STADIUM
Variety Show
Named for the historic Stadium High School—originally called Tacoma High, and sometimes fondly known as the Hogwarts of Tacoma—the Stadium neighborhood is wedged between the Theatre District, Hilltop, and The North Slope. If you’re a person who likes to leave the car behind, someone enlivened by the energy of the city, who’d like to travel just a couple of blocks and land at a coffee shop, cinema, theater, brewery, bistro, salon, or a beautiful park, you may have found your happy place. Start from home and end up at a used book store, antique shop, art supply, independent coffee shop, mechanic, botanical conservatory, or film festival.
Going Out
Diners head to Stadium from around the city to several favorite restaurants a few of which are near neighbors. If you head to Moshi for ramen and cocktails, you could stop at Indio Asian next door for appetizers, then head just a few doors down to Shake, Shake, Shake for dessert (and maybe some fries because once you’ve eaten fries with your shake you’ll always want fries with your shake). Meet a friend for brunch at Art House Cafe across the street, then drop into Rankos’ Rexall Drugs to post a letter. Doyle’s Public House and Le Sel Bistro are just outside the official Stadium District border, but we count them as part of the neighborhood, so consider those when you come to Stadium with hunger on the mind. If you want to go truly old school, you’re coming to the area for a burger in the parking lot at Frisko Freeze.
Wright Park & The Conservatory
Stadium is a good spot for for theatre devotees and cinema enthusiasts, for you indoor cats who plan to browse the shelves at King’s for hours at a time, but it’s also a sweet spot for folks who want to get out in the open to enjoy views and games from the Stadium Bowl, and revel in the 27 acres of verdant glory called Wright Park. Filled with hundreds of trees, a spray park, a Victorian-era conservatory, lawn bowling, basketball courts, a pond with a fountain, swimming birds and singing birds, and stately statues at either end, there’s no doubt why Tacoma loves Wright Park.
Light Rail
With the Link Light Rail Expansion in full swing Stadium is even more connected than ever. A stop in Stadium can take you to the Theater District, Convention Center, Tacoma Dome Station, Tacoma General, St. Joe’s, and the Hilltop District.
Rankos’ Stadium Pharmacy is a neighborhood staple whether dropping in for a prescription, to post a package at the USPS counter, or shopping for a gift.
The Stadium Bowl is about as scenic as it gets for a high school stadium. And yes, it’s Hollywood famous too. Take a look back at 10 Things I Hate About You when you get a chance.
In a time when many small booksellers are closing doors, King's Books holds it down with their knowledgable staff and their willingness to open their doors to community groups for events and meetings. Don't miss the comic store on one side and the vintage shop on the other.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Tacoma Public Schools offers open enrollment based on availability and transportation. Some local neighborhood schools are:
Stadium High School
Grant Elementary School
Lowell Elementary School
Jason Lee Middle School
HOUSING
The Stadium District is a fairly high density housing area with apartment buildings and condominiums gathered close to the business center. Senior housing is in the works at Merrill Gardens at Wright Park.
