Incorporated in 1854, Steilacoom is Washington State's oldest city, and they're not shy about talking about it.
![Steilacoom Was First sign in Steilacoom, Washington](http://res.cloudinary.com/simpleview/image/upload/v1484780987/clients/tacoma/Steilacoom_Washington_sign_daa200af-cba6-4085-8f75-17e4cafdd473.jpg)
With just over 6,000 residents, it's a sleepy little town on the Puget Sound waterfront. They go to great lengths to stay true to their history.
![Wagon Shop in Steilacoom, Washington](http://res.cloudinary.com/simpleview/image/upload/v1484790258/clients/tacoma/Wagon_Shop_6542ead4-82a9-44ff-ae90-fff591cc957a.jpg)
You can enjoy some of that history as you grab your morning coffee at the Bair Bistro.
![Bair's Drug and Hardware in Steilacoom, Washington](http://res.cloudinary.com/simpleview/image/upload/v1484788664/clients/tacoma/Bair_Drug_and_Hardware_2_22e04b17-d752-483b-91fb-b6fc73d99af2.jpg)
And even inside the bistro, you won't escape the history lesson.
![Bair Drug and Hardware building in Steilacoom, Washington](http://res.cloudinary.com/simpleview/image/upload/v1484788722/clients/tacoma/Cash_register_at_Bair_s_07efb5f7-db75-4a8e-ba14-3e0eb2a999e7.jpg)
But that keeps the town a hidden gem in the South Puget Sound.
![Steilacoom street view in Steilacoom, Washington](http://res.cloudinary.com/simpleview/image/upload/v1484788577/clients/tacoma/Steilacoom_street_99c0008f-2146-44b6-9ca3-6a42de854741.jpg)
Even though they have some of the best views from almost every corner of town
![Steilacoom, Washington](http://res.cloudinary.com/simpleview/image/upload/v1484789149/clients/tacoma/City_hall_and_waterfront_2__44d8437a-d6d6-4ff6-9b42-f66740ae0b81.jpg)
With this much history in such a small place, you're going to want to visit a historical museum
![Steilacoom Historical Museum](http://res.cloudinary.com/simpleview/image/upload/v1484791101/clients/tacoma/steilacoom_historical_museum_d090da9e-724f-4ba2-8b03-c45f9fe5440b.jpg)
Or two.
![Steilacoom Tribal Cultural Center](http://res.cloudinary.com/simpleview/image/upload/v1484791250/clients/tacoma/Steilacoom_WA_Steilacoom_Tribal_Cultural_Center_02_289edecc-15a8-4001-ac26-624244179bbb.jpg)
Then it's time to see the history in person on a little through the historical district. If the historical buildings don't make an impression
![Steilacoom, Washington](http://res.cloudinary.com/simpleview/image/upload/v1484789081/clients/tacoma/City_Hall_01_3b0b383e-05ce-4acb-abdf-fb6274d08371.jpg)
(and they should)
![E.G. Rogers Mansion in Steilacoom, Washington](http://res.cloudinary.com/simpleview/image/upload/v1484789261/clients/tacoma/Mansion_3e0cd317-6596-4cfa-9d3e-071be5d989fc.jpg)
(they really, really should)
![Old house in Steilacoom, Washington](http://res.cloudinary.com/simpleview/image/upload/v1484789349/clients/tacoma/Old_House_20b5d30f-13bf-4f24-8019-c56e61e98283.jpg)
Then maybe a walk along the waterfront and through the parks will do the trick.
![Pioneer Orchard Park in Steilacoom, Washington](http://res.cloudinary.com/simpleview/image/upload/v1484789404/clients/tacoma/Park_ae4907e5-13dc-436e-8ff0-50562338f7d2.jpg)
And if not, maybe you should check out Anderson Island. It's only a fast ferry ride from Steilacoom.
![Steilacoom Ferry](http://res.cloudinary.com/simpleview/image/upload/v1484789636/clients/tacoma/Steilacoom_ferry_d0297ecd-a045-4ad9-8e74-c9ea65ed4ac5.jpg)