Travel & Stay
Recommendations on where to stay and what to do in the area!
Lodging Recommendations
Airbnb
We highly recommend renting an Airbnb properties for larger groups to stay together - there are many lovely properties close to the area between Gig Harbor and Tacoma.
No Airbnb account? Sign up through this link to get $65 off your first trip.
Here are our Airbnb recommendations:
Hotel
Holiday Inn Express and Suites Tacoma Downtown
2102 S C St
Tacoma, WA 98402
(253) 272-2434
Book through the link above for group rate (valid 14 days before 8/12/22)
Courtyard by Marriott Tacoma Downtown
1515 Commerce St
Tacoma, WA 98402
(253) 591-9100
Best Western Wesley Inn
6575 Kimball Dr
Gig Harbor, WA 98335
(253) 858-960
Explore Nearby
Point Defiance Park
The location for the wedding is also a tourist attraction that includes a zoo + aquarium, nature trails, public gardens, and beaches. Drive along the Five Mile Drive for scenic view points and visit Fort Nisqually. We recommend exploring more of what Point Defiance Park has to offer!
Gig Harbor
The town of Gig Harbor is where Alyanna went to high school and where Ryan spent a few summers visiting. Between the crabbing/fishing, downtown harbor, and state parks with tide pools, there’s a mix of things to do in the area. We highly recommend reaching out to Alyanna and her family, but below is a good reference:
Downtown Tacoma
Near Point Defiance Park, this area has a variety of shops, restaurants, and museums. We recommend checking out the Tacoma Art Museum, the Washington State History Museum, and the Museum of Glass. Take a walk along Foss Waterway for a nice view and grab a drink from Bobalust!
Explore the Outdoors
Mount Rainier
From Gig Harbor to Seattle, Mt Rainier can be seen across Western Washington. It’s a great mountain for hiking with many scenic viewpoints. We recommend checking out the Paradise visitor center for expansive mountain views or driving to the Sunrise area to avoid the crowds and explore the highest point. There are also various waterfalls to visit in the area too.
Olympic National Park
One of the more famous natural attractions in Washington…. Olympic National Park has a variety of things to do, from the scenic trails of Hurricane Ridge to the bright blue waters of Lake Crescent. There are a variety of waterfall hikes from Marymere to Sol Duc (which also has a hot springs). For Twilight Fans, La Push and the town of Forks are nearby to explore…
Snoqualmie / North Bend
Less than an hour from the city, visit the famous Snoqualmie Falls. Along North Bend there are many other great waterfalls like Franklin
Falls and Twin Falls, all of which are easy to hike to. Check out Gold Creek Pond, which is a very popular spot for photos and elopements. The town of Snoqualmie was also the inspiration for the T.V. series Twin Peaks, and a few scenes were actually shot here.
Explore Further
Downtown Seattle
Approximately 45 minutes from Tacoma, the area around Downtown Seattle has many local attractions from parks, museums, and shops. Some notable spots are the world famous Pike Place Market and the Space Needle. In addition to the attractions listed on the website below, feel free to contact Ryan and Alyanna for their local recommendations from their time at UW.
University of Washington (UW)
Where it all began - Ryan and Alyanna’s alma mater! The University of Washington is a picturesque campus to explore - check out the architecture of the buildings and libraries (Suzzallo comes highly recommended), eat out at University Ave, or take a stroll through the arboretum. Other areas include University Village, the Seattle Japanese Garden, and canoeing on Lake Washington at the UW Waterfront Activities Center.
Eastside
Across the lake from Seattle are a few areas of interest that Ryan and Alyanna have explored. Downtown Bellevue for shopping, dining, and botanical gardens - there’s even a u-pick blueberry farm open in August. Woodinville for wine tasting from local Washington wineries - we recommend checking out Chateau St Michelle or Columbia Winery. Or check out the Microsoft Visitor Center at their headquarters in Redmond.
Explore Beyond
Whidbey Island
For great seafood and natural sightseeing, drive 2 hours north to check out Whidbey Island. Ryan and Alyanna have spent a few summers here checking out Deception Pass Park, crossing the Deception Pass bridge, and eating delicious seafood at Sweet D’s (we recommend the coon stripe shrimp and Penn Cove mussels).
Vancouver, B.C.
Drive 3 hours north to cross the border to Canada where you can visit Vancouver, B.C. From dining, shopping, and sightseeing… the City of Vancouver has a lot to offer. Cross the famous Capilano Bridge or check out Stanley Park. Drive a little further to check out the famous Whistler area.We also highly recommend checking out neighboring Richmond B.C. for their Asian restaurants and their famous night market.
Portland, Oregon
Drive 3 hours south to cross the state border and explore Portland, Oregon - a foodie’s paradise with lots of diverse food offerings, tax free shopping, and great outdoor sightseeing. Be sure to check out all the waterfalls outside of the city along the Columbia River, like Mount Multnomah Falls.