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North AmericaUnited StatesWashington

Tacoma

Washington, United States · North America

About Tacoma

Tacoma is worth a stop: 10 minutes from Browns Point, 56km from Snoqualmie Falls.

Tacoma is a city located in Washington, United States. With a population of 222,906, it is an important destination in North America.

On a road trip, Tacoma sits in United States, where you drive on the right. It's in the America/Los Angeles time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Tacoma to your route.

About Tacoma

The Tacoma Public Library (TPL) system serves the city of Tacoma, Washington, United States. It is a public library operated by the city government that has eight locations—a central library and seven branches. The Tacoma Public Library has over 180,000 registered users and serves a population of 225,100 residents; it

Read more had a circulation of 1.77 million items in 2024. The system offers the use of computers, books, DVDs, and music at its branches and through mail services, as well as electronic databases, e-books, and audiobooks through its website. Libraries are also home to programming and community events. TPL is separate from the Pierce County Library System, which operates 19 libraries across most of the county. The Tacoma Public Library was established in 1894 after the city government funded the creation of a small public library on the fifth floor of the city hall. An earlier library had been donated to the city in 1898 but only operated for one year. The Main Library of Tacoma was opened on June 4, 1903, and was the first Carnegie library built in Washington state. The original two-story building had a dome that was damaged in a 1949 earthquake and mostly removed at a later date. The Main Library was expanded by the construction of a new section in 1952 that spanned 67,000 square feet (6,200 m2) and the original section underwent major renovations from 1988 to 1990. The addition was renovated from 2023 to 2025. The Main Library houses the Northwest Room, a special collection for Tacoma and Pacific Northwest history, and the Handforth Gallery. A second location, the South Tacoma Branch, opened in May 1911. In 2011, the Tacoma Public Library closed two of its branches, the Martin Luther King Jr. Library near Hilltop and the Swan Creek Library in Salishan. Both branches had opened in the late 1980s as part of an expansion of the system but were closed during budget cuts due to their low circulation and other factors. A "microlibrary" kiosk stocked with books and other items opened near the former Swan Creek branch in 2019. A new logo and branding for the system was unveiled in 2025.

Read more on Wikipedia

Where to Stay in Tacoma

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to do in Tacoma?

Tacoma offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.

How do I plan a road trip to Tacoma?

Plan your road trip to Tacoma with Plan Your Road Trips! Add Tacoma as a destination, and we'll help you find the best route and discover more amazing places along the way.

Where is Tacoma located?

Tacoma is located in Washington, United States, North America. The coordinates are 47.2529 latitude, -122.4443 longitude.

What is the population of Tacoma?

Tacoma has a population of approximately 222,906 people, making it a city in United States.

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Quick Information

Population
222,906
Continent
North America
Country
United States
Region
Washington
Timezone
America/Los_Angeles
Coordinates
47.2529, -122.4443

Emergency & Services

Essential numbers in United States

Police
911
Ambulance
911
Fire
911
Driving side
right

AAA roadside assistance: 1-800-222-4357. Right turn on red is legal in most states unless signed otherwise.

Full driving guide for United States

Tags

North AmericaUnited StatesWashingtonCity

Worth the detour from Tacoma

4 notable places within an hour's drive.

museum

LeMay - America's Car Museum

One of the world's largest automotive museums with 350 vehicles in a striking facility overlooking Tacoma's waterfront.

2 km · about 5 min drive

landmark

Space Needle

Futuristic observation tower built for the 1962 World's Fair, an iconic symbol of Seattle's skyline.

41 km · about 50 min drive

museum

Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP)

Frank Gehry-designed museum celebrating contemporary popular culture through music, sci-fi, fantasy, and video game exhibits.

42 km · about 50 min drive

waterfall

Snoqualmie Falls

A spectacular 82-meter waterfall east of Seattle, sacred to the Snoqualmie people and featured in Twin Peaks.

56 km · about 65 min drive

Nearby Destinations

Other places to explore near Tacoma.

Browns Point

🇺🇸 United States

5 km awayPop. 1,198

Fircrest

🇺🇸 United States

6 km awayPop. 6,687

Fife

🇺🇸 United States

7 km awayPop. 9,970

Fife Heights

🇺🇸 United States

7 km awayPop. 2,137

Waller

🇺🇸 United States

8 km awayPop. 7,922

University Place

🇺🇸 United States

8 km awayPop. 32,842

Milton

🇺🇸 United States

10 km awayPop. 8,697

Midland

🇺🇸 United States

10 km awayPop. 8,962

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