Here is something new. A courthouse with huge colorful Chihuly glass art decoration hanging from…read morethe ceiling right in the middle. How cool is that! First of all, the ancient building itself is quite a masterpiece. I love the big Rome style round roof with beautiful decorations. The rustic red brick and green sculptures reminds you of those old ages. Its old name 'UNION STATION' is still painted at one side of the building reminding people of its old glorious days. The first thing draw your eyes is the huge glass art piece hanging from the ceiling in the center. You can always a Chihuly piece from others by its distinctive beautiful colors and Medusa hair shape. Usually you expected to see one in fancy mall, hotel or museum, but not in a federal court house. You got to admit it sure added some color to this place. And at the second floor there is another Chihuly art piece, lots of color as well, and kind of like herd of tadpoles swimming in a pond. Downstairs is the cafeteria, restroom and some historical exhibitions. The soda machine here is quite cheap, only 50 cents for a can. Over the window you can see the glass museum cross the highway. Please note that bring your Id when visiting the place, because the guard will check it. It's a federal courthouse after all.

Nice piece of history, revamped into the courthouse. Staff was great and let me explore.read more

This is a famous Tacoma landmark - a glass bridge that performs its job well as a pedestrian bridge…read morewith a touch of beauty from the glass artwork instillation that lines the sides of the bridge. It's a great alternative to visiting the Museum of Glass for people who are short on time or arriving during closed hours (this bridge is open 27/7), yet still want to experience some beauty in their lives. This bridge connects the Thea Foss Waterway and the Museum of Glass. When I visited, it was quite hot and the sun was beating down. This illuminated the three amazing Chihuly glass installations, but I wished that there was more than a little covered area on the bridge to protect me. Oh well, they do say that beauty is pain, don't they? I saw that there were multiple photographers on the bridge to take in the peaceful surroundings. Definitely don't miss this in your visit to Tacoma.

On our drive north, we made a quick stop at the Bridge of Glass, and it was worth the 15-minute…read moredetour. Parking was easy, and it was the perfect place to stretch our legs while enjoying some beautiful public art. We didn't have time to visit the Museum of Glass, so I was glad we could still experience some of Chihuly's work with this free outdoor exhibit. From the bridge, it also looked like the nearby courthouse features Chihuly glass, but unfortunately, we didn't have time to explore further. If you're passing through Tacoma, this is an easy, free stop that's well worth it. It's a great way to experience a bit of Pacific Northwest art and it's perfect for a few memorable photos before getting back on the road.

I was super early for my haircut appointment, so I decided to go to the gas station next to the…read morebarbershop and grab myself a Celsius energy drink, the sparkling strawberry passion fruit flavor to be exact.....TMI????? Anywho, the gas station receptionist started small talk with me and made mention of several iconic attractions around puget sound that I should indulge in. One of them was the Tacoma Narrows Bridge pedestrian walkway, so immediately following my haircut, I decided to head over. She even gave me specific parking instructions in order to avoid hazards. I found that location, parked, and entered the walkway through a small break between the fence line. The walkway consists of a two-way walk, run, and bike travel path divided by a Highway Style Guard Rail system. On the way there, there's a very nice scenic view of Mount Rainier from the bridge for those who are into the mountain aesthetics. For me, the engineering and architectural skills that go behind manufacturing such an amazing structure are more gratifying. Also, I may find it more fascinating due to constructing several small-level bridges in the past. As for the water, I've seen on several platforms like Threads, where a lot of the patrons rant and rave about the hydrodynamics of the Narrows, but I am no expert in the mechanics of water current nor am I stimulated by it presently. It was the twin suspension bridge complex for me. Overall, the experience was top-tier and peaceful.

Do not change lanes if driving westbound due to grates on the surface. Vehicles will lose traction…read more Signs are clearly posted. Fine costs $136 if caught by police. Continue driving straight and stay in your lane while on the bridge. If driving eastbound or traveling to Tacoma, drivers are allowed to switch lanes because there are no grates and drivers must pay a toll. Cameras take photos of vehicle license plates that avoids toll pay. Have $5.50 cash ready to pay worker in the toll booth. Change will be given if needed. There's also Good to Go pass for commuters that saves money. Or pay via mail. I've always wondered where workers use the restroom because booth is tiny and vehicles are traveling fast. There are people riding bicycles, ebikes, and runners utilizing both sides of the bridge for exercise.

A short brIdge in downtown Tacoma connecting to the Tacoma Dome that runs over the Foss Waterway!!…read more I know it's been here for a while, but it still looks pretty new to me. When I was here, I ran over and under this bridge, a nice addition to Downtown Tacoma!!

