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Washington (WA)
Tacoma
Things to Do in Tacoma
Museum of Glass

Museum of Glass, Tacoma: Hours, Address, Museum of Glass Reviews: 4/5

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Museum of Glass

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Museum of Glass
4
1,297
#8 of 66 things to do in Tacoma
Speciality Museums • Art Museums
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Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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About
An international center for contemporary art with a sustained focus on glass.
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The area
Address
How to get there
  • Union Station/South 19th St • 3 min walk
  • Convention Center/South 15th St • 7 min walk
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Attractions
75 within 6 miles
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Chihuly Bridge of Glass
624
1.1 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
1,297 reviews
Excellent
691
Very good
349
Average
174
Poor
54
Terrible
29
Holly D
United States55 contributions
Go. See, Be amazed.
The displays are well thought out and organized for perusal. The auditorium had cramped seating, but it was great to be able to watch the actual glass art creation process live! The Bridge of Glass spans the highway and has a large number of beautiful pieces on display, it is worth the trip up to see it. Big plus: Active duty military and family get in free. That was awesome! Down sides: The parking is under the museum and easy to miss if your aren't paying attention. It also has some tight turns. The gift shop...I normally purchase something just to lend some support, I just couldn't find anything that I found attractive, or that wasn't more expensive than I thought reasonable. And, I find paying $20 for a stuffed animal reasonable when supporting the zoo and such, so that might tell your something. The Bridge of Glass is NOT an actual bridge made of glass, it is a display and unfortunately there is the lingering scent of stale urine up there. Absolutely, go! See this museum and while you are at it check out some of the other museums that are in the area. It is definitely worth the trip.
Written July 27, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Ross A P
Fredericksburg, VA2,504 contributions
Disappointed
We had visited the LeMay-America's Car Museum and bought the package deal that included the Glass Museum. It was are last visiting points before returning home. Having seen the structure of the Museum, I thought we would be in for a real treat. We have seen many museum's on our travels and this one really didn't do anything for us other than the photo's I have enclosed. We felt like we were in a re-run shop in reference to the rest outside the areas these pieces are found. We all have our on points of view and I find glass work is a very special talent and we just love to see. The photo of the young artist with the snake in the tree actually made the trip worth while. It was my favorite piece along with the vase. I would certainly reconsider revising item five of your Visitors Guide.
Written September 19, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
SkykomishBob
Olympia, WA753 contributions
Time your visit, and perhaps do a bit of homework
Often before I write a review I read what others thought by way of comparing our experience. I was amazed anyone could rate this place "poor," but as members I forget it's not an inexpensive place to visit, and if you are just taking pot luck as to what is there, you could well be disappointed. When you learn who will be in the hot shop for your visit, find pieces of her/his work, or at least pictures of the work, and try to envision how all that you see got put into the glass.

With that bit of prep, this place is brilliant! We went this time because the premier studio glass artist in the world was working in the hot shop. Seeing Lino Tagliapietra (hard G, every vowel pronounced) create his magic is the Superbowl of glass blowing. He's 84 and still turning out work that is new and cutting edge.

Think about a vessel that starts as a blob that gets coated in canes (round slivers of colored cold glass) laid parallel on a sheet by rolling the hot blob across them. Once they are melted into the blob, maybe a puff of air or two will expand the blob, then it is coated in fresh hot glass again and another procedure or two will be done to it such as forcing it into a mold that adds uniform crinkles before being dipped into more hot glass for another layer. Then at some point a new pipe is attached at the bottom and the blob is broken from the original pipe, then more procedures, and end changes with a little air going in now and again, and finally the whole thing gets spun or swung or twirled into a whole new shape, then pulled or trimmed into a final shape, where every layer and procedure will be visible, and parallel, or jagged in a uniform way, or both, and all of it breathtakingly beautiful in Lino's case. (There are other glass artists whose work is intriguing et. al. where beauty isn't meant to be part of the outcome, but with Lino it always is,)

Just the knowledge in the forearms and feel in the hands of Lino and the crew is amazing. The piece is fluid at all times, so it needs to be slowly rolled to keep gravity from slumping it off the pipe as it is heated and tweaked and rolled and smoothed and shaped, only to have that shape mashed into some other shape, but whatever happened during the previous shape will be visible and integral to the final piece.

The displays in the gallery were excellent and particularly enjoyable this visit, but here again there is a certain pot luck in our case as were were there to Lino in the hot shop and everything else was a bonus. The theater also always has worthwhile things showing. If you are not familiar with the work of the artist in residence and there is (as there often is) a film about her/his work, I strongly recommend seeing the film first. It will help you appreciate what you are seeing.

The cafe does excellent lunches also and can offer a perfect break during a visit.
Written February 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
mshbnyehud
Dallas, TX1,097 contributions
Fabulous artisan experience
By all means, try to visit the Museum of Glass during one of the visiting artists in residence opportunities. What they do in the demonstration area is simply fantastic! We also enjoyed the Lalique Special exhibit which is happening at this time.

I was really impressed with how hard the artisans work and how challenging it is (and time consuming) to put together a truly special piece of art. Kudos!!
Written August 21, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Dave M
Greensboro, NC129 contributions
One of the best glass museums on the West Coast, don't miss it
You park in a garage next to the museum, go up one level and out on the the terrace to the entrance. It does cost but gives you good value. They have both permanent and changing exhibits and in the center their glass shop where you can watch glass being blown. We bought the DVD and booklet on when Dave Chihulay visited the museum and would recommend it.
Written January 17, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
kvanroon
Ireland32 contributions
A myriad of wonderfull glass sculptures
Went here with my cousins as we heard so many things about it and thought it would be a nice way to spend the morning. Big mistake! We ended up spending the whole day here and none of us were sorry. From just walking into the lobby and seeing all the flags made of glass hanging over head to seeing the film by Dale Chihuly giving his story. To watching glass blowers at the kilns trying to make glass tumblers in under 7 minutes. Seeing all the incredibly detailed sculptures by native American artists is an explosion of kaleidoscopic colours so vibrant you just can't help but get immersed in the background stories. Our planned two hours ended up being six hours.
Written April 17, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
SmokeyBlueTulle
Normal, IL213 contributions
Great glass museum!
Family
The hot shop was in full swing. It was cool to be able to sit or stand in the viewing area to observe the artists at work and hear about it from the emcee.

The work done in cooperation with community children was stellar. The opportunities to get you to interact with the exhibits was creative.

There was plenty of space to be distanced. Everyone was masked. The museum was immaculate!
Written August 22, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Teammilitello
Des Moines, IA693 contributions
Loved the observation room
Family
I, too, was hoping for more Chihuly glass pieces. I was also hoping the gift shop would have items at all price ranges. Sadly, I had to leave without a memento. Beautiful exhibit of glass art though.
Written August 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
midwestnewy0rker
Silver Spring, MD566 contributions
Impressive exhibition
Couples
I wrongly assumed the museum was only an exhibit of Dale Chihuly but it was so much more. The people working in the glass blowing section were interactive and fascinating to talk with. We were excited to watch them make an item and explain how and why they were doing it. Beautiful items on display. Excellent gift shop (we bought a pair of floating wine glasses). Very personable staff
Written May 3, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Edward Labao
Costa Mesa, CA15 contributions
A showcase of glass art and superb work of artisans
The museum will touch all your senses from the hotshop to the theater, to the galleries, to the art based on kids' designs and the multiple displays of glass art. The bridge of glass art is astounding in its wall display especially the ceiling glass art by Chihuly. A definite must destination to see.
Written January 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Museum of Glass
Museum of Glass is open:
  • Fri - Sun 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM