Pretty Gritty Tours

4.9 (89 reviews)

Walking Tours

Open • 9:00 am - 8:00 pm

Updated 2 months ago

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Our tour guide tonight for the old town ghost tour was an amazing story teller and was super nice! Fun experience!!

Sarah E.

Fantastic tour of Stadium High School by Chris! So many fun facts about the building's history, design and resident ghosts You get to see the entire building from sub basement tunnels to the very top top attic. We will definitely look for more tours in Tacoma (especially with Chris). Side note: while there are elevators, some areas would be difficult for anyone with mobility issues and this isn't a tour for young children.

I have been following these guys on Facebook since the beginning and have been wanting to do the ghost tour at the high school. My husband always called me crazy. Finally, one day we stopped to look at stadium high school and he mentioned how neat it would be to go inside. Well, dear, you can go on a tour... fast forward 6 months turns out he had been looking into tours for a few months. Finally tonight we went. The tour was amazing! We loved how engaging it was from beginning to end. I would definitely go again someday and highly recommend this to any and all! The amount of history is incredible! We will be doing other tours in the future!

Kat W.

Signed up for the first tour of the sweets tour in Tacoma. It. Was. Awesome. I have only been in Tacoma for a year and when I saw this pop up in my news feed I had to go. Pros-the tour guide was awesome, kept the group going and excited for the next stop. Had a lot of fascinating information and was also up for learning things from members of the group The samples you are given at the locations were delicious and not just some bite. We had full cupcakes that were devine! Easy parking at the Tacoma dome with free riding on the transit system. Easy off and on riding and the walk itself was very pleasant. Seriously, the tour guide was awesome, super warm and friendly. Didn't seem to be just going through the motions but seemed like he was really enjoying his job. He also recommend other tours by this same company which made me more likely to do another tour. The best stop, although it was the smallest stop was the brown and Haley factory. It had the most background and the host there was also very warm. It is a small location and you don't have much time (or space) to watch the movie they play inside but I am more likely to go back to watch it now (and buy lots and lots of chocolate) Cons Not many, only 4 Bring a water. You are doing a lot of walking and a lot of sampling. It is hot and you will need to quench your thirst.... especially after your cupcake. The last stop was a bust. It was at the ocd shop and it felt really out of place. It was just a big downer for the ending. More odds and ends shop then really having much to do with candy. Almost felt like I was being asked to buy clothes over candy/sweets. I would have rather started with that and ended at brown and Haley. It would have been nice to go to a doughnut shop. Exchange the ocd company for that if possible. Bring a spare bag to buy and bring back all of the goodies! Tacoma charges for bags now and trust me, you will want to buy some cupcakes and lots of chocolates. Can't wait to book my next tour!!

Em B.

The Stadium High School Tour was great. We have lived here in Tacoma for five years and it was our first time in the inside of this magnificent landmark. Pros: lots of history mixed with current info. Use of elevators vs. needing to walk all the stairs, access to unusual areas of the campus, relaxed pace, great guides. Cons: parking and the meeting location were intuitive for us since it was at the High School, but if we weren't local it may have been somewhat confusing.

Amanda B.

I've always wanted to see inside Stadium High School. After seeing the movie "10 Things I Hate About You" then learning the school was real & in Tacoma, I had to go see the inside. Our tour guide was fun & a good story teller. Neat to see what real classrooms look like nowadays too! Some parts were kinda creepy & so fun to see the tunnel, the boiler room & the attic.

Vidal M.

Our tour guides at Stadium High School were beyond amazing! The structure and flow of the tour kept the energy up, fun and interesting. There was the perfect mix of history, fun facts and spookiness. The amount we were able to see and how much each tour guide knew was so impressive. I would absolutely recommend.

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Deb P.

7 years ago

Fun way to learn more about Tacoma! I did the ghost tour and enjoyed it. The guide was friendly and used historical information to tell us about reported supernatural events on record. I have been to a few other ghost tours (New Orleans and Savannah) and this one was less theatrical, but still fun. I do wish they had a tour where you could stop in bars throughout the tour. The boos and brews tour they offer starts and ends at a bar, but we figured we could just as easily do that on our own. Maybe there are no ghost stories about the bars in Tacoma? If there are, it would be cool to team up with the bars. Overall though, the guide was informative and made it a fun experience. Also, they donated the tour for my kids' school auction, so I love supporting businesses that give back. Thank you Gritty City Tours! read more

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Melissa G.

9 years ago

Six of us went on the Boos and Booze ghost tour. It was absolutely amazing!!! Our guide, Chris, was top notch! I've lived here my whole life, and i heard stories of Tacoma's past that i hadnt heard before. Truly scary and fun at the same time! Pacific Brewery at the beginning and end of the tour was a great meeting place. The porter i had was exceptionally good! Definitely want to do this again! read more

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John G.

