The Best Places to Photograph in Tacoma and Pierce County

Discover the most photogenic, unique places - including some hidden gems - that will turn a weekend trip into Instagram gold!

As the saying goes, if there aren’t pics, it didn’t happen. So when you visit the Tacoma area, you’ll want photos of iconic Mount Rainier and downtown’s Bridge of Glass. Then take the less-traveled route to find the natural scenery, art, and architecture that you and your camera will love. Share your photos and use #TravelTacoma for the chance to be featured.

Visit our hotels page for suggestions on planning an overnight stay. You’ll need to be well rested for activities and lesser-known selfie spots that include:

Nature

Point Defiance Park’s Japanese Garden, Rose Garden and Five-Mile Drive

Point Defiance Park Rose Garden

W.W. Seymour Conservatory in Tacoma’s Wright Park

W.W. Seymour Conservatory

Narrows Beach Park (1502 Lucille Pkwy. NW, Gig Harbor)

Narrows Park

Views

Les Davis Pier on Ruston Way, Tacoma

Les Davis Pier in Tacoma, Washington

Tacoma hotels: Hotel Murano (1320 Broadway) and Silver Cloud Inn (2317 Ruston Way)

Hotel Murano lobby

Tacoma Art Museum Second-floor balcony (1701 Pacific Ave., Tacoma)

View from Tacoma Art Museum balcony

Murray Morgan Bridge (11th Street & Pacific Avenue) - as seen from Fireman's Park

Murray Morgan Bridge in Tacoma, Washington, with Mount Rainier in the background

Stanley & Seafort's restaurant (115 E. 34th St., Tacoma) from the dining area or bar

Stanley and Seafort's view

Views of Rainier from Puyallup's farmland

Puyallup Valley daffodils

Murals & Street Art

Opera Alley (Court C from S. 7th Street to St. Helens Avenue, downtown Tacoma)

Opera Ally in Tacoma

Live Like the Mountain is Out mural at Craft.19 espresso (1201 Main St., Sumner)

Sumner Live Like the Mountain Is Out Mural

Umbrella wall (216 Puyallup Ave., Tacoma)

Dome District Mural - Umbrella Wall - by Chris Sharp

Architecture

Stadium High School (111 N. E St., Tacoma), as seen in the film 10 Things I Hate About You.

Stadium High School

Union Station (17th & Pacific Ave., Tacoma)

Glass Art at Union Station

Mount Rainier National Park (no hiking boots needed!)

Sunrise Point, the park’s highest point accessible by car

Reflection Lakes, State Route 706 and the Nisqually entrance

Reflection Lake at Mount Rainier

Tipsoo Lake, just below Chinook Pass on State Route 410

Tipsoo Lake at Mount Rainier

Out and About

Antique shops in Puyallup and Tacoma

Antique Row Tacoma, Washington

Fluent Steps sculpture behind Museum of Glass (1801 Dock St., Tacoma)

Museum of Glass - Fluent Steps in Tacoma, Washington