The Hilltop neighborhood is home to amazing restaurants, gift shops, art studios and galleries, and more.

University Place is a suburb of Tacoma located 15 minutes southwest of campus by car. UP boasts Chambers Creek Regional Park, Chambers Bay Golf Course, a shopping district, restaurants and breweries, numerous parks and trails, and spectacular views of the Tacoma Narrows.