Washington State History Museum

Visiting Washington State History Museum

Washington State History Museum
1911 Pacific Avenue
Tacoma, WA
(253) 272-9747
Washington State History Museum website

• Hours: Open daily but closed January 1, Memorial Day, July 4, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, December 25
• Reservations: Not required
• Cost: Admission fee, but free the third Thursday of each month from 5 to 8 pm
• Location: Downtown Tacoma, driving directions below
• How Long: Allow two to three hours
• Best Time to Visit: Any time

Washington State History Museum Review

The centerpiece of the Washington State History Museum is the Hall of Washington History, a permanent exhibit of artifacts, photographs and other objects that tell the story of the state's history. Upstairs, you'll find the History Lab Learning Center, an interactive exhibit that iluustrates concepts such as time, place and viewpoint. You'll also find a 1,800-square-foot model railroad layout that depicts the Tacoma area in the 1950s.

The museum also hosts traveling exhibitions and temporary exhibits about interesting aspects of Washington history.

Getting to Washington State History Museum

From I-5 North or South, exit at City Center (exit 133). Follow I-705/City Center signs and turn left on 21st Street, and immediately right onto Pacific Avenue. You'll find parking off Pacific Avenue, or proceed just past the Tacoma Art Museum and turn right on Hood Street and right again behind the art museum.