The Tacoma Nature Center is a 71-acre nature preserve with Snake Lake and its wetlands at its heart. The forested park is great for trail walks and wildlife spotting: there are cottontail rabbits, red foxes, raccoons, and black-tailed deer living here. The lake is home to wood duck, mallards, Canada geese, and western painted turtles. Inside the interpretative center there are displays on the ecosystems and animal life within the nature preserve.
The nature center's highlight is Discovery Pond, a unique children's play area with a treehouse, a hollow log to climb through, boulders to scramble over, and a waterfall to play around. Naturalists are on hand to answer questions, while the nature center, which charges no admission, offers a gift shop, summer day camps, nature programs, and birthday parties.
1919 S. Tyler Street, Tacoma, WA 98405, Phone: 253-591-6439