7 years ago

Loved hearing some terrific and terrifying stories about this portion of Downtown Tacoma! Highly recommend!

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Christiana W.

7 years ago

My boyfriend and I had our first tour with this team at Stadium High School. Our guide was super knowledgeable and I could really tell she cared so much about preserving the history of the area by the way she spoke :) We rented an EMF detector and had some pretty cool experiences with it! Best $6 I've ever spent! I would highly recommend these guys to anyone and everyone. We are super happy with our experience and are already looking into booking a different tour with them soon! read more

Pretty Gritty Tours - Such a beautiful building with so much charm. - Walking Tours Near Me

Pretty Gritty Tours - Looking out the window from the upstairs attic. - Walking Tours Near Me

Pretty Gritty Tours - EMF was off the charts in a restroom where a student was said to have hung herself! - Walking Tours Near Me

Pretty Gritty Tours - Beautiful building with so much history! - Walking Tours Near Me

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Becky H.

7 years ago

Awesome Sweets Tour! Guaranteed stomach ache by the end - but that's why you're there in the first place, right? Chris was great and answered many questions, and kept the kids on the tour busy as well. I'm doing the Stadium HS tour soon and am pretty stoked! read more

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Blackbelt P.

7 years ago

That was AWESOME. my little sis got freaked out but other than that I thought it was great. The guide was very professional and entertaining. I really recommend it to anyone who is into the supernatural and the paranormal. So cool. read more

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Sarah S.

Elite 19

105

8 years ago

Knowledgeable and fun guides. Excellent tour of Stadium High School. I would definitely do it again. However, I did rent an EMF detector that I never received. Still had a wonderful time. read more

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Allyssa M.

10 years ago

The *nighttime* ghost tour of Tacoma is seriously phenomenal. I strongly encourage you to check out Captain Staudinger's convincing argument that the cursed Fireman's Square spawned a series of eerily similar murders and subsequent ghost sightings in the city. For scale: I don't spook easily, and the guide had to walk me to my car afterwards. 13/10 would do again. Update: I wish I could have had some booze with my boos!! I'll need to visit again :D read more

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Frank H.

7 years ago

Had a great time, the tour guide was awesome. I would highly recommend them for anyone interested in learning more about Tacoma history!

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Jenna L.

174

7 years ago

We did the stadium high tour tonight and it was very interesting. My mother and I have always wanted to tour the school and I'm glad we got the chance. The only thing we both agreed afterwards that we didn't appreciate is our tour guide kind of making disrespectful comments about a young boy who took his own life in the bathroom at the school and turning it into a ghost hot spot. We both felt like it was brought in a disrespectful way as it was someone's life lost and someone's child. Other than that we did thoroughly enjoy the tour and the guides. I think we'll do another one soon! read more

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Christopher S.

Thank you for the feedback. I have spoken with our guide about the…

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Lisa H.

8 years ago

We did the ghost walk in Steilacoom and it was a lot of fun. It was interesting learning about the history of the town

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Kelli K.

5 years ago

Take a tour!!!!! You won't regret it. This is by far one of the coolest things I've done in a while. Booked it on a whim with a group of girlfriends and we were all extremely impressed!! Worth every penny and then some!! read more

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Natalie O.

8 years ago

Ladies night was amazing with this tour. Not only was it interesting and historically educational - there was beer! Good beer! Thought our tour guide was wonderful, funny and engaging. Would recommend to anyone, even those that are non-believers. read more

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Shari S.

8 years ago

I recently took the Stadium High School tour with my husband and daughter and we thoroughly enjoyed it! We were regaled with the perfect amount of history along with a good amount of slightly creepy stories thrown in to keep us on our toes! Kudos to Chris and Paul who were our guides for the evening. We look forward to joining more of the Pretty Gritty Tours in the future. read more

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Tricia H.

327

7 years ago

We had a great time on the tour. Paul was very knowledgable and shared a number of stories and pictures that were very interesting. He answered group questions and was a great tour leader! The flight of beers was the perfect way to start the night as well. read more

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Ami B.

7 years ago

My niece is obsessed with the supernatural right now. For her birthday, I bought a Pretty Gritty tour of Stadium High on the Tacoma waterfront. We got to see the basement all the way up to the attic turrets, and hear the long history of unexplainable events that have happened there. She loved it! read more

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Judy Z.

8 years ago

The kids and I did the sweets tour and it was super fun!! We are sugared up with yummy treats and learned a lot about Tacoma candy history! The guide was knowledgeable and friendly. We walked and used the light rail and all very smooth. I'd definitely do another tour! read more

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Larry B.

5 years ago

We took the Boo and Booze Tour with Ana and it was an excellent slice of history and mystery. The start of the tour with beer flights was a great way to kick off an enjoyable ghost walk. Highly recommend for all ages. Ana is a great guide with knowledge of local history and weaves an enjoyable story. read more

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Jennifer S.

