Where to Stay in Tacoma: My Top Picks for Places & Areas

4 Best Neighborhoods & Areas to Stay in Tacoma

Tacoma is the third largest city in Washington State, located roughly 40 minutes south of Seattle. Tacoma can be split up into north, south, east, west, and central neighborhoods. 

Staying in Downtown Tacoma or in the North End along the waterfront is generally a good idea because it’s where you’ll find the best hotels. Still, other areas have their perks and may be better choices if you’re searching for a local vibe. Here are the areas to consider!

Downtown Tacoma

👉 Best Area For First Time Visitors | ✨ Best Downtown Tacoma Hotels: McMenamins Elk Temple • Hotel Murano • Marriott Tacoma Downtown • Hilton Garden Inn Tacoma Downtown

Staying in downtown Tacoma is a great idea if it’s your first time visiting and you want to be near the city’s top attractions. Cocktail lounges, comedy clubs, and theaters are clustered throughout the area. The Tacoma Art Museum, Museum of Glass, Washington State History Museum, and America’s Car Museum are all downtown.  

Shoppers can head to Antique Row. Here, you’ll find Sanford & Sons Antiques, which has three floors’ worth of independent stalls. Or go to Savoy Special Vintage to find a treasure trove of high-end and rare vintage clothing. 

Downtown has the bulk of the city’s best hotels, including two of my favorites. Stay in the quirky and colorful McMenamins Elk Temple, which has live music and entertainment almost nightly. Hotel Murano is another great option. It’s filled with art and is just minutes from the Museum of Glass. 

Another benefit to staying downtown is its light rail access! Catch the train to get from the Tacoma Dome to the Theater District, free of cost. It’s a must, especially if you’re visiting without a car.

Pros of Staying in Downtown Tacoma:

• Many hotels to choose from
• Close to museums, vintage shops, breweries, and restaurants
• Walkable
• Access to the light rail

Cons of Staying in Downtown Tacoma:

• No real “neighborhood” feel
• Traffic can be rough during rush hour
• Tends to feel slow at night
• Some areas can feel unsafe at night

North End

👉 Best Area For Couples | ✨ Best North End Hotels: Silver Cloud Hotel Tacoma Waterfront • Geiger Victorian Bed & Breakfast • The Villa Bed & Breakfast

The North End encompasses the bustling Proctor and Stadium District, Old Town, and the University of Puget Sound. Tacoma’s waterfront makes up the northernmost border, and 6th Avenue is on the south end.

The North End has various residential neighborhoods, meaning it feels much more communal than downtown. This is reflected in its accommodation options, as the north end has several quaint bed and breakfasts, which are perfect for couples. I’d suggest booking a room at the homey Geiger Victorian Bed & Breakfast. You’ll be a 5-minute drive from everything this neighborhood has to offer. 

There are walkable areas in Proctor, Old Town, and along 6th Avenue. Hit up cafes, wineries, record stores, and art galleries. Visit Scorpio Rising, my favorite vintage shop in Tacoma, or head to the historic Blue Mouse Theater on a rainy day. Don’t miss out on the Proctor Farmers Market on Saturday for delicious fresh produce!

Spend time biking or walking along the waterfront where you’ll have sweeping views across the water, possibly of Mount Rainier on clear days. Along the way, stop in one of the seafood restaurants to enjoy delights straight from the Sound.

Pros of Staying in the North End:

• Lots of interesting smaller neighborhoods with walkable pockets
• Waterfront access
• Homey bed & breakfast options
• Fantastic bars, restaurants, shops

Cons of Staying in the North End:

• Pricier area
• You’ll need a car to get around

West End & Ruston

👉 Best Area For Outdoor Exploration & Day Trips | ✨ Best West End & Ruston Hotels: Silver Cloud Hotel Tacoma at Point Ruston • Scenic Lake View Home • Retro-Style Ruston Home

Tacoma’s West End and the teeny city of Ruston are furthest from some of the city’s livelier areas. However, they’re close to Point Defiance Park, Tacoma’s number one attraction. 

Love the outdoors or want to take day trips to some of the small towns and suburbs around Tacoma? The West End & Ruston are great places to stay. Aside from the gorgeous Silver Cloud Hotel Tacoma at Point Ruston, lodging options in this area will mostly be rentals.

In addition to the 760 acres to explore in Point Defiance, you can spend time in Titlow Park. This peaceful, out-of-the-way park has beach access, trails, and views of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge.

For a day trip, drive across the Narrows Bridge to visit Gig Harbor, or catch the ferry to beautiful Vashon Island from the Point Defiance Terminal. Go to Narrows Brewing and Antique Sandwiches for good food, drinks, and laid-back vibes if you’d rather stay close to town.

Pros of Staying in West End & Ruston:

• Great for exploring the outdoors
• Quiet and peaceful
• Access to small towns for day trips

Cons of Staying in West End & Ruston:

• Not as many hotel options
• Feels removed from the rest of the city
• You’ll need a car to get around

Hilltop

👉 Best Area For Authenticity & A Sense of Community | ✨ Best Hilltop Hotels: Central Tacoma Triplex • Hilltop Haven • Converted Victorian Home

The Hilltop neighborhood is just west of downtown Tacoma. Hilltop once had a reputation as a rougher part of the city, but it’s gone through many changes over the years. The Hilltop of today is much different than it was twenty years ago.

