What does a bar shaped like a teapot, a 500-year-old castle, and a hobbit house all have in common? They are just a few of many unique and usual attractions that can only be found around Tacoma, of course!
Bob’s Java Jive: A Quirky Icon for South Sound
2102 S Tacoma Way, Tacoma
253.475.9843
Bob’s Java Jive is more than just a quirky coffee pot-shaped building; it’s a cultural icon with a rich history. Originally known as the Coffee Pot Restaurant, it was built in 1927 by local Tacoma veterinarian Otis G. Button and designed by local artist Bert Smyser. This historic landmark has served as a breakfast spot, a drive-in diner, and even a Prohibition-era speakeasy.
In 1955, Bob Radonich and his wife, Lylabell, purchased the establishment and rebranded it as Bob’s Java Jive, inspired by the lyrics to a 1950s song from the pop group The Ink Spots; the lyric goes, “I love coffee; I love tea. I love the java jive, and it loves me.” The lyrics seem to ring true as Bob’s Java Jive has become a beloved staple of the community (admittedly, it is hard not to love a place that’ll happily Irish-up your coffee for you). The bar’s unique shape and eclectic atmosphere have even attracted the spotlight of Hollywood, welcoming celebrities like River Phoenix, William Hurt, and Keanu Reeves, who filmed a scene for the movie “I Love You to Death” within its walls.
Today, Bob’s Java Jive continues to captivate visitors with its vintage charm, unique shape, and whimsical story.
There’s Nothing Trashy About Dune Peninsula
5361 Yacht Club Road, Tacoma
The Dune Peninsula is quite an unusual attraction along the Tacoma waterfront, with its sculpted mounds, stone staircases, and imposing smelter sticking out of the ground, but this unique structure within Point Defiance Park’s 760 acres is so much more than meets the eye; it is also a shining example of environmental redemption. For nearly a century, the ASARCO lead-and-copper smelter released heavy metals and pollution into Tacoma, making it one of the most polluted cities in the United States. However, the 11 acres of industrial ruins were transformed into a beautiful public park thanks to a massive-scale environmental project.
The park’s distinctive features include three large, sculpted landforms known as “sail mounds,” offering panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. Named after the renowned science fiction author and Tacoma native Frank Herbert, the park incorporates quotes from his iconic “Dune” series along the walking paths, creating a literary and artistic experience. The park’s design seamlessly blends elements of the former smelter’s infrastructure with modern landscaping, offering a glimpse into the region’s industrial history.
From the shoreline, visitors can enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains, including the majestic Mt. Rainier. The park’s unique design and history make it a fascinating spot for relaxation and exploration. Whether you are passionate about environmental efforts, admire beautiful parks, or a fan of Frank Herbert’s classic novels, the Dune Peninsula offers an exceptional and unique experience for all visitors.
Thornewood Castle is a 500-Year-Old Castle in a 30 Year Old City
8601 N Thomas Lane SW, Lakewood
253.584.4393
You wouldn’t expect a 500-year-old Tudor Gothic castle in the Pacific Northwest, let alone the city of Lakewood, that was only recently incorporated in 1996, yet surprisingly, there is one! Though it was built between 1909 and 1911, Thornewood Castle was constructed using pieces from a 400-year-old English castle shipped to the United States. This was quite a pricey feat in any day and age, but Mr. Chester Thorne, a successful financier and one of the founders of the Port of Tacoma, had the remarkable castle constructed for his wife, Anna. Initially, Thorne had purchased a 400-year-old Elizabethan manor in England, then had it dismantled and shipped piece by piece to be included in the main house of their Washington residence. He then hired renowned architect Kirtland Kelsey Cutter to bring their gothic-styled castle to life. Sparing no expense, the Thornewood Castle was a true labor of love.
