Point Defiance Park, Tacoma: Hours, Address, Point Defiance Park Reviews: 5/5
Point Defiance Park
Point Defiance Park
5
6:30 AM - 6:30 PM
Monday
6:30 AM - 6:30 PM
Tuesday
6:30 AM - 6:30 PM
Wednesday
6:30 AM - 6:30 PM
Thursday
6:30 AM - 6:30 PM
Friday
6:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
6:30 AM - 6:30 PM
Sunday
6:30 AM - 6:30 PM
About
Scenic park offering more than 700 acres of woodland trails, gardens and waterfront views, along with a zoo and aquarium.
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The area
Address
Best nearby
Restaurants
119 within 3 miles
Anthony's At Point Defiance
386
0.8 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Seafood • Soups
Antique Sandwich Co
57
1.1 mi$ • Quick Bites • American • Cafe
Macaluso's Italian Restaurant
23
1.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Vegetarian Friendly
Coles Bar and Grill
11
1.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Bar • Grill • Pub
Point Defiance Tap & Grill
23
1.2 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Bar • Pub
Don Ruston Market and Deli
14
1.2 mi$ • Dessert • Deli
WildFin American Grill
299
1.5 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Bar • Seafood
Tatanka Take-Out
19
1.3 mi$ • Quick Bites • Fast Food • Vegetarian Friendly
Copper & Salt Northwest Kitchen
2
1.3 miAmerican • Contemporary
Ice Cream Social Ruston
17
1.4 mi$$ - $$$ • Dessert • Fast Food
Attractions
68 within 6 miles
Owen Beach
84
0.2 miBeaches
5 Mile Drive & Trails
248
1 miHiking Trails
Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium
995
1 miZoos • Aquariums
Cushman Trail
105
1.8 miBiking Trails
Chihuly Bridge of Glass
622
Points of Interest & Landmarks
I Love Kickboxing
85
Sports Camps & Clinics
Cheney Stadium
183
Arenas & Stadiums
Heritage Distilling Co. HDC Waterfront
83
2.6 miDistilleries
Wilson Way Bridge
1
1 miBridges
Ruston Way Park
50
2.2 miParks
Contribute
Popular mentions
5.0
1,238 reviews
Excellent
977
Very good
228
Average
23
Poor
5
Terrible
5
Herb D
5 contributions
Jun 2021 • Couples
Great walking, wonderful views, even benches at just the right locations, in the Spring fabulous flowers, lots of boats and ships, active waterfront, even whales and aeals, lots of free parking.
Written December 6, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
CavemanHHH
Placitas, NM831 contributions
Oct 2021
1st. Dune Peninsula: Wonderful place to take the family, couples walk, walk the dogs, ride your bike, or just individual sitting watching the seals/whales. This place has the longest set of slides I have ever seen. We did see seals, no whales maybe next time. You can just sit watching the boats or have a picnic lunch. Bathrooms were available & clean. No matter what the age you can enjoy. Wheel chair accessible.
2nd Park area: everything is free. Great place to walk around, wonderful trees & flowers. A few of the things we wanted to see were close due to covid.
2nd Park area: everything is free. Great place to walk around, wonderful trees & flowers. A few of the things we wanted to see were close due to covid.
Written November 1, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Cassandra Sankus
Fairview Heights, IL2 contributions
Aug 2021 • Couples
Don’t leave ANYTHING IN YOUR CAR. We had our car broken into we just got out of the car at point 1 on the drive and within 5 mins our car was broken into .
Written September 16, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Steve G
Federal Way, WA1,447 contributions
Sep 2021 • Family
Thinking about visiting here? Separate from the zoo is a magnificent park that can provide as little as a pleasant drive or as much as three or four hours of walking around enjoying one surprise after another. There are several different areas, so this is a real treasure, a real local gem.
Written September 11, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Jesse C
Milwaukee, WI835 contributions
Aug 2021 • Friends
What an amazing park. My niece and her husband have the good fortune to live across the street from such an amazing place. Great views of the water, an amazing trail system, a solid zoo, and a beautiful rose garden. A must see in Tacoma.
