WASHINGTON: THE EVERGREEN STATE
BY CLAY
LARROY
When you choose to travel, whether it is for business
or pleasure, it is important to plan your trip well before hand. Here are some
tips to help you. Don't be afraid to cash in your airline miles. Many travelers
let their miles accumulate and never bother using them. Reap the rewards of
your traveling and spend the miles you've earned! Miles have expiration dates,
so be sure to use them before they expire. Travelling is a great way to use
your airline miles. When you need to plan a vacation contact me!
Tacoma, “America’s
#1 Wired City”
Tacoma in Washington, is the state's third largest
city, with just over 200,000 residents.
Tacoma often gets a negative description that is similar to the one
given to Oakland, California but, in the same way, this comes from
those who have never lived in nor visited the city. While it has neither the
tourist amenities of its neighbor Seattle to the north nor the suburban safety
of Olympia to the south, one can certainly spend
a few pleasant days in Tacoma and see the city's dynamic art scene (theater,
galleries, museums, etc.) as well as its great ballet.
Tacoma is home
to a variety of museums:
- Washington
State History Museum
- Tacoma
Art Museum
- Museum
of Glass - you
can cross to or from this museum on the Bridge of Glass - and no, the bridge is not made
of glass - it's 500 feet long, over Interstate 705, with exhibits of the
artworks of Dale Chihuly made from glass.
- Children's
Museum of Tacoma
- Fort
Nisqually Living History Museum
- Working Waterfront Museum
- LeMay -
America's Car Museum Hundreds
of cars in the collection are on display. Vehicles of note include a 1948
Tucker, of which less than 21 are on public display worldwide, and the
Flintmobile used in the 1994 Flintstones film.
- Job
Carr Cabin Museum An
authentic replica of Tacoma’s first permanent residence, first post office
and first polling place.
Other
- The
Seymour Botanical Conservatory, within Wright Park.
- Union
Station and its Dale Chihuly
glass exhibits. Next to the Washington State History Museum.
- University
of Washington Tacoma -
located in an historic business district near downtown. A suggested
walking tour is available.
(UW Tacoma is across the street from the Washington State History Museum.)
- Brown
& Haley's Outlet Store The near
the factory (most famous for Almond Roca® candy).
- A
new convention center opened
in late 2004.
- Tacoma
Dome the big dome, on 2727
'D' St, seen from the freeway and three blocks up the hill from the
Greyhound/Sound Transit/Pierce Transit transportation center. There could
be an exhibition, concert, or convention going on that may be of an
interest.
- The Tacoma Narrows Bridge, the gateway to Gig Harbor, Poulsbo, Hood Canal, Port Townsend, and the Olympic Peninsula, was recently remodeled to include a second span (which now requires a $4 toll for those returning to Tacoma). (The original bridge, built in 1940, and known as "Galloping Gertie", is well known because of its collapse.)
MORE THINGS TO DO
- The
Tacoma Regional Convention & Visitor Bureau has its Visitor Information
Center at the Greater Tacoma Convention and Trade Center (1500 Broadway)
they are located on the 1st floor and you can park in the loading zone off
of Commerce St. for free for 30 mins. Visitor guides, maps and brochures
on area attractions are available, and they even have a phone charging
station and comfy chairs to relax.
- Tacoma
Musical Playhouse runs musical
plays throughout the year, using local talent. This group has grown to
become one of the South Sound's biggest draws, so buy your tickets early
for the popular shows.
- Scooter Adventure, 5428 South Tacoma Way, Tacoma, WA, 253- 565-1117,. A complete scooter adventure including orientation, 3 hour rental, DOT approved helmet rental, rider insurance, Scenic Excursion Map and commemorative photo.
The lakes in Washington State
give us tons of crawfish.
Tom Douglas
