Please consider Washington’s reopening plan and check all recommended locations’ current status and hours prior to planning a visit.

I really don’t have to go far for this week’s Travel Local highlight, because it’s where we live… Tacoma, Washington! When Evan moved here, I had NO idea how much I would fall in love with this city that would later become my home too. The beaches, the parks, the food, the small businesses and just the community… this city has SO much to offer. So today we’re diving into some of my favorite places to hang out in our city.

Neighborhoods

Something I love about Tacoma is there are so many great neighborhoods within the city that all have different vibes. This, by all means, is not all of them but here are a few we spend a lot of time exploring.

Proctor

This is probably my favorite in the city. Proctor is such a cute neighborhood with gorgeous homes and a really cute downtown area with some of my favorite restaurants and shops — including Compass Rose, The Fernseed, Lapis, Waffle Stop and more! I also love their Farmers Market that takes place on Saturdays and has my FAVORITE scones from Upper Crust!

Stadium District

This was our old neighborhood and I love walking up and down the streets checking out the historic and victorian style homes. There are great food and bar options in the neighborhood and it also overlooks beautiful views of the water! We spent a lot of time at Shake Shake Shake, Indo Asian Street Eatery, and the Rhein Haus.

Downtown

Back when meeting up with friends was a thing (I miss you pre-COVID life), downtown was one of our spots we’d go. Pacific Avenue is a great place to grab a bite to eat and bar hop. A few blocks up, Antique Row is another cool spot to check out. Downtown is also where a lot of the museums and theatres are located!

6th Avenue

This is another hot spot for going out. 6th Ave kind of gives me vibes of my old neighborhood in Portland which I also really loved, so it’s no surprise I love this area! There are a ton of great bars and restaurants and it’s impossible to go wrong down there!

Dome District

The Tacoma Dome is known for hosting concerts and large events, but its neighborhood is also filled with unique things to do too — including shopping at Freighthouse Square (be sure to check out Adorned Abode!), the LeMay Car Museum, Tacoma Glassblowing Studio and more!

Favorite Beaches & Parks

I didn’t think I was a beach person until I moved to Tacoma. Obviously our beaches are a little different in Washington than other places but that’s why I love them! I can’t get enough of the rocky shores filled with driftwood and the regular seal spottings.

Owen Beach

I can’t tell you how much time I’ve spent walking the waterfront at Owen Beach, I love it down there! It’s definitely one of my happy places. It’s so relaxing walking along the water and watching the seals swim around. It’s one of the more popular options so it can get busy during the summer but it’s a great option to visit year-round.

Point Defiance

We are so lucky to have a park like Point Defiance in Tacoma. It’s HUGE and there are so many different places to visit there — a little something for everyone. It’s actually where Owen beach is too. I love spending time in the flower gardens when they bloom, walking one of the many trails, visiting the Point Defiance Zoo, Owen Beach, Fort Nisqually, and taking in the views on the 5-mile drive!

Chambers Bay

Since we bought our townhouse, I’ve been spending more time at Chambers Bay, which is technically in University Place, but I group them together because they’re so close. This park is huge since it also has a golf course and I love walking on the rocky beaches or walking around on the walking trail.

Ruston Way

Another super popular option (especially in the summer) is Ruston Way. I love walking along the water down there and it hands down has the best views with Mt. Rainier peeking out in the background. At the end of Ruston Way there’s also a ton of development going up full of restaurants, shops and their own market.

Titlow Beach

We are SO spoiled with so many beach options! Titlow Beach is another great one to visit (and yes, that’s really its name). This one is on the other side of Tacoma near the Narrows and it has ample rocky beaches to enjoy. It’s also a go-to for kayaking for us.

Food

The food scene is hopping in Tacoma and there are still so many places we haven’t even tried yet! These are the spots that are on our tried and true rotate list though!

Shake Shake Shake

We used to live across the street from Shake Shake Shake and it was dangerous.. in the best kind of way! You cannot go wrong with any of their burgers, hot dogs or their delicious shakes. SO. DANG. GOOD!

