The Pacific Northwest is home to adventurers, and if you think we let a little rain keep us down, you’re sadly mistaken! Want to join us in staying active and dry all winter long? Head to one of these destinations for some good old fashioned indoor fun, for one or the whole family.
Need a little inspiration? That’s what the coffee is for, friends.
Climbing Gyms
Climbing gyms are all the rage in the Pacific Northwest, perhaps because the first US commercial climbing gym opened up in Seattle in 1987. Grab onto modular plastic in fun colors and pretend you’re scaling Mt. Rainier: you’ll build all of the core strength with zero nights in a freezing cold tent.
Climb Tacoma
If you’re new and nervous, come to Climb. The staff is fabulously welcoming and the gym is clean.
Edgeworks Climbing Tacoma
Thanks to a recent remodel, Edgeworks has attractions for experienced climbers like a big 60 foot lead and top rope climbing walls.
Skating
Name an activity more nostalgic than skating! We’ll wait.
Sunday Open Skate at The Armory, Tacoma
Tacoma’s historic Armory building hosts an open roller skate every Sunday. Come jam out to your favorite tunes and pretend it’s the 60s.
Sprinker Recreation Center, Tacoma
You can ice skate year-round at Sprinker, making this a great place to also beat the heat. If you’re a bit unwieldy on ice skates, opt for their popular ice bumper cars.
Laser Tag and More!
When was the last time you thought about laser tag? Your kid thought about it this morning!
Spaceland, Tacoma
Every kid in Pierce County wants to have their birthday at Spaceland. There’s laser tag, paintless paintball, and a laser maze. The only thing they don’t have is food or beverage, so come after a big pizza lunch.
Odyssey 1, Tacoma
Did we lose you just now with the thought of no food or beverages? Head to Odyssey 1, the Family Fun Center of Tacoma, where you can play in the jungle gym park and enjoy arcade games along with your laser tag. And yes, there’s food!
Trampoline & Adventure Park
Keeping your kids contained *and* physically stimulated. You're welcome!
Urban Air Adventure Park, Tacoma
Do your kids have a crazy amount of energy? Double dare them to play for an hour at Urban Air Adventure Park, where the ropes course, climbing walls, trampolines, and indoor playground are sure to tire them out. The Urban Café serves the holy trinity of childhood food: pizza, chicken tenders, and french fries.
Catapult Adventure Park, Lakewood
Let your children run free until naptime. Ninja cat ropes course, zipline, arcade, a giant airbag, Xtreme Dodgeball, and for freestyling, a giant padded open court. We’re tired from just listing these activities!
Bowling
Go walking in someone else’s shoes…down to the bowling lane! Pierce County is home to historic bowling alleys and new flashy ones, so there’s something for everyone.
Tower Lanes, Tacoma
Open 10am to 1am, you can quite literally play all the livelong day at Tower Lanes. In addition to bowling, families can play mini golf and at the arcade. Visitors of all ages will appreciate the full-service restaurant and bar, whose reviews are consistently as follows: “so much better than I expected.”
Chalet Bowl, Tacoma
If you have your own bowling ball or live for the nostalgic crack of maple wood pins smashing to the ground, head to Tacoma’s Chalet Bowl, open since 1941 and the longest continually-running bowling alley in the state. Bowling is the only activity offered but the food is plentiful, with everything from mini corn dogs to Cordon bleu flatbreads.
Paradise Lanes Entertainment Center, Tacoma
As the name suggests, Paradise Lanes isn’t just a bowling alley, it’s a center for entertainment. They have plenty of space to bowl with 32 lanes, but should your attention stray, you can enjoy billiards, darts, shuffleboard, or air hockey. Score a pizza and pitcher combo from their restaurant when you need to refuel.
Bowlero Lanes of Lakewood
Bowling lanes, pool tables, and a sports bar? It’s the cool uncle combo! This nostalgic stop has been open since 1960, with the carpet to prove it.
Round1 Bowling & Arcade, Puyallup
Located in the South Hill Mall, Round1 has something for everyone with bowling, arcade, ping-pong, karaoke, and their popular Japanese games.
Daffodil Bowl, Puyallup
Try something new this weekend! Daffodil Bowl offers Rock & Roll Bowl with laser lights, loud music, and fun vibes every Friday and Saturday nights from 10pm-2am. If that’s a bit late for your taste, come down to Daffodil for breakfast (they have a full menu, from Chicken Fried Steak to French Toast) then catch some daytime bowling and the arcade.
Arcades
Calling all inside kids! All of the nostalgia, very little movement.
Outer Orbit Arcade STW, Tacoma
Arcade games, pinball, ice cream (both dairy-full and dairy-free!). Perfect for families and the children at heart who want to revisit their favorite childhood game.
The Triple Knock, Tacoma
Adults-only bar with pinball, arcade games, slushies, and a very chill vibe.
Flip Off Arcade, Puyallup
Game lovers of all ages are welcome to Flip Off, where you can play well-maintained games including air hockey, over 20 pinball machines, and more than 30 classic arcade games.
Axe Throwing
If you need a sign that you’re in the Pacific Northwest, how does axe throwing strike you?
Axe Academy, Tacoma
Though axe throwing is quickly becoming a beloved bar activity (alcohol and flying sharp objects, what could go wrong?), lumberjacks of all ages are welcome to hurl axes in style at the Axe Academy. Yes, you have to sign a safety waver. Yes, they are real axes.
Why choose?
Ocean 5, Gig Harbor
Having trouble choosing? Enter Ocean 5, Gig Harbor’s mega gaming center with bowling, Top Golf, an arcade, and laser tag. The abundant options carry to the food and beverage as well, with a cafe, upscale restaurant, and casual bar all on deck.
What does your favorite indoor activity entail, and can we come? Tag us at @visittacomapiercecounty on Instagram!
