Puyallup is a city in Pierce County, Washington, located just a few miles from Tacoma and roughly 35 miles from Seattle.
Because of its proximity to these metropolitan cities, Puyallup is a great stopover destination if you’re planning to visit those two cities.
With a bustling local community, Puyallup offers plenty, such as sprawling parks, quirky shops, and fun amusement centers.
The city’s vibe is festive, a perfect place to add variety to your Washington itinerary.
If you’re planning to visit the Evergreen State, check this list of the best things to do in Puyallup, Washington, for a comprehensive guide to the city.
The Image Party / Shutterstock.com
Washington State Fair is easily one of Puyallup’s best attractions and embodies the city’s festive and fun community.
As one of the largest state fairs in the country, Washington State Fair is held twice annually.
The first is during spring in April, while the second and longer fair, which lasts for 20 days, is typically held in September.
There are many things to do at the Washington State Fair, from trying the rides to seeing animals and eating lots of food.
The Image Party / Shutterstock.com
One of the must-try food items here is their scones, which are popular throughout the state.
There’s more in store for you at the Washington State Fair, like exhibits, rodeos, and live concerts.
You can access the event grounds along Fairview Drive.
The Image Party / Shutterstock.com
Mike N’ Terry’s Outdoor Fun Park is another embodiment of Puyallup’s enjoyable city culture.
This outdoor fun park offers a wide range of activities for children and adults.
Some of their best facilities are go-karts, mini golf, and batting cages that easily take up hours off your schedule.
Their go-kart race is entertaining, with all sorts of obstacles and exciting loops.
If you have more time, they also have arcades here and other concessionaires to check.
Mike N’ Terry’s Outdoor Fun Park is a must if you want to have fun with friends or family.
You can locate it along 114th Avenue, near the Puyallup River.
Tinesta Photography / Shutterstock.com
Bradley Lake Park is one of the most picturesque areas in Pierce County, found on the southern part of Puyallup along 31st Avenue.
It has a beautiful lake fit for fishing, so bring your rod with you if you want to spend a couple of hours catching largemouth bass, black crappie, and rainbow trout, to name a few.
Bradley Lake Park is also a fantastic picnic area in the city, with beautifully maintained grassy fields that receive excellent breeze.
Erica Marroquin / Shutterstock.com
Spanning close to 60 acres, you can do lots of walking or jogging using the several trails they have.
They also allow dogs, which makes this a perfect spot for a family getaway.
There are also baseball fields in Bradley Lake Park, adding more variety to the things you can do here with your family.
Steven Pavlov, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
R&R Lounge is a perfect hangout spot with friends for a late-night drink during your trip.
Located by the Puyallup River on the northwestern side of the city, the R&R lounge has excellent food and drinks complemented by pool tables, dart boards, and karaoke service.
The overall vibe at R&R Lounge is great for late-night drinks, full of fun people, and great music.
For their drinks, you can access a dive bar with all sorts of classic cocktails that you can get for an affordable price.
If you’re planning to chow down, try the signature pizzas at R&R Lounge, rated as some of the best in the city.
Trong Nguyen / Shutterstock.com
The Puyallup Farmers’ Market is renowned in Washington for offering some of the best and most comprehensive selections of fresh produce, among other exciting merchandise.
Located in Pioneer Park along South Meridian Road, this farmers’ market is one of the biggest in the state, specializing in fresh fruits, vegetables, and flowers.
There are plenty of local and handmade products from the city’s local artists and artisans, making it an ideal destination to get a souvenir during your trip.
Trong Nguyen / Shutterstock.com
You can also find several food stalls at the Puyallup Farmers’ Market.
Puyallup Farmers’ Market is a can’t-miss destination with tons of products and a festive atmosphere.
Catapult Adventure Park is another premiere amusement park in Puyallup, known for its adrenaline-pumping trampolines.
As the name suggests, you’ll get launched everywhere in this fantastic trampoline park, full of all sorts of gimmicks to keep children and adults engaged for hours.
They have extreme dodgeball, a “ninja cat” course, and a strobe zone that utilizes light to create a “whack-a-mole” competitive game.
There are over 15 zones to explore at Catapult Adventure Park.
You can visit Catapult Adventure Park along East Main Avenue, near the Puyallup River.
Joe Mabel, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
While the farmers’ market is the main attraction in Pioneer Park, there’s a lot more exciting stuff to do here, especially if you visit when the farmers’ market is closed.
It’s a fantastic place for kids to have fun, as they have excellent playground facilities that feature a merry-go-round and a variety of swings and slides.
Like Bradley Lake Park, there are lovely picnic areas at Pioneer Park.
Joe Mabel, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
There’s also a splash pad here that’s perfect for the kids during a hot summer day.
It’s a great park overall, especially if you want something closer to the urban areas of Puyallup.
Joe Mabel, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
North of Meeker Mansion Museum lies Karshner Memorial Museum, a natural history museum that the city’s Puyallup School District owns.