Dirty Oscar’s Annex

If you’re looking for a bomb brunch or lunch Dirty Oscar’s Annex is the place to go. When you walk in, it has casual bar vibes but their food is Ah-mazingggg. You can’t go wrong with anything you order there.

Happy Belly

For delicious and healthy bites you need to make a stop at Happy Belly! Their menu is vegetarian focused plus they offer an amazing juice bar. Literally the besttt spot for a tasty lunch, juice or smoothie!

Pomodoro

Pomodoro is the perfect date spot in the adorable neighborhood of Proctor that serves up seriously delicious Italian. There’s a reason it was voted Tacoma’s Best Italian by the readers of Tacoma Weekly!

Cactus

We’re obsessed with the queso and margaritas at Cactus! SO dang delicious. There are other locations than just in Tacoma but we’re so glad they’re here now too!

Waffle Stop

If you ask me to go to brunch in Tacoma I’m probably going to take you to Waffle Stop. Because hello… waffles! These aren’t just any ordinary waffles either, they’ve gotten really clever with some of their menu items including one of my favorites, the messy but oh so delicious monte carlo sandwich.

Art House Cafe

Another great brunch spot is Art House Cafe in the Stadium District! It has cozy vibes and I love that the menu is built around local and in-season options. Everything is just always very fresh tasting.

Katie Downs

If my mom is visiting, you’re probably going to find us at Katie Downs! It’s one of our favorite places to go to Happy Hour and enjoy gorgeous views on the water. We usually order a bunch of their appetizers but they’re also well-known for their pizzas.

La Cà Bar

Pho! Something I didn’t realize was missing from my life until I moved back to the PNW was pho and I’m obsessed these days. My personal favorite is La Cà Bar off of 6th Avenue and let’s just say we’re regulars in the fall and winter!

Ice Cream Social

If you’re looking for some sweetness in your life, Ice Cream Social is the spot! They have two locations in Tacoma and you cannot beat their all-natural, homemade, local ice cream! They rotate flavors each month and my mouth is watering just thinking about them. My favorite that got added to the everyday menu is their Almond Poppyseed. Holy YUM!

Bars & Breweries

We also have a ton of unique bars to go to throughout the city, which makes going out so much more fun! Some of these are temporarily closed right now because of COVID but save this for later so you can check them out and support them when they’re back!

Triple Knock

Pinball bar, need I say more? I’m convinced there’s nothing more fun than enjoying a brew while playing pinball and Triple Knock delivers! If I’m being honest, I’m not even very good at pinball but it’s still fun nonetheless!

McMenamins Elk Temple

If you read my Olympia travel guide you know I loveeee me a McMenamins and the Elk Temple takes the cake for my favorite! It’s HUGE! It’s 7 floors and there are a variety of restaurants and bars, a tasting room, hotel, concert venue and even a hidden bar. It’s bomb and you could spend a whole evening exploring different areas.

The Red Hot

Craft beer and hot dogs FTW! The Red Hot is the spot to enjoy some quality beer or ciders and also get adventurous with their hot dog creations!

Rhein Haus

If you’re in the mood for German beer, grub and some bocce ball or miniature golf, Rhein Haus is the spot. Yes, they really have all of that inside! It’s a great spot to watch sports in the fall or enjoy some time by their fireplaces in the winter too!

The Camp Bar

If you love camping, or are just looking for an awesome local dive bar, The Camp Bar is where you need to go! Their decor is filled with fun camping vibes, they have bomb food and you can even order tableside s’mores!

7 Seas Brewery and Taproom

If I had to pick my favorite place to go out with friends, this is it! 7 Seas Brewery is the best! It’s located in Hilltop in a huge warehouse building and I just love the vibes. Plus their beer is BOMB, we love to do the tastings although the IPA is my all-time fav. 3uilt Tacoma is also located there and they have amazing sandwiches!

