Gritty City Guide
Essentials
Fred Meyer
4505 S 19th StStadium Thriftway
618 N 1st StLaundry Mart Inc
5401 6th AveRankos has, by far, the best pharmacy service and staff. If your insurance covers them, go nowhere else.
Additionally, they have the best small gift shop in the city, when measured by curration and price (most of their competitors are in The Proctor District, and charge too much).
Rankos' Stadium Pharmacy
101 N Tacoma AveRankos has, by far, the best pharmacy service and staff. If your insurance covers them, go nowhere else.
Additionally, they have the best small gift shop in the city, when measured by curration and price (most of their competitors are in The Proctor District, and charge too much).
Hands down, the most polite, most knowledgable car repair and maintenance shop in the area. Also, fun to walk through, since they service and sell vintage vehicles, along with modern ones.
Ball Auto Sales & Service
116 N Tacoma AveHands down, the most polite, most knowledgable car repair and maintenance shop in the area. Also, fun to walk through, since they service and sell vintage vehicles, along with modern ones.
Metropolitan Market Tacoma
2420 N Proctor StThe Cookie.
Food Scene
Mascarpone pancake medallions, with berry compote and fresh whipped cream. Need I say more?
25 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Art House Cafe
111 N Tacoma AveMascarpone pancake medallions, with berry compote and fresh whipped cream. Need I say more?
Craft hot dogs and sausages, made in house, plus a tremendous list of brews on tap.
59 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Red Hot
2914 6th AveCraft hot dogs and sausages, made in house, plus a tremendous list of brews on tap.
Legendary Doughnuts
2602 6th Ave The name says it; the donuts are legendary!!
They treat you like honored family, here. The service is personable, and the food is phenomenal!
32 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Indo Asian Street Eatery
110 N Tacoma AveThey treat you like honored family, here. The service is personable, and the food is phenomenal!
This tiny, obscure spot is the place to go for a proper espresso!
16 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Cosmonaut Coffee Co
817 Division AvenueThis tiny, obscure spot is the place to go for a proper espresso!
Unique Bakery
3500 Market StFrench pastries, anyone!? This is the place!
They've rebranded as Le Sel, keeping the same outstanding quality. Start here, for a French-countryside influenced meal... Then, go to Unique Bakery to snag some dessert!
10 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Sel
229 St Helens AveThey've rebranded as Le Sel, keeping the same outstanding quality. Start here, for a French-countryside influenced meal... Then, go to Unique Bakery to snag some dessert!
With a magical combination of savory eats and a historical location, this spot is a uniquely enjoyable experience.
22 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
En Rama
1102 A StWith a magical combination of savory eats and a historical location, this spot is a uniquely enjoyable experience.
Call to get a bad of beignets, to go, or sit down to a masterfully crafted meal off their seasonally changing menu.
33 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Cooks Tavern
3201 N 26th StCall to get a bad of beignets, to go, or sit down to a masterfully crafted meal off their seasonally changing menu.
"Wear black, eat pizza" is the moto, but really, just be yourself and eat terrific, wood-fired thin crust pizza.
Bar Rosa
"Wear black, eat pizza" is the moto, but really, just be yourself and eat terrific, wood-fired thin crust pizza.
Johnson Candy Company
924 M.L.K. Jr WayDrinks & Nightlife
Zodiac Supper Club
1116 Martin Luther King Junior WayThe Valley
1206 Puyallup AveThis spot recently changed ownership, making pleasing improvements in decor, service, design and entertainment options. it's one of the few places in Tacoma with music (live or d.j.), most every weekend.
The New Frontier Lounge
301 E 25th StThis spot recently changed ownership, making pleasing improvements in decor, service, design and entertainment options. it's one of the few places in Tacoma with music (live or d.j.), most every weekend.
Unpretentious, with consistently awesome service, this is a chill spot for happy hour or dinner. It's popular so reservations are recommended.
33 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Wooden City
714 Pacific AveUnpretentious, with consistently awesome service, this is a chill spot for happy hour or dinner. It's popular so reservations are recommended.
If you're into that early mid century Mad Men vibe, or even if you aren't, this place is a must. It's swanky decor and excellent craft cocktail scene are worth regular visits.
The Boom Boom Room Tacoma
If you're into that early mid century Mad Men vibe, or even if you aren't, this place is a must. It's swanky decor and excellent craft cocktail scene are worth regular visits.
Looking to build stills to dance the night away? This is the place.
Note that their location has changed; still on 6th Ave, now across the street and a block East of the old location.
Studio 6 Ballroom
5129 6th AveLooking to build stills to dance the night away? This is the place.
Note that their location has changed; still on 6th Ave, now across the street and a block East of the old location.
Arts & Culture
Igumbi leGlass
1801 Dock StLeMay - Imiboniso yezixhobo zaseMelika
2702 E D StThe owners made their hobby into a thriving, creative business. You can take classes, or pick up a gorgeous, one-of-a-kind artist creation. Tell Jennifer and April that Gina sent you!
SPUN Clay Arts Studio & Gallery
2310 M.L.K. Jr WayThe owners made their hobby into a thriving, creative business. You can take classes, or pick up a gorgeous, one-of-a-kind artist creation. Tell Jennifer and April that Gina sent you!
Oliver is a glass artist who studied with Dale Chihuly. He's also a charming, sweet, crazy-fun d.j. Check out his unique space, featuring local artists.
Fulcrum Gallery
1309 M.L.K. Jr WayOliver is a glass artist who studied with Dale Chihuly. He's also a charming, sweet, crazy-fun d.j. Check out his unique space, featuring local artists.
Entertainment & Activities
The Grand Cinema
606 Fawcett AveTacoma Little Theatre
210 N I StChalet Bowl
3806 N 26th StMass amounts of fun pinball machines, plus strong (but pretty boring) mixed drinks.
9 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Triple Knock
2713 6th AveMass amounts of fun pinball machines, plus strong (but pretty boring) mixed drinks.
Sightseeing
Bridge of Glass
This is a picturesque boardwalk, running along waterfront, with stunning views of Mount Rainier, the Puget Sound and Cascade Mountain Range. It's a prime spot for walking, biking, roller skating, jogging and skateboarding through park spaces.
109 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Point Ruston
5020 Main StThis is a picturesque boardwalk, running along waterfront, with stunning views of Mount Rainier, the Puget Sound and Cascade Mountain Range. It's a prime spot for walking, biking, roller skating, jogging and skateboarding through park spaces.
The building, alone, is worth walking by. Add that is has an indoor, tropical garden, dating back to the late 1800s (I think), and it's a unique, enchanting escape.
18 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
W.W. Seymour Botanical Conservatory
316 S G StThe building, alone, is worth walking by. Add that is has an indoor, tropical garden, dating back to the late 1800s (I think), and it's a unique, enchanting escape.
Parks & Nature
Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium
5400 N Pearl St
Cushman Trail
Cushman TrailTitlow Park
8425 6th AveShhh. This is a hidden gem, tucked into a creek gully. The water runs cool and clear, winding through a lush, easily walkable forest.
Kobayashi Park
Shhh. This is a hidden gem, tucked into a creek gully. The water runs cool and clear, winding through a lush, easily walkable forest.