Have you considered holding your next convention, conference, or education seminar in Tacoma, Washington? Yes, Tacoma - the emerging Pacific Northwest destination that offers fabulous museums, a wealth of surrounding attractions, outdoor recreation, and scenic natural beauty.
Tacoma is located just 18 miles south of the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport with easy access from the Interstate-5 freeway. Now Washington's second-largest municipality, Tacoma proudly retains its small-city affordability and friendliness. It offers facilities and activities for every interest, function, and budget. Recently a true renaissance has taken place downtown, highlighted by our new convention center and Museum District.
Getting around in Tacoma is easy, too. Our Tacoma Light Rail Link offers free service on a 1.6-mile route between its Tacoma Dome station and downtown Tacoma with five stops en route. The convenient Link trains run every 10 minutes.
Tacoma's Museum District now includes three superb facilities that form a triangle. The Museum of Glass: International Center for Contemporary Art features a Hot Shop Amphitheater where visitors watch artists create molten glass. The Museum of Glass is connected to the rest of downtown Tacoma via the Chihuly Bridge of Glass, a unique walkway displaying glass installations by Tacoma native and internationally acclaimed artist Dale Chihuly. From the Bridge of Glass, you can access the Tacoma Art Museum and Washington State History Museum to complete the museum triangle. Also, Tacoma's historic Union Station, a 1911 domed railroad building, is free to the public and filled with Chihuly glass art.
Museum and antique car buffs may wish to visit the Harold E. LeMay Museum at Marymount, which houses 400 of LeMay's incredible collection of nearly 3,000 vintage vehicles (the largest private collection in the world, according to the Guinness Book of World Records).
Conference attendees may also opt to view spectacular gardens at Lakewold Garden Estates or Point Defiance Park and visit the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium. There are golfing, sailing, and kayaking options all near Puget Sound. Folks wishing to travel a little farther will enjoy a popular day trip to Mount Rainier National Park, just 56 miles from Tacoma.
All this and more! Seattle is only 33 miles to the north and offers many more opportunities to see the great Pacific Northwest.