by fergy1008
on 1/19/2008 @ 9:20am
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I'm sorry if this type of discussion exists but I did a little searching and didn't find anything like I want to post. So here I go. Yesterday while driving to work my favorite DJ started a discussion about what listeners do for FREE! This can be a discussion for an individual or for a family. Of course every call was from the Seattle area and it's massive metropolis I started thinking what the he__. No one from the Tacoma area even responded, or at least the radio station didn't care enough to put them on the air. So I thought to myself hey I have a terrific medium on to which to ask the very same question. So here it is: Tacomans what is there to do in Tacoma that's FREE! It can be anything you want it can be fun, educational, or anything you have experienced yourself. Your suggestions should be based on the fact that basic human needs are already met, Food, Shelter, and Transportation. So to start things off I'll put my suggestion out there. As I was driving to work my first thought was Pt. Defiance. One of the most beautiful parks in the Puget Sound and all for free. But as Tacomans you may know of something within the park that's free. So here you go a blank slate, whether you suggest something fun or maybe educational I think it will benefit all of us living here. But most importantly HAVE FUN!
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by KevinFreitas
on 1/19/2008 @ 10:10am | Pt. Defiance is a great example for sure. I'd add to that any of our local parks as well. The Point Defiance has free days for Tacoma residents once a month and is a great facility with lots of excellent exhibits.
The add some culture there are free Third Thursdays at the Washington State History Museum, Museum of Glass, and Tacoma Art Museum. Though, my favorite free (though they accept donations) place is the Karpeles Manuscript Library just off of Wright Park. They have amazing stuff in there and it's little known. Then, right across the street, you can visit the botanical conservatory to see some wildly exotic and beautiful plants, trees and flowers, all inside an awe-inspiring glass structure.
Thanks for the topic! |
by tacomachickadee
on 1/19/2008 @ 12:03pm | We had a great time at the FREE Third Thursday Artwalk this week.
We spent most of our time running around Sanford & Son ... there was live music (6-8 in the upper floor) by locals Deborah Page and Paul Uhl, gallery showings, live improv in the basement by The Tokens, and lots to look at throughout the corners of Sanford & Son (gorgeous antiques, quirky shops, the gold fish by the lower-level door), and lots of fabulous folks.
You can also check out the museums for free from 5-8 on those nights, and there are many other galleries open to wander through that night.
I still can't believe the evening was free ... though it does make want to come back and shop with money sometime soon ... |
by tacomachickadee
on 1/19/2008 @ 12:05pm | And riding the Link! It's free ... takes you through 1.7 miles of downtown, and my kids LOVE it, I think they think it's a carnival ride or something.
And if you get off at the UW/museum stop, you can walk along the Bridge of Glass for FREE and check out some of the public art and the great scenery at the marina. Come summer, pack a picnic lunch!
On the other side of Pacific Avenue, if you walk up the UW steps, there's a fabulous FREE odd spot, where if you stand in the center of the circle, where X marks the spot, at the top of the stairs, you'll get quite a surprise ... it's so worth the hike. |
by tacomachickadee
on 1/19/2008 @ 12:06pm | Oh, and you can check out movies for FREE at the Tacoma Public Libraries. (Though turning them in late is decidedly NOT free.)
And I think you can check out passes to the Tacoma Art Museum (FREE!) at the libraries, first-come, first-served. It's been a couple years since we did this, but I assume it's still an option. |
by fergy1008
on 1/19/2008 @ 7:08pm | See that's what I'm talking about! By reading just three posts I have already learned tons of stuff. Keep it going tell your friends and lets see what we can get going. Thanks a bunch! |
by tacomachickadee
on 1/19/2008 @ 7:57pm | Oh, I should add to the x-marks-the-spot circle at the top of the UW stairs, you have to stand in the center, facing straight down the stairs, then first take a step to one side and say something, then step back to the center of the "x" and say something again. I really can't describe the surprise, but again ... it's worth the hike. And if you're too shocked, you can head over to the Swiss for a beer ... over to Metro Coffee for a buzz or to Buzzards for some tunes ... but that will cost you a couple worthwhile bucks. |
by Angela
on 1/25/2008 @ 4:09pm | These aren't available all the time but they are free things I've done in Tacoma and thoroughly enjoyed!
Bluegrass in the Blueberries takes place in August. This free show allows you to enjoy a bluegrass band at Blueberry Park located in the middle of a neighborhood at E 72th Street at East D Street. We followed the concert up with an hour or so of gorging ourselves on seriously freshly-picked blueberries. Another free thing associated with this park...Volunteering! The park is maintained by volunteers who meet, I believe, once a month to clean, rake, prune, etc to take care of this wonderful property. I think they're even 'sponsored' by Starbucks with free coffee for those who show up.
The other August enjoyment I would recommend is Showcase Tacoma. I liked '06s event alot better than '07s but the sidewalk chalk art is always sensational!
I would suggest checking out the Metro Parks website - I've found a ton of stuff to do like the Second Sunday Concert Series at the conservatory in Wright Park, Ethnic Fest (also in WP), and a couple of Summer Concert/Movies Series that take place in a number of different parks. My mom has participated the last couple of years in the Parks Appreciation day in April and has always come home glowing from a day of good works and fresh air.
The Maritime Fest is really interesting with boat building, free boat rides and tours and the entertaining dock dog event (dogs leaping into a pool of water to retrieve a 'duck' or ball). This event is not so heavily attended that it's too hard to keep track of kids or see exhibits past people and it's in an area (Foss waterway) that we don't often get to so it's neat to see the area itself.
And last, just because this comment has turned into a novel, free fireworks for months! During baseball season Cheney stadium has a fireworks display (I think) every Friday there's a home game plus some additional dates, the highlight being the July 3rd game when they have a really big show (one year they went into triple overtime and we were up til midnight waiting with a group of guests we had invited to see it!). You can park at the park and ride across from Home Depot on Center Street, in the Fred Meyer or Foss High School parking lots and see the display. A great blanket location is the hill of Heidelberg Park - you have to listen to the traffic but you can spread out a blanket, bring a picnic and lay back to enjoy the show.
Oh - and the area boasts Snake Lake. Not the greatest name perhaps and I haven't been there in years but I know I loved it in the past. A serene green spot in the middle of our concrete jungle.
I know I said I was done but I thought of another - the McChord Air Show! The Thunderbirds have confirmed for the 2008 Expo taking place July 19th and 20th. Even if you can't get to the show make sure to keep your eyes on the sky during that time of year, you might catch them, and some other cool planes, in flight for practice as well as the show.
Okay - that's it - I'm walking away from the keyboard! Get out and enjoy! |
by droid116
on 1/25/2008 @ 4:31pm | Walking, walking, walking. My wife and I take the kids for walks along Ruston's waterfront, the Thea Foss Waterway to the top of the UWT stairs (and the aforementioned x), the Point Defiance walk from Anthony's to the park and even down to Redondo along the boardwalk be Salty's.
We have taken them to Free concerts at the Zoo, but there is the admission.
The Tacoma Musical Playhouse hosts a Behind the Curtain night before a show opens, where they talk about the history of the show and some background on the music, artists and writers who created it. Then they introduce some of the cast who do three or so numbers (sans costume and sets) from the show.
Many shows have dress previews where you can sit in on the final rehearsal before opening night. |
by izenmania
on 2/2/2008 @ 3:12pm | [i]I've found a ton of stuff to do like the Second Sunday Concert Series at the conservatory in Wright Park[/i]
This month (on the 10th) featuring at least one, probably two people with the last name "Izenman" :)
(hint: one of them is me) |
