6 minute read
TRAVEL & LEISURE
MOUNTAIN, CITY, SEA
Tacoma and Pierce County fit the bill
By Marguerite Cleveland Photos Courtesy of Travel Tacoma
Have you ever been challenged while planning a vacation? Some in the group want outdoor fun while others want the cultural experiences only found in a city. Tacoma and Pierce County is a destination sure to appeal to everyone in your group. It’s only 42 miles from a saltwater shoreline to the peak of a glacial volcano with an art-focused downtown in between. Discover exhilarating outdoor activities at Mount Rainier National Park. Learn about art glass in Downtown Tacoma and see why the art form really shows off the beauty of the Pacific Northwest. Then throw in a bonus by visiting Gig Harbor, the Maritime City, because who doesn’t love time spent by or on the water. Plan to stay a night in each area for a short getaway or add a few more days to explore in depth for a longer vacation.
Mountain
Every now and then you stumble upon a unique lodging that is incredibly special. The Paradise Village Lodge is just such a place. Lovingly renovated to look like a Ukrainian village, owner Anatoliy Zaika has created a cozy inn with comfortable touches from the old country. He and his family run the lodging, restaurant and coffee shop in the town of Ashford, the gateway to Mt. Rainier. Make sure to try the galushki, Ukrainian gnocchi which is a rich and hearty dish. What really brings people to stay here is the Instagram-worthy Cannibal Hot Tub. A giant cauldron is heated over a wood fire to create the most unusual soak you will ever have.
To get the most out of your time at Mt. Rainier, book a Discover Nature Tour with Diann Sheldon. She has degrees in ecology and evolutionary biology and is truly knowledgeable about the flora and fauna in the park. With many years of experience exploring Mt. Rainier, she knows the ins and outs of the crowds and how to plan a day which will have you experiencing the best the park has to offer. Before each tour she speaks with you to plan a day based on your interests. A tour is only as good as the guide, and Sheldon is engaging and never boring. In July, wildflowers will start peeking out in lower elevations and will peak at higher elevations in August. Well worth seeing.
After a day in the park, stop at the Wildberry Restaurant. You can’t miss it with Buddhist prayer flags adorning the building and courtyard.
It is owned by Lhakpa Gelu Sherpa, who holds the world speed record museums, the Museum of Glass and the Tacoma Art Museum by crossing by summiting Mt. Everest from base camp to the top in 10 hours, 56 over the Chihuly Bridge of Glass, a public art installation. Purchase a minutes and 46 seconds. He has climbed to the summit of Mount Everest three- or seven-day attractions pass at Travel Tacoma to save on city 15 times and Mount Rainier 95 times. The restaurant is decorated with museums. memorabilia of his exploits. Now his wife, Fulamu, shines as the chef District and 3 miles from Point Defiance. You can easily walk from the of the restaurant serving up Nepalese favorites from home as well as To really appreciate what Tacoma has to offer, take a tour offered by Pretty American pub fare. Gritty. “Tacoma is a beautiful and honest city. It's a city of entrepreneurs and innovators. From craft breweries, to restaurants, to experiences, City most businesses here are owned by passionate and local owners, so you Tacoma has all the big-city amenities with a small-town charm. The Staudinger, owner of Pretty Gritty Tours. “Our ‘Get to Know Tacoma’ Silver Cloud Tacoma Waterfront has one of the best locations in town. tour is a crash course in the art, food and history of the area and prepares Every room has a waterfront view and it is just 2 miles from the Museum you to launch into the city proper.” get an experience or flavor that is wholly unique to the area,” said Chris hotel to numerous restaurants along Ruston Way on the waterfront urban African American business owner Terry Waller has created a Victorian trail that connects to Point Ruston, where you can find restaurants, shops wonderland at her Olive Branch Café and Tea Room located at and a movie theater. Freighthouse Square. A master of upcycling, she has transformed this warehouse space into an oasis. From the time you walk in the door, are You can’t go to Tacoma without seeing artwork from the most renowned greeted with a hug and hear Brian playing the grand piano, you know you glass artist in the world, Dale Chihuly. You can see his work at two are in for a treat. Reservations are a must, and order one of the specialty
BonnersFerryLivingLocal.com 51
WHERE TO STAY
Paradise Village Lodge - ParadiseVillageLodge.com Silver Cloud Tacoma Waterfront SilverCloud.com/Tacoma Maritime Inn Gig Harbor - MaritimeInn.com
WHERE TO EAT
Wildberry - RainierWildberry.com The Olive Branch Café and Tea Room OliveBranch-Cafe.com Brix 25 - HarborBrix.com
WHAT TO DO
Tacoma Visitors Information - TravelTacoma.com Discover Nature with Diann Sheldon TourMtRainier.com Pretty Gritty Tours - PrettyGrittyTours.com Tacoma Attraction Pass Explore.TravelTacoma.com Gig Harbor Gondola - GigHarborGondola.com Heritage Distilling - HeritageDistilling.com Gig Harbor Boat Shop – GigHarborBoatShop.org
Photo By Marguerite Cleveland
teas so you can try all the deliciousness the Olive Branch Café has to offer. Make sure to check out the hat room for a jazzy hat or fascinator to wear while you enjoy your tea.
Sea
For a more intimate “sea” experience, head across the Tacoma Narrows Bridge to Gig Harbor, a maritime city. You will want to head to the waterfront, which is known as downtown. Plan to stay at the Maritime Inn Gig Harbor. This cute boutique inn is located across the street from the harbor and centrally located so you can walk everywhere.
Rather than your typical harbor cruise, book a trip on the Gig Harbor Gondola. Owner John "Cinque" Synco will serenade you as you float through Gig Harbor. Reservations over a weekend. Over two days you will build your own rowboat which are a must, and you can order appetizers or just stop by the Harbor you can take home with you. General Store to pick up your own and a bottle of prosecco, an Italian sparkling wine. No visit to Gig Harbor is complete without a visit to Heritage Distilling. Gig Harbor is well known for its many great restaurants, but Brix 25˚ throughout Washington and Oregon. Their signature Brown Sugar really stands out. This is one of the pricier places to eat but well worth it. Bourbon has won “World’s Best Flavored Whiskey” by Whisky Magazine’s The food is outstanding, but they really shine with the craft cocktails. All World Whiskies Awards in both 2018 and 2019. It really is that good and the ingredients are fresh or made in house. Classic cocktails are updated put this company on the map. There is a tasting room in Downtown Gig and reimagined with a Brix twist. Each season a new cocktail list is Harbor and in Uptown Gig Harbor is the distillery. created so there is always something new to try. What started as a small, local business now has multiple locations There is so much to see and do in Tacoma and Pierce County. Visit Travel The Gig Harbor BoatShop has classic boats you can rent to take out on Tacoma for more ideas and itineraries so you can explore mountain, city the harbor. If you have more time, book a family boat building workshop and sea all in one destination.
