Paul Titus Carousel, Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium

For this week’s column, I’m going to tell you fun facts about the Paul Titus Carousel at the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in Tacoma. Why? Because its history is fascinating. And because the kids love it. I like it, too. But … I’m also the Debbie Downer who gets mercilessly ill on anything that dips, tilts and spins. So I decided to look into its history in order to like it more, haha. And it worked!

Tacoma Spraygrounds!

Is it just me, or is “sprayground” just the coolest play on words ever?! WAY more fun than the regular ‘ol splash pads.

Well, Metro Parks Tacoma came out with a reminder last week to visit its ten spraygrounds before the water goes off on Oct. 1, 2023.

Here’s a closer look at all ten locations  – plus some splash pad hygiene tips from the CDC.

As Seen in Gig Harbor Now: Lovelocks in Gig Harbor

Last week, the kids and I stumbled on a lovelock bridge right here in Gig Harbor. We’d just gotten our wiggles out by running down the big grassy slope at Donkey Creek Park, then headed up to North Harborview Drive when the distinct glint of boxy brass and steel caught our eye. Sure enough, roughly 150 padlocks hung from the crisscross of cables between the guard rails of the 2013 city bridge over Donkey Creek.

green logo and photo of kids with ice cream

Free Live Music in Gig Harbor – Just in Time for Summer Break!

Make Music Day Gig Harbor is back and has some new family-friendly fun just in time for the last day of school Wednesday, June 21!

The international event, popping up in cities worldwide for the summer solstice, invites the public to a day of free music and jam sessions. Locally, live music is planned from 1 to 9 p.m. at Uptown Gig Harbor, our favorite fancy shopping center at 4701 Point Fosdick Dr.

LeMay-America’s Car Museum, Tacoma

This spring, the kids and I visited Lemay-America’s Car Museum in downtown Tacoma for the very first time – after it stood idling on our South Sound bucket list for nearly a year. After thoroughly exploring its 165,000 square feet of shiny chrome, vintage curves, and even an old-school slot-car track – I wondered what the heck took us so long to get there! 

Here’s a closer look at why we went for the cars – but stayed for the fun.