There’s a lot to unpack in the Karshner Memorial Museum, as it has a lot of artifacts and rotating and permanent exhibits.
They have an “Artifact of the Week,” where they highlight one of their collections and expound on the artifact’s history.
Doubling as an arts and culture center, you’ll also see many art exhibits and events here.
Karshner Memorial Museum is a beloved institution in Puyallup that’s a perfect place for kids and teenagers to learn more about history and arts.
Joe Mabel, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Meeker Mansion Museum is one of the historical landmarks in Puyallup that dates back to 1890, named after Ezra and Eliza Jane Meeker.
The Meekers are Washington pioneers known for their advocacy surrounding the Oregon Trail and their economic contributions to Washington State.
Both history and architecture buffs would want to visit Meeker Mansion Museum, which teems with all sorts of 19th-century artifacts.
Joe Mabel, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The building is an Italianate Victorian home featuring beautiful stained glass windows and various intricate woodwork in its interiors.
You’ll see many 19th-century items while touring the house, such as furniture and household items that depict the lifestyle of the Meekers.
You can locate the Meeker Mansion Museum along Spring Street near Pioneer Park.
© Steven Pavlov / https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Senapa
If you’re in the mood for bowling, Rockin’ Bowl Cafe at Daffodil Bowls is the go-to bowling center for locals, located just a few minutes east of the Karshner Memorial Museum.
Rockin’ Bowl Cafe at Daffodil Bowls is a modern and spacious bowling alley that accommodates large groups of friends and family.
They have numerous lanes to meet the demand, but booking a lane online is highly recommended to avoid waiting during peak hours.
On top of its great ambiance and modern facilities, Rockin’ Bowl Cafe at Daffodil Bowls also has stellar food and drinks.
It’s a great place if you’re traveling with a group, especially for your evening plans.
Joe Mabel, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
If you’re in the mood to shop for souvenirs or quirky merchandise, 3rd Street Antiques is a hidden gem in the city.
Just a few steps from the Meeker Mansion Museum, the shop is on 3rd Street, which shares an intersection with Spring Street, where the museum is.
What’s fun about 3rd Street Antiques is that it is a collective of various antique vendors, with around 80 selling their wares in the store.
Because of this, you’ll see a wide variety of antiques, ranging from home decor, and tableware, to interesting toys and figurines.
Take the time to get lost in this massive shop, as it’s one of the best antique stores in Washington.
The Puyallup Recreation Center is a go-to family destination to play sports and do several recreational activities.
Their softball and baseball fields enjoy high ratings from locals and other visitors from neighboring cities, noting that it’s one of the best turf fields in the county.
They also have basketball, tennis, and racquetball courts, a one-stop shop for ball games.
If you want to do weight training, you can go to the newly renovated weight room to meet the community’s growing demands.
The Puyallup Recreation Center is great for a morning or afternoon excursions along Valley Avenue Northwest.
Derrick Engel / Shutterstock.com
Just a few minutes north of Bradley Park lies Wildwood Park, a stunning 80-acre expanse of tree-studded trails that makes it seem like a forest in the middle of the city.
Walking along its trails will lead you to creeks and beautiful foliage, making Wildwood Park a picturesque area.
The park gets a lot of great sunlight, and because its trees are enormous, it gets a beautiful combination of shade and sun that is scenic and tranquil.
Derrick Engel / Shutterstock.com
It’s also a great place to observe or take photos of wildlife, such as squirrels, chipmunks, and migratory birds.
Wildwood Park is an unforgettable outdoor experience that won’t take much of your time, so give this one a visit.
Derrick Engel / Shutterstock.com
Senapa, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
South Hill Mall is your go-to place if you want the classic mall shopping experience.
Located close to Bradley Lake Park, this family destination offers a wide array of clothing stores and dining options.
There’s also a Target inside South Hill Mall, a big plus if you want access to all sorts of products.
Besides shopping, there’s also a cinema at South Hill Mall, a great addition to your itinerary if you have spare time.
The mall is also close to several establishments and hotels, making it an excellent convenient stopover for Bradley Lake Park or Wildwood Park.
Joe Mabel, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
If you want to get some work out of the way while appreciating a beloved landmark, the Puyallup Public Library is a neat addition to your itinerary.
Built in 1877, Puyallup Public Library doubles as a historical landmark with fine architecture.
Spanning around 500 square feet, the library is an excellent place to avoid large crowds and get some peace.
Joe Mabel, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Their excellent facilities include high-speed Wi-Fi, private study rooms, and a spacious kid’s area.
Of course, the library has an extensive collection of books, music, and movies, well over a hundred thousand.
Located beside Pioneer Park, Puyallup Public Library is a convenient, quiet oasis in the middle of the bustling districts of the city.
Puyallup may be an unassuming city since it’s overshadowed by the great cities of Seattle and Tacoma.
However, this city brims with fun city adventures and attractions.
Check out the best things to do in Puyallup, Washington!
Discover the world.
© All rights reserved.
