Review & Frequenly Asked Questions:

When the Hudson's Bay Company expanded to the west coast of North America, it was at Fort Nisqually that it based its fur trading and farming operations. Over the next few decades, local turmoil saw the fort fall into disrepair and finally close in 1869 as the fur trade waned. As part of Roosevelt's New Deal employment initiatives in the 1930s, the fort was restored; two of its original buildings, the keeper's house and the granary, are still standing.

A trade store, a dwelling house, a kitchen, a kitchen garden, and a working blacksmith's shop have been added and, with the addition of costumed docents, the museum is now a great way to learn Washington history. There are many hands-on activities for both adults and children, including churning butter and baking bread. School groups are welcome. The museum has a small gift shop.

Point Defiance Park, 5400 North Pearl Street, Tacoma, WA 98407, Phone: 253-591-5339

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Visit the Tacoma Art Museum Learn about Tacoma's marine heritage at the Foss Waterway Seaport Walk through the Tacoma Nature Center Five Mile Drive and Trails Fish on American Lake LeMay - America's Car Museum Broadway Center for the Performing Arts Chihuly Bridge of Glass Children's Museum of Tacoma Fort Nisqually Living History Museum Tacoma Glassblowing Studio Job Carr House Museum Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum Mount Rainier National Park Museum of Glass Have a picnic on Owen Beach Hike in Point Defiance Park Take the kids to Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium Swan Creek Mountain Bike Park Destiny Harbor Tours Have dinner at Asado Cucina Argentina Washington State History Museum

Explore more: Tacoma, Washington > Things to Do in Tacoma, WA

Plan Your Trip

Get Ready to Go!

Need some more help?


Go to travel reservations.