Opened in 1983, the Tacoma Dome, 2727 East D St. (tel. 253/272-3663; www.tacomadome.org), which rises beside I-5 on the east side of the city, is Tacoma's most visible landmark and is the world's largest wood-domed arena. With seating for 28,000 people, it is the site of concerts, sporting events, and large exhibitions. Smaller productions of theater, music, and dance take to the stages at the Broadway Center for the Performing Arts, 901 Broadway (tel. 800/291-7593 or 253/591-5894; www.broadwaycenter.org). This center consists of three theaters within a block of each other. The Pantages, a renovated vaudeville theater with a neoclassical terra-cotta facade, and the Rialto Theatre, a classic Italianate movie palace, were both built in 1918, while the Theatre on the Square was built in 1993.
If you're looking for an interesting place to have a drink, check out The Swiss, 1904 S. Jefferson Ave. (tel. 253/572-2821; www.theswisspub.com), located uphill from the Washington State History Museum. The pub is at the top of a long flight of stairs that links the museum with the University of Washington Tacoma Campus. The pub not only has a great beer selection and decent food but also has a collection of Dale Chihuly glass sculptures. The Spar, 2121 N. 30th St. (tel. 253/627-8215; www.the-spar.com), another local favorite that has been around forever, is in a historic building in Old Town Tacoma. If martinis are more your style, head to downtown Tacoma's 21 Commerce, 21 Commerce St. (tel. 253/272-6278; www.21martinis.com), a swanky bar in a converted warehouse space. On weekends, DJs play acid jazz.
