It may seem obvious, but it’s changing the way we’re greeting visitors to Tacoma: When the sun comes out, visitors to the city want to spend their time enjoying the Tacoma on Ruston Way’s waterfront, walking across the Bridge of Glass, visiting the Museum District, touring the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium or just walking around town. Travel Tacoma + Pierce County created Team Ask253 for just that reason.

Starting today and continuing throughout the summer tourism season, the visitor information gurus from Team Ask253 will put on bright blue t-shirts, strap on backpacks, pick up iPads loaded with maps and information, load Polaroid-style cameras and head out to the tourism hotspots around Tacoma. They’ll greet the visitors where visitors spend their time and give them advice about how to best see Pierce County, and maybe even snap a free, in-the-moment keepsake photograph for visitors to take with them.

To get the word out about this new benefit for visitors, Team Ask253 is giving away small-value gift cards to local businesses if you see them and ask them specific questions.

  • On Tuesday at noon to 1:00 p.m., the team will be at Dale Chihuly’s Bridge of Glass, and anyone who asks them how many pieces of glass are in the Seaform Pavilion’s glass ceiling will get a gift card on the spot.
  • On Wednesday at 2:30 to 3:30 p.m., the team greet visitors in Tacoma’s Museum District, on the waterfront in front of Tacoma Art Museum. If you ask them how old the Museum of Glass is, you’ll get a gift card.
  • On Thursday from noon to 1:00 p.m., Team Ask253 will welcome visitors to opening day of the annual Broadway Farmers Market at South Ninth St. and Broadway. A gift card goes to anyone who asks them what year the Broadway Farmers Market started.
  • On Friday from noon to 1:00 p.m., the place to be is the Ruston Way waterfront, and the question to ask is “How long is the Ruston Way trail?

As summer heats up and people flock to the streets of Tacoma, you’ll see Team Ask253 more often and in more places around the city. If you see them, make sure to say hello and snap a picture!