Tacoma's Museum and Glass District: A Visitor Guide

Museum of Glass

Built around a working hot shop under a steel cone on the Thea Foss Waterway. Visiting artists blow glass in front of a seated audience while a narrator explains the process — it is the reason to come even if you have no particular interest in glass. Galleries change; check the museum for current exhibitions, hours and demonstration schedules.

Chihuly Bridge of Glass

A pedestrian bridge connecting the Museum of Glass to downtown, with three major Chihuly installations: a ceiling of embedded glass overhead, a wall of blue crystals, and two tall towers. Free, outdoors, open air, and best in low light.

Tacoma Art Museum

Northwest art with a strong glass collection and rotating exhibitions, a short walk up from the bridge. Compact enough to see properly in an hour or two.

Washington State History Museum

Next door to the Museum of Glass, in a building echoing Union Station's arches. Good context for the rest of your Washington trip — the state's Indigenous history, settlement, railroads and industry.

Union Station

A 1911 copper-domed former railroad station, now a federal courthouse, with Chihuly work installed in the rotunda. Public access depends on courthouse operations; check before planning around it.

LeMay — America's Car Museum

Near the Tacoma Dome, a short drive or light rail ride from the museum district: several floors of American automotive history in a very large building. Worth its own half day if cars interest you at all.

Doing it in one visit

Two museums in a day is comfortable; three is a lot. The Bridge of Glass and the esplanade are free and fill the gaps between them.

• Grey day: Museum of Glass plus Washington State History Museum, both on the waterway
• Art-focused: Tacoma Art Museum plus the Bridge of Glass, then downtown for dinner
• With teenagers: LeMay, then the hot shop