Tacoma Museum District - Washington State Historical Society

A photo of a bridge with the words Tacoma Museum District

The Tacoma Museum District is one of the jewels of the South Sound! It is comprised of six premier museums, all within walking distance (or a free ride on the Link light rail) of each other in Tacoma’s historic downtown.

Each museum shares a different aspect of Pacific Northwest arts and culture and they all work together to share the wonders of Tacoma as a staycation/vacation destination.

Whether you’re a visitor to town or lucky enough to live here, you’ll love the Tacoma Museum District! Enjoy local restaurants, cafes and shops along the way, too. You’ll find restaurants and gift shops in several of the museums as well.

Plan a weekend and stay at boutique Hotel Murano or the Courtyard by Marriott, both in very close proximity. Or try the renovated McMenamins Elks Temple Hotel a short distance from the Tacoma Museum District.

Travel Tacoma

Contact Travel Tacoma for more information on Tacoma attractions and overnight stays.

Save 25% on Tacoma museums with a 3-day or 7-day Travel Tacoma Mt. Rainier Tourism & Sports Attraction Pass! And enjoy other great area attractions, too.

Explore a Neighborhood of Museums

Washington State History Museum

At the Washington State History Museum, people of all ages can explore interactive exhibits and dramatic artifacts. Learn about Washington’s unique people and places, and their impacts on our country and the world. See dynamic traveling exhibitions, special features, and permanent exhibitions.

Tacoma Art Museum

Tacoma Art Museum is a gathering place for connecting people through art via thoughtful exhibitions, exciting events, and enriching programs. The museum’s collection of more than 4,500 works emphasizes the art and artists of the Northwest and broader western region.

LeMay - America's Car Museum

LeMay – America’s Car Museum (ACM), an entity of America’s Automotive Trust, is an international destination for families and auto enthusiasts to celebrate America’s love affair with the automobile and learn how it shaped our society. America’s Car Museum serves as an educational center for students of all ages with rotating exhibits and annual Signature Events.

Museum of Glass

The Museum of Glass is a center that nurtures artists, celebrates the dramatic Studio Glass movement and encourages creativity. This vision is realized through exhibitions in its galleries, art installations on its outdoor plazas, the hands-on art studio, and the Museum’s diverse educational programs, as well as the Hot Shop, where visitors can watch artists create art from molten glass.

Foss Waterway Seaport Maritime Museum

Located on the waterfront in a century-old wooden warehouse, The Foss Waterway Seaport was originally built for cargo arriving by rail and departing by sail during the early years of Tacoma. The Foss Waterway Seaport is Puget Sound’s premier maritime heritage, education and event center where families, students and communities come to discover, explore, work and play.

Children's Museum of Tacoma/Green Tricycle

The Children’s Museum of Tacoma honors children and champions play. Everything we do begins with our image of the child. We believe children are compassionate, capable, inquisitive, creative, valuable, contributing and dreamers. Our vision is to be a leader in our community in using play to learn, to grow, and to thrive.