After leaving the train station or transit area, this is a nice addition to the area to get…read moredowntown. It's scenic, little history tidbits, a park and galleries along the way.

I'm sorry to say this but this town seems like a super big trailer park. I was surprised by the…read morerandom dogs (big and small) just trouncing around town. I drove to the post office and what looked like a St.Bernard and a German Shepard came from no where and just started fighting. Almost every house was a trailer as far as I can see. Nothing wrong with trailers or trailer parks if they're somewhat well kept, but ugh no. There is nothing in this town, of course, and it doesn't look like it get's much action. Glad this was my first and last stop in Bucoda.

Bucoda WA has a long and interesting history and is worthy of a trip for history buffs for a…read moreglimpse back into the history of our state. At a first cursory glance, there is not much to it as there are only limited businesses to see. On my last trip there I was given a tour of the old Town Hall by one of the town officials and learned some fascinating facts about the two-story concrete building. Joe's Place serves excellent burgers and fries and has been a family owned and operated business for 113 years. They must be doing something right. The town once was the largest town in Thurston County and was around when Washington was still a territory. It was the location of the first territorial prison and had a huge lumber operation at one time. Definitely not ready for the bulldozers as one reviewer has said.

Steilacoom is pretty small but I really love Steilacoom. It's kind of a gateway city to DuPont,…read moreLakewood, Tacoma, University Place and Joint Base Lewis McChord. Steilacoom is the oldest incorporated town in Washington. A lot has changed since 1854, but I like Steilacoom because it is very old and the citizens do quite a bit to preserve the aesthetic as well as the culture of the olden days. I've used Steilacoom to ride the ferry to Anderson Island which is a small and nice get away and a close enough ferry rather than driving to Point Defiance or Seattle to get on a ferry. You can also catch the ferry to Ketron Island and I'm not quite sure if they actually still do regular ferry runs to McNeil Island now that the prison is closed and only violent sexual offenders are housed there now. One other thing I like about Steilacoom are the views. If you stand at the edge of town either at the ferry dock or at the little pavilion/park they have up on the hill behind the tennis courts you can get a magnificent view of the bay and may even be able to see the Narrows Bridge from where you stand. I think if I had real estate in Steilacoom, it would just be worth it for the views as well as the access to the beach. I usually drive through Steilacoom as a way to forego getting on I-5 when there is traffic and I just don't feel like dealing with it. This actually happens a lot since we all know about the I-5 traffic. One last thing that helped me fall more in love with Steilacoom was attending their annual Apple Squeeze. I thought it was really cool to see old-fashioned apple cider presses being used to make your own apple cider by hand. It really allowed you to see what it felt like to make juice the way possibly the pioneers did as well as see some of the old-fashioned machinery. Check out the historical society if you visit or take a ferry ride or just take in the views. You won't be disappointed.

Went to music in the park for Jazz and it was very good. Orchard Park is amazing with amazing…read moreviews. The town itself has a lot of character.

When I had to spend several hours in Tumwater while my son took the SAT at the high school, I…read morethought the library would likely be a typical underfunded small town example, with one grumpy old librarian who has to do all the work, but hopefully open and usable to get some work done. I was surprised and pleased to find a very nice, obviously very well funded library. And I think there were at least six employees there. The one I asked about a reading area was cheerful and helpful. If anything, it's maybe even a bit better than the King County Library System I enjoy at home, and KCLS is widely recognized as world class. I had a very enjoyable, productive time there. If I could go there often, I would.

The whole Timberland Regional Library System is awesome and we are so lucky to have it in the South…read morePuget Sound. BUT by far, the Tumwater Library is the best of them all. The library is clean, quiet, and you don't have to plug your nose while browsing for books like you do at the downtown library (homeless people, God Bless Em, sleep and hang out there and the library smells very foul and I have seen two very physical fights on two different occasions with homeless people while I had my small children with me......we don't go there anymore - doesn't feel safe) I am sorry people are homeless, but it sucks that we can't even enjoy the library. Anyway, I digress.......Tumwater library has easy access, great parking, and the staff are all super attentive and very friendly and want to help you. I love this library!

The location does it open at 7:30Am. No information, No one…read morethat can help. People just walk by and ignore you. You're not important or seen or acknowledged... Finally let in the building reluctantly after asking someone they insist the building opens at 8 despite the Sign at the front door or Online.

This is the place to go when you need fingerprints for your work, college, class or a required part…read moreof your degree. $16.00 for the service and we were in and out in less than 15 minutes. The signage is help for also since I think a lot of people go in life this service. Building looks brand new. Lots of nice furniture inside.