Sometimes what’s good in Tacoma is bundling up in your warmest woolen hats and scarves and taking the dog out for a freezing walk.
This is not an ultimate, all time, best of the best, win or go home, top 5 list. No, we aren’t really bringing that kind of energy to life. Top 5s and rankings and spouting off isn’t really our style (unless right now we’re spouting off about how we’d rather notice what’s good than claim what’s best). The point isn’t to exclude one pizza joint because we mentioned another, it’s just to notice the good where it’s good. This is the 4th edition of 5 things we like in Tacoma from a list of way more things we like in Tacoma. Sound good?
The master list is long: a view over a low wall on a certain curve of road, a spot for a pint, a mural or a detail in a mural, a path between trees, a place where the server might call you “hon.” Some of it costs no money at all. It’s sights, experiences, foods, and spots both well-known and lesser-known. It’s things we would look back on with nostalgia if they faded away, or we moved away someday. It turns out no city is perfect. No place has it all; this is a sample of what we do have that enriches the day to day of Tacoma.
Last year, having never found a monkeyshine, we decided to support the project with the purchase of the 2023 commemorative candle cup. Maybe this will be our lucky year!
1. Monkeyshines Treasure Hunting - All Across Tacoma
Very soon, at the commencement of the Year of the Dragon, monkeyshines will be hiding across the city for the 21st year in a row. As you can read on the Tacoma Glassblowing Studio site, the treasure hunt began in 2003 with the hiding of 200 glass floats. The festive gift of handblown glass ornaments and medallions stashed all over the city—in tree branches and ditches, in waterfront parks and neighborhood hedges—has grown so much that now over 2,000 pieces wait to be discovered throughout the Lunar New Year season.
Even if you aren’t lucky enough to find one, you can still support the artists behind the magic! Because the truth is, even magic takes quite a bit of work. Each year Tacoma Glassblowing Studio creates a candle cup embossed with the symbol of the year—this time a golden dragon breathing fire on fuchsia cup—the sale of which funds the production of the thousands of glass gifts hidden throughout the city and helps ensure artists are paid a fair wage. It’s a way to say “thanks” to Ms. Monkey and all the volunteers for over 20 years of monkeyshines!
2. Jacky Hyde Park Beach - Old Town
Now, this is not your tropical white sand beach (though you may spot a sunbather here and there in the summer months). But, being in Tacoma, you should already know that. I’ve heard people say we don’t have “real” beaches here. Ahem. Because I love the person who spoke the words, and because they grew up with very different beaches and I can absolutely empathize with homesickness, and because I must have known I could congratulate myself on my extraordinary forbearance later, I let that statement stand, while knowing in my heart of hearts that it is absolutely false.
This beach is just tiny little stretch of sand, a short curve of shore on the Ruston Way Waterfront, but it is dear to me. Settled between the Old Town Dock and the sundial in Jack Hyde Park, this minute beach sits well below the road protected by a substantial boulder bulkhead, and there’s a public bathroom on the sidewalk at the end of the dock nearby. When I lived in a basement studio apartment across the street from Lowell Elementary, I often left the dim snugness of my one room to see the light and find out what the weather was doing. 15 minutes on my feet took me from my door to this beach where I could sit with my journal on my knee, follow bird tracks in the sand, and toss not-quite-smooth beach glass further out into the waves for tumbling.
Showings Friday-Monday at 7 pm with matinees on the weekend, plus Friday Night Frights, and the Rocky Horror Picture Show.
3. Movies at the blue Mouse - Proctor
Did you know Tacoma is home to the oldest, continuously operating movie theatre in Washington? Now that you know you’re probably dying to go see a movie at the Blue Mouse Theatre, showing films in Proctor since 1923. Find a parking spot on the street, get a ticket from the booth out front, then enter the lobby and make the big decision about whether to have popcorn or candy or both. Inside, there’s just one screen, so you don’t have to decide which movie to see, just take the one they’re showing. If you missed a film while it was in the big cinemas, you can catch it here. It’s also excellent for a second viewing of a film you loved. Fans of The Rocky Horror Picture Show call the Blue Mouse home every 2nd & 4th Saturday for an 11:30 pm screening. Looking for ways to make new friends? Don a custom and join the crowd.
Image from Tacoma Tool Library
4. Fix-it Nights - Moore Library/Main Branch Downtown
Reduce, Reuse, Repair. Hosted by Tacoma Tool Library, every Thursday Fix-it Nights open up for us to bring our beloved broken, our ripped and wobbly, our items in need of repair. Maybe that holey shirt, busted chair, or wonky toastermaybe can find new life. Head to the Moore Library for Fix-it Nights through March 2024. After that, they hope to be back in their space at the Main Branch downtown.
5. Crispy noodles, Pho & Eggplant at Vien dong - Lincoln District
Hot tea and a few favorites on the table at this family-owned restaurant.
We’ve been eating at Vien Dong since around 2003, but even then we were late to the party; this family-owned restaurant opened back in ‘89. Whether you’ve been going since the old days, or just dropped in last week, you’ll probably feel at home. We got extra attached during a couple of years when we lived within walking distance and were frequently grumpy from home renovation projects. Now we drive across town for lunch and miss the days of getting there on foot (but not so much the sanding, mudding, smoothing, trimming, painting parts of that particular time).
Typical orders:
the crispy egg noodles with tofu and veggies
the rare beef pho
the stir fried eggplant in garlic sauce
and the bun with egg roll and pork
Hungry for more that’s good in Tacoma? Take a look back at our first 5 Good Things and 5 Good Things Vol. 2 and Vol. 3.
We welcome you to tell us some of your good things too. Let us know what lifts you up and lights you up around the city.
Maybe our paths will cross on a sun-dappled, plant-tunneled sidewalk. But for the sun part, we’ll probably have to wait a month or two. Either way, we’ll see you around Tacoma!
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