Tacoma, Wash. – September 20, 2026 -- Visit Tacoma-Pierce County has released a three-day travel itinerary called the "PNW Starter Pack," mapping out a route through Tacoma, Lakewood, Steilacoom, Puyallup and Sumner for visitors wanting a compact introduction to the region.
The itinerary mixes art, food and outdoor stops rather than a standard sightseeing checklist. It includes browsing vintage shops, touring a coffee roastery, eating seafood on the waterfront and spending time on small-town main streets.
Tacoma Art Museum anchors the region's cultural stops
The museum is positioned as a way to view the American West through art and regional perspectives. The route also highlights historic buildings that have been converted into restaurants, music venues and overnight lodging, alongside independent shops and neighborhood eateries.
Food choices span diners, teriyaki and farm-sourced meals
Meals along the route range from diner breakfasts to dishes built around ingredients from nearby farms. Autumn activities include pumpkin patches and corn mazes, connecting travelers to Pierce County's agricultural landscape.
Kayaking is available in Steilacoom, weather and rental availability permitting. Lodging options listed in the itinerary range from city hotels to a tiny home on a farm shared with alpacas.
Matt Wakefield, Chief Marketing and Data Officer for Visit Tacoma-Pierce County, said the itinerary is built around everyday activities like talking with a coffee roaster, having lunch on the waterfront or picking out a pumpkin, framing those routines as reasons to visit rather than sightseeing formalities.
The itinerary notes that a coffee roastery visit should be arranged in advance, and that seasonal outings like pumpkin patches should be matched to specific travel dates.