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!
Seeking some post-Christmas cheer while the kids are still out of school? Here’s the last of the local holiday events, albeit most are in the Tacoma area — but the worth the drive! If you’ve got something to add, email me at tonya.strickland@gigharbornow.org.
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.
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.
Yep, that’s right. Bowen and I took the kids to see everyone’s favorite minor league baseball team, the Rainiers, at Tacoma’s Cheney Stadium. And it was surprisingly family-friendly!
Read on for the full list of everything kiddo approved there.
This story was published in the Feb. 9, 2023 installment of our new Gig Harbor Now news column. The topic, crossing the Tacoma Narrows Bridge, was originally published here on the blog in 2022, and then updated for the paper last week.
Here are some things to do with kids in Gig Harbor Washington and beyond that have made it to Instagram but not the blog just yet. I cross-post these quick hits from time to time to remind myself to get movin’ on some new posts here (ha) and also to help get the info out faster! Enjoy!
Our trip to the newly reopened Owen Beach this summer got me majorly hooked on the history of Point Defiance, Tacoma’s massive urban park where the beach resides.
So here are some details that help shape the backstory of Point Defiance Park for my own sense of place. You’ll learn why Point Defiance Park is the way it is, what attractions came and went there, and what remains even still.
It’s officially the first day of fall and I’m already feeling the pull to explore every outdoor inch of Pierce County before I have to layer up in 15 jackets just to leave the house again.
So I made the following Point Defiance Park Bucket List to help encourage me to get out there.
Here’s a look at this local favorite, complete how Owen Beach got its name, what kept my kids the most occupied, and a neat surprise at the very end.