Tacoma
Known as the "City of Destiny," Tacoma was designated as the Northern Pacific Railroad's western terminus for its transcontinental route in 1873. Founded in 1869, the had a population of 5,000 by 1884.
Today, with 200,000 people creating a big-city feel, there are plenty of things to do in Tacoma, which is on Commencement Bay in lower Puget Sound. That's 36 miles south of Seattle and 18 miles from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
Tacoma is home to the world's largest wood-domed arena, the Tacoma Dome. The 15-story, multipurpose sports and entertainment facility holds up to 28,000 spectators. Britney Spears, Faith Hill and Nine Inch Nails are among the big names who have performed there.
But if chirping birds and slapping waves are more appealing, take a stroll by the waterside restaurants on Ruston Way near Commencement Bay. Sniff the aroma of pizzas, seafood and cheeseburgers wafting from the bistros.
For the naturalist, starfish, crabs and sea urchins are often seen idling in the low shore of Tacoma's bays. You can also see bald eagles gliding overhead.
For those inclined more to urban culture, the city is restoring a derelict warehouse district into what it hopes will be a welcoming Museum District, with offerings from Dale Chihuly art glasswork to the planned Harold E. LeMay Museum nearby to showcase his large collection of antique and classic cars.
And speaking of big, as of 2002 the Port of Tacoma was the sixth-largest container port in North America, handling more than 80 percent of waterborne cargo shipped to Alaska from the lower 48 states.