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Tacoma

Lying along Interstate 5, Tacoma is the county seat and largest city in Pierce County. The Tacoma Narrows Bridge connects Tacoma with Gig Harbor and other communities on the west side of Puget Sound.

The city lies in the shadow of Mount Rainier on the shores of Commencement Bay.

The area was discovered by Captain James Vancouver in 1792. Tacoma was shaped by a series of booms and busts that began after Swedish settler Nicholas de Lin started the first business in 1852. De Lin's sawmill was the first major means of employment for the settlers who braved harsh conditions to reach the area.

Today Tacoma, population 193,556, is a deepwater port and bustling center of industry, commerce, culture and education. The city boasts a major railroad hub. Nearby McChord Air Force Base and the U.S. Army's Fort Lewis contribute to its economy. Points of interest include University of Puget Sound and the Washington State Hist. Society Museum.

Tacoma is part of the Tacoma, WA metro area.

Point Defiance Park |
Art Events in Washington Hamilton's Antique Auction Gallery | Tacoma Narrows Bridge |
Bed and Breakfasts and Country Inns Bay Vista Bed & Breakfast |
Education Children's Museum of Tacoma | Medicine Creek College |
Restaurants, Cafes, Delis, Bakeries Johnson's Candy Company | Moctezuma's Mexican Restaurant | Mary Bridge Children's Hospital |
History Camp Six Logging Museum | McChord Air Museum | Puyallup Indian Tribe | Puyallup Tribal Museum |
Motels, Hotels, and Resorts Royal Coachman Inn | Slater Museum of Natural History |
Residential and Commercial Real Estate Park 52 |
Sports and Sporting Events Tacoma Underwater Sports |
Washington Counties Pierce County |

See more Washington Cities and Towns.

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01/01 Coming to The area
Water Music Festival Seaview WA April1 The Water Music Festival is an all-volunteer non-profit organization dedicated to bringing quality chamber music to the Lower Columbia River Region.
Astoria-Warrenton Crab and Seafood Festival Warrenton OR April26 Crab and seafood as well as entertainment. Listen to the Astoria HS Jazz Band on Sunday.
Seattle Japanese Cultural Festival Seattle WA April26-28 The festival features Japanese exhibits, performances, and demonstrations. Held at the Seattle Center in the Fisher Pavilion. The annual festival began in 1976 with a gift of 1,000 cherry trees to the city of Seattle from the Japanese government to celebrate the U.S. Bicentennial.
Grays Harbor Shorebird Festival Hoquiam WA April26-28 Witness the migrating shorebirds at Grays Harbor National Wildlife Refuge and other birding hotspots in Grays Harbor County.
Leavenworth Spring Bird Fest Leavenworth WA May16-19 Learn about the wide variety of migratory birds that come here for a brief, but important part of their year: the breeding season. Hear the songs sung only during the breeding season.
Northwest Folklife Festival Seattle WA May24-27 Music and dance performances, visual arts, folklore exhibits, hands-on children's activities, workshops, crafts, food, demonstrations, and more!


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