As a co-founder of Pretty Gritty Tours, Chris Staudinger has made a career out of investigating the stories that make Tacoma fascinating, occasionally unsettling, and difficult to summarize at a dinner party. His tours explore everything from ghost stories to grand architecture, with a healthy appreciation for the weird details that other people might overlook.
Staudinger spent ten years as a professional investigative travel journalist before pivoting to tour guiding, a natural fit for someone who studied theatre and creative writing at Pacific Lutheran University. Writing for a page is one thing; watching a group of people react, lean in, laugh, or get a little spooked is another. Staudinger reflects, “there’s something you get from real-time audience or group feedback that really lets you know what's resonating with people, so I enjoy that aspect of it.”
Before he took to the streets of Tacoma, Staudinger used his investigative journalism skills to learn the stories behind this underrepresented region. He says he consulted tourism professionals like Matt Wakefield at Visit Tacoma Pierce County and local historians Michael Sullivan and Allison Campbell to understand the region from different perspectives. Ten years later, he’s considered a historian in his own right.
"I don't want to gatekeep this," he says. "I want everyone to access the history here, their history."
It's a refreshingly generous approach to a business built around showing people things they might otherwise miss. You can pay for the guided experience, or simply follow along online. Either way, Tacoma's past is yours to explore.
A Tacoma day, according to Chris
We asked Staudinger which town in Pierce County he’d spend the day in, given the opportunity. “Tacoma, obviously,” he laughed. “I’m loyal to a fault.”
Is it the history? In part.
“I always go back to the mystery hole in Tacoma. It’s deeply contentious,” said Staudinger, eyes wide. “Some people think it's an urban legend but it's a well-documented phenomenon in South Tacoma. Over 160 tires went missing in the mystery hole.” You can watch him discuss the phenomenon on his excellent YouTube channel.
Maybe his preference for Tacoma comes down to the food and drink. You can find Staudinger between tours at Adela’s Mexican Restaurant in Freighthouse Square, and finishing the night at Side Pony Lounge or Church Cantina.
Actually, for Staudinger, the magic of Tacoma comes down to the possibilities of the city.
“Something can get really good in Tacoma so it can get famous somewhere else. It's such an excellent starter sandbox for you to really mess it up and explore. The community will be there to support you.”
Which Pretty Gritty tour should you take?
If you're visiting Tacoma for the first time, Staudinger recommends Pretty Gritty's Downtown Ghost Tour. It's the company's original ghost tour, combining local history with ghost stories and the darker corners of the city's past.
"Ghost stories are timeless for a reason," he says. "It's something that captures the imagination."
For a different kind of history lesson, there's the Stadium High School Tour, which takes visitors inside one of Tacoma's most iconic buildings. Originally designed as a luxury hotel, the French château-style structure covers roughly 195,000 square feet and reflects the wealth and ambitions associated with the railroad era. The hotel never opened; the building became a high school in 1906 and later a movie set, most famously appearing in 10 Things I Hate About You. The tour offers access to parts of the building visitors don't ordinarily see, including its sub-basement and attic. These historic spaces require ducking and maneuvering; check the operator's accessibility details before booking. Calling it just a high school, Staudinger says, does it a disservice.
For something sweeter, try the Sweets Tour, which explores Tacoma's history as a candy-making hub. It's an opportunity to sample local treats while learning how the city helped shape the country's sweet tooth. History is always better with snacks. This is simply science.
For seasonal lantern tours and other special outings, check out their offerings. Follow Pretty Gritty Tours on Instagram for more history and event announcements, and book a tour while you're in town!
…Just keep an eye on your tires.
