As a Tacoman that grew up here I know a lot about what’s good and what isn’t. Here’s my recs:)
Sections
4
Outdoor Activities
Restaurants
Other Food & Drinks
Arts & Entertainment
Outdoor Activities
One of my fav local beaches, in the summer they have kayak rentals and a little shop where you can get icecream! Super cute nostalgic vibes🏖️☀️
Owen Beach
Close to PDZA and Owen’s beach for an easy day of fun with so many restaurants on the water close by as well‼️
Rhododendron Garden
This park has a great track for running, jogging and walking🏃🏾♀️💨I come here to get steps in fast or just to swing:) they also have tennis and basketball courts🎾🏀
Vassault Park
Lots of good food options and things to buy. I love the fresh produce and flowers 💐
Tacoma Farmers' Market
Cute picnic spot! Easy trail hike and there’s a beach for before or after!!
Dash Point State Park
One of my fav spots, I love seeing all the waterfalls. Relatively easy hike, some incline but nothing crazy🥾
Brewery Park at Tumwater Falls
Has a playground turned sprayground in the summer and beach with views of the narrows bridge! I love to come here with friends and enjoy the sun, there are frequently people paddle boarding and kayaking when I go so that’s another thing you can do👏�...
Titlow Park & Lodge
Restaurants
Good hibachi, sweet staff, open later than a lot of places in the area🥳🤏🏾
Sapporo Japanese Steakhouse
Good pizza, I like the chicken bacon ranch but all their options are solid🍕
Abella Pizzeria
Super yummy. I love their crab shrimp and artichoke dip, mozzarella sticks, their burgers(w wagyu patty) and they have great cocktails 🍹 outdoor seating available seasonally is overlook the water which is always a treat😛
Ram Restaurant & Brewery
Good spot w good pizza and drinks. Theres also a location on the waterfront at point Ruston that I enjoy:)
Farrelli's Pizza
One of the revolving sushi places I grew up with in the area. A little different with seating after shutting down for covid but just as good!! Pay per plate and grab what you want off the belt or ask the chefs to make a whole roll for you🙂↔️Doesn’t...
Sushi Revolution - Restaurant Reviews
Yummy Chinese restaurant in downtown Kent! I love their soup dumpling and their dinner combos that come w soup, fried rice and 2 entrees😍good portions and good food:)
Lucky House - Kent
My FAVORITE pho spot everrr period. Their broth is so consistently delicious and I love that they have large pho combos that come with a side. Best potstickers I’ve ever had and pair well with the pho(I always get steak pho). The owners deserve all t...
PHO TAI - Updated October 2025 - 65 Photos & 70 Reviews - 4916 Center St, ...
Cute intimate spot for kbbq w an all you can eat self serve bar for meats and sides. Their meat is well marinated and their kimchi fried rice is super yummy. I like to order lettuce and rice to make wraps, good every single time🙂↕️Staff is also att...
Cham Garden Korean BBQ
Newer spot(opened in the last 5 years) that’s really good. I love their shrimp enchiladas, they also have good nachos!!
Tonala Mexican Restaurant
Yummy pad Thai!! I like their spice profiles and know that if I order hot it will be burning🔥🔥
Stadium Thai
Yummy pineapple fried rice and prawn curry!!
Thai Pepper - Tacoma
Tried for the first time in need of a soup dumpling spot closer to Tac than Kent. Pork and crab xiao long bao is my fav, green onion soy sauce noodles are yummy too!!
Dough Zone
Other Food & Drinks
Love the back bar area with the fire pit and the lights, chill atmosphere. Good drinks and food. They have a mimosa flight if you’re having brunch and want to spice things up🥂
Cooper's Food and Drink
Love their drink options, they’re good ab modifying things if you ask, also open 24 hrs🙂↕️
BigFoot Java
Yummy cupcakes, everything is delicious and tastes like home🫂
Corina Bakery
Fresh donuts, ice cream, smoothies, breakfast sandwiches, they have it all!! Everything is good I haven’t had something from here that I didn’t like🤷🏾♀️
Helen's Donuts & Ice Cream | Tacoma WA
Just found this place recently and omg their smoothies are so fresh and yum. They have regular milk alternatives and along w smoothies they have coffee and Italian sodas. Very pleasant vibes from the staff as well☺️
ENERGY ISLAND SMOOTHIES - Updated October 2025 - 12 Photos & 16 ...
Good breakfast sandwiches and donuts are always fresh! You can even combine the two🤭
Kolby's Donut House
Arts & Entertainment
Great exhibitions I always enjoy coming here!
Tacoma Art Museum
Such cool pieces here, you can watch art being made or make it yourself!
Museum of Glass
Comfy seats, on the waterfront, what more can you ask for??
Cinemark Century Point Ruston and XD
Zoo AND aquarium makes for a day of fun like no other. Cute gift shop( I used to work in) and cafe with good eats😋
Point Defiance Zoo
My bf and I love coming here for drinks and laughs🤣 There’s 2 locations both in Tacoma and both a lot of fun!!
