Looking for things to do in Puyallup beyond the Washington State Fair? Explore local farms, browse the Puyallup Farmers Market, eat at independent restaurants, unwind at Pioneer Park or Bradley Lake Park, and visit Meeker Mansion. Round out your trip with a local brewery, Cockrell Cider Farm, or an overnight stay.
Maybe you have had your fill of rides and scones, or you are planning a day outside the fairgrounds. While we love a jumbo turkey leg, there is plenty more to explore in Puyallup, Washington, and the surrounding Pierce County communities. Here is how to fill an hour, an afternoon, or a few days.
Planning your 2026 fair trip: The Washington State Fair runs September 4–27, 2026, and is closed Tuesdays and September 9. Check the official fair dates and hours before you go.
Explore farms around Puyallup and Sumner
While the big-time pumpkin patch festivities don’t debut until late September, there is so much to enjoy at Puyallup and nearby Sumner’s many farms. It’s harvest season, and the fields are exploding in delicious tomatoes, squashes, beans, and late-summer fruit. Pick berries at Spooner Farms, visit the produce stand and legendary Jake’s Burgers at Sterino Farms, take photos in sunflower fields at Knutson Farms, and grab a cold one while the family plays farm games at McMillin Farm Brewhouse.
Shop the Puyallup Farmers Market
The Puyallup Farmers Market runs Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., April 18–October 10, 2026, except June 13 for Meeker Days. Downtown Puyallup transforms into a gathering of farm goods and community. See the official market schedule and visitor details to plan your Saturday stop. You’d expect the abundance of produce considering all the nearby farms, but it also has live music, a food court with multiple cuisines, fresh flower stands, and local makers with arts and crafts.
Where to eat in Puyallup
The words “farm to table” might be a Pacific Northwest cliche at this point, but Puyallup restaurants are walking the talk. Mama Stortini’s, HG Bistro (pictured), The Forum, Crockett’s Public House, Meridian Cafe, and Farm 12 are some of our favorites in the area; check out our full Puyallup restaurant directory for tried-and-true recs.
Visit Pioneer Park and Bradley Lake Park
Are your kids losing their minds on day 2 of a fair-fueled sugar high? Take them to Puyallup’s parks where they can safely play while you enjoy the quietude of a park bench. Pioneer Park has a playground, fields for running, built-in chess tables, a statue of local founding figure Ezra Meeker, and is located right next to the Puyallup library. Bradley Lake Park spans dozens of acres with a playground, walking trails, and the namesake lake.
Explore Puyallup history at Meeker Mansion
Puyallup Historical Society at Meeker Mansion will teach you everything you want to know about the region’s history, from the tribes who inhabited the region to the Oregon trail to the farmers who transformed Puyallup with hop exports in the midst of a global hop shortage. Ezra Meeker was an early settler, mayor, and owner of this tourable mansion, thanks to his wife Eliza Jane. Despite prosperous years, Ezra had his family in a dirt-floor house; after touring Europe, Eliza Jane returned and promptly requested a fancy house like the ones she had visited abroad.
Try breweries in Puyallup and nearby communities
All these years later, Puyallup is still notable for the hops and local craft beer scene. We celebrate this every year at Brewallup, scheduled for November 7th in 2026, but you don’t have to wait til then to enjoy a cold pint. McMillin Farm Brewhouse, Powerhouse Restaurant and Brewery, Top Down Brewing, Firemind Brewing, and Off Camber Brewing are all fantastic local breweries. Many are family-friendly with games and plenty of space to run around.
Sip cider at Cockrell Cider Farm
If beer isn’t really your thing, how does drinking cider beneath the apple trees sound? Cockrell Cider Farm has live music, guest food trucks, and a tasting room serving up dry apple ciders, richer traditional English-style ciders, and a plethora of fun and colorful flavors using local fruit like strawberry and pear.
Fair concerts and places to stay in Puyallup
If you’re coming to the fair, don’t forget to check out the Columbia Bank Concert Series. Shows start between 5:00-9:00 P.M., so it’s a good idea to grab a hotel room. There are several awesome spots just steps from the Blue Gate entrance that run the gamut; Best Western Plus is upscale at 4 stars, Basecamp Puyallup is an affordable yet comfortable pit-stop, Motel Puyallup is simple but friendly with a free breakfast, and Fairfield by Marriott splits the difference with a pool and free breakfast.
Quick answers for your Puyallup fair trip
What can families do in Puyallup besides the fair?
Pioneer Park and Bradley Lake Park offer playgrounds and room for a break from the fairgrounds. You can also browse the Puyallup Farmers Market on a scheduled Saturday or explore area farms. Check each farm’s seasonal activities and opening dates before visiting.
Where can I eat outside the Washington State Fair?
Puyallup options featured in this guide include Mama Stortini’s, HG Bistro, The Forum, Crockett’s Public House, Meridian Cafe and Farm 12. Use the restaurant links above to choose a stop and confirm current hours.
Can I turn a Washington State Fair visit into an overnight trip?
Yes. Pair your fair visit or concert with a stay in Puyallup, then explore local parks, restaurants or Meeker Mansion the next day. Compare the hotel links above for location, availability and current amenities, and confirm attraction hours before setting your itinerary.
What else will you be doing while in town for the fair? Tag us on Instagram at @visittacomapiercecounty and let us know!
