12 Best Things to Do in Puyallup, Washington

By VacationIdea Staff on April 17, 2022 - Updated

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Situated in the foothills of the majestic Mount Rainier in the Puget Sound region, Puyallup is a charming city surrounded by an agriculture-rich region that was once renowned for berries, flowers, and hops. Several working farms in and around the city produce an array of fresh farm produce, making the area a foodie’ paradise. There are plenty of restaurants and cafés that serve delicious Northwest cuisine made with local ingredients, as well as breweries and cideries producing handcrafted tipple.

We recommend that you call the attractions and restaurants ahead of your visit to confirm current opening times.

1.Puyallup Public Library

The Puyallup Public Library is a community library that serves the residents of the city and surrounding regions. The library was born in 1877 when Ezra Meeker’s wife began lending books to the local people from her cabin and has grown into a 39,500 square-foot library that offers a wide variety of services. The library houses a collection of over 150,000 books, 12,000 audiobooks, 20,000 videos, and 10,000 CDs, along with periodicals, newspapers, and public computers with access to the Internet. The library has meeting rooms for the public to use, study rooms for students and quiet nooks for reading, and is open Monday through Saturday.

324 S Meridian, Puyallup, WA 98371, Phone: 253-841-5454

2.Ezra Meeker Mansion, Puyallup, Washington

The Ezra Meeker Mansion is a historic building dating back to 1886 that was once owned by Ezra Meeker, American pioneer and the first mayor of Puyallup. The mansion was the second home owned by the Meeker family, the first of which was a wooden cabin built on the site of what is now Pioneer Park and commemorated with a statue of Meeker in its place. The mansion became the social and political center of the valley, and today stands as an excellent example of Meeker’s life as mayor in the late 1800s. The mansion features hand-painted ceilings, period antiques, and stained-glass windows, and visitors can explore the house on guided tours.

312 Spring St, Puyallup, WA 98372, Phone: 253-848-1770

3.3rd Street Antiques, Puyallup, Washington

The 3rd Street Antiques is a 15,000 square-foot antique mall the Puyallup Antique District that houses over 85 vendors selling a wealth of antiques, vintage items and objects, collectibles, and one-of-a-kind treasures. The market offers a mind-boggling selection of items from ceramics and pottery to antique furniture, vintage toys, original costumes, collectible cars, estate jewelry, Orientalia, arts and crafts, prints, paintings, and retro clothing.

201 3rd St SE, Puyallup, WA 98372, Phone: 253-445-1435

4.Cockrell Hard Cider, Puyallup, Washington

Cockrell Hard Cider is an award-winning, locally owned cidery owned by two brothers that has been producing handcrafted beer and cider for the past 25 years. The brothers bought Gwyndon Farms in 1967 and used to the two dozen varieties of apples grown on the farm’s 1,500 apple trees to produce exceptional cider. The production facility is located on the farm and surrounded by the apple trees that provide the fruit for the cider and The Roost Tasting Room offers visitors the chance to sample the handcrafted ciders in a lovely setting in the orchard.

613 114th Ave Ct E, Puyallup, WA 98372, Phone: 253-905-5800

5.South Hill Mall, Puyallup, WA

The South Hill Mall is a large regional shopping mall with more than 100 stores, a state-of-the-art movie theater, and a large food court with a variety of fast-food outlets. Opened in 1988, the mall has four anchor stores, including Macy’s, JCPenney, Target, and Dick’s Sporting Goods, along with other well-known brand stores like Old Navy and DSW. The mall offers a range of services including modern restrooms, baby-changing facilities, a community conference room for up to 75 people with private restrooms, and a kitchen and on-site catering available from the food court.

3500 S Meridian Unit 494, Puyallup, WA 98373

6.Palmer/Wirfs Expo, Puyallup, Washington

The Palmer/Wirfs Expo is an annual antique show managed by Christine Palmer & Associates that is renowned for being a treasure trove for collectors, bargain hunters, and antique sellers. The show specializes in high-end antique, retro, and vintage collectibles up to 1970 and are no longer manufactured or produced. Typical items at these shows include decorative items, furnishings, retro kitchenware, paintings and prints, handmade frames, estate jewelry, vintage trunks, Western Americana, militaria, mechanical banks, slot machines, and vintage toys.

