Tacoma is 6th in 50 Fabulous Travel Ideas
So we just heard that our very own City of Destiny is ranked the 6th destination in Travel+Leisure magazine’s July article “50 Fabulous U.S. Travel Ideas” (Via The Biz Buzz).
The article notes the “incandescent beauty of Tacoma’s colored glass” as the reason for mentioning Tacoma as Washington State’s city to visit – only one city could be chosen from each state.
“This once industrial city has become an international destination for glass art. The birthplace of acclaimed glass designer Dale Chihuly, Tacoma is home to not only the Museum of Glass, but also galleries, shops, and a few unexpected spots that have embraced the medium.”
While we’re happy to hear the news (one Suite133 coworker was heard saying “Suck it, Seattle!”), we’re a little peeved concerned about Dale Chihuly being our one and only claim to fame. Apparently, business owners, you need to decorate your establishment with art, but only of the incandescent colored glass variety, in order to entice new visitors to walk across the Chihuly Bridge of Glass and into your building. Do what you gotta do.
Filed under: lists
17 comments
T Thorax O'Tool June 27, 2008
Well, we could also pull from another famous Tacoma native, the one and only Sir Mix-A-Lot. Open a rap and glass art club with street art like the Embellish has, and voila! Instant international recognition. I already have the tag line (pun intended):
Chihuly + Mix-A-Lot: Blown to the Beat
T Thorax O'Tool June 27, 2008
Actually, along that vein I notice something.
They say “work with what you’re given”.
If our art keeps popping up like this, gathering attention maybe Tacoma ought to run with that. Trust me, the next Big Thing is just waiting to happen… something in the arts community so different that it’ll spread like smallpox.
I can hardly wait!
A Andrew June 27, 2008
Thorax:
We could always reappropriate one of his Seattle songs.
Blown to the Beat makes a good tagline, sure, but name the place Posse.
I’m sure you know what downtown street it would be located on.
S Squid June 27, 2008
Blown to the Beat? I am alarmed. In a not bad way.
T Thorax O'Tool June 27, 2008
@3
“ Now the posse’s gettin’ hungry, and Mix-a-Lot’s treatin’
we stopped at Taco Bell, for some Mexican eatin’”
No Taco Bell anywhere near our Broadway. And a note to Pepsicorp: no, that is not a request for a new location! But if said proposed club could have a food theme, make it Mexican perhaps?
I wonder how many people would get the reference.
C CA June 27, 2008
I dont understand why Pt. Defiance never features prominently in these “Tacoma is great” articles. I cant think of a better urban park in all of Washington. You’d think they’d highlight that in their articles.
T Thorax O'Tool June 27, 2008
Not sure why, but I have a feeling that if all this Point Ruston stuff goes through as planned AND the walkway from Thea Foss to Pt Defiance comes to fruition, then it will be unusual for articles not to mention Pt Defiance.
These days it seems like the park is getting shuffled off and forgotten by the outside world.
What can we do to remedy this? Suggestions?
I I'm for Change (for tacoma) June 27, 2008
Pt Defiance Park – I love it, but a tourist attraction? nah.
I think Spokane’s big park on South Hill (don’t know the name), not the one downtown by the river (but that one’s not bad either) is a good urban park. It’s fairly big, but not filled with roads. Clean, maintained, you can play, attend a musical concert, feed the ducks, hang, etc. For someone from out of town, what does Pt D offer, a slice of forest and image of what this area used to look like? Oh and don’t forget all the beach hounds with their chairs and coolers and kids and grills and chip bags, etc.
I think we should expect more from our parks and we should treat them better. Been to Wright Park lately? What is with all the trash lying around everywhere? The park gets a nice sprucing up and the park users trash it. Let’s have some class Tacoma. I love ya, but I don’t have to like you all the time.
J jamie from thriceallamerican June 27, 2008
I think Spokane’s big park on South Hill (don’t know the name), not the one downtown by the river (but that one’s not bad either) is a good urban park.
I believe you are likely referring to Manito Park. (Not to be confused with Tacoma’s Manitou Park…different park, different spelling.)
J Jordan's Future Wife June 27, 2008
Hey man, we should be proud, after all we (with props to Pierce County) rank number 1 as the city to beat with the most Cops! episode reruns right?
J jdub June 28, 2008
Tacoma has Art Chantry! who’s this Dale guy I always hear about?
M Michael June 28, 2008
Frank Herbert, the Godfather of science fiction is from Tacoma. how come there are no awesome sci-fi conventions at the Tacoma convention center? I propose we start an annual Frank Herbert Memorial Science Fiction Expo to be held once a year at the convention center. That could easily become a major tourist attraction.
M Mofo from the Hood June 28, 2008
I see a major opportunity for City business recruiters. Time to start courting the makers of Windex.
K kc June 29, 2008
Mofo… Windex is not GREEN! try again.
M Mofo from the Hood June 29, 2008
I see a major opportunity for City business recruiters. Time to start courting the makers of Mr. Bubble.
C CA June 29, 2008
“For someone from out of town, what does Pt D offer”
Forest, huge grass land, pond/ducks, zoo, aquarium, spectacular floral gardens, a five mile drive, athletic courts, Fort Nisqually replica, amazing views of the Puget Sounds, wildlife(just saw a deer at Owens Beach last Monday) year round events, a nice restaurant, a boat launch, a ferry terminal, etc.. I think you get the idea.
A ak July 3, 2008
Point Defiance is great. But why aren’t there any signs discouraging people from feeding the ducks? The ducks must be sick from all of the HFCS in the bread that people give them. In Seattle parks, there are many postings explaining why we should NOT feed ducks!