8 years ago

We just can't get enough of their amazing tours! Every guide has done a great job throughly explaining things along the tours.

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Sue H.

8 years ago

We had a really good time at the after-hours tour of Stadium High School! So cool that this tour company has access to behind-the-scenes stuff. read more

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Trinity R.

8 years ago

I did the Boos and Booze (ghosts and beer) tour and it was so awesome! I learned a lot about this amazing city of ours - some history and spooky, eerie stories. I will join them again and plan on joining all of their tours so I can learn more about this cool place we call home. read more

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Bonnee Z.

7 years ago

We did the Stadium HS flashlight tour Saturday evening which was fun (especially the ghost stories) and interesting and most definitely worth the cost. The only reason I did not give this tour a full 5 stars was the guide could have projected more enthusiasm (perhaps this was due to inexperience which will improve over time). No matter, I do recommend this tour! read more

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Greg E.

7 years ago

The Stadium High School tour is thoroughly entertaining. It lasts about 1 1/2 hours and our tour guide was sharing interesting tidbits about the school and Tacoma for the entire time. Ghosts in the school? Yep Originally built by the railroad as a hotel? Yep Stadium Bowl built to seat 30,000 + patrons but exceeded 60,000 for one event? Oh, yea. You walk through parts of the schools structure (basement, sub-basement and attic) that I never imagined the school district would allow without requiring you to wear a hardhat! A grand tour of a grand building. read more

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Stacey B.

8 years ago

We did the late night Stadium High School tour and it was incredible. Truly a behind the scenes look. We will definitely check out their other offerings. read more

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Oblio N.

7 years ago

Just got back from the Pretty Gritty hosted tour of Stadium High School. Our tour guide was super knowledgeable, friendly, and entertaining. And the tour itself was pretty amazing. If you're a Stadium alum, you'll get to see parts of the old brown castle you may not have seen during your time there. And if you're not, it's just a cool piece of history and architecture. Very cool stuff. Highly recommended! read more

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Reby P.

7 years ago

We went on the "Boos and Booze" tour with Chris as our guide. It was really, really, fun! My husband is a history buff and loved learning about all of the historical stuff. Chris was super knowledgeable. Personally, I loved the ghost stories! Also, the beer was excellent and a fun part of the experience. Overall, it was an awesome night out and we highly recommend Pretty Gritty Tours! read more

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Andrea G.

111

7 years ago

I was on the Stadium High School late night tour, it was very informative and fun. There are so many unique things about the school that I had never heard before. Thank you! read more

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Stephenie S.

8 years ago

Had a great time with the Boos and Booze tour. It's always great to hear old stories and the history of many buildings in downtown Tacoma. What they once where used for back in its hay day; and now, they are virtually abandoned. Thank you for the stories about the beginning of Tacoma, "The City of Destiny" or "The Grit City" as we know them now. read more

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Bob J.

7 years ago

Did the Stadium High School tour last Saturday night. It was very interesting to see such a unique building and to hear about all the history and interesting facts about the building. I have lived in Tacoma my entire life and didn't know all the history there. The highlight for me was the attic. Didn't know there were so many levels of it. I would recommend this tour to anyone. read more

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Andy C.

8 years ago

Did the late night tour of Stadium High School. Fantastic tour and tour guides! Highly recommend checking them out.

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Hannah R.

250

8 years ago

Awesome tour! Will do another one by pretty gritty again very soon. Learned a ton about Tacoma that I never knew about. Would definitely suggest checking it out! read more

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Stephanie F.

6 years ago

Poor follow up with potential customers I called and asked about a tour and my call was not returned. This company obviously does not want business so if they out of business it is their fault read more

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Christopher S.

Hi Stephanie, I think I just got off the phone with you. I understand…

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Candice P.

174

9 years ago

This was a fun tour of downtown Tacoma and they had a good number of staff for the size of our group. Lots of history and lots of fun! Great job! read more

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Grant R.

6 years ago

Extremely knowledgeable and professional tour guide. Knew the ins and out of every area we explored and ran a smooth and efficient tour.

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Dayna T.

10 years ago

This tour was an absolute blast! We toured some of the creepiest alleys and learned a ton about the city I love the most. The stories were thoroughly researched and by the end, they had us all looking over our shoulders. It took me back to the days of sitting around a camp fire telling old tales... Except we stood right where it happened on this tour. The darker it got, the creepier (and better) it was. A friend recommended that I take this ghost tour of Tacoma and I'm glad I did. HIGHLY RECOMMEND! read more

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Esperanza Q.

6 years ago

Our tour guide Paul was amazing. He was well informed and executed the very "gritty" details of Tacomas past perfectly! The tour was an easy walk and we learned very gruesome fact that we weren't prepared for. Every individual story tied into each other making it super fun and attention-grabbing. I highly recommend drinks before hand! read more

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A S.

