The best things to do in Pierce County

“Allenmore Golf Course keeps the game honest with a meticulously maintained 18, a legit practice setup, and the on-site Urban Elk Restaurant & Bar for post-round bragging rights. This week, get a tune-up with Team Griffin Golf’s PGA pros and then settle in, all right in the heart of Tacoma.”

From the Tacoma newsletter, August 8, 2026

“S. Open pedigree. Sneak in a Social 6 or sunset nine, then regroup at Chambers Bay Grill, a very reasonable excuse to ignore yardwork this week.”

From the Olympia newsletter, August 7, 2026

“5M refresh right here in northeast Tacoma, with newly designed green complexes, enhanced teeing grounds, redesigned bunkers, and a top-tier irrigation system. Sneak in a round this week, then keep an eye on the new restaurant coming in 2026.”

From the Federal Way newsletter, September 4, 2026

“Highlands Golf Course is Tacoma’s nine-hole par 3 where a full round wraps in under 75 minutes, distances test wedges to long irons, and every hole teases an ace, plus it’s home to the Washington State Par 3 Championship and a 2024 Golfer’s Choice #5 short-course nod, perfect for a quick after-work loop.”

From the Tacoma newsletter, August 26, 2026

“King Family Fun Center! kept the fun alive after the 2020 fire with its outdoor Mini Golf Park, an easy, low-stress way to get some friendly rivalry going. If you grew up here, you know the legacy, and the greens still deliver that cozy Puyallup nostalgia.”

From the Puyallup newsletter, October 3, 2026

“Blue Mouse Theatre keeps Proctor cozy with first-run picks, second-run favorites, and cult nights like Rocky Horror and Friday Night Frights. It’s Washington’s oldest continuously operating theater with serious charm, so grab a friend and see Spider-Man: Brand New Day while it’s on.”

From the Tacoma newsletter, August 14, 2026

“Parkland Putters has four distinct courses from easy to hard, perfect for a low stress hang this week with the kids or a friendly rivalry for that first place ribbon. Pick one or play them all, and if you're feeling extra, ask about Glow Ball for a neon challenge.”

From the Lacey newsletter, August 15, 2026

“Clean waterfront park with rocks and fountains for the kids to splash in.”

“Established in 1924, private members-only golf club also featuring dining.”

“Tacoma Art Museum keeps things fresh with rotating shows like Kent Monkman: Death of Adonis, the Haub Family Collection of Western American Art, and plenty of Pacific Northwest flair. Swing by on Neighborhood Nights, catch a talk, then debate favorites over coffee at TAM Cafe.”

From the Tacoma newsletter, September 3, 2026

“Chain of movie theaters, some with multiple screens, stadium seats & self-service ticketing kiosks.”

“Since 1894, Tacoma Country & Golf Club has made American Lake home, with an 18-hole championship course that tests accomplished players yet stays enjoyable round after round.”

From the Lakewood newsletter, August 29, 2026

“Whether you’re wrangling friends or the work crew, Brainy Actz Escape Rooms serves up private, 60-minute Tacoma adventures like Mystery at the Lost Point Lodge, The Secrets of The Master, and The Legacy, plus a rage room when you need to smash out some stress. Book it for this week’s brain buzz.”

From the Tacoma newsletter, August 10, 2026

“Mike N Terry's Outdoor Fun Park is the Puyallup standby for no-fuss fun, with mini golf, go karts, and batting cages that turn ordinary afternoons into bragging rights. Bring the kids, your competitive coworker, or a date who appreciates a well-timed victory putt.”

From the Puyallup newsletter, September 26, 2026

“Shake off the week with a friendly putting battle at Putting Zoo, the mini-golf course at Mike N Terry's Outdoor Fun Park. If bragging rights demand more, keep the fun rolling with their Grease Monkey Go Karts and Bullpen Batting Cages.”

From the Puyallup newsletter, September 17, 2026

“When you need a low-lift Tacoma plan that keeps everyone happy, Tower Lanes Entertainment Center nails it with indoor mini golf, classic and league bowling, an arcade, and a legit bar and restaurant, plus party spaces for birthdays or work shindigs... all under one roof.”

From the Tacoma newsletter, September 22, 2026

“At American Lake Veterans Golf Course, make this week’s round mean a bit more at a veteran-focused course that keeps the game welcoming and community-minded. Bonus: the new Power Tee setup makes practice feel smoother, so you can save the shanks for the range gossip.”

From the Lakewood newsletter, August 27, 2026

“From those classic Douglas fir-lined corridors to generous, subtle-breaking greens, Lake Spanaway Golf Course is a legit local test that’s fair for every swing. V. Macan and maintained by Pierce County, it’s the perfect excuse to sneak in a round this week.”

From the Tacoma newsletter, October 7, 2026

“If your friend group needs a new challenge, Escape Hour Point Ruston delivers Tacoma's most immersive escape experiences, including the top 1% world-rated Siren's Cove and the new Temetra's Hex. Two family-friendly rooms mean the kids can join, and the production value makes you forget you’re in a puzzle game.”

From the Tacoma newsletter, September 15, 2026

“For locals, Freedom Park Splash Park delivers an easy win on warm afternoons, with a splash pad that keeps toddlers giggling and big kids darting through sprays, plus a skate park for the ollie-obsessed. Easy way to cool off without overplanning.”

From the Puyallup newsletter, September 2, 2026

“Chain of indoor trampoline parks featuring freestyle bouncing, dodgeball, fitness programs & more.”

“Trade capes and explosions for subtitles and surprises at The Grand Cinema, Tacoma's go-to for independent and foreign films that actually make you think. Thoughtful programming in service of the art of film, plus the kind of moviegoing crowd that still talks about what they just saw.”

From the Tacoma newsletter, September 29, 2026