Written August 23, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
RRla
los angeles, CA169 contributions
Aug 2021 • Couples
This review is specifically for the Dunes Peninsula at Point Defiance Park, the latest attraction. This is a another good example of how a wasteland can be turned into a great place. Not only is this educational for future generations, it is so beautiful and serene one can come back again and again and I bet in a few years time the place will look totally different when all the trees and plants mature.
Written August 15, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
x r
San Francisco, CA76 contributions
Aug 2021
Before going to the Olympic Peninsula, I wanted some fuzzy trees and got some at this sweet park. I went on a Sunday and it wasn’t too crowded.
Written August 10, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
ChicagoHiker11
Chicago, IL64 contributions
Jul 2021
I was very excited when I arrived to see that this park had everything to keep a traveler busy for the day. I had 6 hours to spend before I had to catch a flight and did not want to go too far from the airport. The park was a 45 minute drive and well worth every minute of it. From the duck pond, to the rose garden, the zoo/aquarium and the fantastic view points. It really is the best state park I have ever seen. But the most breathtaking part is the 5 mile drive, with all the trails. The pine trees, ferns and lush green forest is just breath-taking. This is a must see for anyone traveling through Tacoma and highly recommended for elderly people since the rose garden, pagoda, visitor center and zoom is very easy to navigate on flat surfaces.
Written August 1, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
johnY7709QU
Colorado Springs92 contributions
Jul 2021
The northwest seems to have so many beautiful parks but from what we've seen this is one of the best. Beautiful drives and walking pathways. The Japanese garden was wonderful and serene... until the wedding reception started. :) The rose and other test gardens were delightful.
Written July 19, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Oomama54
Pasadena, TX1 contribution
May 2021 • Couples
The flower gardens are so beautiful! Like being in beautiful woods but with well maintained trails and benches. Lovely views of Vashon Island.
Written May 28, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
akarm
disneymom82 contributions
We want to visit the zoo but we will have our travel trailer with us. Will we be able to find appropriate parking?
mavarick2018
Tacoma, WA81 contributions
Is it a 12’ trailer or a 40’ fifth wheel? How can someone answer this question. Why would u drag your trailer through a park anyways? Aren’t you staying at a campground we’re you can park your trlr and drive? There are a lot of open areas for parking boat trls etc so I guess you can find something if you get there early. You might want to look at options to make it easier on yourselves although it might cost you a few dollars more.
travelingamber01
17 contributions
Is there enough grassy area in the park to play frisbee comfortably?
John L
Olympia, WA69 contributions
Absolutely!There are a good many large grassy areas in the park.
djbadwolf
Lakewood, WA5 contributions
Is there a way to make a fire legally for say, s’mores?
mavarick2018
Tacoma, WA81 contributions
sure just make sure you follow the rules inside the park. You can have bbq going in most spots inside the park and if all you are wanting to do is smores then you can do those with nothing more than hot coals in a charcoal bbq. Enjoy!
I cant find anything on handicap access. My husband has COPD needs a scooter or wheel chair are they available and how much?
Shelia S
Kingston45 contributions
Wheelchairs: $8.75 per day*
Strollers: $8 single; $10 double*
Electric Scooter: $27.50* (minimum age 18 yrs)
Umbrella: $5*
Lockers: $1 per day for a small; $1.50 for a large
Corinne T
Orange County, CA6 contributions
I am staying in Seattle and would like to visit Point Defiance . I will be Using public transportation ; is it more advantageous to take the ferry from Seattle to Vashon island, and then take theVashon island ferry to Point Ruston and hopefully point Defiance Park would be close by.
rmh3lady
Anchorage, AK32 contributions
There will be less traffic. I have not been on the ferry from Seattle, but the ferry from Vashon to Pt. Defiance is a short, but very peasant ride. I imagine an Uber is available on the island, but please check on that first.
