Okay, so yesterday I was trying to figure out some good day trip options, you know, places to check out near Tacoma, WA. I started by just Googling “cities close to Tacoma WA.” Real original, I know!
First thing I did was pull up Google Maps. Obvious, right? I zoomed out from Tacoma and started looking around. Saw Seattle, of course, which is always an option, but I was kinda looking for something a little different.
Then I started making a list. Like, actual pen and paper. Old school! Here’s what I scribbled down:
- Seattle (duh)
- Olympia (state capital, never been!)
- Gig Harbor (heard it’s cute)
- Puyallup (state fair!)
- Bremerton (ferry ride!)
Next step: dive a little deeper. I opened up a bunch of tabs on my laptop and started researching each place. I looked at things like:
- Driving distance and time from Tacoma
- Things to do (museums, parks, restaurants, etc.)
- General vibe (touristy, quiet, family-friendly?)
Olympia caught my eye. It’s about an hour south of Tacoma. I saw they have the State Capitol building (obviously), but also some cool-looking parks and waterfront areas. Plus, I read there’s a pretty decent farmers market on the weekends.
Gig Harbor seemed really chill. Pictures online showed a nice harbor with shops and restaurants. Probably a good spot for a relaxing afternoon. But maybe a bit too small for a whole day trip?
Puyallup, I thought, could be fun if the State Fair was happening. But it’s not always fair season, so I put that on the back burner.
Bremerton seemed cool because of the ferry. I love ferries! But it might be more of a trek than I was wanting for just a quick day trip.
The Decision
Finally, after all that digging, I think I’m leaning towards Olympia. It seems like it has enough to do to fill a day without being overwhelming. And I’ve never actually been there, so that’s a plus!
So here’s the plan: I’m gonna head down to Olympia this weekend. Check out the Capitol building, wander around the waterfront, and maybe hit up that farmers market if it’s open. I’ll let you know how it goes!