Clear Choice Locals’ Picks: Things to Do in Tacoma this Fall

Even if fall in Tacoma usually means chilly winds and rain, rain and more rain, there’s plenty of things to do when the weather turns sour. Just like you, the budtenders at Clear Choice live and work in T-Town, and they’re always on the lookout for fun and engaging events, regardless of whether they’re cannabis-focused or not.

So with that in mind, we’ve rounded up a list of some of our favorite things to do in Tacoma for fall 2019. And if we’ve missed one we shouldn’t drop us a line and let us know!

Things to Do in Tacoma in Fall 2019

Tacoma Resident Free Days at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium

Things to Do in Tacoma 1 — Source: Tacoma News Tribune

5400 N Pearl St
Tacoma, WA 98407
(253) 404-3800

Sunday, Oct. 27 and Thursday, Nov. 14

Get directions
Visit website

Most people forget about zoos once they reach the teenage years, but that’s a shame. With Sumatran tigers, meerkats—our nominee for cutest animal ever—and a landmark red wolf habitat, the PDZA is one of Tacoma’s hidden treasures. As a thank-you for the 1999 bond measure to fund zoo improvements, PDZA offers several free days a year to residents. Click here for details, and don’t forget to bring an ID!

Northwest Hiphop Festival

Things to Do in Tacoma 2 — Source: Eventbrite

Location provided after registration

Friday Oct. 25 - Saturday Oct. 26, 2019

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Billed as the only large-scale event in the region devoted to Hip Hop, this secretive (but highly anticipated) festival is slated to draw fans from all over the country looking to celebrate old-school and new-school styles and everything in-between.

Día de los Muertos Festival at Tacoma Art Museum

Things to Do in Tacoma 3 — Source: Tacoma Art Museum

1701 Pacific Ave
Tacoma, WA 98402
(253) 272-4258

Sunday, Nov. 3, 2019

Get directions
Visit website

Traditionally celebrated the day after Halloween, Día de los Muertos (or “Day of the Dead”) is a festival of Mexican origin in which those on earth celebrate and honor the lives of those who have passed. But it’s anything but somber; this festival is also a giant party, complete with dance and music, art and food, and joyful remembrances and support for the spiritual journeys of the deceased. This will be the museum's 15th such celebration, and with performances, traditional foods and arts vendors and free admission to the galleries, it’s not to be missed!

First Tacoma Distillery Festival at Tacoma Armory

Things to Do in Tacoma 4 — Source: Tacoma Arts Live

1001 S Yakima Ave
Tacoma, WA 98405
(253) 591-5894

Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019

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Kicking off what we hope will be a long-running affair, this festival gathers together the leading lights of the local distilling scene. You’ll sample spirits from more than twenty Northwest distilleries, meet the men and women who make it all happen, and discover your new favorite liquor to purchase and take home (just in time for the holidays). Local restaurants and food vendors will be serving up tasty snacks as well. What’re more, the event supports Tacoma Arts Live programs, which serve nearly 50,000 students, parents and teachers annually.

Of course, if you're looking for things to do in Tacoma, make sure to stop by our Tacoma dispensary! Check out everything we carry on our online dispensary menu now.

Engaging Exhibits: The Washington State History Museum

The Washington State History Museum stands out for its extensive collection of artifacts pertaining to the history of our great state. Located in downtown Tacoma, the museum is the best opportunity for residents and area visitors to learn about the history of their surroundings. Here’s everything you need to know when planning your trip to this landmark of Tacoma’s museum culture.

What Is the Washington State History Museum?

The Washington State History Museum is the premier destination for anyone interested in the storied tale of Washington’s past. Established and maintained by the century-old Washington State Historical Society, the museum is devoted to its core mission of preserving the history of the state while inspiring a passion for historical knowledge.

Washington State History Museum 1 — Source: Travel Tacoma

As the Washington State History Museum is funded by generous donors from the local community, it is free to focus on offering the best possible experience for museum-goers. In fact, many residents are quick to describe the museum as the best of its kind in Tacoma and even the state at large.

What to Do at the Washington State History Museum

With many different subject areas, there is something for everyone to enjoy. In addition to a range of exhibits covering Washington’s history, the museum is home to events and festivities throughout the year. These events invite members of the community to share a specific topic or culture, and are well worth the extra planning required to attend.

