The 6th Ave Trek

About 30 minutes

Start at the west end with a coffee from a Tacoma roaster. This is the quiet end of the avenue, and it sets you up to walk east through everything else.

Next: Head east along 6th Avenue toward the shops around 27th.

Allow 30–45 minutes

An independent record shop owned and run by musicians, with new and used vinyl, CDs, cassettes, books and band shirts. Flip through the used racks and ask for a recommendation — that is how this shop works.

Next: The pinball bar is directly across the avenue.

Afternoon or evening; 21+

A bar built around pinball — roughly two dozen machines, plus weekly and monthly tournaments. Play a few games or turn up for a knockout night. Listed as 21 and over, and there is no kitchen, so eat elsewhere on this route.

Next: Two blocks east, still on the north side of the avenue.

Allow 45 minutes

The neighbourhood café stop if you want food mid-route rather than a full dinner — it is known on the avenue for breakfast and its street fries.

Next: A minute or two east to the game and comic shops.

Allow 20–30 minutes

New and vintage comics, manga and graphic novels, plus action figures, posters, pins and dice. New issues land on Wednesdays. Easy browsing even if comics are not usually your thing.

Next: Next door.

Allow 20–40 minutes

A game shop for Magic, Pokemon, Yu-Gi-Oh and tabletop play, with organised events and commander leagues running in store. Browse the singles wall, or sit in on a game night if the calendar lines up.

Next: Continue east toward the downtown end of the avenue.

Evening

Finish with dinner and a cocktail at the east end of the strip. It is a small, busy room with a long-standing following on the avenue, so expect a wait at peak times.