7 years ago

Took the Stadium High School tour on Saturday and had a great time. Loved learning the history about this beautiful historical Tacoma building. The guide was entertaining and informative, I highly recommend. read more

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Matt W.

10 years ago

I'm reviewing the Grit City Ghost Stories tour. I don't want to ruin the surprise for anyone, but I will say that the guides give a unique take on Tacoma history, and mix it with spooky, true stories that tie together with a common thread that makes the supernatural seem plausible. I was a skeptic before and I'm still mostly a skeptic, but the tour was enough to get me to suspend disbelief for a while and think maybe there's something to it. read more

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Sara H.

8 years ago

We went on the Stadium High Tour and it was super! Highly recommend it! The tour lasted about an hour and we got to explore the basement all the way up to the attic. Our tour guides were fantastic! Can't wait to go on another Pretty Gritty Tour! read more

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Me L.

8 years ago

We went to the Stadium High Tour. From start to finish this tour was amazing! The guides we very informative and made the tour fun. We have always wanted to see inside this building and it did not disappoint! We explored from the basement to the very tip top of the attic! I highly recommend Pretty Gritty Tours! Thanks for the great time! read more

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Tacoma, WA 98405
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(253) 480-4074
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http://prettygrittytours.com

Hours

What time does Pretty Gritty Tours open?

Pretty Gritty Tours opens at 9:00 AM on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

What time does Pretty Gritty Tours close?

Pretty Gritty Tours is closed on Monday and Sunday.Pretty Gritty Tours closes at 8:00 PM on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.Pretty Gritty Tours closes at 10:00 PM on Friday and Saturday.

Mon, Sun ClosedTue-Thu 9:00 AM - 8:00 PMFri-Sat 9:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Other Amenities

Does Pretty Gritty Tours have free WiFi?

No, Pretty Gritty Tours does not have free WiFi.

From the Business

Specialties

Pretty Gritty Tours are fun walking tours of Tacoma. Coffee tours, ghost tours, beer tours, and so much more. Let us be your local in the city of Destiny as we take you to the pretty and the gritty parts of this city we love! Four knowledgable and local guides can take you to the best parts of the underrated city.

History

Established in 2016.

After 10 years as professional travel writers and videographers we wanted to use our skills as travel professionals to show people why we love Tacoma so much. With a rich history, eclectic architecture, and revolutionary food, Tacoma will charm it's way into your heart too. We guarantee it. Come explore this city's stories with us.

Meet the Business Owner: Chris S.

Professional travel videographer and WA native, I've been promoting tours around the world for 10 years. It was finally time to come back and create the ultimate tours in Tacoma.

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Review Highlights - Pretty Gritty Tours

“Went on the tour at Stadium HIgh School last night, which I would highly recommend.”

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Pretty Gritty Tours

5.0(1 review)

41.8 km

First trip to Olympia and boy!! did I learn a lot during this walking tour through downtown…read more Very informative and super entertaining. The guide, Ira, knows the city backwards and forwards and it was a pleasure listening to his tales of folklore, ghost stories and weird happenings. Great way to learn about a fascinating city. Recommend without reservation!!

Tacoma Ghost Tours

4.6(7 reviews)

2.6 km

We had such a great time with the Tacoma ghost walking tour! It was about one hour, led by a young…read morewoman named Autumn. It was so fun to learn about the history of Tacoma with a ~spooky undertone~. We paid extra for the EMF detection device which made it extra fun. Absolutely recommend!

We did the Tacoma 2 tour with Andrew. It was a pretty good tour! The guide was informative and gave…read moregood information about the city's history along with some interesting historical pictures. Two things to know before going on the Tacoma 2 tour: 1) it's not creepy. Andrews stories are interesting and historical, but didn't scare me or give me that "ghosty" feeling. 2) this tour is not a loop. We got on the lite rail and ended up a ways away from where we parked our car. This problem is easily solved by taking the rail back or taking an Uber, but still something to know.

PNW Adventures And Tours

5.0(1 review)

0.0 km

On our spring tour of downtown Poulsbo, WA and its environs, the tour guide Kyle delivered a fun,…read morezippy, smart and entertaining commentary on various historical events, locations, and cultural details from our guided walk, and the whole group of guests had a great time - highly recommend! This checks all of the boxes of an excellent guided walking tour!

From the owner: Tours and adventures in the Pacific Northwest launching in the Spring of 2025read more

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Fort Nisqually Living History Museum

4.4(36 reviews)

7.9 km

This is a fun way for the kids to learn about a very narrow and specific part of the history of the…read morearea. Of course, it is not a very important or interesting part of local history. It's always disappointing to see European intruders' subjection of land, animals, and people glorified in this way. But, if this type of history interests you, they've done it well. We took our 5 and 8 year old and had a discussion about the fort in the wider context of history and whether it represents changes that were positive or negative for the people living on this land.