Locust Cider

If ciders are more your thing (I also love them) you’ll definitely want to check out Locust Cider. It’s located on 6th Avenue and is such a fun spot where you can have tasting and play board games. I’m all about the tasting and checking out their rotating ciders too!

Parkway Tavern

Last but definitely not least, Parkway Tavern is another one of our go-tos — especially when we lived in the Stadium District. It’s a great chill bar that has a ton of brews on tap and they also have games in the back! Can you tell, I like having things to do when we go out? Highly recommend!

There are so many awesome things to do on a visit to Tacoma, these recommendations don’t only touch the surface! This should give you a good starting point though. Have other favs? Drop them in the comments!

P.S. Want to keep up with my adventures around Tacoma and the PNW? Follow along on Instagram!

Travel may be a little different this year, but it’s not always going to be that way. So this summer I kicked off a travel local blog series to highlight some of the really awesome places you can visit right here in Washington state! Because guys, we have SO many amazing places to see in our area! And I for one know that I have an even bigger appreciation for supporting everything local these days and want to continue that even after this is all over. So whether you’re adding to your future travel list, or we survived this whole thing and you’re ready to get your adventure on, buckle up because today we’re exploring Olympia, Washington!

After our trip to Austin, Texas and exploring their capitol building and all of the history, I realized I had never really spent much time in our own capital here in Washington! 🙈 So last year, we decided it was time to make a visit. Especially because it’s less than an hour away from Tacoma where we live. Here’s a look at some of the places I’d recommend you check out!

Explore the Waterfront

If you’re looking for a low-key afternoon. Head to the waterfront to enjoy the views! Olympia has a beautiful park along the East Bay right next to the Farmer’s Market which is the perfect place to relax and watch the boats (or ducks) go by!

Go to the Farmers Market

Olympia has a fantastic farmers market that has been providing local produce and supporting local artisans and businesses since 1975! The days and hours vary depending on the season but you can check their website for the latest. I’m a sucker for farmers markets in general but this one is so worth the stop! It’s quite large and there was a lot of variety in the offerings — even when we visited in the winter. So I imagine the summer is even more impressive!

Explore the Capitol Building & Grounds

Whether you’re into politics or not, it’s pretty impressive to see the capitol building up close and personal. Even if it’s just for the architecture alone! They just do not build buildings like this anymore and the scale of them is just insane. They also offer free tours of the campus (not during COVID though) where they’ll show you around and share history about the building for free. Even if guided tours aren’t really your thing though you can still wander around the building and just take it all in! We definitely ran up the stairs Rocky style too, because.. had to!

Get a Bite to Eat at McMenamins

When you’re ready for lunch or dinner, stop by McMenamins! After going to college and living in Oregon for a while, McMenamins was a staple in my life so it’s always nice to visit them in Washington too. There aren’t as many here as in Oregon, but you can always count on them for a solid meal and brew. If you aren’t familiar, they’re a family-owned company that is known for revitalizing pubs, restaurants, theatres and hotels and bring their unique flair of art and vibe that celebrates the history of the location. Some locations also have live music and events too! They also have a fun passport you can get which makes the experience even more fun too.

Explore the Murals & Colorful Walls Around Downtown

Olympia has a vibrant art community and it shows in its downtown district. The streets are painted with a variety of art that is both unique and also tells stories of its history. You know I’m a sucker for colorful fun walls too… we even have a colorful wall guide at Bold & Pop I love them so much! Be sure to check out this guide to make a plan for what you want to see!

Support the Local Shops Downtown

For being the capital of the state, the downtown definitely has more of a small town vibe. The downtown is lined with adorable shops to fit any interest — bookstores, gift stores, novelties, coffee shops, and children’s stores. So many awesome options that will certainly fill up your day!

Olympia was such a pleasant surprise and I definitely recommend adding it to your local travel list! I for one know I will be! Have other recs? Drop them in the comments below!

