Get to Know the Northwest, One Strong Coffee at a Time

TACOMA, Wash., Sept. 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- A good introduction to the Pacific Northwest should include coffee. It should also explain what people are doing between cups. Visit Tacoma-Pierce County's "PNW Starter Pack" itinerary brings together three days of art, food, waterfront exploration and farm country, giving visitors a closer look at the habits and places that make this corner of Washington feel like itself.

The route connects Tacoma, Lakewood, Steilacoom, Puyallup and Sumner through experiences that reward curiosity: browsing vintage racks, learning how coffee is roasted, eating seafood beside the water and lingering on a small-town main street. Flannel is welcome, though visitors are free to develop their own uniform.

Tacoma Art Museum anchors the cultural experience, inviting travelers to consider the region through art and perspectives on the American West. Historic buildings adapted for dining, music and overnight stays bring another layer of local character. Around them, independent shops and neighborhood restaurants make room for discoveries that rarely fit on a conventional sightseeing checklist.

"You can learn a lot about a place by seeing what people make time for," said Matt Wakefield, Chief Marketing and Data Officer for Visit Tacoma-Pierce County. "Here, that might be a conversation with a coffee roaster, lunch on the waterfront or an afternoon spent picking out a pumpkin. This itinerary lets visitors join in and see why those ordinary pleasures are worth a trip."

Food runs throughout the experience, from diner breakfasts and teriyaki to meals built around ingredients from nearby farms. Autumn pumpkin patches and corn mazes bring visitors into the agricultural landscape, while kayaking in Steilacoom offers time on the water when conditions and rental availability allow.

Lodging suggestions range from city hotels to a tiny home on a farm, where alpacas may be more interesting than anything on television. The itinerary includes dining and activity ideas throughout, with a coffee roastery visit to arrange ahead and seasonal outings to match to travel dates.

Explore the full PNW Starter Pack itinerary and find your own reasons to feel at home in Pierce County.

About Visit Tacoma-Pierce County

Visit Tacoma-Pierce County promotes Pierce County, Washington, as a premier visitor destination, attracting meetings and conventions, sporting events and leisure travelers to drive economic impact through overnight visitation.

Media Contact

Matt Wakefield
Chief Marketing and Data Officer
Visit Tacoma-Pierce County
[email protected]
253-284-3253

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SOURCE Visit Tacoma-Pierce County