Chihuly Bridge of Glass

The Chihuly Bridge of Glass is a 500-foot pedestrian overpass that connects Museum of Glass to downtown Tacoma and the cultural corridor along Pacific Avenue. The museum describes it as a partnership between Dale Chihuly, the City of Tacoma and the museum itself.

You walk across it. That is the whole attraction, and it takes about ten minutes — which is exactly why it works as a stop rather than a destination.

What you see

Glass, in several forms, set into the bridge itself. One side of the walk is a long wall of windowed cases filled with vessels in every colour Chihuly’s studio uses; sections of the route are covered, and the museum’s cone stands behind you as you cross.

The museum’s own directions suggest taking the stairs up and around the Cone before you finish a visit, which turns the crossing into a loop back to the entrance.

Practical

The bridge is a public pedestrian crossing rather than a ticketed attraction, and neither the museum nor the city posts opening hours for it. Treat it as part of a daylight walk rather than a late-night plan.

Access from downtown is from Pacific Avenue near the museums; from the museum side, the stairs and the Cone are part of the route.

Where it fits

The bridge is the hinge of the downtown museum day. Museum of Glass is at one end, the Washington State History Museum and Tacoma Art Museum are along Pacific, and the Children’s Museum of Tacoma is a few blocks further. Our rainy Sunday guide uses it as the walk between museum stops, and the Pantages Theater and Rialto Theater make it an evening.