Five Things to do in Tacoma Right Now

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I think I say the same thing to my husband every night: Can you believe this is still happening? I’m so tired of it all! How are you holding up?

Yup, we’re still trudging through this whole COVID-19 thing. It’s weird to think back to the beginning of the year and how things have changed and we’ve adapted. I started out with a burst of energy and ideas. Every day we had morning learning time, we took walks sometimes twice a day around the neighborhood, maybe a bike ride, and endless with magnatile creations.

Now, it’s summer so we only do learning time a couple of times a week (Caleb can put up such a fuss sometimes!), we take walks but often at different places, and we’ve moved onto DUPLOS. It’s the same, but not the same. Ahh, the ebb and flow of life during COVID.

Lately, more things have opened up allowing us to do a few more things…with caution, of course. Mainly, we are sticking to outdoor activities.

Beach Time

With good weather here, it’s nice to bring some beach toys and hunker down at the beach for a bit.

Owens Beach:

Before we would park and walk the promenade to the beach, but now the road and parking lot directly to Owens Beach has opened. It’s a great spot to play with rocks, balance on driftwood, or dip your feet into the water (brrrr!).

Titlow Park:

If the tide is out, you can find some great tide pool time. Otherwise, you can sit and enjoy the views and the kids can play with rocks.

Narrows Park:

This is across in Gig Harbor, but it’s a hidden gem. Shh, keep it a secret. This beach has SAND, which my son declares he loves on his feet and much prefers over rocky beaches. Not to mention, a nice view of the bridge. Parking can be hard here sometimes as it’s a small lot and it’s becoming increasingly popular.

Destination Walks

This might apply only to those living in North Tacoma, but we have a perfectly distanced walk to our local market or to Proctor district. Honestly, I am a goal-oriented type person so having a walk with a destination is totally my jam. Also, my son often decides HE DOESN’T WANT TO GO. Gaw, it’s so frustrating! He often doesn’t want to leave the house and it’s a struggle to get him going. Do you have this problem? If there is a treat at the destination, and usually there is, that will most likely get him moving.

Delightful Market:

We have a perfect walk to Delightful Market. We will get a small treat like a popsicle or candy to nibble on as we walk back home…sometimes past the fire station to see if the truck is out (the firefighters are the nicest, by the way).

Proctor:

I can get a coffee at Olympia Coffee and the kids can share a donut at Top Pot. This is a “longer” walk, so bigger rewards, haha.

Free-Style Walks or Hikes

I love it when we can find a place to roam and be free. It’s nice to not worry so much about streets and cars. Be free. Have fun.

University of Puget Sound:

School is not in session right now, so it’s nice to walk around the campus. My 4-year-old usually brings the scooter while my 19-month old walks (he LOVES to walk). We will bring a snack sometimes and sit on the bench or in the grass. It’s such a beautiful campus!

Point Defiance:

There are some great trails here. It can be intimating, though. I like to park near the Mildred Street entrance and walk the trail that’s right there (map). The Rhododendron path is great. Or keep it simple and walk around the pond and rose gardens area at the entrance area.

Titlow Park:

A great loop to walk here with a wide path, some shade from trees, views of the Narrows Bridge, and a bridge over the train tracks. It’s not very long so toddlers and young kids can do it. Afterward, we sometimes head down the road just a bit and grab an ice cream from Bliss and sit outside.

Playgrounds

Recently, Metro Parks opened up playgrounds again with some restrictions. I know this is a hot topic with divided opinions. We have kept to the small parks and leave if it gets too crowded. We are also sure to sanitize hands and wash them when we get home. Honestly, the playgrounds have been pretty quiet and empty so far. But, you guys, the joy in my kids’ faces on the swings for the first time in months was EVERYTHING. If you don’t feel comfortable, yet, I get it and understand…you do you. We just desperately needed the swings.

Bike or Scooter

We bought Caleb a new scooter (we got a Mini Micro scooter from Teaching Toys…it’s pricey but works great) and it’s definitely helped to get him out for a walk. The scooter is nice when I want to walk or use the stroller with Wesley (19-months old). Caleb (4-years-old) can’t go as far as fast with the scooter as he can with his bike…whew. If we bike, then I get on a bike as well with Wesley along on the bike seat (previously we used a trailer, but we just got the bike seat and I think he likes it better as get can see more as we ride around). We have a bike rack for the car but we haven’t installed it yet, so we bike only around the neighborhood. But with the stroller/scooter we have more options, such as:

  • Point Ruston and the Waterfront - we enjoy going from the dunes down to the docked boat and back

  • Thea Foss Waterway - this is the waterfront area by the Glass Museum

  • Owen’s Beach Promenade - so nice along the water (and talk about the tides and watch for sea animals!)

  • Chamber’s Bay - the trail along the golf course

  • Mason Street path - there is a pathway that runs on Mason Street from N 27th St down to N 13th St (near Jefferson Elementary)

  • Cushman Trail - this is over in Gig Harbor but is a nicely paved trail for biking, walking, and scootering

  • Local School Track - perhaps just ride bikes, or scooter, around a nearby school track…always a hit

What are you doing these days?

Oh, and another thing before I end this post: the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium open. You must wear a mask, but it’s a nice change of pace. More on this in another post soon (I hope).