Things To Do
Fort Steilacoom Park
This is one of my favorite places in the whole world. My Dad and I go here almost every day, and I’m pretty sure I’m something of a local celebrity. The park has a huge dog park, forest trails through the trees, and a paved path that loops around the lake for nice little walk. If you want some fresh air and a really beautiful park while you’re visiting, this is definitely one of my top picks. But be careful, Mom says it's haunted.
Titlow Park
This spot is pretty special to my family. Back in 2019, it’s where Dad gave Mom her promise Claddagh ring. It sits right along the water with beautiful beach views and walking paths, and sometimes—if you’re lucky—you can even see orcas passing through the Sound from the shore. I love chilling with my bird friends while gazing out at the Tacoma Narrow's Bridge. We still go there all the time for walks and sunsets, and it’s one of those places that never gets old.
Chambers Bay Golf Course
This is another one of my favorite places to walk. It’s in University Place, where Dad lived when he was younger, and it has a huge loop trail that winds around the golf course with incredible views of the Sound. There’s also a restaurant up at the clubhouse if you want to stop for a drink or a bite. Mom and Dad used to come here all the time to catch Pokémon back when that was a bigger thing. And even now, it's still one of my top picks for a long walk.
Point Defiance
I’m here almost every weekend, and it’s easily my favorite “woods” hike. The park has miles of forest trails, beautiful flower gardens, a pagoda, a zoo, and even the Dune Peninsula [after Ron Herbert’s novel Dune]. There are also a ton of shops and restaurants around the waterfront and even a movie theater nearby. With so much to explore, it’s one of the biggest and most beautiful places around Tacoma, and I highly recommend it.
Steilacoom
This little town is the oldest incorporated in Washington, dating back to 1851, and a lot of history has happened here over the years. But for my family, it’s also special because it’s where Mom and Dad got their first apartment together. Steilacoom is tiny, quaint, and right on the water, with little shops, cafés, and beautiful views of the Sound. It’s a great place to wander around for an afternoon and soak up a bit of local history and small-town charm. Also, the fishermen who hang out by the ferry dock are also always super nice to me.