Hilltop is a great option if you want to stay somewhere with a tight-knit community and a strong feeling of local pride. The neighborhood is largely residential, so lodging options are primarily rentals, like this Central Tacoma Triplex. 

Visit the neighborhood’s Wright Park to try lawn bowling in the summer or go on walks at any time of the year. Visit the W.W. Seymour Botanical Conservatory while there. The latter often hosts flower exhibits, mindfulness walks, and musical performances.

Three Hearts, Bar Rosa, and Peterson Bros 1111 are all excellent spots to grab a drink, a bite to eat, and socialize with locals. 

Hilltop is a great place to stay if you want to be close to everything. Easily get to downtown, some parts of the North End, and even cooler neighborhoods like South Tacoma and McKinley. The Tacoma light rail has a stop in Hilltop, meaning it’s somewhat possible to get around here without a car.

Pros of Staying in the Hilltop Neighborhood:

• Close to everything
• Authentic, neighborly feel
• Light rail stop

Cons of Staying in the Hilltop Neighborhood:

• Some areas are rough around the edges
• Mostly residential & not many walkable areas
• No hotels in the area, rentals only

Tips for Staying in Tacoma

Tip 1 – Rent A Car

Downtown Tacoma is well-serviced by public transit, but you should rent a car if you want to visit other parts of the city. Tacoma is quite sprawling and public transportation isn’t always the quickest or most convenient way to get around.

I recommend renting a car with Discover Cars so you can save time and money and don’t have to limit your excursions.

Tip 2 – Visit a National Park

Tacoma is located between two of the best places to visit in Washington: Mount Rainier National Park and the Olympic National Park. It takes a little under 2 hours to reach either park from the city. 

Plan a day trip to one of these epic parks if you love hiking, camping, and breathtaking vistas. I promise, they’re more than worth it. I also have a guide to staying near Mount Rainier National Park.

Tip 3 – Visit During the Summer

Summer is by far one of the best times to visit western Washington. Tacoma comes alive with activity in the summertime. Plan a summertime visit if you’re interested in attending festivals, picking blueberries, browsing farmers markets, or getting out on the water.

📚 Related Reading: Planning a trip to western Washington? Read this article to figure out the best times to visit Seattle and other great cities in the state!

Tip 4 – Explore the Greater Tacoma Area

This list includes the best places to stay for travelers, but you’ll have an even better experience if you get off the beaten path to check out Tacoma’s other neighborhoods and the surrounding cities. 

There are great restaurants, bars, and activities in South Tacoma, McKinley, and Central Tacoma. Go to Church Cantina, Howdy Bagel, and Bob’s Java Jive along S Tacoma Way for great food, drinks, and vibes.

Dash Point State Park in Federal Way is lovely and worth a visit. And the annual Washington State Fair is just 20 minutes away in Puyallup.

Tip 5 – Listen to Local Recommendations

I have friends who live in Tacoma, so I’m always getting great suggestions on new places to go and cool events to check out. 

In general, Tacomans are very friendly and passionate about their city. I highly recommend chatting with them when you’re exploring to get insight into fun things to do in the city that you may not even know about. You just might discover a cool bar, learn about an art pop-up, or get suggestions for secret spots to view Mount Rainier at sunrise.

Tip 6 – Visit Tacoma Museums

Tacoma is known for its excellent museums and I suggest checking them out no matter which area you’re staying in. 

The Tacoma Art Museum, Washington State History Museum, America’s Car Museum, and Museum of Glass are the top museums to visit. Several are even free to visit every third Thursday of the month.

FAQs

What are the best areas to stay in Tacoma for first-timers?

The best areas to stay in Tacoma for first-timers are downtown Tacoma, and the North End. Both of these areas have highly rated hotels and are close to some of the city’s best attractions, restaurants, and bars.

What are safe areas to stay in Tacoma?

Two of the safest areas to stay in Tacoma are the West End and the North End. That said, all of the areas on this list are generally safe for visitors.

What are the best parts of Tacoma to stay with kids?

The West End is one of the best places to stay in Tacoma with kids because it has several of the city’s top kid-friendly attractions: The Point Defiance Zoo and Park, Titlow Park, and Owen Beach. However, downtown Tacoma is another great choice because it’s home to the Children’s Museum of Tacoma and the popular Dorky’s Arcade.

What are the best hotels to stay in Tacoma?

The best hotels in Tacoma are McMenamins Elk Temple, Silver Cloud Hotel on Tacoma Waterfront, and Hilton Garden Inn Tacoma Downtown. All three of these hotels have desirable amenities, are in great locations, and are top-rated by travelers.

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I hope I’ve helped you narrow down where to stay on your visit! Explore the city with open arms and I promise, you’ll have an excellent Grit City experience. Traveling further south? Up next, check out my guide to Where to Stay in Olympia, Washington’s capital city.