I went to this spot during their pop-in hours of 1200 to 1600, or 12 to 4PM, on a Monday because…read morethat is what their website listed as available. I am not sure why Google says that they are closed on Mondays, because that is not true. I recommend that you call before you head over so you can confirm 2 things: 1. that they are actually open, and 2. that the event listed on their website is happening. Thankfully, Google was correct about the phone number, so I was able to contact the right person and confirm everything before coming in. When I walked in, I really liked the atmosphere. There were paintings hung all around the space from different artists and locations, which made it feel very homey and community-focused. You can tell that it is a local spot that highlights the people who live in the area, and I loved that. Even the bathroom was pretty clean! They have sinks in the painting area, which is super convenient if you get paint on your hands, like I did The pop-in area had about 6 easels, and for the session you can paint on an 11x14 canvas (I think that was the size) for a $20 fee -- $22 after tax. They get the area set up for you, and they offer aprons. I am not sure if the aprons are washed because they did have paint all over them, but that is expected in an art studio... The canvas that they provided was clean and new, too, though the easels had layers of paint from previous sessions, which is also expected. The staff even gets the paint for you before you start your project, which is nice! I also really appreciated that they had binders full of painting ideas you could choose from, or you could just create your own if you preferred. On top of that, they had stencils available, which was super helpful. I did the "Happy Little Washington" painting, and it required a stencil of the Washington state outline. The staff got one ready for me! They were kind enough to trace it and cut it out for me, so I thank them for doing that -- it made the process so much easier. I gave this place a slightly lower rating because I felt like the tour could have been much better. I did not realize at first that I could get my own paint, so I kept asking the worker for help when I did not need to. A proper walkthrough of the studio, the supplies, and even the artwork (which is a highlight of the space) would have made the experience clearer and smoother. It all felt a bit glossed over, even though those details are part of what make this studio stand out. For parking, you can use the retail parking area. According to the worker, they do not rely check there...Just remember that when you arrive, you do not enter through the nearest door -- you have to walk around to the street-facing entrance to get inside. The staff was welcoming and helpful; I just think a more thorough tour would have prevented me from having to interrupt them while they were cleaning the studio. Snacks were available, such as candy and chocolate bars, at $2 each, and they had loud music playing on the overhead speakers, which I loved! Super duper good music taste. I thought that my apple carplay somehow hooked up to their bluetooth lolol

We had the best time painting with Amanda today! She was very personable and led us through the…read moredevelopment of the painting, providing great tips and tricks along the way. I love my new Christmas painting!

Children's Museum for free! Yep! They ask for donation and I was happy to donate! The staff are…read morecourteous and helpful and even caution the unruly kids running around! Water play area is definitely the most high activity zone. My kid almost spent an hour playing in that area. The air flow duct with scarves is another fun area for the kid. Among all the other museums I have visited, the painting, arts & crafts area is quite unique to this museum. The wooden boards and the net at the end of the museum is another adventure for all kids and not available in other museums. This was the first time I saw my kid feeling the courage to climb over the ropes and explore. The paid parking area near the museum has good number of spots but the signs can be confusing as it says "only reserved" and you tend to wonder if you will get ticketed. Park Mobile app location 50271 is good and confirmed by museum folks! Or there is street parking too!

This isn't a very large children's museum, but my 5 and 8 year old had a ton of fun playing. It's…read moreso nice that it is pay what you can so that anyone can come. We were impressed by the cleanliness. Though, I didn't look closely, nothing jumped out as being gross. If you're in the area, it's worth a stop, but I wouldn't go too far out of the way for it.

Great haunt attraction complete with detailed sets, engaging actors and big scares! And it's all…read moretied together with a mysterious backstory. I attend 30-40 haunt each year, and did 10 in the Northwest this year and this was one of the best. There was also an escape room near by if you need thrills. Timed entry helped to reduce wait times. Some food vendors nearby but no real concessions. Hope they at least add t-shirts or stickers do I can show my haunt pride.

I went the 10pm with my mom and sister last night. I have a blast. I will come with my fiancéread more

We came back here with our group on Tuesday and had a blast! Not only were the sets as great as I…read moreremembered, but they really spent the time taking any weaker rooms from before and elevating them to a much higher level. The decor, lighting, audio, SFX, makeup, and costumes were top notch. The actors were also much more engaging this time around, actively interacting with our group and doing all kinds of different things to get reactions out of us. Not only is it a good-size walkthrough, but it's also a fantastic price. Hot food and drinks are also available if you're going on a chilly night! Can't wait to be back!

Went with a few friends, We broke down into 2 groups of 4 but eventually caught up with the whole…read moregroup. Actors were fun and engaging. My cousin was in the front group and told all of the people I was coming so they knew my name and were messing with me. It was fun. I've been coming to this haunted house for many years, it definitely did not seem as crowded as other time I have come.

Went for a stroll with just me and my grandson in his stroller. Lots of places to roam and walk…read morewith lots of beautiful flowers and plants. A great place to spend a sunny day. The only complaint I would have is that online it says some areas are not wheelchair accessible but it should say most areas are not unless you park down below. Or maybe they should have signs to tell you where to go if you're in a wheelchair or stroller. It was very difficult getting around in a stroller with many stairs and there are lots of paths that you cannot go with a stroller or a wheelchair. Highly recommend bringing some kind of a backpack to carry your child in

A cute little garden in federal way. We went for the holiday lights but will likely go back this…read moresummer to see the garden in bloom. The garden tickets are a little pricey for the experience but it's a cute, family owned garden so worth it to support a small business. It would be a fun place for a small wedding (post Covid).

