Kid-friendly places in Tacoma

Hotel with a heated indoor pool and hot tub, a mini fridge and microwave in the rooms, and free breakfast.

Recreation center with an outdoor playground (tall slide, rope climbing, smaller equipment for little kids) and a summer splash pad.

Mexican spot serving tacos, burritos, quesadillas and breakfast all day, with an outdoor patio.

Waterfront park with six slides running down beside the stairs from the Wilson Way Bridge toward the marina, and a paved walking loop.

Free maritime museum with hands-on displays, boats, a working wooden boat shop and exhibits on the waterfront's history.

Park with a playground.

Playfield with a playground.

Playfield with a playground.

Car museum with a Family Zone: a pinewood car racing track, cars to pretend-drive, a road-trip map and a postcard art station.

Playfield with a playground.

Big park with a zoo and aquarium, beaches, a living history fort, rose gardens, old-growth forest trails and a playground.

Waffle cafe with buttermilk waffles, breakfast sandwiches, grilled cheese and a mozzarella cheese stick for kids.

Treetops indoor and outdoor family play for ages six months to 12, where grown-ups stay and play alongside their kids.

History museum with a big fifth-floor model railroad of 1950s Washington, plus family programs on state history for kids four to ten.