Downtown Tacoma
Given its relatively small size, Tacoma’s downtown core is surprisingly rich in assets. It’s a great place to call home if you’re looking for a more urban lifestyle. The district is anchored by The University of Washington Tacoma campus at one end and the historic Theater District at the other with a light rail system connecting the two. UW Tacoma is a prime example of urban renewal in action. Old historic buildings have been converted into classroom space, and new facilities are being built each year to serve the school’s ever expanding diverse student body.
The historic Pantages and Rialto Theaters and the newer Theater on the Square are home to the city’s performing arts organizations, including the ballet, the opera and the symphony. Downtown Tacoma is also home to a wide variety of museums, including America’s Car Museum, the Museum of Glass, the Children’s Museum and the Tacoma Art Museum, which recently acquired a world renowned western art collection and doubled its gallery space to make room for the new works.
There is an equally diverse array of housing options downtown – from historic buildings converted into condos like the Vintage Y and the Perkins to new waterfront construction at the Esplanade.
Drive time to downtown Seattle: 35-60 minutes