Went to Fort Nisqually for the Queen Victoria's birthday celebration. The weather started out fine…read morebut turned into a rainy day complete with hail, lightning and thunder. We took up shelter in Store #2 which has the blacksmith shop currently. We had the chance to talk to many of the volunteers and staff during our visit. I have a little of knowledge regarding the local history, which I tend to keep to myself, and was shocked by the sheer volume of historical information provided by the volunteers and the staff, all was accurate to what I knew (I have read some of Dr. Tomie's diaries and the book "Company of Adventures" among other local historical books/ information. I questioned the blacksmith on one of his statements based on a historical reference I had read. Long story short, he was aware of the reference, and we discussed how accurate what I had read was. I was honestly shocked to find out he was a volunteer. This type of interaction was not unique to one volunteer. There was an individual with a straw top hat who was also incredibly knowledgeable, the carpenters were first rate just hitting on the tip of the ice berg here. Overall, phenomenal place to visit, I wish the more volunteers and staff were present during non-event days as well, but I will be going back. I understand they have a list of people volunteering and staff available in the gift shop so one can determine who is there before paying to enter. Couple of thoughts: - depending on when you go through, remember some of the staff/ volunteers may have something they are working on. If they ignore you when you first show up in their "space", remember they may have something happening that needs immediate attention. Don't be impatient. Watch what they are doing and ask questions. This is supposed to be an interactive experience, not necessarily an entertainment. - "Be curious" to quote Ted Lasso. - Depending on who is in Store #2 (blacksmith shop), ask about the "family courting candlestick". Interesting story there - I failed the "Blacksmith IQ test". See if you can do better...

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Sale shop IG: @ohmyono

Main House Bedroom

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Carpenters' workshop IG: @ohmyono

Gig Harbor Gondola

5.0(99 reviews)

12.5 km

A taste of Venice and Gig Harbor all in one bite. Enjoy the charm of an old fishing village that…read morewas wrapped up in great Pacific Northwest history. Some intriguing stories about how this glorious inlet became a true gem of the Tacoma area. Stunning views of upscale living and of our Mount Tahoma aka Mt Rainier. Our gondolier, John painted our experience with a beautiful saranade and a lovely rendition of a birthday wishes. This is a must do, mark it on your list for this summer. Recommendation: go on a Sunday. Still vibrant but not as packed. End or start at the Brimstone Bar on Pioneer. Enjoy and you're welcome!

This is a great local experience! Our friend was visiting from Italy (crossed the Atlantic to ride…read morea gondola) and loved the trip. Greg was an excellent singer and she really appreciated his Italian dialect when singing. The tour was very enjoyable and Greg shared some local history while carrying us around the harbor. If you have the time, we recommend the 90 minute tour all the way around the harbor. It's a very relaxing trip and well worth it.

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Celebrating our 41st anniversary on the beautiful Gig Harbor Gondola. Owner/gondolier John is amazing

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Beautiful view of Mt. Rainier from the Harbor

Underground Tour

4.0(105 reviews)

41.0 km•Pioneer Square

One of the best things to do when n Seattle! Adam, our tour…read moreguide was funny and kept things lively and moving. It is amazing to see things and learn about the city's history and to walk underground - even though technically, it was the original floor. Very highly recommend!!

John had done this tour about 10 years ago while in Seattle for work and has been saying for a…read morewhile that we need to go- so we finally had the time to go for it. I'm still in shock over the tour- Seattle was a literal crap show from the very beginning. Building a town on a beach, with no understanding that "waste" should be far enough from the water at high tide. They did not understand and apparently the crappy situation plagued the city for decades. I heard the story of Seattle ordering "crappers" from London- the latest in new technology- which took 10 years to full the order, but the city didn't know about "plumbing". The logging town at the time build wooden pipes..... and still were trying to send the crap out into the water. tides go out, tides come in resulting in backpressure in the toilets closest to the waterfront. Meaning, if you flushed during high tide, about 6 feet of sewage water would catapult you off said John. Ohhhh- did I mention the horrific rat problem too. Eventually said logging city burned to the ground. A blessing in disguise so they might have the chance to build better. The vivid storytelling of our guide really painted a noxious, rough road of Seattle. Years ago, I had a rat run across my foot in the middle of the day, in a park, next to the Space Needle- this tour really explained a lot, lol.

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An old bathroom

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Craper

Overlooked Art Tour

4.8(5 reviews)

40.7 km•Pioneer Square

This tour made me so happy. Kevin and Russ were enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and their passion (and…read morenerdiness) for the public arts was infectious and endearing. I'll never walk over another hatch cover the same again. I'm excited to go home and see what's beneath my feet there. I would highly recommend this off the beaten path tour to anyone and i'll be happy to do it again the next time i'm back in Seattle. Thanks guys!

