
The birthplace of Dale Chihuly, Tacoma trades its industrial past for stunning glass art, waterfront museums, and jaw-dropping views of Mount Rainier rising above Puget Sound.
American Cruise Lines and small coastal ships dock directly along the Thea Foss Waterway, placing you within easy walking distance of Tacoma's top attractions.
💡 Pro move: Seattle is 40 miles north — highway traffic on I-5 is notoriously bad. With 7–9 hrs in port, Tacoma itself offers more than enough to fill your day without risking missing the ship.
Small expedition and coastal ships use Dock Street Marina and the Thea Foss Waterway — a prime downtown location.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| American Cruise Lines | Dock Street Marina / Thea Foss Waterway📍 | Docked |
| Small coastal & expedition ships | Thea Foss Waterway📍 | Docked |
From free glass art walks to old-growth forests and a world-class car museum, Tacoma rewards every type of traveler.
Walk the Chihuly Bridge of Glass (free), then go inside the Museum of Glass to watch live glassblowing in the iconic cone-shaped Hot Shop. This is Tacoma's defining experience.
Find glass art tours →One of the largest urban parks in the US, Point Defiance features old-growth forest trails, a free rose garden, and Owen Beach — a classic Pacific Northwest shore with views of Vashon Island and Mount Rainier.
Find Point Defiance tours →Four floors of historic, classic, and concept cars tracing America's love affair with the automobile. One of the finest car museums in the world, right in downtown Tacoma.
Find car museum tours →The only combined zoo and aquarium in the Pacific Northwest, set inside Point Defiance Park with views of Mount Rainier. Home to sharks, polar bears, red wolves, and red pandas.
Find zoo tours →Duke's Seafood and The Lobster Shop line the Ruston Way waterfront for award-winning clam chowder and wild Alaskan salmon. End the day at Narrows Brewing, built on historic pilings over the water.
Find food tours →Tacoma's compact waterfront district is highly walkable, with the best sights clustered within a short stroll of the dock.
From the dock, cross the iconic Chihuly Bridge of Glass to the Museum of Glass, continue to the Tacoma Art Museum and Washington State History Museum, then loop through Wright Park and the W.W. Seymour Botanical Conservatory.
Stroll through downtown past the McMenamins Elks Temple — a restored 1916 Elks lodge turned brewery and speakeasy — then down to the waterfront and back via Pacific Avenue.
Climate normals for Tacoma, Washington, USA (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainy Days | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 46°F / 8°C | 38°F / 3°C | 2 | 7:51 AM | 4:47 PM |
| Feb | 46°F / 8°C | 37°F / 3°C | 1 | 7:14 AM | 5:34 PM |
| Mar | 52°F / 11°C | 40°F / 4°C | 1 | 7:22 AM | 7:15 PM |
| Apr | 58°F / 14°C | 43°F / 6°C | 1 | 6:21 AM | 7:59 PM |
| May | 65°F / 18°C | 49°F / 9°C | 0 | 5:33 AM | 8:39 PM |
| Jun | 70°F / 21°C | 53°F / 12°C | 0 | 5:13 AM | 9:07 PM |
| Jul | 76°F / 24°C | 56°F / 13°C | 0 | 5:29 AM | 9:01 PM |
| Aug | 76°F / 24°C | 57°F / 14°C | 0 | 6:07 AM | 8:20 PM |
| Sep | 69°F / 21°C | 54°F / 12°C | 1 | 6:48 AM | 7:20 PM |
| Oct | 59°F / 15°C | 48°F / 9°C | 1 | 7:29 AM | 6:21 PM |
| Nov | 50°F / 10°C | 41°F / 5°C | 2 | 7:14 AM | 4:33 PM |
| Dec | 45°F / 7°C | 37°F / 3°C | 2 | 7:50 AM | 4:19 PM |
Source: Meteostat (10-yr monthly averages)
Transport options from the pier — taxis, shuttles, transit passes, and whether ride-share apps work here.
Uber and Lyft both operate in Tacoma. A short ride from Thea Foss Waterway to downtown attractions or the Museum District takes under 10 minutes.
Ships dock right at the Thea Foss Waterway — the Museum of Glass and downtown Tacoma are walkable within 5–15 minutes from the pier.
Pierce Transit operates local bus routes throughout Tacoma. Routes 1, 2, and 28 serve downtown from stops near the waterway.
Tacoma Link is a free light rail line connecting the Tacoma Dome Station to downtown Tacoma. Board near Theater District or Convention Center stops.
Traditional taxis are available in Tacoma, though rideshare apps are generally faster and more convenient. Flat-rate airport shuttles also serve the area.
Upcoming cruises that call at Tacoma, Washington, USA. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.
Itineraries and prices change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking. Some links are affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.