Quick Summary:

  • Question: Where is Tacoma located?
    Answer: Tacoma is situated on the banks of Puget Sound.
  • Question: What makes Tacoma a great travel destination?
    Answer: Tacoma offers its own unique attractions and serves as the perfect base camp for day trips throughout the Pacific Northwest.
  • Question: What destinations can visitors explore less than two hours from Tacoma?
    Answer: Visitors can explore urban adventure in cities like Seattle, small town charm in Puget Sound and its islands, and breathtaking nature in Olympic National Park and the Cascade Mountain Range.
  • Question: What seasonal event should visitors check out in Tacoma?
    Answer: Visitors should check out the Daffodil Festival in the spring.


  • Updated with new information since originally published.
  • Please support our journalism through affiliate links. Affiliate Disclosure
  • Our editors recommend these diverse local experiences.

1. Gig Harbor ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Category: Activities
Gig Harbor | Day Trips from Tacoma, WA
© Diane/stock.adobe.com

2. Bainbridge Island ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Romantic Islands
Bainbridge Island | Day Trips from Tacoma, WA
© Zack Frank/stock.adobe.com

3. Bellingham

Bellingham | Day Trips from Tacoma, WA
© maxdigi/stock.adobe.com

4. Castle Rock

Romantic Castles
Castle Rock | Day Trips from Tacoma, WA
© jessicahyde/stock.adobe.com

5. Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park

Category: Activities
Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park | Day Trips from Tacoma, WA
© khomlyak/stock.adobe.com

6. Desolation Peak Trail

Category: Activities
Desolation Peak Trail | Day Trips from Tacoma, WA
© randimal/stock.adobe.com

7. Green Lake Trail

Category: Activities
Green Lake Trail | Day Trips from Tacoma, WA
© Marina Krasnovid/stock.adobe.com

8. Hood River, OR

Category: Activities
Hood River, OR | Day Trips from Tacoma, WA
© RG/stock.adobe.com

9. La Conner

La Conner | Day Trips from Tacoma, WA
© aquamarine4/stock.adobe.com

10. Leavenworth

Leavenworth | Day Trips from Tacoma, WA
© Bill Perry/stock.adobe.com

11. Mount Saint Helens National Volcanic Monument

Category: Activities
Mount Saint Helens National Volcanic Monument | Day Trips from Tacoma, WA
© khomlyak/stock.adobe.com

12. Mt. Baker

Mt. Baker | Day Trips from Tacoma, WA
© inboundhorizons/stock.adobe.com

13. Ocean Shores

Ocean Shores | Day Trips from Tacoma, WA
© Reagan/stock.adobe.com

14. Olympia

Olympia | Day Trips from Tacoma, WA
© Zack Frank/stock.adobe.com

15. Olympic National Park

Category: Activities
Olympic National Park | Day Trips from Tacoma, WA
© Jeremy Janus/stock.adobe.com

16. Port Townsend, WA

Port Townsend, WA | Day Trips from Tacoma, WA
© Iriana Shiyan/stock.adobe.com

17. Portland

Portland | Day Trips from Tacoma, WA
© yooranpark/stock.adobe.com

18. San Juan Islands

Romantic Islands
San Juan Islands | Day Trips from Tacoma, WA
© rruntsch/stock.adobe.com

19. Seattle

Seattle | Day Trips from Tacoma, WA
© Crin/stock.adobe.com

20. Snoqualmie

Snoqualmie | Day Trips from Tacoma, WA
© klevit/stock.adobe.com

21. Vancouver

Vancouver | Day Trips from Tacoma, WA
© RG/stock.adobe.com

22. Vashon Island

Romantic Islands
Vashon Island | Day Trips from Tacoma, WA
© Benedictus/stock.adobe.com

23. Whidbey Island

Romantic Islands
Whidbey Island | Day Trips from Tacoma, WA
© Frank/stock.adobe.com

24. Woodinville

Woodinville | Day Trips from Tacoma, WA
© Mariusz Blach/stock.adobe.com

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