Children's Museums

Foss Waterway Seaport

Name: Foss Waterway Seaport
Address: 705 Dock St, Tacoma, WA 98402, Tacoma, WA, US
Telephone: (253) 272-2750
Rating: 4.6

★★★★☆ 4.6 (631 reviews)

📍 705 Dock St, Tacoma, WA 98402

📞 (253) 272-2750

🌐 www.fosswaterwayseaport.org

Visit Website 📍 Get Directions

🕐 Hours

Monday	Closed
Tuesday	Closed
Wednesday	Closed
Thursday	10 AM–4 PM
Friday	10 AM–4 PM
Saturday	10 AM–4 PM
Sunday	10 AM–4 PM

⭐ Want to stand out? Get featured ⭐

About Foss Waterway Seaport

Historic building with maritime exhibits. Historic seaport featuring maritime history & local culture exhibits, plus view of the bay. Features a model of the MV Kalakala ferry, a historic vessel whose restoration efforts ultimately failed and the ferry was disassembled, making this one of the few places to see a representation of this important regional maritime artifact. Rated 4.6 out of 5 stars by 631 visitors.

Quick Facts

Type: Maritime Heritage Museum
Best For: All ages
Admission: Free
Hours: Thursday-Sunday 10am-4pm (extended hours Third Thursday until 8pm)
Highlights: Hands-on maritime learning, Tacoma's maritime heritage exhibits

💡 Did You Know?

⭐Features a model of the MV Kalakala ferry, a historic vessel whose restoration efforts ultimately failed and the ferry was disassembled, making this one of the few places to see a representation of this important regional maritime artifact
⭐Displays a historically significant globe labeled 'The known world as of 1643' that notably omits the US West Coast, illustrating how the Pacific Northwest remained uncharted during that era
⭐Offers free admission to all visitors, making maritime history and science education accessible to families of all economic backgrounds
⭐Hosts interactive touch tanks with hands-on learning activities available weekends from 1-3pm, providing direct tactile engagement with marine specimens

💬 What Visitors Say

💬Check the website before visiting to stay informed about event-related closures and upcoming special programming, as the venue actively updates visitors on schedule changes.
🕐Plan to visit on a weekend between 1-3 PM if you want to access the touch tanks, as they are only open during these specific times.
💡Don't miss the MV Kalakala exhibit (a detailed model of the historic ferry) and 'The known world as of 1643' globe—both are highlighted as standout exhibits that provide unique historical perspectives.
💬The museum is spacious and can be navigated multiple ways; consider starting on the right side and making a loop through the gift shop area for an efficient visit.
🕐Take advantage of extended Thursday evening hours (open until 8 PM on the Third Thursday of each month) for a less crowded experience and to combine your visit with other Tacoma waterfront activities.