I am always looking for low cost, less formal ways to learn about places I either live in or visit…read moreand have done many free tours both in Seattle and while traveling. I learned about this tour from a friend and I think it's fairly new. At any rate, interesting tour. Not your typical here's the city and these are some of the landmarks and here are some fun facts. The difference is this tour was focused around the public art that can be seen everyday along the streets and sidewalks, built into the infrastructure, in the form of manhole covers or hatches as they are referred to. The folks conducting the tour included information of the various artistic manhole covers, combining it with first hand information from the artists and discussed the history of the work and how it fits into the identity of Seattle. They also provide information on the history of the city and how Seattle became the city you see as you take the tour. Pretty neat concept exploring aspects of the city that folks often take for granted as they pass by. Another fun fact about this tour is that it evolved out of an art project. I thought that was particularly interesting. Some of the prints, etc are pretty cool and again not what you would typically expect or encounter from one of these free tours. I'd recommend this tour to anybody to who wants to learn more about the history of Seattle, who appreciates public art or art in general and who has a free hour or so on a Saturday morning.

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The Table Less Traveled

4.7(13 reviews)

41.2 km•Pioneer Square

Too expensive on most things. But very accommodating in others…read more In Rome "Barbara's House" was an excellent experience booked through Table Less Traveled. It's a must do, Dinner and drinks included.

Much as I'd like to post a positive review, my experience with the Gyoza class was disappointing…read more Although I've been cooking for decades and have attended many cooking schools, the time spent on this class was not worthwhile. I had considerable difficulty understanding the teacher. More surprising, however, was my discovery of a YouTube video that clearly explained all the elements that apparently were covered in the class. That video took only 15 minutes. I will try another and have my fingers crossed.

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The Table Less Traveled - Your meals are included on our small group tours because we believe food is how you learn about the local culture and meet new people!

Your meals are included on our small group tours because we believe food is how you learn about the local culture and meet new people!

The Table Less Traveled - One of our small groups (max 12) enjoying Florence as part of our 9-day tour with all hotels, activities, and transportation included.

One of our small groups (max 12) enjoying Florence as part of our 9-day tour with all hotels, activities, and transportation included.

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Black Dawg Farm and Sanctuary

5.0(2 reviews)

40.7 km

I loved visiting this farm and sanctuary. The animals all came from rough conditions and now they…read morewill live the rest of their days surrounded by those who care. Kelly and her team do an excellent job providing 24/7 to these furry friends. Also, there is the option for volunteer work and also tours for all ages. All proceeds go to making sure these animals have food, clean shelter and medicines they need! Drive on out and hear their stories and support a local business!

This was so amazing! Please support them, and you won't be…read moredisappointed in your mini adventures with the animals.

Photos

Art projects

Group hug

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Destiny Harbor Tours

4.8(99 reviews)

13.7 km

Great tour! Crew was friendly and fielded a thousand questions about navigating, shoreline…read morefamiliarization, sailing in general, local customs, the homes of the rich and famous, etc. Captain Brian (sp?) was professional and safe, but available to customize the ride for those of us unfamiliar with the terrain. Dinner was exceptional, and those that drank at the bar gave very positive reviews. Very fun, and a great time. Highly recommended for party groups!

Had a great tour on one of the Navy Whale boats. The Captain was very knowledgeable and friendly…read more Learned a lot about Gig Harbor and the history of the Tacoma Narrows bridges. Along with seeing lots of wildlife (bald eagles, harbor seals, and giant sea lions), we got to see Salmon Beach, a unique waterfront Tacoma neighborhood only accessible by hiking or boat.

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Light house

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Tacoma Narrows bridges

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75 reviews that are not currently recommended

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Jayne B.

8 years ago

My husband and I took my parents who were visiting from out of state on the Boos and Booze tour a few weeks ago. We had so much fun. The tour began at Pacific Brewing, at which we were offered a three-beer flight. My parents aren't big drinkers and were tired from traveling, but if you enjoy beer and are full of energy, I would suggest heading to the brewery early for no reason other than it's a cool place. Chris, our tour guide, has a warm, delightfully entertaining personality and a treasure trove of knowledge as it relates to Tacoma's history. While Chris provided us with a snapshot of some of the darker stories of Tacoma's past, I left the tour with a deeper understanding of how the city became what it is today. I definitely recommend this tour, even if you live in Tacoma and think you know all about the city's history. I plan to check out the other tours Pretty Gritty offers. read more

Cristina R.