Washington State History Museum 2 — Source: Washington State Historical Society

Besides the many events, the exhibits stand out as examples of the ingenuity and vision that went into developing the museum. The museum’s Great Hall, for example, has stood for decades as a historical time-warp that takes visitors through a hall of sculptures representing the lifestyles of different eras in the state’s history. From the earliest native inhabitants to Washington’s colonial period, the Great Hall covers the full breadth of history in an engaging format.

Washington State History Museum 3 — Source: Washington State Historical Society

For younger visitors, the History Lab can provide a full lesson in historiographical methods and concepts, making this a favored stop for teachers and other educators. However, any visitor to the museum can appreciate the insight into a historian’s viewpoint that the History Lab offers.

Finally, railroad enthusiasts will be delighted by the extensive model train collection housed within the museum. A variety of train models run on carefully crafted tracks, allowing visitors to experience the rail history of Washington firsthand.

Exhibits change every few months, so be sure to check their website for the latest. Right now, there's an awesome moon exhibit for space enthusiasts who want to continue celebrating the 50th anniversary of the moon landing.

There's a lot of awesome things to learn about Washington. If you have the time, make sure to stop by our local landmark. And don't forget to visit our Tacoma dispensary, another area institution that should always be on your list of things to do. Check out our online menu to see what's in stock today!

Clear Choice Goes Beyond the Bong: Tacoma’s Museum of Glass

For serious fans of fresh cannabis flower—and yes, that includes us!—the word “glass” can only mean one thing. But in today’s celebration of All Things Tacoma, we’re going to go “beyond the bong” and share the inside scoop on another kind of glass: The kind preserved at one of the city’s most fantastic and well-loved attractions, the Tacoma Museum of Glass.

Since opening its doors in 2002, the Museum has become perhaps the most instantly recognizable feature of the Tacoma waterfront. These days, over 100,000 guests visit the Museum each and every year, securing its place in the pantheon of historic Tacoma sites.

What’s the story behind the Museum, and what will you find there? Read on; we promise you full transparency.

Tacoma Museum of Glass: Celebrating One of the Pacific Northwest’s Great Art Forms

The idea for the Museum is a perfect example of the “right idea at the right time.” In 1992, the University of Puget Sound’s recently retired president, Dr. Philip M. Phibbs, suggested the idea of a museum honoring the region’s deep history in glassblowing and manufacture to the Executive Council for a Greater Tacoma.

At the time, the Executive Council was pondering plans to redevelop the Thea Foss Waterway, a former Superfund site. Securing the cooperation of noted glass artist Dale Chihuly, construction on the architecturally striking site began in June of 2000. In addition to being a sprawling gallery space—spanning some 75,000 square feet in all—the Museum’s most distinctive feature is a “hot shop,” where glass is produced. Shaped into an angled cone based on the wooden "beehive burners" of the old sawmills that once populated the waterway, it’s composed of 2,800 diamond-shaped stainless steel panels, and is 100 feet in diameter at its base.

Tacoma Museum of Glass: Visiting and Permanent Exhibits

In addition to being a notable landmark in and of itself, the Tacoma Museum of Glass features a stunning collection of the glassblower’s art. Whether you’re a fan of ancient and traditional glass forms, modern and forward-thinking idioms—or even if you’ve never given a second thought to glasswork!—it’s a safe bet you’ll be awed by the breadth of art on display. From Dale Chihuly’s own distinctive works—many inspired by the endless variety of forms found in nature—to work by indigenous artists working in their native styles, to incredible and mind-bending pieces of art that challenge the very notion of what glass is, you’d be hard-pressed to visit the Tacoma Museum of Glass and come away unimpressed.

Tacoma Museum of Glass 2 — Source: Museum of Glass

Like any good community institution, the Museum hosts special events, artist presentations, and special guest days. Whether you’re a lifelong Tacoman or just passing through, we strongly urge you to take advantage of one of the city’s most unusual, distinctive, and memorable exhibitions!

And for more functional glass art, don't forget to stop by your favorite Tacoma dispensary! We carry gorgeous glass that will help make every session special.