Want to see a slightly different, and definitely unique side of Tacoma, WA? Take a tour through these museums to get an up-close and personal look at art, historic cars, and more. You just might find out that Tacoma is far more fascinating than you thought. Here are the top 5 museums in Tacoma for you to visit.
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Tacoma Art Museum
Lovingly known as the TAM, this art museum has a special focus on artists and themes from the Northwestern United States. The Haub Family Collection of Western American Art gives a feel for expression through the years in many different mediums, an Early American Modernism collection offers a broader look at the nation’s evolving artists, and visitors can also peruse some classic European art and Japanese woodblock prints. Revolving exhibitions also keep the museum’s content fresh for returning visitors. If you’re hoping to find free museums in Tacoma, visit on the third Thursday of the month in the evening for no-cost admission.
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LeMay – America’s Car Museum
America has long been obsessed with cars, and the LeMay Car Museum pays homage to what those cars have to say about our history. With exhibits that explore early automobiles, the advent of NASCAR, and the history of Route 66 among other topics, car lovers will find themselves engrossed in both the stories and the cars themselves. The museum regularly hosts educational and entertaining events, and the Family Fun Zone will engage your little not-yet-drivers too.
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Museum of Glass
Here you’ll find exactly what the title suggests: glass. The museum is home to glass of many colors, forms, and artistic expressions. Here you can experience live glass blowing with the Artist in Residence program, a kids’ design glass collection, and visiting exhibits from artists around the world. Why not take a walk across the Chihuly Bridge, a pedestrian walkway and majestic piece of art connecting the Museum and downtown Tacoma with multiple installations of glass architecture and form? Interested artists can visit the Hot Shop! to see artists creating in real-time, or for those who want a more hands-on experience, sign up for a class in the education department. Schedules for the coolest glass museum in Tacoma are available on their website.
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Children’s Museum of Tacoma
It’s time to play! The Children’s Museum in Tacoma is a well-loved destination for kids and kids at heart. Parents love the “pay as you will” model that creates inclusivity for all families, and kids love the museum’s passion for promoting play. You might utilize the Museum’s Parents Night Out program and send the kids to play and have a pizza dinner at the CMT while the two of you have an evening out to yourselves. Each night is themed, and kids can typically play from 6:00 – 9:00 PM. Engage your little ones in age-appropriate “playscapes” designed to encourage creativity and movement!
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Job Carr Cabin Museum
This tiny cabin located in Old Town Tacoma is a striking testament to Tacoma’s humble beginnings. On Christmas Day in 1864, Job Carr claimed 168 acres of land after making the long journey west. Visitors to the cabin can hear Job’s story, as well as tales of the others who came to live in the area as Tacoma slowly grew in the era of railroad expansion. Docents are available to answer questions, and in the warmer months of summer, they offer walking historic tours of downtown Tacoma, WA.
Wouldn’t ya like to frequent these museums? Moving here? Before you book movers, check out our post on the best Tacoma neighborhoods!
