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The Best Things in Life

They're all right here

Video Thumbnail - youtube - The Best Things In LifeIt’s the best dessert you’ve ever tasted. A pure golf drive right down the middle. The sunset walk on the waterfront. The belly laugh that makes you cry. It’s the little things that you remember forever and that happen all too rarely.

Wouldn’t it be nice to have a whole weekend of those? Just follow this three-day itinerary for a long weekend of joy and fun in Tacoma, Washington.

Your getaway begins in the heart of downtown and in the lap of luxury at the Hotel Murano. A salute to the local glass art movement and a museum in and of itself, it’s the ideal launching point for your first day of exploration. 

Explore more area hotels here

Day One: 

The road to happiness starts with a single bite. Isn’t that how the saying goes? Anyway, that’s how we’re setting out - with breakfast at Doyle’s Public House. Get the Bourbon Brioche French Toast, made with Heritage Distilling’s Brown Sugar Bourbon (more about that on Day Three).

Bridge of Glass with photographerNext, head down to the Museum District and take your pick of interests - all within walking distance of each other. The glass art at the hotel piqued your curiosity? Two of the finest collections of glass art anywhere reside at the Museum of Glass and the Tacoma Art Museum. You’re a history buff? Find your way to the Washington State History Museum. Boats and maritime memories? Try the Foss Waterway Seaport. Cool cars get your engine running? America’s Car Museum showcases everything from the first crank engines to the latest speedway superstars. 

If you’ve decided to treat yourself to all of ‘em, you’re going to be hungry again and a crab boil sounds pretty good about now. Walk down to The Fish Peddler, get a water-view table, and feast on the freshest seafood to be found.

devil's reefEnd the night with a party at Devil’s Reef, the Tiki-est Tiki Bar this side of Polynesia. Floor-to-ceiling decor, the scent of coconut, and impossibly strong drinks - it’s a perfect end to a perfect day. 

Day Two:

It’s the most important meal of the day, so do breakfast right at TibbittsFernHill, where chef Shawn Tibbitts is teaming with local farmers to create “this-is-the-best-thing-I’ve-ever-eaten” kind of dishes every morning. The Lobster Bomb (champagne-soaked lobster, candied bacon, Hollandaise, and more in a toasted bread bowl) is, well… the bomb. There’s only nine tables, so make a reservation. 

Chambers Bay Golf CourseGolf is next on the agenda - but not just on any course. You’re playing Chambers Bay, where Jordan Spieth won the 2015 U.S. Open. You’re putting in the spike-steps of Tiger and Rory and that’s not even the coolest part - that’d be the spectacular view of Commencement Bay and the rolling coastal hills. No matter how you play, it’s a fantastic afternoon. 

After a quick shower and nap, you’re headed for the iconic, old-school steakhouse El Gaucho. This is the kind of unbelievably attentive service that ruins you for other restaurants. Make it extra special and order the tableside Chateaubriand for two. 

nate jacksonTime to bust a gut. End the night at Tacoma’s newest hotspot, Nate Jackson’s Super Funny Comedy Club. This isn’t some hole-in-the-wall chuckle shack - it’s a full-on Vegas-style club with big-name headliners and up-and-coming superstars taking the stage. And Nate himself always makes an appearance.

Day Three:

It’s a lovely day to spend seaside, don’t you think? That’s why you’re heading out to Gig Harbor and Netshed No. 9. Here, you’ll watch the fishing boats roll in and select from an astounding menu of deliciousness, but if you’re us, you’ll settle on the Menage A Meat: sausage, bacon, eggs, and O’Briens served on a plate of - get this - ham. Yep, ham. As a plate. 

Gig Harbor GondolaSpend the rest of the day wandering the downtown area and the art galleries and shops along the waterfront and just generally basking in beauty and reveling in the luxury of time spent any way you wish. Roam around Rosedale Gardens. Tour the historic Eddon Boatyard. Cruise aboard an authentic Venetian Gondola. Drop a needle on vintage vinyls and sample local brews at Gig Harbor Audio. And remember the Bourbon French Toast from Day One? The spirits originated right here at Heritage Distilling. Try out some of their latest tasty creations and take home a bottle of the Cocoa Bomb Chocolate Whiskey - it goes great with your holiday concoctions. 

Close out your day back in Tacoma, just across the street from where you started Day One. Le Sel French Bistro is an intimate and romantic wind-down and an ideal end to a whirlwind weekend of wonderful. Or maybe you book just one more night…  

Want to cut it to a one-day Gig Harbor trip? Stay the night at the Best Western Westley Inn!