4001 NE Halsey St, Portland, OR 97232, Phone: 503-282-0877

7.Karma Indian Cuisine, Puyallup, Washington

Karma Indian Cuisine is a locally owned, family-run eatery that specializes in Northern Indian food and serves a menu of traditional Indian dishes in a warm and welcoming setting. Hailed as one of the top Indian restaurants in the South Sound, Karma Indian Cuisine serves a rich and varied menu of authentic Indian fare with vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options. Signature dishes include mild and hot curries, chicken tikka masala, vindaloo, chicken korma, lamb boti masala, makhana, and onion bhaji, all of which are prepared using high-quality ingredients, handmade sauces, and house-toasted spices and traditional spice mixes. Karma Indian Cuisine is open for lunch and dinner, seven days a week.

12623 Meridian, South Hill, WA 98373, Phone: 253-770-6276

8.The Original Pancake House

The Original Pancake House is a classic American diner chain with stores around the country that serves signature pancakes with over 30 toppings and other breakfast classics. The family-oriented breakfast restaurant serves heaving stacks of pancakes with an array of syrups and toppings, as well as standard breakfast dishes and specialties like vegetarian omelets, corned beef hash, Danish Kijafa cherry crepes, and strawberry waffles. The menu also features a variety of waffles, egg dishes, and cereals, along with fresh fruit juices, teas, and freshly brewed coffee. The Original Pancake House is open for breakfast, brunch, and lunch, daily.

16116 Meridian E, Puyallup, WA 98375, Phone: 253-604-0791

9.Powerhouse Restaurant & Brewery

The Powerhouse Restaurant & Brewery takes dining to new levels in a unique setting that once housed the Puyallup Substation. Set in the converted powerhouse, the local brewpub serves creative New American cuisine and a range of handcrafted house beers, signature cocktails, and casual wines. Built in 1907, the Puyallup Substation was constructed for the Puget Sound Electric Railroad to supply electricity for the Interurban Electric Trolley. The station became a storage facility in 1957 and later fell into disrepair before being lovingly restored to its former glory to create a one-of-a-kind setting for a restaurant. Now managed by the Tweten family, the Powerhouse brews a small range of handcrafted beers and serves exceptional cuisine in a laid-back and friendly atmosphere.

454 E Main Ave, Puyallup, WA 98372, Phone: 253-845-1370

10.Charlie's Restaurant and Lounge

Charlie's Restaurant and Lounge is a family-friendly eatery that offers a great place for casual dining. Based in a historic building on Main Street in the heart of Puyallup, the locally owned restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and serves seasonal menus of classic American cuisine made with locally sourced ingredients and prepared from scratch. In addition to a la carte menus, the restaurant has a salad bar offering fresh, crispy salads and vegetarian options and a special kid’s menu for the little ones. A full-service bar presents an extensive list of libations, ranging from craft beers on tap and by the bottle, casual wines from regions around the world, high-end spirits, and classic cocktails.

113 E Main, Puyallup, WA 98372, Phone: 253-845-0588

11.Wicked Pie Pizza, Puyallup, Washington

Wicked Pie Pizza is a casual pizza joint that specializes in handmade, wood-fired pizzas, light appetizers, and decadent desserts. The eatery uses fresh, hand-rolled dough to make each pizza base, along with a blend of locally sourced ingredients and handpicked herbs to create mouth-watering toppings such as sausages and salami, various cheeses, fresh seafood, and vegetables. The rustic eatery has a full-service bar offering all kinds of beverages, and large screen televisions for special events and sports games. Wicked Pie Pizza is open for lunch and dinner, daily.

112 S Meridian St, Puyallup, WA 98371, Phone: 253-256-4698