Sign in with Facebook1400 S 320th St, Tacoma, Washington, United States
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Central Meadow and small piece of Golf Course
more extensive playground and picnic facilities
North Dock Overpass serving its intended purpose
huge mural adds depth to building on plaza S. side
Shoes- Unless you are going to be hiking at Pt Defiance, I suggest comfortable, closed shoes.
I also suggest a sweatshirt. I wear an Adidas zipup basketball sweatshirt. It is light, and I can put a thin rainjacket over it. I never go out in tacoma without my sweatshirt. Then again, I never go out in Victoria, Matsumoto, Tokyo, or Kuroiso without it either...
In January of 2008, visiting artist Joseph Gregory Rossano created this impressive reflective sculpture, while visitors to the Museum of Glass were able to observe the creation process in the Museum of Glass Hot Shop.
The sculpture was inspired by an impression that the artist had of watching a flock of seabirds, most likely mirrelets, flying and turning in intricate unison formation, with the setting sun reflecting off the white underside of the birds.
As with Fluent Steps (the other large outdoor sculpture that was created in the museum demonstration shop and is located outside the museum), there is a fairly significant sign on a wall of the museum describing the artist's impressions that led to the creation of the sculpture. Information included also reflects on the murrelet bird species, and the effects the changes development of the Pacific Northwest has had.
But, as with Fluent Steps, if you want to read the sign you have to come visit the Museum of Glass. I'm not going to give you a complete word for word quote of the entire description!
This sculpture is located on the roof of the Museum of Glass, and is the largest sculpture nearest the museum end of the Bridge of Glass.
The web page below is from the Museum of Glass and has more information and photographs. Unfortunately, it does not appear that the museum has put any photographs of the artist creating the sculpture in its glass shop facility.
While the collection of plants in this Victorian styles greenhouse are very attractive, the fact is it is a fairly small collection and in my opinion isn't worth a special trip just to see it. The Conservatory is located inside Wright Park on the east side, on top of a small ridge in the park.
However, if you do happen to be in the area, there are three rooms filled with tropical blooms of all sorts, and the greenhouse helps them survive the western Washington climate. You will want to check the web site, below, however as there are certain times of the year that are far more spectacular than others. I highly suggest visiting sometime in the winter, as during those cold dark months the plants in the conservatory are a special bright spot in the middle of the grey colorless winter.
When it was originally built in 1908, the Conservatory was a relatively unique way for people to connect with the natural world. Today, I don't think we can appreciate just how unique it was for people to be able to see and smell and feel the plants from exotic parts of the world in their own back yard. Today, we have google that shows us postage stamp sized photos, rather than the real thing up close and personal and in "living color".
The Conservatory also has its own gift store, and while the majority of the artifacts are plant and animal themed, you will also find a number of Tacoma related guides and memorabilia for sale there as well.
Hours: closed Mondays, Open Tuesday thru Sunday 10 am-4:30 pm, except for Thanksgiving Day, several days in early December for decoration for the holidays, Christmas Day, New Years Day, and a few other holidays. Also, on December 24th, the Conservatory closes at 3 pm.
Official Address: 316 South G St, Tacoma Washington.
How to Get Here: Located inside Wright Park along G street, about halfway between Division Avenue and 6th Avenue. Can use bus route #1, #11, or walk several blocks from Tacoma Link Streetcar (requires crossing several busy streets). If driving, be advised that there is a very large hospital complex on the west side of the park, and while this is the opposite side of the park from the conservatory it does seem to consume quite a lot of parking places around the park. Streetside parking is available in many locations in the area, however.
Puget Park runs along Puget Creek and features preserved forest land along the creek. Extensive restoration of the stream bed and removal of invasive species is underway, and the hope is that eventually the creek will slowly start to resemble what it did before it was so heavily abused and neglected. However, even so, it is one of only three salmon bearing streams that remain in Tacoma city limits.
Short trails run throughout the park, and small, simple bridges provide access across the creek in a few places.
During wet weather, expect the trails to be quite muddy, as the stream bed expands to create mud in places where the natural flow dictates that the water go.
There is a boardwalk in the park, and trails along the stream extend for the length of the park, and under the bridge on Proctor Street.
There is a small playground at 31st and Proctor which is accessible from the streets at the top of the hill.
The park is thought to have been established in 1888, and a news article from 1891 says that gold was discovered in the park.
Entrances to the Park and Trail are located on Alder Way just off of Ruston Way at the sharp curve in the road at the bottom of the hill.
CI Shenanigans is another large capacity high quality restaurant along the Tacoma Waterfront. The food here is excellent with great steaks and great seafood. Like many of the other places on the waterfront the atmosphere is warm and inviting and usually busy. Despite the high volume of dinners the food quality does not suffer. This is a great mid-to slightly high priced resturant with a wide variety and excellent food, great for special occasions, dates, celebration dinners and so on. Grilled Salmon-once again prepared using a cedar or alderwood plank.
Prime Rib: great flavor to the meat.
Ceaser Salad.
Crab and Artichoke Dip
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