There are lots of festivals in the area, but this is probably the one most tightly focused on great…read morehand-made food. It's unbelievable how many people turn out to make snacks, dinners, and desserts for this. Even speaking as someone who grew up in this town, I never really noticed this church and all the space it has. You get in free, so they need that space--it gets *packed* by the end of the night. The main space is the big tent out back, ringed by food vendors and craft vendors. You eat very well. Sausages made to order and available only at the festival, tons of other entrees, and especially all the different pastries and cookies...all this stuff is just outstanding. Virtually everything costs just a few bucks. There's music and dancing and traditional garb around, too. They DO want this to be a genuine heritage festival, and among the older generation, there are a bunch of people either born in the old country or whose parents were. I'm the least thing from Greek myself, but just digging around looking for interesting food and interesting stuff to take home, I had a ball. I was out of line all those years I didn't attend (this was the first time).

Heaven. It's just heaven. First off when you enter, you can either go upstairs or downstairs or to…read morethe left? The left is the bakery and should not be missed! Upstairs is the church, downstairs is where it's at....bypass the people in line and head out to the tent. Do yourself a favor and pick out a few enticing items to box up out of the pastry case or grab a box of baklava at the bakery on the way out. My favorite thing at the festival are tiropitas (phyllo dough with Greek feta) they are light and crispy but also very rich and savory. FIND THEM! They are not in the food tent. I enjoy the gyros and the calamari with the garlic potato dipping stuff. (Please forgive me as I know not the proper words for some of this glorious food)..They make little tiny donuts with hot honey sauce over them..and dolomites (not my thing. Grape leaves taste like crap). Sausages. You can purchase a traditional Greek "dinner" for sit down in the church (near the tiropita window!), or nibble your way through the food tent if that's more your style. Any item is just a few dollars. It is a fun experience to watch the greek dancing every hour or so. Go sit in a pew and listen. Light a candle for a loved one. Learn something about the culture you are immersing yourself in. You can purchase Greek food like olive oil and excellent cheeses and other Greek products in the food tent. They use tokens for the food so be sure to stop at the huge line right when you walk in the main food tent to get some..(hope you've had your flu shot. Touching money is bad enough!! But wait! Touch these tokens too)..there is beer and wine available for purchase. It is buffet style seating and I wouldn't have it any other way. Part of the charm is the people watching for sure. I've been going here since I was a kid. So glad to see it's still wildly popular and just as hard as ever to find a parking spot. It is one of the first fall events in Tacoma I get excited in which to participate.

As you enter the Karshner Museum and Center for Culture & Arts your eyes will immediately be drawn…read moredown the hallway to a very large wooden welcoming figure. These figures are seen along the Pacific Northwest coastal region welcoming people to villages or homes. The figure is supposed to represent a shaman or some say even Dr. Karshner and it has it's arms stretched out welcoming you. The best thing about this exhibit is you get to put your hands in the hands of the welcoming figure and if you are sad, it will help make you happy. This is a great way to start your visit to the museum. The Karshner Museum is almost ninety years old and was founded in 1930 by Dr. Warner Karshner and his wife as a memorial to their son who died at an early age from Polio. Today, the Karshner is a teaching museum which is actually owned and operated by the Puyallup School District. It contains over ten thousand artifacts which include many from Native American/First Nation People as well as from Dr. Karshner's travels around the world. On the day I went, the Museum was closed and they were setting up exhibits. I explained that I had a friend visiting from Korea and she wanted to see this museum and the staff were kind enough to allow us to explore everything. I really appreciated that the staff were so cooperative and friendly and were also excited to explain some of the exhibits to us. You can see that they truly do love their work and appreciate being able to share stories about some of the pieces. If you have kids, the Pioneer Room is an entire room set up like a classroom with lots of hands on activity for little hands. They even have a stagecoach that the kids can climb on and explore. The room has so many things to see that it will definitely entertain kids for a long time. There are even some work sheets available on the door of this room so kids can also get involved in showing what they have learned. Some of the worksheets which will aid your kids in exploring this room. They can find the basket full of games that pioneer children played, try on clothing, explore goods from the trading post, discover what it was like to go to school in 1855 and lots of other activities. Currently, there is an exhibit entitled Who Are We? - Washington's Kaleidoscope which will be on display until January 2018. This exhibit is great because it tells the story of Washingtonians who have been faced with and have overcome obstacles or hardships and have left a positive impact on our great state. This exhibit is also contains people from different ethnicities which is always a good thing to see. The most beautiful objects in this museum are not the Chihuly glass on display, but the beautiful carved and painted Shamish Nation Panels which were gifted to the museum. There are four panels in total including one of a killer whale and calf, eagle with salmon, native run salmon and raven, wolf & moon (which is my favorite). If you are in the area please stop by the museum and check out all of the displays. It is a very eclectic collection and there is something here for everyone. Make sure to ask questions if you have any because the staff have so much knowledge. Thank you for a great visit and an awesome learning experience.

Directions : this requires base access - via JBLM main gate, just a couple streets pass the…read moreexchange, turn toward JBLM MWR tent, bowling alley and Children's Museum. At arrival you're greeted and they ask kid age, donation optional (I usually bring cash for the drop box). On Sunday at open, it was quiet. My 4 yr old likes to build with giant magnatiles, climb, play with stuffies, art work, and the water area. So basically all of it. It's age appropriate for 6m to about 7. My 9 yr old will come but he gets bored a bit faster. Usually the kids and parents are friendly! Snack vending machines are in the lobby area and bathrooms are kid friendly. My kid also likes the playground outside.

Well maintained. Several different areas to play. They have a sensory water station with toys,…read moreclimbing structure, tables for crafts ect. It's donation based, so leave what you desire. They have several areas parents can sit and watch, bathrooms and water fountains.