Native Americans – predominantly the Puyallup people -- have lived in this region for thousands of years, and it is their original name for the nearby mountain – Takhoma -- that gave the city its name. That mountain was renamed Mount Rainier by George Vancouver, in honor of his friend Admiral Peter Rainier. In 1864, Civil War veteran and land speculator Job Carr built a cabin near Commencement Bay; he hoped to profit from the selection of the Bay as the terminus of the Transcontinental Railroad. Developer Morton M. McCarver purchased the majority of Carr’s claim and named his project Tacoma City. Incorporated in 1884, Tacoma became known as the “City of Destiny” when the Northern Pacific Railroad chose it to be its western terminus. Today, Tacoma is a thriving cultural community set amidst a gorgeous natural landscape. An abundance of fascinating museums and historic sites beckon visitors, including the LeMay Car Museum, Washington State History Museum, Museum of Glass, Fort Nisqually Living History Museum, Children’s Museum of Tacoma, Tacoma Art Museum, Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum, and the Job Carr Cabin Museum!
One of the most popular parks in the city is the 765-acre Point Defiance Park, which offers spectacular views, a marina, miles of shoreline, a fishing pier, botanical gardens, nature trails, ancient forest, an off-leash dog area, a zoo and an aquarium! There are numerous other parks in Tacoma, providing plenty of opportunities for hiking, biking, running, boating, fishing, swimming, birding, sightseeing, picnicking, and just relaxing – all among fantastic scenery. The Broadway Center for the Performing Arts features entertaining theatrical productions, and Tacoma Glassblowing Studio offers visitors the chance to create blown glass themselves! Plenty of unique boutiques and stores invite shoppers to find treasures, and restaurants and taverns welcome guests for a delicious meal and a refreshing drink. Embrace all there is to do in the vibrant city of Tacoma! Hotels allow you to stay conveniently close by to where you want to be. When you stay at Choice Hotels, you enjoy affordable rates, many amenities, and friendly service. We look forward to hosting you soon! Reserve your room today!