Experience · Tacoma

Family Fun at Car Museum & Waterfront

Dive into the fascinating world of automobiles at LeMay – America's Car Museum, perfect for all ages. Afterwards, grab a casual pizza dinner with waterfront views and then enjoy a relaxing stroll along the scenic Ruston Way.

A 4.5-hour Tacoma afternoon plan for families — LeMay - America’s Car Museum, Katie Downs Waterfront Tavern, Judge Jack Tanner Park.

Duration: 4h 15m
Cost: $50–$100
Stops: 3 stops
Area: New Tacoma + 1 more
Walking: Moderate walking · Total 4.3-mile driving route
Best time: 12:00 – 5:00 PM
Ideal for: Families · Kids

Start Plan

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The plan

1LeMay - America’s Car Museum(2 hr 30 min)→
2Katie Downs Waterfront Tavern(1 hr)→
3Judge Jack Tanner Park(45 min)

Why this plan works

The 3 stops cover about 4.3 miles total, which keeps you in one pocket of Tacoma instead of crossing town between them. LeMay - America’s Car Museum is the main event and takes the biggest block of time; the other stops are built around it. It finishes at Judge Jack Tanner Park — a short, low-effort stop you can skip if you're ready to call it. Best suited to families and families with kids who want a planned Tacoma outing without improvising between stops.

The story

The itinerary

3 stops, one great day

1
2h 30m
LeMay - America’s Car Museum
Arts & Culture · New Tacoma
4-story museum on an 8-acre campus displays cars, trucks & motorcycles in historic & tech exhibits.
What to do — Wander through the LeMay - America’s Car Museum, marveling at the vast collection and engaging with the interactive exhibits. Give yourselves plenty of time to explore every corner.
Scout Side Quest
Pick the car you'd choose for a cartoon road trip. Everyone has to make its signature horn sound.
3.9 mi · 12 min drive
Then Drive a short distance to the waterfront for your dinner stop.
2
1 hr
Katie Downs Waterfront Tavern
Food & Drink · North End
Casual tavern with sweeping ocean views serving pizza, burgers & seafood, plus local wines & brews.
What to do — Grab a table at Katie Downs Waterfront Tavern for a relaxed meal. The views are great, and the menu has options for everyone.
0.4 mi · 8 min walk or 4 min drive
Then Take a short walk along Ruston Way to the adjacent park.
3
Optional 45 min
Judge Jack Tanner Park
Outdoors · North End
What to do — Finish your outing with a relaxing stop at Judge Jack Tanner Park. It’s perfect for a short stroll along the water or for kids to play.
Scout Side Quest
Look out over the water and quietly race to spot a boat, a bird, or a funny-shaped cloud.

Scout Stories

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The route

On the map

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Common questions

Planning this outing

Is this a good Tacoma itinerary for families?: Yes. It's built for families and families with kids and runs about 4 hr 15 min across 3 stops, starting at LeMay - America’s Car Museum.
How long does this outing take?: Plan on 4 hr 15 min door to door, including time between stops.
How much does this Tacoma itinerary cost?: Roughly $50–$100 per person, before parking and tips. Free and low-cost stops are marked on each card.
Is this itinerary walkable?: Not entirely. The stops cover about 4.3 miles, so you'll drive or rideshare between at least one pair.
Do I need reservations?: No. Every stop on this plan takes walk-ins, though weekends move faster if you arrive early.

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