Tacoma Neighborhoods: North Tacoma
Here is our guide to the North Tacoma Neighborhood.
The “North End”, as many Tacoma locals like to call it, has many different micro-neighborhoods and several of Tacoma's oldest neighborhoods within its unofficial geography. When people say North Tacoma, they don’t always mean the same thing but in general people usually include everything in between Ruston and 6th Ave, and downtown and the west slope. It’s tough to name every little zone in the “North End” but below are a few of the most well known pockets (Click to learn more about each area).
Old Town
North Slope Historic District
Stadium District
Proctor District
Salmon Beach
Tucked in each of these little neighborhoods is amazing restaurants, coffee shops, bars, markets, shops and parks. As a large community with smaller neighborhoods, there is a lot to do in North End. Aside from the unique places in each of these smaller communities though, North End locals and visitors can visit the 102-acre Point Defiance Park which has a zoo and aquarium, as well as miles of hiking and biking paths spanning both old growth forest and beautiful PNW waterfront. The park is safely nested on the northernmost end of Tacoma, blending into the Ruston Way waterfront which houses great food and views that look out onto Commencement Bay towards Brown Point and Vashon Island.
This greater North Tacoma neighborhood has many excellent restaurants, coffee shops, parks, shops and grocery stores. It is also is home to the local university, the University of Puget Sound. Being right there allows residents and locals to enjoy the beautiful campus and attend on-campus events. Beyond the local college, there are a host of elementary, middle and high schools, as well several daycares and Montessori schools.
The north end also has many community gardens, green spaces, bike and walking paths and even a weekly farmer’s market on Proctor where you can get locally sourced meat, produce and other local goods.
Things To Do in North Tacoma
Take a class at Tacoma Yoga
Visit the Proctor Farmers Market
Walk along the boardwalk from Dune Peninsula Park to Owens Beach
Go for a ride on the “Scott Pierson Trail” Bike Path
Play a round of golf at Highlands Golf Course
Take a stroll through University of Puget Sound Campus
Get coffee at Lander Coffee
Check out the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium
Play pickleball at Vassault Park
Walk the dog or go for a jog on Ruston Way
Watch a movie at Century Point Ruston Movie Theatre
Restaurants in North Tacoma
East West Cafe
Pomodorro
Wild Fin
Cooks Tavern
Brewers Row
Cactus
Ice Cream Social
Indo Asian Street Eatery
Farrelli's Pizza
Indochine
Tatanka Take Out
Art House Cafe
Shake Shake Shake
Metropolitan Market
Katie Downs
Dukes
Coffee Shops in North Tacoma
Olympia Coffee
Lander Coffee
Coffeezaun
Starbucks
Parks in North Tacoma
Point Defiance Park
Vassault Park
Kandle Park
Jefferson Park
Dune Peninsula Park
Puget Park
Thanks for reading our guide to the North Tacoma neighborhood.
If you’re interested in buying a home or learning more about this Tacoma neighborhood, we would love to setup a time for a phone call, zoom or to go walk through some homes together, Please reach out here!