All of this time indoors has me daydreaming about when we’ll be able to go outside again… That feels surreal even typing that but such is life right now. So as my own therapy today I decided to put together a post on all of my favorite hikes as a little excuse to daydream and go through a bunch of photos for each. Most of the trails may be closed for now, but they won’t be forever (or they better not be!) so definitely pin this post for later!

I tried including a little something for everyone with hikes of varying lengths, difficulties, and areas. Plus, I also included the stats for each according to AllTrails or WTA — both awesome resources for finding great hikes! Although I will say, sometimes I’d take the distance as more of an estimate because they vary site to site. So let’s get going on this virtual hike!

Greenwater Lakes

4.9 miles | 492 elevation gain | Easy | Northwest Forest Pass

This is a great easy trail with nice views along the way! It has a kind of sketchy (but surprisingly sturdy) bridge to cross a stream near the beginning and you end up at a gorgeous lake where a lot of people were relaxing by. This trail is the start to other longer trails (I’ll highlight one below) that is popular for backpacking so you’ll see a lot of people with overnight gear. This trail has great accessibility too because the service road it’s off of is paved all the way in (which definitely isn’t usually the case).

Echo Lake

14 miles (but I’d say closer to 15) | 2,339 ft elevation gain | Moderate | Northwest Forest Pass

We set out for the day only planning on hiking the Greenwater Lakes trail but had some steam in us and decided to get a little ambitious and hike to Echo Lake, adding an extra 10 miles to our hike. In hindsight maybe not the best planning, but we did it! It also crosses the path of remnants from a wildfire from a few summers ago so it’s a little eerie and you need to be careful in that section. All that being said, Echo Lake was so serene and really beautiful and a lot of the trail is shaded which is great for those hot summer days! There were also a decent amount of hikers on the trails but there’s plenty of space to spread out.

Naches Peak Trail at Tipsoo Lake

3.2 miles | 636 ft elevation gain | Easy | Northwest Forest Pass

If you’re looking for a nice quick hike with some amazing views of Mt. Rainier, this one is a great option. It’s located right off the highway before Chinook Pass and is an easy hike for all levels. Definitely pack the bug spray and sunscreen for this one. Even though it’s a short hike, the trail is in the open and I don’t remember any shaded spots. Even with bug spray you may get eaten alive by the mosquitos, but the views are incredible. If you want to make your hike a little longer, there’s a trail down to Dewey Lake which I definitely want to check out next time too! Another thing to note is this is definitely a late summer hiking option, it’s pretty far up so the snow doesn’t melt until later in the season.

Rattlesnake Ledge

5 miles | 1,469 ft elevation gain | Moderate | No pass needed

I’ll be honest… this hike can get a little crazy because of the people but it’s still one of my favorites because the views are GOR-GEOUS! If you can get up there on a weekday I definitelyyy recommend that because it will take you an hour longer from the highway of people hiking on the weekends. Like, I’m not going to sugarcoat it… it’s ridiculous and you get a lot of people who have no trail etiquette…. playing music, flying drones.. like I said, it’s ridiculous but if you go in knowing that or go on a weekday the views really are worth it.

Annette Lake

8.4 miles | 2,132 ft elevation gain | Moderate | Northwest Forest Pass

We actually ended up on this hike after trying to do another in the area that was too crowded — everyone and their mom wants to hike these days, me included lol. This was a really awesome trail though! You definitely get a work out in with the elevation gain but the trail is very well maintained and it had some interesting viewpoints along the way. A really great day hike!

Snow Lake

7.2 miles | 1,800 ft elevation gain | Moderate | Northwest Forest Pass

If you haven’t noticed… I’m all about trails with lakes! Haha, seriously though, the views are even better in person. This is another super popular (aka crowded) hike but again worth it. It’s tougher than Rattlesnake so you’re definitely dealing with more experienced hikers than you’ll find over there. The terrain is pretty rocky too so I’d recommend a boot with good grip. I’d also recommend an early start if you can too. Most of this trail is in the open so it can get a little toasty on those hot days plus the parking lot fills up fast.

