Tacoma Public Art Walks You Can Do in an Hour

You don’t need a gallery opening to spend an hour looking at art in Tacoma. You do need a smaller plan than “find some public art,” or you’ll spend the afternoon in the car.

Pick one of these three spots. Each has specific things to look for, with room to walk in between.

1. The Bridge of Glass

The Chihuly Bridge of Glass connects Pacific Avenue with Museum of Glass. It has three installations: the Seaform Pavilion, Crystal Towers and the Venetian Wall.

Look at each one on its own: glass overhead, glass in a wall, glass standing against the sky.

Give it 30 to 45 minutes, including the walk back. The museum map shows where each piece is. The bridge is outdoors and free; the museum is a separate ticket.

2. Dune Peninsula

At Dune Peninsula, look for Alluvion by Adam Kuby and Little Makers by Nichole Rathburn. Parks Tacoma lists both on its park page.

Follow the paved Frank Herbert Trail between them. Along the way you’ll find quotations from Herbert and Dune.

Give it about an hour. It’s at 5361 Yacht Club Road, open half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset.

3. Wright Park

Wright Park has statues and memorials among its trees. Start with the two dancing maidens near Division Avenue, known as Annie and Fannie, then find the stone lions near the South 6th Street entrance.

Parks Tacoma says the nicknames come from two nearby institutions, Annie Wright Seminary and Fannie Paddock Hospital.

Give it about 45 minutes. The park is at 501 South I Street, open half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset.

Indoors instead

For gallery nights and studio events, check the art section and the events list. If the weather’s bad, Tacoma Art Museum is free on Thursday evenings.