Point Defiance Park

I adore Point Defiance Park! From the beautiful forest to the lush gardens to Owen beach to the 5-mile drive, there’s so much there that it’s easy to lose yourself for an afternoon or even a whole day! Inside the park, there are beaches (better for walking than swimming but that never seemed to deter everyone!), thick woods, hiking trails (more like micro hiking but fun nonetheless), boat rentals (for a fee), gardens, a zoo & aquarium (for a fee), and one of my favorite waterside restaurants- Anthony’s.

One of my favorite things to do is eat at Anthony’s and then take the paved trail behind the restaurant to Owen Beach. Once there, you can walk along the beach, which is strewn with huge driftwood trees. You can often see seals or sea lions popping their heads out of the water. On some days, you might even catch a glimpse of Mt. Rainier peeking through the clouds.

For a fee, you can go to the zoo and aquarium. The zoo is much like any zoo, although they did have a larger variety of animals traditionally found in the Pacific Northwest. They’ve even got a couple of beluga whales, and if you go on a non-busy day, the whale handlers are happy to talk to you indefinitely about their charges.

There’s also a 5-mile drive that winds through the park. There are numerous scenic stops, perfect for a picnic or just pulling over to enjoy the beauty of the place. My favorite of these provides a picture-perfect view of the Narrows Bridge. It’s just beautiful!

I recommend this park to anyone spending any time in the Tacoma area. It’s a beautiful place, and probably one of the best city parks I’ve seen.