Heather - Maple Pass

7.8 miles | 2,257 ft elevation gain | Moderate | Northwest Forest Pass

If there was a hike that had it all, THIS is the one. You may have already read my Methow Valley travel guide post where I gushed about it but I’m about to do it again because it is my absolute favorite.😍Hands down, this hike is going down as my favorite OF ALL TIME! This hike had views at pretty much every single step of the trail and truly it was just incredible. We saw views of some of the lakes, the cascades, wildflowers and even a few marmots! In the Fall they’re also known for their larches! Look them up, they look pretty cool. Since it’s a loop, there are a lot of people who recommend hiking it clockwise because they say it’s a little easier. We actually intended to do that, but it turns out we went counter-clockwise but honestly, either way, would be just fine. The way we went may have been tougher but having the views the whole way was so worth it. There’s also a decent-sized parking lot on-site and there aren’t any forest roads so it’s easy accessibility.

Mt Peak Cal Magnusson Trail

1.7 miles | 1,000 ft elevation gain | Hard | No pass needed

I grew up in Enumclaw so this one is a local go-to and one I do on the regular when I visit my mom. It’s only about 2 miles round-trip but has a 1,000 elevation gain that kicks my booty every time. It’s a really great workout hike and probably one of the only ones you can be in the woods but then hear a cow or chicken from one of the local farms every now and then. Always cracks me up. I usually just stick with the tried and true original trail, but they’ve created a few others over the years with varying lengths too.

Little Si

4.7 miles | 1,300 ft elevation gain | Moderate | Discover Pass

This is a great, pretty easy hike in the North Bend area. It has great coverage so it would be good for a hot day too. There were even people mountain climbing while I was up there which I thought was pretty cool to watch. The views up on the ridge at the top make for a great lunch spot too! The parking lot gets filled up pretty easily but you can park down the road across the bridge and walk to the trailhead if you can’t score a spot there.

Summerland Trail

12 miles | 2,950 ft elevation gain | Moderate | National Park Pass

The trailhead starts right after the ranger station for the National Park and I really loved it because it had a lot of variety! Waterfalls, streams, log bridges… it was awesome! There’s also a lookout if you make it to the top. We went on Father’s Day and ended up losing the trail after hitting some snow so we only completed about 9 miles of the hike but I’d definitely check it out again. The elevation gain is more gradual too since it’s longer so a great beginner hike. All and all, a really awesome hike and one that isn’t packedddd like a lot of the ones at Snoqualmie.

Grove of the Patriarchs Loop

1.5 miles | 50 ft elevation gain | Easy | No pass needed

This one is more of a nature walk than a hike but definitely worth a stop if you’re near Paradise! There’s no elevation change and it’s super short so definitely something for all levels too. Here, there are trees that are over 1,000 years old, which is just crazy to think about and they’re SO wide! It was really cool to see and definitely worth a stop.

Mount Ellinor

6.5 miles | 3,400 ft elevation gain | Hard | Northwest Forest Pass

This one is def on the tougher side but I love hiking up on the Olympic National Forest. We did this one right before they started removing the mountain goats in hopes of seeing them and we did! Don’t worry, they were further away than they look in the photo. Not going to lie though, this was a hard hike. At the beginning, it seems pretty doable but the last mile is STEEP! By the time we got to the top we were fogged in so we couldn’t see the crazy views but I have to say if you’re afraid of heights this one isn’t for you. I had a few moments where I was wondering how the heck we were going to get down. It’s not on the level of Storm King in term of heights but if you’re looking for a challenge, this is a great choice. Just make sure you bring trekking poles because you’re going to need them! It’s also up a long service road. Totally okay without 4-wheel drive but lots of deep potholes so you’ll want to take your time.

Hope you guys enjoyed some of these recs and if you have some other awesome ones I should check out this summer definitely let me know!

P.S. If you like keeping up with my PNW adventures, Evan and I started an Instagram account focused on just that! Follow along at @TheHicksintheSticks