Besides its status as an odd time capsule in the Pacific Northwest, the Thornewood Castle has also earned a novel reputation for being haunted, and we mean this quite literally. During the castle’s storied history, it too attracted the Hollywood spotlight and even took the leading role in Stephen King’s “Rose Red,” portraying a diabolical soul-sucking house that kills anyone who dares to enter; it later appeared as the star in the sequel “The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer.” Adding to its oddity, it was only after the movies hit the big screen that rumors started circulating of the castle’s haunted status, with stories emerging of apparitions, cold spots, phantom footsteps, flickering lights, and other strange occurrences.
The previous owners of the castle-turned-bed and breakfast featured these horrifying haunts as a main attraction, making Thornewood Castle a very popular subject among ghost hunters once upon a time. These days, though, and under new ownership, the castle has returned to its original role as “the house that love built,” ultimately switching genres as it transitions from horror to romance with its debut in season 21 of “The Bachelorette.”
Slide into a Unique Experience at Point Defiance Slides
5912 N Waterfront Drive, Tacoma
A 60-foot slide in a very public park? Now, that sounds like a tall tale, but for the city of Tacoma, it happens to be a very real, true thing. Quite literally bringing the game Chutes and Ladders to life, the Point Defiance Slides is a series of six slides in varying lengths near the Point Defiance ferry terminal that descend a 60-foot slope from the Wilson Way Bridge to the marina complex below. Sadly, you cannot ride one consecutive slide the whole 60 feet way down, but the variety of slides and experience of taking the road less traveled still make for a fun time. Since the slides go down the slope to the water, this unusual gem is often an overlooked oddity within South Sound.
Brown & Haley’s Historic Outlet is a Sweet and Unusual Attraction in Tacoma
110 E 26th Street, Tacoma
253.620.3067
Who would’ve thought a relic of the 1962 Seattle World’s Fair, once graced by the King of Rock and Roll himself, would find its final resting place in an industrial park in Tacoma? Well, that’s exactly where you’ll find the Brown & Haley outlet store, a quirky and historic destination for candy lovers.
Founded in 1912, candy company Brown & Haley bought the round, futuristic building adorned with a vintage pink sign displaying the company’s logo after its time spent at the 1962 Seattle World’s Fair. The fair was used as a backdrop for the romantic comedy “It Happened at the World’s Fair,” in which Elvis Presley took the leading role as Mike Edwards, a crop-duster pilot who falls for a nurse at the World’s Fair. During filming, the Brown & Haley outlet store building was used as the King’s personal “green room.” After the fair’s conclusion, Brown & Haley purchased the structure and moved it to their Tacoma factory, turning it into a whimsical outlet store where patrons could directly buy their sweet treats.
Confuse Fantasy with Reality at the Hobbit House
3200 Victory Drive SW, Port Orchard
360.674.2558
Not much in this world makes us question the reality of our day-to-day lives, but a trip to the Brothers Greenhouses to see the Hobbit House just might. Inspired by the hobbit houses in J. R. R. Tolkien’s fantasy novels, owners Marilyn Davis and Cheryl Pelkey built the Port Orchard Hobbit House in 2015 on the land behind their plant nursery, a 50-year-old establishment known as Brothers Greenhouses in 1996.
It took six months to complete the project, ensuring the house had a strong frame made of a 14-gage culvert steel pipe and outside coverings to appear as if it was built into the side of a hill. The walls were then lined with wood, and the outside was covered with stones and various plants. The result was a hobbit house that is so authentic that you’ll think you’ve stepped into the mystical world of the fae as you enter the half-size house through a round door – a dream-like portal promising the enchanted realms of your wildest fairy tales. On the outside, different flowers can be found in bloom atop the stubbly little house, and a large magnolia tree further enhances its magical whimsy. Like a scene from a storybook, the Hobbit House whisks you away to a land of fantasy and wonder, making for a truly surreal experience for all who visit.
From whimsical structures and creative escapes to hidden gems steeped in history, Tacoma offers a delightful array of unique and unusual attractions that promise endless adventures and unforgettable experiences — there’s something exciting to discover around every corner!
