An A.I.tinerary
Three days in Pierce County, as determined by ChatGPT
If AI can get into Harvard and design a protein, we thought maybe it could come up with a three-day itinerary for how a visitor can best experience Tacoma and Pierce County. So we sent ChatGPT scouring its circuits (or however AI works) for the answer. What we got was *an* answer. We’ll leave it up to you whether you prefer to trust your hard-earned time off to a basket of gaskets (AI) or a meatbag (human tourism expert). Human comments are {{in brackets,}} where we thought necessary to keep visitors from becoming frustrated or dead. It’s a little light on restaurant recommendations and perhaps a little oblivious of the human need to sleep, but it’s got the spirit!
Without further ado: Here’s what ChatGPT had to say:
Day 1:
- Start your day at Mount Rainier National Park, where you can hike on one of the many trails, go on a scenic drive, or visit the Henry M. Jackson Visitor Center to learn about the park's history and wildlife.
- Stop by the historic town of Eatonville, where you can learn about the area's logging and milling history, visit the local museum {{It might mean Pioneer Farm Museum and Ohop Indian Village, which is *technically* in Eatonville, but off the beaten path. Still very worth a visit!}}, and grab a bite to eat.
- Finish the day at the Puyallup Fairgrounds, where you can attend an event, see the animals, or visit the nearby South Hill Mall for shopping and dining.
Day 2:
- Spend the morning at the Museum of Glass in Tacoma, where you can see exhibitions of contemporary glass art and watch artists work in the Hot Shop.
- Explore the nearby Point Defiance Park, where you can stroll through the gardens, visit the zoo, or hike the many trails for stunning views of Puget Sound.
- End the day in Tacoma's Theater District, where you can see a show at the Pantages Theater, have a bite to eat at one of the many restaurants, or visit the Tacoma Art Museum. {{Tacoma Art Museum isn’t actually in the Theater District, but it’s walkable, so we’ll let it slide.}}
Day 3:
- Take a ferry ride from the Port of Tacoma to one of the nearby islands, such as Anderson or Fox Island, where you can hike, fish, or just relax on the beach. {{Anderson Island ferry departs from Steilacoom, and Fox Island is reachable by bridge, not ferry. If you attempt to catch a “ferry” at the Port of Tacoma, you will likely end up a Korea.}}
- Visit the Fort Nisqually Living History Museum, where you can see what life was like in the 1850s and participate in hands-on activities such as blacksmithing and cooking.
- Conclude your trip with a visit to the LeMay - America's Car Museum, where you can see hundreds of vintage and classic cars, including a large collection of vintage vehicles from around the world.
Note: This is just a sample itinerary, and you can adjust it based on your interests and schedule.