8 years ago

We had such a wonderful time with Pretty Gritty Tours!! We went to the speciality tour of the Pythian building in Tacoma where we learned so much about the order! It was the perfect date because we were looking for more than the "dinner and movie" night. We are definitely registering for another tour!!! Another amazing aspect of Pretty Gritty Tour is the focus on our wonderful town and keeping Tacoma alive! I am extremely grateful in their pride for sharing Tacoma's history and I am impressed with their knowledge, professionalism and the shared love for Tacoma. There was not one moment where it did not feel like an extremely well put together event and there was not one moment that we were not engaged. This is now the activity that I will suggest to everyone that asks the question "We are tired of doing the same thing, what is something new we can do in Tacoma?" read more

Jessica L.

7 years ago

I took the Stadium High School tour and really enjoyed myself. Being fairly familiar with the school and having worked there several times as a sub I wasn't sure if the tour would be worth the price but it was. I was able to see part of the school I would never be able to see as a staff member. The guide was knowledgeable about the history of the building and was able to share stories from former staff members and point out things that would be recognizable to anyone familiar with the movie "10 Things I Hate About You" I would definitly recommend taking one of their tours and I look forward to taking another one. If you take the Stadium High School tour there is some ducking and climbing over stuff required but being only 5'3" it wasn't a big issue for me. read more

Nicole C.

7 years ago

My son and I attended the Tacoma Ghost Tour. While we didn't see any ghosts there was definitely an ominous and oppressive pressure during the tour. There is a dark history that looms over Tacoma and Chris (tour guide) was very knowledgeable about the area, the buildings and people involved in the history. I would definitely do this again to absorb all of the information provided. Also, while it was a walking tour it wasn't exhausting. Be advised though that there are about 40 stairs to climb down at the end of the tour. I highly recommend renting the EMF detector as it helps add to the thrill of the tour. Check the forecast as it is entirely outdoors and maybe wear bug spray. read more

Frank R.

10 years ago

I've lived in Tacoma for... pretty much my entire life and was certain the city didn't have that much going for it in the way of ghost tales, but I was quickly proven wrong. I don't want to spoil too much, but apparently Tacoma is cursed and our guide provided some pretty chilling stories relating to this. From people sharing the same last words, to committing the exact same crimes centuries apart, it definitely had me freaked out by the end of the loop. Our guide was very knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and charismatic. I cannot recommend this company enough, I encourage you, go, take a tour and see for yourself what Tacoma and this company has to offer, you won't regret it. read more

Cherise J.

7 years ago

My husband and I are architecture lovers, and fell head over heels in love with Stadium High School at first glance. As soon as we posted about it on FB, we started seeing ads for Pretty Gritty Tours, and I knew we had to do this. This tour exceeded my wildest expectations, as I experienced a ghost and knew what it was for the very first time! We also enjoyed every detail Chris, our tour guide, gave about the building, the railroad, the movie, and the ghosts. I heartily recommend this tour for anyone who can handle some walking, stairs, crawling over pipes, and ducking under things. If I can do it, most of you can handle it! Totally worth it. read more

Travis Clark M.

10 years ago

These guys and gals know their stuff! Not only did I get a truly fascinating historical romp through downtown Tacoma, I was taken on a journey back in time by some very talented storytellers and improvisers. I took the ghost tour. The way Chris and Paul led us through the various stories and myths amounted to a well rounded tour I would gladly take again. From the native tribal lore to the dark past of the railroad your imagination will have plenty to play with as you finish the tour at one of Tacoma's many fine brew pubs. I highly recommend trying out one (or three) of their tours. I look forward to the next time! read more

Carly V.

9 years ago

Wonderful! I had no idea the history of Tacoma was so fascinating. Our guide (Chris) was an enthralling story-teller and had us mesmerized from the beginning. It was such a thrill to learn the dark history behind seemingly innocuous sites that I pass daily. I'm a complete sceptic, but was thoroughly freaked out by the end of the tour. And the brewery! Delicious beer and great music. My 60-year-old mom has never been a beer drinker, but actually loved the brews we tried. Overall a wonderful and memorable evening. I can't wait to go on more tours (or just the same one again and again!). read more

H. P.

8 years ago

Had an absolutely wonderful time on this tour! Chris and the other guides were so personable and masterfully facilitated a tour that was enjoyable for both adults and kids. The tour was a great length in time, long enough to fell like a great purchase, short enough to not be too tiring, and the use of public transit made it even better. They supplied additional sweets samples from other companies beyond the places visited on the tour which was a great way to learn about what Tacoma has to offer. Really enjoyed our experience and will be looking for more tours to attend in the future. read more

Mike S.

7 years ago

Awesome tour of Stadium High School! Chris was a fun and knowledgeable guide, tons of great information and history. A must for fans of the movie "10 Things I Hate About You"! Bring your walking shoes, you will cover a large portion of the building, going up and down stairs. Be advised that going through the sub-basements and attic could be difficult for younger or older folks with mobility challenges. Totally worth it (especially if you can find Heath Ledger's autograph), but those spaces can get cramped and are not always well-lit read more

Jamie R.

