Downtown

A 500-foot pedestrian overpass linking Museum of Glass to downtown, with Chihuly glass built into the walkway.

A hands-on museum for young children downtown, with pay-as-you-will admission and a low-sensory hour on Monday afternoons.

Tacoma's city-owned convention center on Commerce Street, with a 50,000-square-foot column-free exhibition hall and 119,000 square feet of event space in all.

A restored downtown lodge with restaurants, bars, a ballroom and The Vault, a hidden bar that's advertised on the website.

Watch glassblowers work in the Hot Shop. The main galleries are closed for renovation, but the furnace is running.

The 1918 vaudeville house on Broadway, now Tacoma's touring Broadway and symphony stage. 1,274 seats, a box office that opens one afternoon a week, and a full calendar of one-night shows.

A 742-seat 1918 movie house on South 9th, now the intimate Tacoma City Theaters room for jazz, comedy and one-off bills.

Western and Northwest art in downtown Tacoma. Admission is free on Thursday nights from 5 to 8.

The state's history museum on Pacific Avenue, next to Union Station. Closed Mondays, free on Third Thursday evenings, and home to the model train festival every December.

Free Tacoma outings for an ordinary day: Wright Park's trees, Foss Waterway Seaport and Tacoma Art Museum's free Thursday evenings, plus two pay-what-you-like options.

Separate outings · about 45 minutes to two hours each (estimated)

Indoor and wet-weather outings in Tacoma for any time of year: a warm glasshouse, glassblowing, the Children's Museum, four more museums, a movie and a bookshop, with the free and cheap options marked.

Separate outings, not one route · about one to three hours each

Ballroom shows, downtown theater seats or a South Tacoma music hall: pick a Tacoma music night by room, ticket and age rule.

Three venues · allow an evening; running times vary by show

A first-visit Tacoma route from Pacific Avenue across the Bridge of Glass to the Foss Waterway, with one paid museum and time for lunch.

About five to six hours, including lunch and walking (estimated)

A free Thursday art date, a film with time to talk afterward, or a ballroom show and an optional drink: three Tacoma evenings with the budget spelled out.

Three evenings · about two to four hours each (estimated)

Glassblowing, art, cars or maritime history: compare four Tacoma museums by what you do there, opening days and admission before buying tickets.

Four museums · about one to three hours each (estimated)

Three short Tacoma art outings: the Bridge of Glass, Dune Peninsula’s installations and Wright Park’s statues. Pick one area and look properly.

Three separate outings · about 30–60 minutes each (estimated)

Hands-on play, a nature playground, glassblowing or the zoo: four Tacoma family outings with the hours, age choices and ticket math that matter.

Four separate outings · about one to four hours each (estimated)