7 years ago

Stadium Tour is killer! For many years I've only seen the outside of this beautiful French Chateau overlooking Commencement Bay. I finally was able access the inside and not only the halls and usual places such as the library but also 4-story attic and even a tunnel thru the boiler room! This tour doesn't disappoint with the ghost and historical stories come alive by artifacts found along the way. I even rented EMF reader and certain spots in the school went off the charts!! Highly recommend participating in this special event! read more

Christina S.

7 years ago

The tour was awesome. It was far better than I expected. Our guide was knowledgeable and humorous. We learned so much about the history and construction of the building, and got to experience some of the ghostly features of the school. The architecture is gorgeous and the views of the surrounding areas from within the building are spectacular. This was the best $25 ish bucks I've spent on entertainment in awhile. It was a great experience for our 12 year old too. I will definitely do this tour again. read more

Kelsey H.

7 years ago

The Boos and Booze tour was even more than what we were hoping for in a ghost tour. Spooky and scholarly! Starting off in the Pacific Brewing & Malting Co., Pretty Gritty Tours set the stage for an eerie escapade with delicious cider and beer. The most impressive attribute of the tour was the way our tour guide Paul, wove a narrative of Tacoma with both chilling tales and historical fact. From the skeptical, to the true believers in the supernatural, this tour is for everybody. read more

Molly F.

7 years ago

10 Things I Hate About You fans, Tacoma is where the action is! My sister and I went on the Stadium High School tour led by Chris. Even though this tour isn't specifically tailored to the movie, Chris made sure to point out locations of note like Ms. Perky's office and the stadium where Patrick serenades Kat. A stunning building with a fascinating history, plus an informative and entertaining guide made this tour the highlight of my vacation. Thank you, Chris! read more

Svea V.

10 years ago

I did the Boos and Booze tour and enjoyed every bit of it!! I'm gluten free and it was great because they accommodated me! The info they talked about was very knowledgeable and it was great because they also showed pictures of how things used to look and of the people they talked about. It is a must go tour! I loved everything about the tour and how everything tied together. Made for a fun and entertaining night! It is great for both skeptics and believers! read more

Jenna H.

8 years ago

The Ghost Tour in Downtown Tacoma was so much fun! The evening was perfect with chilly weather and fog, which helped set the tone for the adventure. Chris was entertaining and did a fantastic job taking us around town and telling us the crazy tales of haunted places in Tacoma. The knowledge and history Chris shared was fascinating and creepy! I would definitely recommend this tour and I can't wait to go on the other tours that Pretty Gritty Tours offers! read more

Rena S.

8 years ago

If you're debating whether to go on a tour with Pretty Gritty or not, stop it and sign up! Chris and his team are welcoming, professional, and fun. I went on a tour of Stadium High School and had a blast! I plan to go on any tour they offer despite being a local. It's great to get to know different parts of my town from fresh eyes. I hope they continue to expand their ideas and their access. read more

Courtney B.

8 years ago

My husband was skeptical about going on this tour. I thought it would be a different kind of date night for us, so he went. We both enjoyed the easy walk, the knowlegable tour guides, and loved hearing the history of our beautiful city. Thank you Chris and Paul, my husband raved about the tour later that night to our friends. We will be back for other tours, as we are hooked! Courtney B read more

Val K.

10 years ago

The Ghost Tour was a wonderfully fun and spooky night out in Tacoma. The guides clearly love Tacoma and are very knowledgable and friendly. I learned a lot about Tacoma's history from all the skeletons in her closet (or ghosts in her buildings...) Enjoyable for skeptic and believer alike. The tour ends at a brewery, making it, in my opinion, the perfect night out with friends. read more

Sarah R.

8 years ago

Tacoma Boos and Booze Tour was great! The glimpse into the underground tunnels in Tacoma was awesome, I wish there was more to explore! I understand that safety is large part of why many do not get to go exploring down there. hopefully Pretty Gritty Tours brings awareness to the fact these places need to be preserved! Keep up the good work! I hope to tour again soon! read more

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Pretty Gritty Tours

Tacoma Ghost Tours

PNW Adventures And Tours

Fort Nisqually Living History Museum

Gig Harbor Gondola

Underground Tour

Overlooked Art Tour

The Table Less Traveled

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75 Pretty Gritty Tours reviews that are not currently recommended

Why does Yelp recommend reviews?

75 reviews that are not currently recommended

Pretty Gritty Tours - walkingtours - Updated July 2026

Best of Tacoma

People found Pretty Gritty Tours by searching for…

Trending Searches in Tacoma, WA

Browse Articles

Browse Nearby

Browse Brands

Related Cost Guides

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